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Last updated: September 14, 2020
the ultimate Athens Travel Guide with 73 tips for you
In this new Athens Travel Guide, I share our best tips for a city break to this charming city. If you ask me, Athens is the perfect destination for a city break in spring and autumn. The weather is usually still wonderful then, and the city is bustling with cozy terraces to enjoy it to the fullest. If you're thinking of Athens When you think of the Acropolis, you might immediately think of the Acropolis and other cultural sights. But you might not know that the city also boasts a wealth of trendy restaurants, street art, the world's best cocktail bars, and rooftop bars with fantastic views.
I have to admit I'm a huge fan of Greece and its cities anyway. What can you do in Athens? In this Athens Travel Guide We've compiled our best travel tips for you, from the coolest hotspots in Athens to fun things to do.
You'll want to check out these offers for a city trip to Athens:
⋙ 4-day city break in the luxurious Electra Metropolis hotel including flight from €411.
9 x Nice hotels in Athens where you want to stay
Electra Metropolis: During my last trip, I was fortunate enough to stay here for several nights, and the rooftop pool and the view alone make it highly recommended. The hotel is modern and classic, incredibly centrally located (and right next to my new favorite restaurants in Athens, like Ergon and Nolan), and boasts a great spa where guests can enjoy the indoor pool and sauna. Every morning, we had breakfast overlooking the Acropolis. I won't soon forget that, and in my opinion, this is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Athens.
Electra Metropolis
COCO-MAT Hotel: It almost feels like a speakeasy. From the outside, it looks like a regular bed shop, but nothing could be further from the truth. Once inside, you go down the stairs and arrive at the hotel reception. Above the shop are studios where you can stay (and sleep on Coco-Mat mattresses, of course). The hotel also has a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy drinks and food (although they don't really have a restaurant, so honestly, I recommend just eating in the cozy neighborhood!). Once you're awake, you can prepare your breakfast downstairs, and they'll bring it up to the rooftop or your private balcony. Highly recommended, because that's an extra relaxing way to wake up!
Coco-Mat hotel
Semiramis: A hotel group to keep in mind if you're traveling to Athens is the YES Hotels. While almost all the hotels in this group are worth staying at, if only for the Instagram-worthy pool with its pink umbrellas, Semiramis is a must-see if only for its sleek, modern design. The rooms are bright, modern, and stylishly furnished.
Semiramis Hotel
New Hotel: On my first trip to Athens, I stayed at the New Hotel, which had only been open for a few months when I checked in and was already on every list of the best hotels in Athens. It's a wonderfully modern boutique hotel with a lovely restaurant that's bustling with locals for brunch on weekends. The rooms are wonderfully spacious, bright, and stylishly decorated, and the New Hotel is just 200 meters from Syntagma Square.
New Hotel
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13 Restaurants in Athens Where You Want to Eat // Athens Travel Guide
Nolan: Right next to our hotel (we stayed at the beautiful Electra Metropolis Hotel) was perhaps one of the best restaurants in Athens right now. At Nolan, you'll find modern dishes made with the finest local ingredients and a Greek twist. If you're visiting Athens, be sure to reserve a table at this charming gastrobar in the evening! Enjoy people-watching on the terrace in good weather. The menu changes regularly, but the zucchini salad and the grilled baby barracuda are highly recommended!
33, Voulis 31, Athens – nolanrestaurant.gr
Ergon: When I was in Thessaloniki a few years ago, Ergon's first food store/restaurant had just opened. In Athens, you'll find this restaurant right across from the entrance to the Electra Metropolis Hotel. Share different dishes from the menu to try as much as possible!
Mitropoleos 26, Athens, Greece – ergonfoods.com
Cherchez La Femme: Step into Cherchez La Femme and feel like you're in a Parisian bistro in the heart of Athens. Green marble, a wooden bar, and fresh wildflowers on the tables. I went there for lunch, and my, oh my, it was delicious. The menu features Greek dishes perfect for sharing. The eggplant salad and dolmades are highly recommended!
Mitropoleos 46, Athens, Greece
Melilotos: This little restaurant has a lovely terrace, but perhaps an even nicer interior. Open from lunch to dinner and with a menu full of Greek dishes, it's a perfect spot for a bite to eat or a drink while shopping near the main shopping street Ermou.
Kalamiotou 19, Athens, Greece – melilotos.gr
DISCOVER 9 MORE RESTAURANTS IN ATHENS HERE >>
11 cocktail bars in Athens for late-night drinks
Local Color: Couleur Locale is one of the go-to cocktail bars for young people in Athens. The trendy interior, excellent cocktails, and wide selection of spirits, along with a view of the Acropolis, make this a great spot to enjoy the sunset in the evening.
Normanou 3, Athens, Greece – Facebook page
Noel: Noel is perhaps one of the most famous cocktail bars in Athens. This is due to the excellent cocktails they serve, but especially to the unique interior. It's inspired by Christmas with a capital "C" year-round. Trust us, you won't get bored here!
Kolokotroni 59B, Athens, Greece – noelbar.gr
The Clumsies: The Clumsies isn't just one of Athens' favorite cocktail bars; it's also listed on the world's best bar list. This means it's packed every night. So, be sure to arrive early or reserve a table if you'd like to have a bite to eat.
Praxitelous 30, Athens, Greece – theclumsies.gr
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9 Coffee Shops in Athens for the Best Frappé // Athens Travel Guide
Little Tree Books & Coffee: One of the coffee shops in Athens that was immediately recommended to us is Little Tree Books & Coffee in the Koukaki neighborhood. It's a cozy spot where you can enjoy a frappé or cappuccino in peace with a book, laptop, or your partner.
Kavalloti 2, Athens, Greece – Facebook Page
Espressaki: Just for the cozy atmosphere alone, you should stop by Espressaki. It's a small café where, in addition to your frappé and carrot cake, you can also order excellent homemade sangria. It'll be a tough choice!
Evinou 3, Athens, Greece – Facebook Page
Otto: A restaurant you can't possibly pass by without peeking inside. Otto is completely pink, with pink velvet (!) sofas and enormous chandeliers. A lovely spot to watch the street wake up in the morning with a fresh coffee.
Kalamiotou 18, Athens, Greece – Facebook Page
DISCOVER 6 MORE COFFEE BARS HERE >>
9 of the best rooftop bars in Athens for the best view
A for Athens: For stunning views of the Acropolis and some of the best cocktails in Athens, book a table at A for Athens. It's a bit crowded, a bit pricier than most cocktail bars, but definitely worth it. It's packed every night!
Pl. Monastirakioum, Athens, Greece – aforathens.com
Loukoumi Bar: One of Athens' popular local rooftop bars is Loukoumi Bar. With views of the Acropolis and Monastiraki Square, you can feast your eyes all evening long. Loukoumi Bar has a vintage vibe and regularly hosts live performances and DJs to complete your evening. Check out their Facebook page and plan your night out.
Platia Avissinias 3 & 10, Athens, Greece – Facebook Page
Athens 360: A beautiful cocktail bar on Monastiraki Square with – naturally – a view of the Acropolis. Not only tourists and expats gather here on the rooftop, but locals also love to order a drink as the evening draws to a close. So be sure to arrive early to secure a table.
Ifestou 2, Athens, Greece – three-sixty.gr
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13 fun things to do in Athens // Athens Travel Guide
Visit the Acropolis: This Athens Travel Guide simply can't leave the Acropolis out of your list. It's incredibly touristy, but if you're visiting Athens, you can't miss it! Acropolis means "the highest point of the city" in Greek and is also known as the sacred rock of Athens. The Acropolis boasts several sacred temples dedicated to various gods, including the patron goddess Athena. You'll also find the remains of the Parthenon, the Temple of Nike, the Propylaea, and the Erechtheion on the Acropolis. It's definitely a bucket list item and a fun thing to do in Athens. Unfortunately, the Acropolis has been under construction for a while now!
Take a street art tour: Almost every wall in Athens is covered in graffiti, or decorated with it, depending on your perspective. With beautiful artwork and texts you'll likely encounter in any city. To separate the wheat from the chaff, you can also book a street art tour at withlocals.com. Highly recommended if you want to discover the city's most beautiful street art. Want to explore on your own? Then definitely don't miss the Exarcheia district and the area around Riga's Palamidou Street in the Psyrri district.
Take a food tour: What's more fun than getting to know the food culture of another city? There are several organizations in Athens where you can book food tours. We always prefer to go with a local. For example, book a food tour through withlocals.com And taste the best and tastiest of Athens. We took a food tour with a food journalist and sampled, among other things, the city's best feta, cow's tongue (quite delicious), and incredibly good olive oil and goat cheese. The great thing about a food tour like this is that you discover places you wouldn't have found so easily on your own!
DISCOVER 9 MORE THINGS TO DO HERE >>
5 of the best (food) markets in Athens // Athens Travel Guide
Thissio: Our Athens Travel Guide wouldn't be complete without tips for the city's best markets. If you're looking for jewelry and handmade goods, head to the Thissio neighborhood. At the beginning of Apostolou Pavlou Street, there's a market you can stroll through. The street was made car-free for the 2004 Olympic Games, and it hasn't changed since. Every day, street vendors gather to show you their wares and hopefully sell them. What can you find here? Think silver jewelry, vintage cameras, watches, coins, secondhand leather bags, clothing, and of course, plenty of trinkets. Artists and musicians also fill the stalls, creating a lively atmosphere.
Apostolou Pavlou, Athens – Greece
Varvakeios: The largest market in Athens is Varvakeios Market. It's not just locals who shop, but also chefs who buy fresh fish, nuts, vegetables, and meat. The market is divided into two sections. In the covered section, you'll find fresh meat and fish, and you can even dine at traditional, local mini-restaurants serving homemade dishes. Opposite the covered section are the fruit and vegetable stalls. Besides fruit and vegetables, you can also buy olives, wine, nuts, and sweets.
You will find the market between Monastiraki and Omonia on Athinas Street and it is open from Monday to Saturday until 15.00pm.
Antiques and flea market: On Sundays, Avyssinias Square hosts a large vintage/antique market where you can find absolutely anything. By 8:00 a.m., the vendors have set up shop, souvlaki is grilled, and it's already quite busy. Whether you're looking for secondhand sneakers, a velvet chair, Greek paintings, or handmade jewelry, you'll find it at the market. You can also shop for antiques in Athens on other days. When you're strolling through the Monastiraki flea market, it's a must to wander into the narrow side streets to check out the small antique shops and hidden coffee spots, such as TAF.
Avyssinias Square, Athens – Greece
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4 of the best beaches in Athens to relax
One of the most popular beaches is Glyfáda, also known as the urban beach of the coastal region. Here you'll find many beach clubs where people party until the wee hours. The beach is sheltered and slopes gently, making it perfect for paddling. Voúla is also highly recommended. A beautiful golden beach with watersports, terraces, shops, and restaurants. Vouliagmeni and Kavouri are also among the best beaches in Athens for enjoying the Greek sun.
Especially in the evenings, when temperatures rise in the city, take the tram to the Greek Riviera. Take a walk on the beach or visit one of the beach clubs for delicious seafood.
Enjoy the tips in this Athens Travel Guide. Read on for a few more practical tips!
Athens Travel gUIDE Tips
Tips for package holidays to Athens with a nice hotel:
⋙ 4-day city break in the luxurious Electra Metropolis hotel including flight from €411.
YOURLBB'S FAVORITE HOTELS IN ATHENS: During our last trip, we stayed in several lovely boutique and design hotels in Athens. And good news: almost all of them have a rooftop terrace with fantastic views of the city and, with a bit of luck, a swimming pool too. These are hotels where you're guaranteed to have a wonderful time:
- Electra Metropolis: super good location, lovely swimming pool and breakfast with a view of the Acropolis
- COCO-MAT Hotel: through the store to the lobby and then check in at your own studio with shared rooftop
- Semiramis: with a crazy colored swimming pool
- New Hotel: just 200 meters from Syntagma Square
- A For Athens: without a doubt one of the best locations and nicest rooftop bars
- Twentyone: design hotel in the Kifissia district
- Periscope: modern boutique hotel in the Kolonaki district
- Athens Was: You'll want to stay here just for the vibrant rooftop bar
- Fresh Hotel: modern hotel with a beautiful rooftop pool
Have fun if you go to Athens!
WITH LOVE,
ANNE
Athens Tips
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