I had less than 24 hours in Athens, and all I cared about was visiting the Acropolis. Having studied ancient Greece and all its mythology over many years at school, it was so awe-inspiring and humbling to see the ruins I’d heard so much about in real life. The Acropolis lived up to every expectation, and what I saw of Athens – it’s charming streets, endless ‘evil-eye’ jewellery, and tasty food spots – it’s a place I look forward to visiting again very soon.
THINGS TO DO
Museum: Benaki Museum; Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika Gallery; Acropolis Museum; The Museum of Cycladic Art
Viewpoint: The Acropolis; Philopappos Hill Park; Hill of Pnyx; Mt Lycabettus
Places: Plaka is Athens’ oldest residential quarter and built into the hillside below the Acropolis. The Plaka Stairs is a touristy spot, but has loads of places to eat with instagram-able options! Head to Ipitou Street for chilled bars and the Anafiotika area has a lovely island vibe in the centre of Athens; Kolonaki is a pretty, wealthy area in the centre, good for shops and cafes; Monastiraki is home of a lively marketplace;
EAT
Vezene The trendiest place in town. It’s an inventive joint that specialises in clever preparations of fish and meat. Delicious dishes! Must go.
Fresko Greek yogurt bar, where they treat yogurt like ice-cream: different variations on strain provides different textures!
Eat at Milton’s Was told it served traditional Greek dishes, but when we looked at the menu, it involved sushi
Neither tried nor tested, but researched & recommended…
Athens Central Market for meat and fish and other delicious things
Melilotos Serves excellent grills and unusual specialities
Kriti In the back of a shopping arcade and famous for serving the best Cretan food
O Kosta Late night souvlaki spot
Ama Laxei Bougainvillea-filled former school playground serving traditional Greek menu
Manimani An inexpensive restaurant housed in a restored neo-Classical house not far from the Acropolis Museum
Meliartos Delicious bakery
Lukumades Fried dough balls and mastic-flavoured ice cream
Avocado Run by a Greek-Iranian couple serving an eclectic menu of Greek, Asian cuisine as well as a juice bar. This is one of the few restaurants where the smoking ban is enforced.
Mavro Provato Cheap and delicious tapas
Funky Gourmet Two Michelin starred resto
The Nice N’ Easy Cafe Known for its organic flare
The New Taste Cafe in the New Hotel, good for brunch
Varoulko Seaside Greek seafood restaurant on the water
Aleria Stylish contemporary restaurant in a neoclassical villa & courtyard serving inventive Med cuisine
Psarras Traditional Greek food in 2 old stone mansions also offering a large, tree-shaded open terrace
Tzitzikas kai Mermigas Unpretentious, all-day neighborhood eatery serving classic mezze & hot Mediterranean cuisine.
Strofi Tavern Classic Greek fare in a simple, airy space with a roof terrace for amazing Acropolis views
Mama Roux Relaxed, hip eatery serving simple, eclectic global cuisine, plus live music & cocktails
Feedel Urban Gastronomy Casual and cosy garden restaurant with great cocktails
DRINK
Brettos You can’t miss the hundreds of colourful bottles and lights that decorate the walls of the oldest distillery in Athens
CV Distiller Loads and loads and LOADS of killer whisky cocktails
Neither tried nor tested, but researched & recommended…
Duende A tiny candlelit speakeasy
Bios roof terrace An art space and music venue with a gorgeous, unkempt roof terrace
Some Bizzare In the courtyard of a major bank, this place turns into an open-air club until 5am at weekends
Bluebird Bistro bar with eclectic decor
Tailor Made Great if you need a break from the intense Greek coffee
Heteroclito Low-key wine bar
Six d.o.g.s. Café-bar situation with a large courtyard and some concerts
Cafe Taf Their barista, Stefanos Domatiotis, was named World Brewers Cup Champion for 2014. Just sayin’
Hotel Grande Bretagne has a rooftop bar
SLEEP
New Hotel Modern, clean and in a super central part of town
Neither tried nor tested, but researched & recommended…
Fresh Hotel Has a rooftop swimming pool and cocktail bar, need I say more?
A for Athens Boutique hotel overlooking the square at Monastiraki
City Circus A hotel in a neoclassical mansion
Ava Hotel Boutique hotel with self-serviced suites
I visited Athens in September 2017