Destination: Athens
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In The Know
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In the Know

If you only have a short time to visit Athens, or would like to get a real flavour of the city, here are some ideas:

Ways to Be a Local

  • Slow down. Athens is fast, busy and noisy, but Athenians always find ways of relaxing.
  • Visit the markets, whether you buy or merely browse.
  • Take a siesta. Athens wakes early and parties till late, but recuperates from about 2-5pm: an even better idea in the hot summer months.
  • Stroll in the Pláka in the early evening.
  • Eat late, or you may be eating alone.
  • Sing or dance, preferably in a place where you're the only tourist in sight.
  • Drink moderately. Greeks know how to enjoy themselves, but you will seldom see drunken bad behaviour.
  • Dress appropriately and cover up when visiting churches and monasteries.
  • Don't compliment Turkey, or call Greek coffee Turkish coffee.
  • Don't scold children. Greeks have great patience with even the most fractious of children.

Good Places to Have Lunch

  • Aerides (Inexpensive) If it's cool go upstairs and gaze at the Tower of the Winds. If sunny, there are plenty of tables outside. Address: Markou Avriliou 3 Phone: 322-6266
  • Barba Yannis (Inexpensive) Serves a limited menu of good Greek dishes. Great atmosphere, popular with the young. Address: Emmanuel Benaki 94 Phone: 330-0185
  • Dionysos-Zonar's (Expensive) You're paying for the view when you eat here, though there are cheaper lunch offerings on the menu. But what a view! Address: Lykavittós Phone: 722-6374
  • Dionysos-Zonar's (Moderately priced) Another branch of this popular chain with excellent views, looking across at the Parthenon. Address: Rovertou Galli 43 Phone: 922-1998
  • Five Brothers (Inexpensive) Outdoor seating in a quiet street near the Roman Agora. Address: Eolou 3 Phone: 325-0088
  • GB Corner (Expensive) If you can't afford to stay at the Grande Bretagne Hotel, at least savour the atmos-phere with a meal here. Address: Grande Bretagne Hotel, Syntagma Square Phone: 333-0000
  • Mikrolimano (Expensive) Innumerable fish tavernas surround this small harbour in busy Piraeus. Excellent but expensive fish. Choose a place that suits your taste and budget. C
  • Palia Athina (Moderately priced) Just out of the Pláka, and one of the author's favourites for its authentic food. Address: Nikis 46 Phone: 331-2975
  • O Platanos (Inexpensive) There can be few better places to eat in summer than outside here, in a quiet corner beneath a plane tree. Address: Diogenous 4 Phone: 322-0666
  • Sigalas (Inexpensive) Bustling old taverna in the heart of Athens, not for gourmets but as Greek as it gets. Address: Monastiráki 2 Phone: 321-3036

Top Activities

  • Golf: there's an international course at Glyfada, on the coast just beyond the airport Phone: 894-6820.
  • Horse-riding: there are a few clubs around Athens. Contact the Hellenic Riding Club, Paradisou 18 Phone: 682-6128.
  • Jogging: contact the Hash House Harriers Jogging Club in Kifissia to join locals and ex-pats for a run Phone: 621-9821.
  • Marathon: if you want to run a marathon then you may as well cover the original route, from Marathon to Athens. This is done twice a year; details from SEGAS, Syngrou 137 Phone: 935-9302.
  • Sailing: there are marinas, yachting and sailing clubs in Piraeus, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and other suburbs of Athens. Information from the Hellenic Yachting Federation, Xenofondos Street Phone: 323-5560
  • Sea Fishing: with the Aegean on its doorstep, there are plenty of opportunities. Contact the Harbour Master's Office in Zea, Piraeus, Phone: 451-1131, or the Anglers and Maritime Sports Club at Akti Moutsopoulou, also in Piraeus Phone: 451-5731.
  • Swimming: best beaches are at Glyfada, but they suffer from airport noise, though this doesn't deter the Athenians. Otherwise pay to use a hotel pool, such as the Hilton.
  • Tennis: very popular, with courts all over the city. Try the Athens Tennis Club at Vasilissis Olgas 2 Phone: 923-2872.
  • Walking: with a shortage of taxis and packed public transport, you are advised to walk in Athens, and a climb up Lykabettos Hill will definitely get you fit!
  • Water-skiing: for opportunities within reach of Athens contact the Water-skiing Club at Sturnara 32 Phone: 523-1875.

Specialist Museums

  • Greek Historical Costume Museum, Address: Dimokritou 7 Phone: 362-9513
  • Philatelic Museum, Address: Fokianou 2 Phone: 751-9066
  • Cinema Museum, Address: Kriezotou 3 Phone: 362-6266
  • Venizelos Museum, Address: Vasilissis Sofias, behind the statue of Venizelos Phone: 722-4238
  • International Museum of Shellfish, Address: Pindou 14 Phone: 941-2393

Greek Dishes to Try

  • Kalamaris or kalamarakia: fried baby squid
  • Saganaki: deep-fried cheese
  • Spedzofai: spicy stew of sausage, pepper, tomatoes
  • Vriam: ratatouille-type dish of fresh vegetables
  • Yemista: stuffed tomatoes and/or peppers

Ways to Avoid a Greek Salad

Try one of Athens's many non-Greek restaurants:

  • Japanese: Michiko
  • Chinese: Golden Flower
  • Polynesian: Kona Kai
  • French: Prunier
  • Italian: Boschetto
  • Korean: Far East
  • Armenian: Tria Asteria, Melitos 7 Phone: 935-8134
  • Egyptian: Alexandria, Metsova 13 Phone: 821-0004
  • Czech: Bohemia, Dhimou Tseliou Phone: 642-6341
  • Pakistani: Pak Indian, Menandrou 13 Phone: 321-9412
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