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Greece : Athens - July 2010

Country Code: Dial for Greece

July can we swelteringly hot in Athens, when the locals take advantage of the cooler evenings to dine al fresco or go to an open-air cinema. Spend a day or two in the historic district of Plaka and enjoy some of the Athens Festival (greekfestival.gr) before exploring the wonderful coastline that’s within easy reach of the city. Athina Vorilla goes beach and cinema hopping along the Athenian Riviera

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

At the base of the Acropolis, Plaka is the place to experience traditional Greek food and culture. In the summer many restaurants open their gardens, so you can eat with the aroma of jasmine and views of the illuminated Parthenon.

Sleep soundly – Equidistant from Plaka and Monastiraki, the three-star Plaka Hotel (7 Kapnikareas & Mitropoleos Streets, , plakahotel.gr, rooms from €120) is ideally placed for a wander round the remnants of ancient Greece, with the benefit of comfortable and contemporary accommodation.

Culture vultures – Escape the heat of the day at the Acropolis Museum (15 Dionysiou Areopagitou Street), then stay cool in the evening at the outdoor Cine Paris (22 Kidathinaion), with the Acropolis as a backdrop.

Must eat – Cinephiles will appreciate Elaia (16 Erechtheos & Erotokritou Streets, ), and not just for its three-level open-air charm and music: this is where Melina Mercouri wooed Jules Dassin in Never on Sunday.

Must drink – A rustic establishment of wood and stone, Idria (68 Adrianou & Aiolou Streets) is a classic spot to enjoy a cup of coffee or a light meal.

VOULA-VOULIAGMENI

The awe-inspiring drive along the Attica coastline begins here and winds its way along to the tip Sounion, home to the temple of Poseidon. Bring your swimming costume and take your pick of the beautiful beaches – but avoid the weekends, when many Athenians vacate the city for the sand.

Sleep soundly – Vouliagmeni is one the ritziest places to enjoy the Athens summer. The recently revamped Astir Palace Resort (40 Apollonos Street, , astir-palace.com, rooms from €340) occupies its own private peninsula. This 75-acre resort includes The Arion Resort & Spa (arionresortathens.com), whose Martini Bar serves up cocktails by mixologist Dale de Grof. The nearby Westin Athens (westinathens.com) is the epitome of contemporary chic, with its Sofa Bar a perfect place to chill out on a summer’s evening, while boutique hotel The Margi (11 Litous Street, , themargi.gr, rooms from €220) offers the trendy Malabar bar. If you’re on a tighter budget, try the economical, simple, airy rooms with sea views at Amarilia (13 Ag. Nikolaou, -5, amarilia.gr, rooms from €95).

Culture vultures – Take in the stars, the full moon and the latest film release at Akti, an outdoor cinema located at Vouliagmeni Public Beach. You can enjoy food and drink at your own table during the movie.

Must eat – Hungry after all that sea air? Try the wonderful, but pricey, fresh fish at Astir’s Matsuhisa Athens (40 Apollonos Street, ) and Ithaki (28 Apollonos, ).

Must drink – All-day restaurant bar Smaragdi (10 Karamanlis Avenue), perched over the Saronic Gulf, is a small oasis with a grandiose view.

VARKIZA

A few kilometres further south of Voula and Vouliagmeni is Varkiza, a buzzing coastal hub with a great beach as well as tennis courts, parkland and a particularly good bakery.

Culture vultures – Yabanaki Park has a public beach – the name translates as ‘for a little swim’ – with several high-end restaurants, bars and shops. After sundown, enjoy the outdoor cinema Varkiza 3 (22 Chiou & Thassou Streets).

Must eat – YaOuzaki (Public Beach Varkiza) offers white washed décor and Greek meze, while the souvlaki at Zachos (94 Vassilis Konstantinou, ) is a post-beach tradition. Athenians come to the Georgiades bakery (98 Vassilis Konstantinou) for fantastic bread and sweet treats.

Dance the night away – Follow in the footsteps of James Blunt and Paris Hilton and head to super-stylish Island (Sounio Avenue, islandclubrestaurant.gr). A blend of restaurant, bar and club, the views from the patio are stunning – the perfect spot for sipping on a cocktail in your summer finery.

Compiled by Athina Vorilla