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Greece : Athens - September 2008

Country Code: Dial for Greece

Athens is a vibrant European metropolis dotted with unrivalled historical sites. The city’s social life peaks this month as Greece celebrates a host of holidays and many businesses and charities organise parties based around cutting the traditional luck-bringing pie! Maria Kagkelidou guides us round the best spots to celebrate January’s festivities

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).

FILOPAPPOU HILL

Centrally located just opposite the entrance to the Acropolis and offering magnificent panoramic views, the Hill is one of the city’s most desirable residential areas.

Culture vultures – Take advantage of Athens’ mild winter climate and walk around the Hill’s landscaped park, created by revered architect Dimitris Pikionis. Take a rest at the hilltop to enjoy fantastic views of the Acropolis.

Must eat – Japanese restaurant Kyoto (5 Garibaldi, tel. ) serves excellent sushi. For something cosier and cheaper, head to taverna Strofi (25 Rovertou Galli, tel. ).

Must drink – Enjoy a cup of coffee at the Loumbardiaris café at the entrance of Filopappou Park (45 Rovertou Galli), or try the more upmarket Dionysos (43 Rovertou Galli) right next door. Both offer amazing Acropolis views.

PANEPISTIMIO

Master craftsmen from all over the country flocked to Athens at the start of the 20th century to help build the city’s central university complex. Today, most of its functions have been moved elsewhere but the area remains a meeting point for young Athenians.

Sleep soundly – Tiny Toy Café attracts a vibrant media crowd, as do Priza and Pairidaeza, just down the road.

Culture vultures – Up until recently Psirri was an urban wasteland but the area has now become the undisputed centre of Athenian nightlife.

Must eat – Take-away sandwich and salad bar Eat (39 Panepistimiou) is centrally located and affordable. Trendy Epta Thalasses (11 Omirou, tel. ) serves gorgeous fish and seafood dishes

Dance the night away – Gigantic mainstream club Envy (3 Agias Eleousis) is perennially popular, and attracts a young fashionable crowd. At Cubanita (28 Karaiskaki) you can salsa all night. Soul (65 Evripidou) regularly hosts parties on its top floor.

NEO PSYCHIKO

A favourite meeting spot for the Athenian aspirational classes, Neo Psychiko sits squarely between the chaotic town centre and the city’s leafier northern suburbs

Sleep soundly – Ochre and Brown Hotel is a stylish boutique establishment with a great central location. Travellers on a budget will love the Arion. Located on a quiet square, it has rooms overlooking the Ag. Dimitrios Church.

Must drink – Bar Guru Bar (10 Plateia Theatrou) serves refreshing cocktails till late. Alekos Island (41 Sarri) is probably Athens’ best-known gay bar

Must eat – Rena tis Ftelias (28 March 25th Street, tel. ) dishes out exquisite Greek food, while ‘neotaverna’ Hohlydaki (31 Andrianiou, tel. ) serves delicious meze.

Must drink – Newly refurbished and renamed, Patron (10 Leoforos Vassileiou and Perikleous) is a buzzing all-day meeting point for those who work and live north of the city centre. If you’re after something more relaxed, head for Lotos (12 Leoforos Vassileiou) just across the street – it’s a teashop/ bar that stays open till late.

Shop til you drop – Carouzos (230 Kifissias Avenue) is one of Greece’s most upmarket clothing and accessories chains.

Compiled by Maria Kagkelidou