Athens

Up / Down funky town

About Athens

The Athens of history, culture, festivals, fun and a vibrant nightlife, the ancient heart (3.400 years-old) with the modern soul !

Welcome to a city that knows just how to entice you with its fascination !

A destination that boasts about its 2.880+ hours of sunlight a year, walking makes perfect sense, so grab your backpack & just come to see this miracle, yourselves !

Good to know

How many days do I need ?

That’s really difficult to answer!  If you are visiting Athens for the first time then three to five days is the minimum we recommend- if you want to take full enjoyment with no rush. There is so much to see and enjoy ! Few cities have a historic heritage as impressive as that of Athens !

But, although history and culture might draw travelers to this unique destination – with the iconic Acropolis rising majestically above the city- Athens has a lot more to offer than endless hours in museums & antiquities.

Once in the city’s historic center you might feel that you are walking through a giant archaeological park but strollers will be amazed by the quiet shaded cafes, quaint tavernas, art galleries, lively bars, chic restaurants and sophisticated shopping strips that define Athens’ contemporary profile, hence a perfect balance between history, culture and fun ! 

Mind the trip !

What time do Greeks eat ?

Greeks tend to eat late and food is a BIG social event.  Lunch can be served around 2pm and dinner is after 9pm. 

Is it true that Athens never sleeps ?

Athens never sleeps & the city remains the European “Queen of nightlife”.  Nightlife doesn’t start before 10pm and Greek people are well known of having fun until early in the morning. Athens offers more opportunity for nightlife than any other city : from ancient Greek drama, theatres, musicals, world famous orchestras and concerts to unique live musical stages, ”bouzoukia”, bars and clubs.  People love going out and having fun with friends. Best way to experience it, is by following the locals !

What should I pack ?

In the summer pack light clothing in light colours.  Make sure to include comfortable or athletic shoes for walking and visiting archaeological sites. Of course, do not forget your swimming suit, sunglasses and sun block protection for the wonderful days on the beach. 

If you are heading to the beautiful Greek Islands then flat shoes are highly recommended to wonder around the pebbled-stoned streets at ease !  

During the winter you will certainly need warm clothes, a coat and boots.  If you are planning to head up the snowy mountains for skiing, pack your ski attire, gloves and scarf.

However, in the case you forget something then no worries in Athens you can find and buy everything !

And.. some facts about the Greek language

More than 150,000 words of English are derived from Greek words (remember, my “Fat Greek Wedding” ?)

Here are a few examples :

Democracy, Idol, Dialogue, Geography, Grammar, Architect, Economy, Encyclopedia, Telephone, Microscope..

Plus ! Words that start with ‘Ph-‘ are usually of Greek origin : Philosophy, Physical, Photograph, Philanthropy..

After all, it might won’t “be all so greek to you”..

Οut & About

Where to stay

Chose your accommodation among a neoclassical 19th-century building, a loft house overlooking the Parthenon & Lycabettus hill, a seaside villa with a pool & a play room, a dreamy “artificial” beach that spreads its waves on the roof of an ultra-urban-chic building in the heart of the city center, a boutique guest house with a private yard (an oasis of coolness, in the bustle of the capital) or a mansion/gallery in the most elegant & green neighborhood of Athens.

Things to do

• Food tour around the historic center of Athens and the picturesque area of ​​Monastiraki, Gazi & Plaka, with flavors appropriate to the season, but also to your food preferences !

• Preparation of lunch or dinner in a yard, a balcony, even a garage (ideal for our teens) by either a famous chef or a local cook, especially Made-To-Order on your group’s likings.

• Coastal railbiking, along with your certified guide, on a wonderful route – the new trend of “incompatible” travelers !

• Enjoy the experience of a “starry” night, among some of the universe’s galaxies & their observation from the 152-year-old, rotating (9-meter-long) Newall telescope at the Athens National Observatory !

The night goes on with the use of robotic, modern lens & the “green laser” (a unique method to reveal the constellations that are moving at that, very moment in the Athenian sky), along with the Astronomy professors who will guide the whole process.

Jupiter, the impressive Saturn, the Moon with its spectacular craters, but also an “army” of satellites are out there waiting to enlighten you !

• Nomadic preparation of a unique meal in the countryside, with full use of all the elements nature can offer.

Fire with hand-picked wood, water from the river & herbs gathered from the forest.

An incredible experience that returns us to the primordial life style of our ancestors !

• Visit to the Ancient quarry of Mount Penteli, the place from where the famous Parthenon’s marbles were mined & used for its construction on 5th century BC.

• Wine tour in one of the best wineries in Attica, an area famous since antiquity for the famous Dionysian festivities that followed it !

Alternatively, for beer lovers, let’s follow a brewery tour in one of the most urban neighborhoods of Athens !

• The adrenaline soars in an off-road adventure with 4×4, on a specially designed track ! All of this world’s adventurers. jump in !

• “Happy teens, happier genes” individual & perfectly customized plans : Full action day activities for our teens, with an exclusive escort throughout the day (VR games, escape rooms & themed treasure hunts -including ancient Greece history & myths-, laser tag games, paint & bubble ball matches in the most beautiful parks & plenty more), while at the same time parents can relax in a luxurious spa, a hammam or therapeutic retreat or even go shopping around Athens. At the end of the day, the family will gather for a wonderful dinner, describing their day !

• Sup yoga at the sunset of the Saronic Gulf.

• For our vintage lovers – join a “Peaky Blinders” themed dancing party on the beach or a hotel’s ballroom, fully aligned with the 1920’s atmosphere ! If weather allows, a “Tweed Bike Tour” or a “Classic Cars Drive” in the Athenian Riviera, will steal your heart & create moments to be always remembered ! You may want to combine it with (please see below) :

• “Special moments catcher” : Enjoy a completely professional photography of individual portraits & family/group’s moments by a specialized photographer, with flow in nature (mountain, forest, lake & sea). Time passes so fast.. family & friends trips are the most valuable memories we will all “carry” in our luggage, moving forward !

• “Shop till you drop” – Endless walks in the largest department stores in the city, depending on your personal consumer preferences.

• Team, group or family fun games all over Athens – the perfect way to explore the city’s magic spots & entertain yourselves on the same time !

• Short getaways from Athens (depending on the season & current weather conditions), such as : visit to one of the most beautiful lighthouses in Europe, scuba diving & sailing in the Saronic Gulf, dolphin watching in the Corinthian, ride with proud horses in the snowy or green forest, cross-boating the Isthmus of Corinth, dives & water games in lake-sea-river in the same day, daily cruises to the Argo-Saronic islands and many more, always designed according to your group’s interests !

• Archaeological visit to the famous Poseidon Temple in Sounio, privately or with a certified guide. Here os where the history of the Aegean Sea began. To continue the day, you will enjoy authentic greek “meze” surrounded by the industrial & cinematic settings of Lavrio area, well known for its “ouzeri” (tavernas serving ouzo & delicacies) !

• Incredible night for cinephiles, on a rooftop in the city center, surrounded by honeysuckle & jasmine jars, oh.. that aromas !

Big surprise – the coktails & 5 dishes menu (yes, that’s right), are made to match the respective film’s production-country recipes !

• Foodies of this world – let’s get together ! Prepare yourselves for the ultimately tasty experience of your life, exlusively focused on all types of.. “eaters” !

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This is Athens – one city, never ending stories !

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