Neighbourhoods

Exploring Athens

New York City has its boroughs, Paris has its arrondissements, and Athens has its neighborhoods. From sightseeing to shopping, from fine dining to clubbing, each Athenian neighborhood has its own unique character, offering different things to those who visit it. Chances are, in order to truly experience Athens, you’ll have to explore its neighborhoods too!

By IsAbEllE ClAYtoN

Piraeus

Piraeus, a port in ancient times, remains the largest port in Europe and a place rich with history. If you plan on visiting the islands while in Greece, arrive in Piraeus a few hours early to explore the Hellenic Maritime Museum, or to feast on fresh seafood with an idyllic view of the Aegean Sea.

Glyfada

In Glyfada, young people wear designer brands and luxury yachts float peacefully on the pristine sea. With places to shop, clear water beaches, and bustling nightlife, Glyfada is a place for both tourists and locals alike.

©daria volkova/unsplash

Exarcheia

In Athens’ most bohemian neighborhood, you can expect to see walls painted with powerful political messages, young people engaging in intellectual conversations in cafes, and live rock bands performing in nightclubs. Especially popular among the college demographic, many come here for an inexpensive bite to eat, or to shop at its vintage clothing stores.

Stroll through the streets of these two neighborhoods with a view of the Acropolis, and purchase souvenirs or bags of roasted nuts from vendors atop the site of the ancient Agora (marketplace). Monastiraki is one of the most notable shopping destinations in Athens, hosting a weekly Sunday flea market, and is popular among tourists for its tavernas and bars. Thisseio is far less rowdy, with roof-top restaurants perfect for a romantic dinner, or an Open Air Cinema showing movies on crisp summer nights.

Monastiraki-Thisseio

Kolonaki

Directly above Pangrati, Kolonaki is one of the most wealthy neighborhoods in Athens. What sets it apart is not only its hip restaurants, trendy bars, and designer boutiques, but its placement on the steep incline below Lycabettus Hill. Likely one of the most touristic neighborhoods in Athens, Plaka is a tight knit matrix of small houses, restaurants, shops and cafes, directly below the Acropolis. As you walk through the cobblestone streets of Plaka, buildings dating back to the Ottoman occupation of Greece and ancient remains of the Roman Agora are sure to make you feel like you are traveling back in time.

Plaka

Kifissia

Kifissia is a wealthy residential neighborhood in Northeast Athens. It undoubtedly juxtaposes the city center, with its picturesque parks, manicured lawns, large mansions, and even, bike lanes.

The Historic Center of Athens is as much a modern hub as it is a place of historical significance. Between Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Omonia, this neighborhood is the site of the city’s government (in Syntagma Square) and corporate headquarters, but also hosts important cultural landmarks, like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Athens Academy, Library, and University trilogy.

Historic Center

Gazi

In Gazi, tightly packed restaurants and clubs hum with music and dance into the early hours of the morning. Once the site of the Athens gasworks, the neighborhood now features incredible displays of street art, as well as the Technopolis, a venue for art exhibitions and concerts.

by ChRiSTinA VASSiliAdiS

The cool summer breeze rustles through verdant tree leaves in a play of abundant sun light and shadow, giving shape to an incredible stretch of coastline in the south suburbs of Athens that only a handful of visitors know about. Spanning from Piraeus to Sounio and some 16km (9.9 mi) from downtown Athens, the Athens Riviera can take you oceans away from Greece, to a magical place, worth exploring.

From the tranquility of the blue clear waters and the alluring sandy beaches to the rocky inlets of Lavreotiki with small and almost private swimming areas, from the dazzling lights emanating from its vibrant nightlife to a romantic stroll on the white paved paths and from a movie night under the stars to a high-end fine dining experience or a journey through the marvels of ancient history, Athens Riviera has a lot to offer. Hop on the tram from Syntagma Square to Voula and indulge your senses with an «island-like» experience in the southern heart of the capital.

One of the most famous organized beaches in Athens, Astir Beach located in Vouliagmeni, approximately 30 minutes from the center of Athens, offering countless sun beds and umbrellas, as well as a bar, restaurant, boutiques, spa treatments and many more services. The price for one umbrella, two sun beds (maximum of 2 people) costs €50 on weekdays and €80 on weekends, kids from4-12 y.o. can enter for €20. Another private beach, having a more affordable entry fee than Astir beach, is Akti Vouliagmenis, a 650 meter coast offering tennis, basketball and beach volleyball courts, for those who love sports. On weekdays general admission costs €10 and on weekends €15, while persons over 75 and students get a reduced entry fee of €5 on weekdays and €8 on weekends. For those who prefer a natural, less organized beach, Lavreotiki Riviera is the place for you. Many continuous bays with beautiful waters and golden sand, however more rocky. KAPE beach in Sounio is a diverse beach, with sandy, pebbled and rocky sections. If you want to avoid large groups of people it is ideal to visit on weekdays, as it attracts a lot of visitors on the weekends. Additionally, a trip to Lake Vouliagmeni is a must, for an unforgettable swimming experience, a natural lake with fresh spring and seawater where the water is always warm, making it a popular spot. For sailing enthusiasts, there are countless marinas scattered along the coastline of the Athens Riviera that offer daily catamaran cruises along the coastline, swimming in the most beautiful waters and dinning on board parked, off the Athenian shoreline, and enjoying the beautiful sunset. Standing for an eternity at the end of the Sounio Peninsula at the southernmost point of Attica, the imposing ruins of the Temple of Poseidon bathed in a vibrancy of colors as the sun dives into the sea, captivate your mind and soul. The temple dedicated to the God of the Sea, cited as holy grounds by Homer and Herodotus, was made entirely of white marble and has been welcoming visitors for 2.500 years. Right below

© GNTO/D. R O zaki © GNTO/Th. G R ava N i S

Set your compass south and let yourself soak up a breathtaking coastal view only a short drive from the bustling capital. From the enchantment of the ancient Temple of Posidon to the elite superyacht marinas and the dazzling nightlife, Athens Riviera boasts abundant options for a memorable summer stay.

lays a small beach with two small taverns, perfect for a quick swim and a bite after visiting the Temple. Heading to the top of the hill to watch as the sun sets behind the Tempe of Poseidon, is the perfect ending to a busy day in Cape Sounio. If you prefer a relaxed day at the Athens Riviera, just walking along the coastline, through all the areas from Faliro, to Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, Lagonissi and more are just some of the areas you can walk through, all with a unique atmosphere, from beach bars turning into night clubs, to beautiful views of the beaches. Each area offers different activities for all kinds of people, from romantics to food lovers and generally for those who love Greek summers. After the sun has set, the main focus moves to the vibrant nightlife of the Athens Riviera. Alimos, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza offer some of the best beach bars and nightclubs, with people drinking and having fun until the early morning hours. Some of the most famous nightclubs in Athens are located in the Riviera, loved by both locals and visitors. All of them offer a unique and unforgettable experience with nonstop music and partying all night long. For the film lovers, some of the best open-air cinemas are located at the Athens Riviera. Cine Floisvos, located in the Floisvos Marina Park, open since 2003, is one of the newest open-air cinemas in Athens. An outdoor cinema experience right next to the seas, still being relatively close to the city center, just a 15 minute drive or 20 minute tram ride from downtown Athens, where you can enjoy the Athenian sea breeze while watching the latest movies. For the food lovers visiting the Athens Riviera, there are countless restaurants scattered all along the Athens Riviera for everyone’s taste from Mediterranean, Italian, sushi and more, there is no doubt you will find a restaurant that suits your taste. For a great Italian, Mercato, an upscale trattoria located at the famous Astir Place, authentic Italian dishes enjoy on the outdoor terrace overlooking the Athenian Riviera. For a beautiful view of the sunset right above the water, try Moorings, a café in the afternoon and restaurant later in the day, with Mediterranean cuisine, a sushi menu and an impressive wine list, it is the perfect restaurant to relax with a beautiful view of the water and a delightful dining experience. If you are travelling with kids, there is a plethora of parks and playgrounds featuring loads of family activities. Voula’s Park, also known as Notos, is one of them. At Notos, a large café-bar, adults can relax with a coffee or a drink, while children play in the safe playground. Additionally a perfect place for kids and adults alike, Stavros Niarchos Foundation is a multifunctional and sustainable environment in Kallithea. The whole center consists of the National Library of Greece, the Greek National Opera and the 210,000m² Stavros Niarchos Park that can be enjoyed by both parents and their children. One of the center's mission is to create a safe, creative and educational environment for kids to play and have fun in.

© GNTO/P. Merak OS © GNTO/Y. Sk O ula S © GNTO/P. Merak OS