Guidebook for Athens
Arts & Culture
One of Athen's must-see attractions. You could get lost in here for an entire day. In walking distance from the apartment.
1277 molta ag muintir na háite
National Archaeological Museum
44 28is OktovriouOne of Athen's must-see attractions. You could get lost in here for an entire day. In walking distance from the apartment.
If you only visit one museum, make it this one by renowned Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi. And if you only have an hour's time, go up to the top floor to see the reconstructed frieze of the Parthenon.
2190 molta ag muintir na háite
Acropolis Museum
15 Dionysiou AreopagitouIf you only visit one museum, make it this one by renowned Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi. And if you only have an hour's time, go up to the top floor to see the reconstructed frieze of the Parthenon.
Parks & Nature
One of Athen's largest parks. Great for jogging or just to chill out among the lush greenery.
232 molta ag muintir na háite
Pedion tou Areos
One of Athen's largest parks. Great for jogging or just to chill out among the lush greenery.
The half-hour or so hike up to Athen's highest point is rewarded with a stunning view of the entire city all the way down to the sea. You can start from the apartment by turning right and walking all the way up Komninon – with the rest being self-explanatory. And once you've reached the peak, you can also enjoy a drink or a meal in the large restaurant. If you're too tired to walk down, take the cable car.
682 molta ag muintir na háite
Mount Lycabettus Viewing Area
The half-hour or so hike up to Athen's highest point is rewarded with a stunning view of the entire city all the way down to the sea. You can start from the apartment by turning right and walking all the way up Komninon – with the rest being self-explanatory. And once you've reached the peak, you can also enjoy a drink or a meal in the large restaurant. If you're too tired to walk down, take the cable car.
Right behind the apartment, this small hill offers a great view of the Acropolis and other Athenian landmarks.
117 molta ag muintir na háite
Strefi Hill
134 Emmanouil BenakiRight behind the apartment, this small hill offers a great view of the Acropolis and other Athenian landmarks.
City beach easily reachable by tram (direction Voula) from the metro stations Syntagma, Sygrou-Fix or Neos Kosmos.
40 molta ag muintir na háite
Edem
City beach easily reachable by tram (direction Voula) from the metro stations Syntagma, Sygrou-Fix or Neos Kosmos.
City beach easily reachable by tram (direction Voula) from the metro stations Syntagma, Sygrou-Fix or Neos Kosmos.
11 molta ag muintir na háite
Kalamaki Beach
City beach easily reachable by tram (direction Voula) from the metro stations Syntagma, Sygrou-Fix or Neos Kosmos.
Essentials
Ok! Anytime Markets
15 KipselisOpen every day until 11 pm, including Sundays.
Drinks & Nightlife
The neighbourhood around Exarchia square is famous for its cafés, bars and restaurants – often with live music – as well as its street art.
46 molta ag muintir na háite
Exarchion Square
5 StournariThe neighbourhood around Exarchia square is famous for its cafés, bars and restaurants – often with live music – as well as its street art.
Laid-back rooftop bar run by an arts collective. Only open during the warmer months (approximately April to October).
Nosotros
66 ThemistokleousLaid-back rooftop bar run by an arts collective. Only open during the warmer months (approximately April to October).
Sightseeing
The leftist Exarchia neighbourhood is famous for its graffiti art. Grab a camera and go explore!
168 molta ag muintir na háite
Exarcheia
The leftist Exarchia neighbourhood is famous for its graffiti art. Grab a camera and go explore!
From A for Acropolis to Z for Zeus (as in: The Temple of Olympian Zeus), Athens offers so many iconic spots and exciting experiences that I simply don't have space to list them here. The website WhyAthens.com is a great place to start – especially for local events.
124 molta ag muintir na háite
Athens
From A for Acropolis to Z for Zeus (as in: The Temple of Olympian Zeus), Athens offers so many iconic spots and exciting experiences that I simply don't have space to list them here. The website WhyAthens.com is a great place to start – especially for local events.
AlternativeAthens.com offer some great tours off the beaten track – such as the Street Art Walking Tour.
Alternative Athens
24 KaraiskakiAlternativeAthens.com offer some great tours off the beaten track – such as the Street Art Walking Tour.
Food Scene
Amazing Greek food in a lovely setting – whether you want to dine in the stylish interior or in the leafy courtyard outside.
178 molta ag muintir na háite
Ama Lachei
69 KallidromiouAmazing Greek food in a lovely setting – whether you want to dine in the stylish interior or in the leafy courtyard outside.
Hip and happening coffee roastery and café run by young locals who definitely know their coffee.
11 molta ag muintir na háite
KALDI Καφεκοπτείο (Coffee grinder's and shop)
164 IppokratousHip and happening coffee roastery and café run by young locals who definitely know their coffee.
Every now and then I crave a croissant with my coffee, but most cafés (that aren't chains) don't have them - except Paraskinio, which also serves a great traditional apple pie. Opens at 11 am.
9 molta ag muintir na háite
Cafe Paraskinio
68 KallidromiouEvery now and then I crave a croissant with my coffee, but most cafés (that aren't chains) don't have them - except Paraskinio, which also serves a great traditional apple pie. Opens at 11 am.
Every Saturday morning, Kallidromiou street turns into a farmer's market, starting from Charilaou Trikoupi street.
Kallidromiou
KallidromiouEvery Saturday morning, Kallidromiou street turns into a farmer's market, starting from Charilaou Trikoupi street.
The Coffee Tree
89 Char. TrikoupiSmall café that also sells its own roasts.
Alexandra
21 ZonaraGood Greek food close by.
Sorolop
17 Andrea MetaxaPossibly the world's best profiteroles. Take-away only.
I Cake You
42 ThemistokleousSweet tooth? Then this trendy café is for you.
Small café tucked away in a side street amidst the bustle of Exarchia. Local hangout with an alternative feel. Tip: Grab a bite from one of the nearby bakeries on Charilaou Trikoupi and bring it to the café.
8 molta ag muintir na háite
Sélas
19 MethonisSmall café tucked away in a side street amidst the bustle of Exarchia. Local hangout with an alternative feel. Tip: Grab a bite from one of the nearby bakeries on Charilaou Trikoupi and bring it to the café.
Faeinon
17 KallidromiouQuiet café with lush outdoor seating and nice cakes.
The neighbourhood's go-to street to eat, drink and be merry on. In terms of restaurants, I particularly like Rakoumél (Emmanouil Benaki no. 71), which serves Cretan specialities, and Ouzeri Lesvos (no. 38). The more upmarket Rififi (no. 69) is also great, and should you tire of Greek food, try Mystic Pizza & Pasta (no. 76) for a plate of wholesome Italian fare made of organic, local produce.
Emmanouil Benaki
Emmanouil BenakiThe neighbourhood's go-to street to eat, drink and be merry on. In terms of restaurants, I particularly like Rakoumél (Emmanouil Benaki no. 71), which serves Cretan specialities, and Ouzeri Lesvos (no. 38). The more upmarket Rififi (no. 69) is also great, and should you tire of Greek food, try Mystic Pizza & Pasta (no. 76) for a plate of wholesome Italian fare made of organic, local produce.
Au Grand Zinc
92 Char. TrikoupiYummy sweet or savoury crêpes and good coffee.
Great restaurant for authentic, very reasonably priced Greek yumminess in a lovely courtyard close to the apartment.
Ταβέρνα _Η Λευκα
121 MavromichaliGreat restaurant for authentic, very reasonably priced Greek yumminess in a lovely courtyard close to the apartment.
Valteziana Pizzeria
41 ValtetsiouTrendy LGBTQ-friendly pizzeria.
Pizzeria with vegan options. Speciality: home-made hemp dough.
43 molta ag muintir na háite
Mystic Pizza & Pasta
76 Emmanouil BenakiPizzeria with vegan options. Speciality: home-made hemp dough.
Even though it is pricier than other places, the café of the Numismatic Museum is one of my favourites, tucked away in a quiet courtyard off busy Panepistimiou Street smack in the center of the city. Find some serenity here after a busy day of sightseeing.
111 molta ag muintir na háite
Numismatic Museum
12 El. VenizelouEven though it is pricier than other places, the café of the Numismatic Museum is one of my favourites, tucked away in a quiet courtyard off busy Panepistimiou Street smack in the center of the city. Find some serenity here after a busy day of sightseeing.
Getting Around
Uber is banned in Athens, but taxis are quite cheap. Download the BEAT taxi app to order a cab when and where you want it and so that you can pay by credit card via the app instead of by cash in the car.
26 molta ag muintir na háite
BEAT
11 SinaUber is banned in Athens, but taxis are quite cheap. Download the BEAT taxi app to order a cab when and where you want it and so that you can pay by credit card via the app instead of by cash in the car.
Closest bus station. All the busses going up Alexandras avenue stop at Ambelokipi metro station, where you can catch the blue line/line 3 to the airport.
Sonia station
Closest bus station. All the busses going up Alexandras avenue stop at Ambelokipi metro station, where you can catch the blue line/line 3 to the airport.
Taxis to the airport have fixed price: 38 euros during the day and 54 euros at night (00.00–05.00) with no additional charges. Don't let yourself be talked into paying extra for luggage or tolls etc. – see Airport-Athens.com for more.
Alternatively, you can take any bus from Sonia, at the bottom of Komninon street, to Ambelokipi metro station, where you can catch the blue metro service (line 3) to the airport: https://goo.gl/maps/mGoEZxMLx4x
243 molta ag muintir na háite
Athens International Airport
Attiki OdosTaxis to the airport have fixed price: 38 euros during the day and 54 euros at night (00.00–05.00) with no additional charges. Don't let yourself be talked into paying extra for luggage or tolls etc. – see Airport-Athens.com for more.
Alternatively, you can take any bus from Sonia, at the bottom of Komninon street, to Ambelokipi metro station, where you can catch the blue metro service (line 3) to the airport: https://goo.gl/maps/mGoEZxMLx4x