In the event you’re planning a metropolis break to Athens, you’re in the precise place. I not too long ago spent 3 days and three nights within the fascinating Greek capital with my sister. With the assistance of Uncover Greece, my sister and I landed in Athens with a listing of genuine suggestions. Itemizing all the things from eating places to rooftop bars and occasional retailers to Greek souvlaki retailers, we had native data on our aspect from the off. We labored our approach by the suggestions, and now it’s time to go a few of my favourites on to you. Right here is the final word Metropolis Information to Athens.
Introducing Athens
Athens has at all times been identified for its unimaginable historical historical past. This historical past nonetheless proudly stands within the type of The Acropolis, however the metropolis has not too long ago regenerated itself with a contemporary twist. Due to the inhabitants of younger Greek creatives and business-minds, the brand new wave of coffee-culture, rooftop bars and creative pop ups have positively remodeled the town. Due to this, it has quick turn into one in all Europe’s most fascinating ‘new’ metropolis break locations.
Getting Round
Regardless of being a capital metropolis, all the things in Athens is comparatively compact. You possibly can attain all the sights on foot and most of the streets are pedestrianised, making your strolls way more enjoyable. There’s an underground Metro that connects the entire metropolis and taxis are low-cost and plentiful.
High 5 Issues to Do in Athens
There is a lot to find in Athens past the museums. Listed here are the highest 5 issues to do that are a should for all metropolis breaks!
1.Be Amazed by The Acropolis
No metropolis information to Athens can be full and not using a climb to the highest of the magnificent Acropolis. The Parthenon stands tall on the prime of The Acropolis and towers over the town beneath. The historical past of this UNESCO World Heritage website is mind-boggling and the brand new Acropolis Museum helps convey all of it to life.
2. Discover the Again Streets of Anafiotika
Anafiotika is a real hidden gem of Athens. This miniature village sits on the foothill of the Acropolis and feels a world away from the busy cosmopolitan streets of Athens. The slim alleyways, cobbled streets and white-washed homes make you’re feeling such as you’ve been transported to a magical Greek island.
3. Wander by Plaka
Plaka is Athen’s hottest space for vacationers, and for good purpose. There’s a picture alternative round each nook and the sun-drenched piazzas are stuffed with al-fresco eating places, quaint church buildings and gelato retailers. The road of Andrianou is the most effective place to select up some genuine souvenirs and items. On the finish of Andrianou there’s additionally a well-liked strip of eating places all with al fresco tables. Plaka Previous City oozes that conventional Greek allure you’re dying to find.
4. Discover Hidden Treasures in Athens Flea Market
The Flea Market of Athens could also be missed by many, however a go to right here is solely fascinating. A melting pot of the bizarre, the great and the downright weird, a charming stroll by Athens flea market may final for hours. Discover some treasure of your individual and put your negotiation expertise to the take a look at.
5. Soak Up the Sights of Syntagma Sq.
Syntagma Sq. is probably essentially the most well-known sq. in the entire of Greece and has a posh political historical past behind it. On one aspect of the sq. you’ll discover the grand Parliament Constructing, which was previously the King’s Palace between 1836 and 1840. The sq. is at all times buzzing with power and is now residence to 3 well-known luxurious inns that stand aspect by aspect; The King George, The Grand Bretagne and The NJV Plaza.
The Final Metropolis Information to Athens
High 3 Rooftop Bars
What makes Athens so on pattern proper now could be its many rooftop bars. These institutions are sometimes hidden away and arduous to search out, which suggests they’re solely discovered by individuals within the know. Relying on whether or not you go throughout the day time, at sundown or at evening, you’ll get a very completely different perspective of The Acropolis. We visited a special rooftop bar on every day of our journey. Right here had been our finds;
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The Roof Backyard at Electra Metropolis
Mitropoleos 15, Athina 105 57, Greece
Perched on the highest flooring of the 5-star Electra Metropolis resort, this was undoubtedly essentially the most luxurious and stylish rooftop bar we visited. Nonetheless, the drinks are surprisingly inexpensive and a glass of wine will solely set you again about 4 euros. We watched the solar set over the whitewashed homes and sink behind the mountains. It was essentially the most magical second of our journey.
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Couleur Locale
105 55, Normanou 3, Athina 105 55, Greece
Couleur Locale was the good rooftop bar we visited in Athens and felt like a secret society of artistic locals. Accessed by way of a aspect avenue off of Ermou, the unassuming groundfloor bar appears nothing particular. However enter the carry and also you’ll be transported to the highest flooring which is a hub of power. The setting is spectacular, the music is nice and the cocktails are scrumptious.
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360 Bar
Ifestou 2, Athina 105 55, Greece
360 Bar is simply as buzzing within the daytime as at evening. The rooftop bar is a suntrap by day with funky home music and an actual social gathering really feel. Nevertheless it’s not all in regards to the alcohol right here. Locals will come right here to drink espresso, socialise and absorb the solar.
The Final Metropolis Information to Athens
The place to Eat
The meals alone is purpose sufficient to go to Athens and you may anticipate high quality, contemporary and scrumptious native produce. Most eating places serve Greek delicacies (naturally) however you’ll additionally discover alternate options corresponding to Italian and sushi. Listed here are a few of my favorite finds
7 Meals Sins
Pl. Filomousou Eterias 1, Athina 105 58, Greece
Situated on Plaka’s quaint Filomousou Sq., 7 Meals Sins is a ‘gastro pub’ serving conventional Greek meals with a contemporary twist. Consider is as an evolution of it’s neighbouring and extra conventional eating places. It’s set in an outdated townhouse and the interiors are lovely.
Good N Simple
Omirou 60, Athens 106 72, Greece
Good N Simple is a up to date Mediterranean restaurant situated a couple of 15 minute stroll from Syntagma Sq.. The dishes on the artistic menu are named after Hollywood greats and well-known musicians, including a playful really feel to the restaurant. We ate right here on our second evening and the setting, wine and meals was beautiful. The one downfall is that it doesn’t serve historically Greek meals, which is what we actually wished.
Ergon Greek Deli & Delicacies
26 Mitropoleos Str., Athens, Greece GR 10563
We ate right here on our first evening in Athens and it was the right re-introduction to all of our favorite greek dishes. We feasted on contemporary Greek salad, hummus, heat pitta bread and scrumptious zucchini balls with feta cheese. The Ergon home crimson wine right here can be divine and really inexpensive.
iFeel
Karaiskaki 33, Athina 105 54, Greece
In the event you’re planning a little bit of an evening out and need extra of a tapas type dinner, head to iFeel within the buzzing nightlife space of Plaka. The outside seating space is the right place for individuals watching and sharing wine and nibbles with pals. Make sure you order the Parmesan rocks which come smothered in honey, and the tempura prawn can be great.
Kostas Souvlaki Store Saint Irene Sq.
Kostas is claimed by many Athenians to be the most effective Souvlaki store in Athens, so we needed to go and see for ourselves. This tiny kiosk serves up hen and pork souvlakis in a takeaway type. You’ll see a stream of locals queuing up exterior the door all through the day, and it’s nicely well worth the wait. The meat is succulent, the pitta was contemporary and for less than 3 euros every it’s an absolute discount.
Avocado Vegetarian Restaurant
Nikis 30, Athina 105 57, Greece
We didn’t eat right here, however the information on our strolling tour pointed it out to us because it’s some of the standard vegetarian eating places in Athens. Nicely price noting down for any veggies studying this.
The Final Metropolis Information to Athens
The place to Store
Ermou
Ermou is Athen’s industrial excessive avenue the place you’ll discover numerous acquainted European and English manufacturers. The lengthy avenue is pedestrianised and runs from to Syntagma Sq., by Monastiraki, to Thissio.
Andrianou
Andrianou and its surrounding Plaka streets have an abundance of fascinating retailers promoting all the things from handmade Greek sandles and equipment to native produce corresponding to olive oil and ouzo. If you wish to store off-high avenue, that is the place to come back.
The Final Metropolis Information to Athens
The place to Social gathering
It’s price noting that factor begin late in Athens, and by late, I imply that the majority locals received’t have dinner til about 10pm. Because of this the pre-dinner bar scene doesn’t get going till about 12pm-1am. In order for you an evening out in true Athens type, put together to be awake till the very early hours.
Psiri
To make issues easy for you, the bustling neighbourhood of Psiri is the place to go for nightlife. Don’t be fooled by its sleepy day time manner. By evening, the world comes alive with vibrant cocktail bars, outside consuming areas and an thrilling hum of chatter. While everyone seems to be consuming, no one appears to get drunk, which I really like (because it feels one million miles from the binge consuming tradition of Britain). Head to the extremely cool Six d.o.g.s for some artisan cocktails or bask in some advantageous wines at iFeel.
The Final Metropolis Information to Athens
The place to Drink Espresso
Espresso tradition in Athens is a approach to see and be seen. There are many outside cafes to select from the place you possibly can sit and luxuriate in espresso after espresso while watching the style present of passers by. You’ll wrestle to discover a espresso place that gives takeaway cups, except you head to Starbucks. Do because the locals do; order a “Freddo” iced espresso and watch the world go by.
Tailormade, Saint Irene Sq.
Pl. Agias Irinis 2, Athens 105 60, Greece
Tables at this fashionable hangout are sizzling property. Serving up coffees, imaginative cocktails and DJ units, this place is Athenian hipster heaven.
Spollati
Aiolou 27, Athens 105 60, Greece
A stone’s throw from Tailormade is Spollati, one other ridiculously cool hangout with an equally good selection of cocktails and occasional. By evening this small bar comes alive and has an actual 1920’s vibe.
The Final Metropolis Information to Athens
The place to discover a Greek Breakfast
The Greeks aren’t large on breakfast. As an alternative, they like to seize a mid-morning snack on the go within the type of a pretzel. You’ll discover pretzel stands all around the metropolis, however for the freshest and tastiest variety, head straight to the supply. There’s a well-known well-known Pretzel bakery in Psiri that’s open 24 hours a day.
The Final Metropolis Information to Athens
The place to Keep
The New Lodge
Filellinon 16, Athina 105 57, Greece
In my humble opinion there’s solely as soon as place to remain in Athens, and it’s The New Lodge. This was my base throughout my metropolis break to Athens and it ticked each field for me. The boutique 4* resort is extremely nicely situated a couple of minutes stroll from Syntagma Sq.. Try my full Lodge Evaluate of The New Lodge, Athens.
Plan your journey and browse these High Athens Excursions.
What did you consider my final metropolis information to Athens? Are there every other gems in Athens you suppose ought to get a point out? Or maybe you’re planning to go to a few of these locations on an upcoming journey?
In the event you discovered this information fascinating or helpful, please go away me a remark within the field beneath. Jess x
Wish to learn extra on Athens? Try my 15 Causes to Plan a Metropolis Break to Athens
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