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Greece : Athens - April 2009

Country Code: Dial for Greece

The Greek capital may have evolved into a busy metropolis, but the ancient Easter traditions remain vibrant to this day. Holy Week sees candlelit processions wind their way through Plaka and a day of feasting on Easter Sunday (19 April). Maria Kagkelidou is in a celebratory mood

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

Overlooked by the Acropolis, Plaka’s narrow alleyways, lined with twostorey neo-classical homes serve as a reminder of what Athens used to be like until just a few decades ago.

Culture vultures – Follow the flowerdressed float of the Agia Irini Church (Galanou & Chairefontos Streets) when it tours Plaka on Good Friday. Those after more offbeat culture will want to delve into the Museum of Greek Popular Musical Instruments (1-3 Diogenis Street).

Must drink – Stop by quaint Café Tristrato (34 Daidalou and Geronta Streets) for tea or coffee.

Shop til you drop – Pick up natural Greek foods at Mesogaia (52 Kydathineon Street) or icons and presents at @ (25 Kydathineon Street).

STADIUM

The area around the ancient Panathenaiko Stadium hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896. Nowadays it’s mainly residential and dotted with tavernas full of locals.

Culture vultures – Take a tour of the stadium, which is now only used to celebrate special events. The National Museum of Contemporary Art (emst.gr) has found a temporary home at the Athens Conservatory (17-19 Vas Georgiou B Street). Housed in a modernist building just up the road, it’s currently exhibiting the work of renowned Iranian artist Shirin Neshat.

Must eat – For quick, tasty and very reasonably priced Greek food, head to Ep’Avli (14 Archimedes Street, ). Try and bag a seat on the roof terrace when the weather is good.

NEO PSYCHIKO

The main street of this affluent suburb acts as a beacon for northern Athenians. They may come here to shop, but they stay to lunch and socialise in the bars and restaurants that have sprung up all over the district in the past few years.

Must eat – Go for Greek meze at designer taverna Chochlidaki (31 Andiraniou Street, ). Rub shoulders with local movers and shakers at Patron (10 Dimitriou Vasiliou and 13 Perikleous Streets), a perennial favourite with Athens’ most polished punters. On your way back home, pick up a box of Despina’s (1 Molfetta Street, Agias Sophia Square) famous millefeuille (light, layered pastries).

Must drink – Centrally located with a beautiful little garden, Lotos (14 Glafkon Street) serves drinks and coffee from early in the morning until late at night.

Shop til you drop – Free Shop (15 Dimitriou Vasiliou Street) sells cool designer frocks. Eqvus (10 Perikleous Street) stocks fabulous gifts that are great for kids.

FALIRO

Only a short tram ride from the city centre, Faliro was initially populated by Greek refugees from Istanbul and now marks the beginning of what many people call the Athenian Riviera. Come here for marinas, beaches, bars and restaurants.

Sleep soundly – Residents of the Coral Hotel (35 Poseidonos Avenue, , coralhotel.gr, rooms from €89) enjoy fabulous sea views from its sumptuously appointed bedrooms. Business travellers will find everything they need in the Metropolitan Hotel (385 Syngrou Avenue, , chandris.gr, rooms from €100).

Culture vultures – Fancy a change? Tour the awe-inspiring Battleship Averof (Flisvos Marina, Trocadero), commissioned in the early 20th century and now serving as a museum.

Must eat – The minimally chic Coquillage (Flisvos Marina, ) serves seafood alongside sea views. Or opt for the more traditional local restaurant Pantelis (96 Naiadon St, ), which offers Greek specialities from Istanbul.

Dance the night away – You’ll have to wait until summer for the superclubs to open but until then boogy to 80s hits at Discoteque Boom Boom at Tzitzifies (Thiseos & Poseidonos Avenue).

Compiled by Maria Kagkelidou