Athens
Greece
Greece / Athens
Rich in experiences, creative energy, and ancient sites
Hugging the bone-dry hillsides, a sea of blistering white concrete spills into dark blue seas bustling with frenzied ferries and bobbing fisher boats. A bird's eye view of this sprawling city in the shadows of the majestic Acropolis inspires awe. The feeling from within is the opposite—a maze of twisted streets, bric-a-brac shops, outdoor cafes, and ancient ruins.
It’s not love at first sight: It’s complex and chaotic, a jumble of contradictions, old and new, glamour and grit, but a place that’s well worth exploring.
Our favourite neighborhoods include:
Psyrri — The hipster hub of modern Athens, known as the Soho of Athens, is brimming with design stores, artisan cocktail bars, graffiti-lined alleys, edgy nightclubs, and a vibrant pavement café scene.
Thissio — A quiet green residential neighborhood teeming with charming cafes and a delightful old-timey movie theatre (Cinema Thission) also boasts the best views of the Acropolis.
Koukaki — A laid-back neighborhood bursting with art galleries, swanky wine bars, and design studios.
Anafiotika — A quaint area abutting Plaka, filled with white-washed houses and narrow cobbled streets.
The Offbeat Goat Collection
Stays in Athens
the highlights.
Delight in watching an outdoor movie while sipping cocktails at the delightful open-air cinema in Thissio.
Meander around the labyrinth of winding streets in the “hidden village” of Anafiotika.
Climb Filapappou Hill at sunset for some of the best views of the Acropolis and the Saronic Gulf.
Visit the Acropolis Museum, an archaeological museum focused on the archaeological site of the Athens Acropolis.
For modern art lovers, check out the National Museum of Contemporary Art (housed in an old factory) and Trii Art Hun (a cooperative social enterprise supporting and promoting artwork domestically and internationally by using alternative and innovative methods).
Spend an evening dining and drinking in the former industrial area and hipster magnet called Psyrri.
Enjoy roof terrace views overlooking the Acropolis at Zillers Roof Garden or Air Lounge Roof Bar (a swanky new bar at the Fresh Hotel).
Tool around the industrial-chic district of Psiri.