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Greece : Athens - August 2008

Country Code: Dial for Greece

August sees most Athenians take off on holiday, so visitors get the city to themselves, free to take a stroll through the archaeological park, cool off with a swim, then head to the Athenian Riviera for cocktails. Athena Vorilla makes the most of it

Getting around

The nearest airport is Athens International Airport, 33km southeast of the city.

Bus: Six express bus routes serve Athens and Piraeus. Buses leave from arrivals. Tickets cost €3,20 and are valid for 24 hours on all public transport.
Taxi: You can pick up taxis from exit 3 at arrivals. A journey to the city centre costs from €25 to €36, and takes about 30 minutes.
Tourist information: The main office is at 26 Amalias (tel. , gnto.gr).

PLAKA

Situated at the base of the Acropolis, Plaka is steeped in ancient history.

Sleep soundly – Much of the accommodation in Plaka, Monastiraki and Thiseio offers views of, and easy access to, the Acropolis. Electra Palace Hotel is quite high-end, while Hotel Plaka (7 Kapnikareas & Mitropoleos Street, , plakahotel.gr, rooms from €135), Ava Hotel (9-11 Lyssikratous Street, , avahotel.gr, from €165) and Jason Inn (12 Assomaton Street, tel. , douroshotels. com, rooms from €95) are more affordable options.

Culture vultures – The Unification of Archaeological Sites has renovated Athens’ historic centre and the area around the Acropolis. Take a walk along the cobbled pathway and marvel at the Theatre of Dionysus and Theatre of Herodus Atticus.

Must eat – Mono (4 P. Benizelou Street, tel. ) does Greek specialities. Or soak up the views from the Electra Roof Garden at Electra Palace Hotel (18-20 N. Nikodimou Street, tel. ).

MONASTIRAKI

Follow the winding pathways of Plaka to the buzzing bazaar of Monastiraki.

Culture vultures – Tzistarakis Mosque (opposite Monastiraki metro station) has a collection of art sourced from the Greek Folk Art Museum.

Must eat – Several restaurants in the Monastiraki area serve excellent souvlaki (pork grilled on skewers) and gyro (pitta filled with onions, tomatoes and tzatziki).

Shop til you drop – Antique collectors head to Monastiraki flea market (Avissinia Square) on Sundays, while fashion mavens make a beeline for Dressing Room (52 Adrianou).

THISEIO

Many of this area’s neoclassical buildings now house museums or charming Greek restaurants.

Sleep soundly – The Westin Astir Palace (rooms from €270) and Arion Resort & Spa (rooms from €340) are housed on the same 75-acre complex on the Athenian Riviera. The Margi is a boutique hotel with a popular bar. Indulge in a little thalassotherapy at Divani Apollon Palace & Spa.

Culture vultures – Herakleidon art museum (16 Herakleidon Street) is staging two exhibitions this August: ‘Toulouse- Lautrec and the Belle Epoque in Paris and in Athens’, and ‘Caves: Photography by Winfried Bullinger’.

Must eat – Pil Poul (51 Apostolou Pavlou, tel. ) does modern French food, such as duck breast with foie gras wrapped in pastry. Or try casual Greek meze restaurant Filistron (23 Apostolo Pavlou, tel. ).

Must drink – Hear classic house at Loop (3 Agio Assomaton).

VOULA & VOULIAGMENI

Get out of town and make for these exotic urban retreats. The tram takes you straight to Voula’s beaches, bars and clubs, while Vouliagmeni has some of Greece’s best accommodation.

Culture vultures – After a day of sightseeing, head to the pristine Attica coastline for an urban version of the Greek island experience. Astera Vouliagmeni is the destination beach for fashionable young Athenians, while Voula Beach A is more affordable.

Must eat – Try the fresh fish and oysters at Ithaki (28 Apollonos Street, tel. ).

Dance the night away – In Voula, El Pecado Isla (14 Karamanli) plays host to a roster of international DJs, while Guzel (4 Karamanli, Voula Beach B) majors in Greek pop and R&B, and Dekko Summer (4 Karamanli) has a great open-air space

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