The neighborhood of Koukaki borders with Athens' picturesque old town and lies in between the Acropolis and Syngrou Fix metro stations. It may not be as quaint as Plaka, but Koukaki offers an alternative vibe that makes it utterly charming, while it has immediate access to the Acropolis.
The oldest house in Athens tells a story of the life of Athenian aristocrats before the Greek revolution and paints a picture of their traditions and habits. That being said, there is another story that this old house tells: one of great humanity and faith. It is a story of a Greek woman who faced all the possible challenges but was determined to fight for what she believed in and protect the vulnerable who had no means of defending themselves.
Athens is mostly known around the world for its classical period ruins, such as the Parthenon, the Erecthion, the temple of Hephaestus in the Ancient Agora and so on and so forth. But how about the excellent specimens of neoclassical architecture it boasts, situated in the very heart of a modern city? Doesn’t ring any bells? Well, let us enlighten you then. Neoclassical is the type of architectural and artistic movement that bloomed around the 18th and 19th century in Europe and elsewhere as an effort to revive the classical forms of the Greek antiquity and the subsequent Roman Empire. In Greece as well, this type of architecture was very popular in the 19th and early 20th century, with many examples still standing today, such as the numerous neoklassika (mansions of these type) in the Plaka area, our Parliament building (previously the Royal Palace), the old Parliament House (now the National Historical Museum) the Zappeion Mansion, and of course the best examples of all: The Athenian Trilogy in Panepistimiou str., including the National Library, the University of Athens and the Academy.
Petralona is one of the most aesthetically pleasing neighbourhoods of Athens, located north of Taurus and Kallithea and extending from Piraeus Street to Philopappou Hill and from Hammos Street to Poulopoulos bridge. With its apparent urban vibe, it has arguably been established as a local’s favourite, either for drinking, eating or leisurely wandering.
Today we explore six of the most central, historic and characteristic squares of Athens: Syntagma, Monastiraki and Omonia, commonly referred to as the 'Commercial Triangle of Athens' due to their positioning on the map which forms a triangle, but also Klafthmonos Kotzia and Avissinias smaller in size but equally interesting to the keen traveller. We love all these squares for different reasons and you will see why in more detail below. What's more, it is possible to discover all of them on foot in a single day, since the walking distance between them is never more than fifteen minutes. The order of presentation below is meant to be a walking route starting from Syntagma and ending up in Avissinias, and has nothing to do with size or importance. Take your camera, your coffee and your comfy shoes and off we go!
Maybe seeing the Acropolis and enjoying the landscape is not all that you came to Greece for. Maybe, your materialistic tendencies need to be fulfilled with a little bit of Greek shopping to enrich your trip as well. Well, we are not here to judge. What we are here for, is to help you and inform you about the best places to shop in Athens, whether you're into high end or high street fashion.
Christmas time is here at LAST! (ok, almost.) The characteristic Christmas decorations have already found their way to Athens' street lights and wait patiently to be lit up once more. Christmas trees are becoming more and more numerous behind closed windows and hot chocolates viennois take their rightful place on top of the crowded tables of the various street cafés. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Here are some tips on what to do in Athens to make it even more so!
Being in a foreign country can be pretty intimidating. Even if you have come prepared, you can find yourself unsure of what to do next and how to explore the city’s secrets. Especially at night, it can get even more challenging without the welcoming sun leading your way. That's where we come in. In this post, we will show you 5 things to do in Athens at night, in order for you to take back home, along with your overflowing suitcase and fashionable tan, the best of memories.
