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ATHENS, the capital of Greece

ATHENS is not just the capital of Greece, it is also a vivid city with so many different things to offer, that you will be surprized how quickly your ‘to-do’ list is filled once you start planning your visit. No matter at what time of year, Athens will inspire, excite and surprize you!​

During wintertime it can be cold, but the city is in an easy-going atmosphere and offers lots of opportunities. Either you consider shopping, visiting archaeological sites or museums or wish to try out the Greek cuisine amongst locals, you can do it all at leisure pace . Also during winter the access to archaeological sites is much easier, as there are far less visitors than during summer. Some of them even offer free entrance on every first Sunday during the months November until March which is a nice saving to have, in entrance money. 

During summer the city is very crowded and rather hectic and there are quite long waiting rows in front of archaeological sites and museums but it is certainly worth it! Summers are nice and warm, and often very hot!


Springtime and autumn are ideal for a visit to Athens. The temperatures are pleasantly warm then, and it is not as Crowded as in the summer.

If you love history these 3 should be on top of your list:

1. Acropolis Museum containing an amazing collection of sculptures, ceramics and other findings from the Acropolis. 

2.National archaeological museum with the biggest collection worldwide of Greek artefacts dating from Neolithic to classical times

3.Byzantine-Christian museum with religious art and artefacts from Byzantium presented in a beautiful setting that will transfer you back in time.

Other museums of interest are:

Museum of Cycladic art that Focuses on ancient cultures of the Aegean, and especially those that lived on the Cyclades islands. It was founded by the shipping family Goulandris , also founders of the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation.

Benakis museum of Greek culture invites you to dive into Greek culture explaining it from the pre-historic era until the 20th century.


Open-air monuments you would not like to miss!

The Acropolis

The Acropolis : Built in 5th century B.C. this is the most famous and remarkable monument in Athens situated on the Lycabetus hill and overlooking the town. According to UNESCO ‘Acropolis and its monuments are a universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world’. (source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/404 visit directly for details)

The Plaka​

The old city district located at the foot of Acropolis was once the nightlife district of Athens but it became more quiet and peaceful after the 70ties. Today it is a browsing centre with restaurants, jewel and souvenir-shops and cafés, though it has kept the feeling of a small (and old) neighbourhood. Plaka also is housing a few remarkable archaeological sites like ‘The tower of the winds’ an ancient meteorological station ‘The mosque of Mehmet the Conqueror’ and the ‘Bath of the winds’ that was an old ‘Hammam’.(public bath during the Ottoman occupation)

Evzones

Evzones or Tsoliades used to be an elite group of soldiers, mainly operating in the mountains. They played a significant role during the war of independence against the Ottomans and are often referred to as Kleftes, that literally means thieves. Nowadays they are guarding the monument of the unknown soldier in Athens and the presidential mansion 24/7, a scenery that attracts many viewers.

Watch the changing of the Evzone guards outside the Parliament building in front of the tomb-monument of the unknown soldier remembering the killing of thousands of Greeks during war. There is a change of guard every hour on the hour, and an extended one every Sunday starting at 11:00.

The temple of Zeus

This temple dedicated to the chief of the Olympian Gods, Zeus, is in located walking distance of less than a kilometre from both, Acropolis and Syntagma square in Athens Centre. The first stone was built in the 6th century BC and it had its most glorious times between 125 BC and 267 AD when it was seriously damaged. During Byzantine times and Turkish occupation the temple was almost destroyed only to get reconstructed again partially during the 19th and 20th century by archaeologists.

Contemporary art

If you love contemporary art don’t miss these addresses:

1. The Frissiras Museum of contemporary art showing private collections of contemporary paintings and drawings as well as temporary exhibitions of Greek and European artists. Check the link for more details

2. Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation: A fascinating private collection of famous 19th & 21st century artists work, such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Bacon, Pollock, Degas and Chagall. Want to know more?

3. Stavros Niarchos foundation cultural centre: which is house to the National library and the Opera and hosts many events each year, many of them for free. It is an architectural ‘must see’ with beautiful gardens and a view over the skyline of Athens. 

Greek food and drinks

If you want to taste original Greek food away from the touristic masses you should go looking for a koutouki, or koutoukia in plural. The word itself comes from the Turkish word kutuk meaning familiar. Usually these places are located under the ground, a bit hidden from the public eye, and during the 50’s and 60’s they were very popular for relaxing, drinking local spirits like ouzo, tsipouro or raki, or even smoking marihuana. Nowadays you will find a few of them open, mainly operating as traditional taverns.

Here is a handful of possibilities:

Diporto, located near the Varvakeios food market

Sokratous 9 and Theatrou, Downtown Athens

Tel. +30 210 321 1463

Hours: 8am-7pm

To Triantafilo tis Nostimias, located near the Syntagma square

Lekka 22 (inside the arcade), Downtown Athens

Tel. +30 210 322 7298

Hours: 11:30am-7pm

At the Plaka area , to Kafeneio Epicharmou 1, Plaka Tel. +30 210 324 6916, Hours: 10am-1am or Paradosiako

Voulis 44, Plaka/Syntagma, Tel. +30 210 321 4121, Hours: 9am-midnight

Saita Taverna , Kidathineon 21 Plaka, Athens 10558 Greece+30 21 0322 6671


Here’s a link to the  11 best restaurants in Athens

You will certainly find more restaurants and taverna’s on the internet, depending on what you feel like, Athens has it all. A golden advise I can give you is to look for reviews before visiting a place. It gives you more or less an idea of what you may expect. 

Nightlife

Athenian nightlife has something for every taste or mood. Do you feel like listening to live Greek music, or rather enjoy a cocktail under the stars? Would you fancy an open air disco or a chill atmosphere on a rooftop with view over the Acropolis? It’s your night. Make a choice and have fun! 

Wine bars :

Heteroklito , 2 Fokionos & Petraki, Historic centre, 10563 Athens. Tel: +30 210 323 9406 

Oinoscent, 44A Voulis, Historic Centre, 105 57, Tel:+30 210 322 9374

Paleo: 39 Polidefkous, Piraeus, 185 45, Tel: +30 210 412 5204

Wine point: 2 Porinou & Athanassiou Diakou, Koukaki, 117 42, Tel: +30 210 922 7050, 

Night clubs:

Crust : A pizzeria with a surprizing cellar full of music. Jazz acts , mic-stand-ups and DJ’s serving disco, house techno and more. 13 Protogenous, Psirri, 105 54,Tel +30 210 325 7179

The Speakeasy: Exclusive club hidden in an ordinary apartment building. Limited people allowed each night. Once you’re in, you will be rewarded with cocktails, delicious spirits and live Jazz music. Best get in touch with them first, before visiting. 12 Lekka, Historic Centre, 105 62

Cinderella underground Disco . 3 Levendi, Kolonaki, 106 73, Tel.+30 210 722 2977

Live Greek Blues Music (Rebetika) 

Aggelos , 19 Zoodohou Pigis, Exarchia, 106 81, Tel: +30 697 813 6064

Trichordo, 60 Emmanouil Benaki, Exarchia, 106 81, Tel: +30 694 927 9261

Click here  to know more about the Athenian nightlife. 

Where to stay


Here’s a hand full of beautiful choices for your stay. Click on the titles to be transferred to Booking.com for more details. 

Search your stay in Athens here! 


The olive tree appartment

Right in the heart of Athens, situated within a short distance of Acropolis Museum and Odeum of Herodes Atticus, The Olive Tree Apartment offers free WiFi, air conditioning and household amenities such as a fridge and kettle. With city views, this accommodation features a balcony.

The apartment has 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a shower. For added convenience, the property can provide towels and bed linen for an extra charge.



Bright & Remodeled 1Bed appartment

Situated in Athens, 500 m from Odeum of Herodes Atticus and 500 m from Acropolis Museum, NEW! Bright & Remodeled 1Bed apt 2min Walk to Acropolis provides accommodation with amenities such as free WiFi and a flat-screen TV. Guests benefit from a balcony and a terrace.

The air-conditioned apartment consists of 1 bedroom, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave and a coffee machine, and 1 bathroom with a bidet and a shower.

Cocomat Athens Jumelle (hotel)

COCO-MAT Athens Jumelle has a restaurant, fitness centre, a bar and garden in Athens. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel features family rooms.

Bohemian Suites 

Ideally set in Athens, Bohemian Suites Athens offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. Boasting a garden, the property is close to several noted attractions, around less than 1 km from University of Athens - Central Building, a 13-minute walk from Syntagma Square and 1.3 km from Museum of Cycladic Art. The Property has family rooms.

Combine your stay in Athens with...

Two wonderful day-trip destinations just about  1-2 hours drive from the city:

Korinthos (Corinth)  

It was once one of the largest and most important cities of Greece and history goes back to the Neolithic era. Visit the fortress of Acrocorinth or the cosy Old Corinth village. Also remarkable is the channel(Canal) of Corinth that connects the Saronic with the Corinthian golf. Also nearby you can visit the Posidonia and the beautiful seaside village Lechaio, both dating back to 6th century B.C.

Chalkida (Euboea)

The capital of the Euboea peninsula that is connected with the mainland by two bridges is a charming city with a few monumental buildings like the 13th century Karababa castle and the town hall building.

Enjoy your stay!

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