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Stories from Athens, Greece

Every story, long read and guide in the ULTIMATE Athens City Guide, in one place.

Culture

Arts & Culture in Athens

All of Arts & Culture

Ancient Athens, the national museums, the contemporary galleries, opera by the sea and the classic open-air cinemas of the summer nights.

The ancient theatre of EpidaurusThe back storyThe back storyAthens art, architecture and cultureThe Parthenon on the Acropolis seen across the pines from Philopappos HillArts & CultureAncient AthensThe Acropolis and the AgorasThe gold Mask of Agamemnon from Mycenae at the National Archaeological MuseumArts & CultureArt museums & galleriesNational collections and the contemporary galleries
  1. Arts & CultureFilmThe classic open-air cinemas

Our advice

Ancient mornings, gallery afternoons

Give the ancient sites your mornings, the museums your afternoons and the galleries of Kolonaki, Thiseio and Metaxourgeio a slow weekday, then finish under the stars at a summer cinema. The back story

History

History & heritage

How a Neolithic settlement on the Acropolis became the city of Classical Athens, a Byzantine and Ottoman town, a neoclassical capital and today’s great Mediterranean metropolis.

The Temple of Hephaestus above the Ancient Agora of AthensHistory & heritageFive thousand years on one rock: the story of AthensFive thousand years on one rock

In depth

Athens in depth

Magazine Articles

The stories behind the city: the sacred rock of the Acropolis, the best views from Lycabettus and Philopappos, a queen’s garden and the guards of Syntagma, the seaside city most visitors miss, and the new city rising on the old airport.

Little Kook in Psyrri dressed for Christmas as the “Kookland Magic Circus”, with lights and painted figuresSyntagma and the centreChristmas in AthensThe Syntagma tree, the SNFCC rink and melomakaronaA classic Greek salad, horiatiki: tomato, cucumber, green pepper, onion and olives under a slab of feta with oregano and olive oilIn depth: foodAthens CuisineStreet food, tavernas, market soups and the new kitchensA red deer stag among the trees of Mount ParnithaIn depth: nature & wildlifeWild AthensRed deer, pine hills and a wetlandBoats in Glyfada marina under a blue skyNeighbourhood guideAthens Riviera & GlyfadaGlyfada, Vouliagmeni, Voula and the coastThe water maze at the Ellinikon Experience ParkUnder wayThe EllinikonA new city on the old airport

First morning

Climb the Acropolis at opening time, then walk down through the Agora and Plaka to Anafiotika.

  1. Neighbourhood guidePlakaThe old town beneath the Acropolis
  2. Neighbourhood guideMonastirakiMarkets, ruins and rooftops
  3. Region guideThe PeloponneseCorinth, Mycenae, Olympia and Sparta
  4. Neighbourhood guideKifissiaMansions, boutiques and fine dining in the north
  5. The back storyThe AcropolisThree thousand years on the sacred rock
  6. The back storyPhilopappos HillThe finest view of the Parthenon

Our advice

The guard at Syntagma

Arrive about ten minutes before the hour and stand on the pavement in front of the tomb. For the Sunday ceremony, come by 10.30am. The Changing of the Guard

Islands

From Athens to the islands

After the capital, spend some time on the Greek islands. The Cyclades lie in the blue Aegean just off the coast of Athens: glorious sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, the legendary sunsets of Santorini and the glamour of Mykonos, a short ferry ride or flight away.

A Blue Star ferry leaving Naxos port on a clear Aegean morningStart hereIsland hopping from PiraeusFerries, airports and classic routesBlue domes of Oia above the Santorini calderaThe ultimate island hopEleven islands, one journeyFive weeks in the Cyclades, from Piraeus to MilosA cruise ship anchored in the caldera of SantoriniCruisingGreek island cruisesLiners, small ships and sailing yachtsBlue domes of Oia above the Santorini calderaAirport + ferrySantoriniThe volcano islandLittle Venice, the old captains’ houses on the water in Mykonos townAirport + ferryMykonosLittle Venice, Delos and beach clubs

Quieter islands

For something slower: Milos, the island of colours, and Folegandros, the cliff-top escape.

  1. Airport + ferryParosThe easy-going all-rounder
  2. Airport + ferryMilosThe island of colours
  3. Ferry onlyFolegandrosThe cliff-top escape

Know your neighbourhoods

Taverna tables on the steps of Mnisikleous Street in PlakaNeighbourhood

Plaka & Makrygianni

The old town beneath the Acropolis: pedestrian lanes, neoclassical houses, the Acropolis Museum and many of the best-located hotels.

Explore Plaka & Makrygianni Monastiraki Square with the Tzistarakis Mosque and the Acropolis beyondNeighbourhood

Monastiraki & Psyrri

Flea markets by day, rooftop bars and buzzing streets by night. The heart of central Athens nightlife.

Explore Monastiraki & Psyrri The Hellenic Parliament above Syntagma Square at duskNeighbourhood

Syntagma

Parliament, grand hotels and many of the city’s best cocktail bars, all within a few minutes’ walk.

Explore Syntagma A stylish café-bar terrace on Tsakalof Street in KolonakiNeighbourhood

Kolonaki

Chic, upmarket and leafy, with designer boutiques, smart restaurants and stylish bars on the slopes of Lycabettus.

Explore Kolonaki The iron frame of a gasholder at Technopolis, the old gasworks in GaziNeighbourhood

Gazi & Kerameikos

A former gasworks district that became the city’s clubbing quarter, with venues around Kerameikos metro.

Explore Gazi & Kerameikos Aerial view of Voula beach on the Athens RivieraNeighbourhood

The Athens Riviera

The coast from Piraeus to Vouliagmeni: seafront restaurants, luxury resorts and summer beach clubs.

Explore The Athens Riviera The Acropolis above the olive trees at the western end of Dionysiou Areopagitou, the pedestrian promenade on Koukaki’s doorstepNeighbourhood

Koukaki

A relaxed residential quarter below the Acropolis, with café-lined pedestrian streets, the Acropolis Museum and the pine-clad slopes of Philopappos Hill.

Explore Koukaki The white marble tiers of the Panathenaic Stadium, with the pines of Ardettos hill and the apartment blocks of Pangrati beyondNeighbourhood

Pangrati

A leafy, lived-in quarter of squares and cafés behind the Panathenaic Stadium, long home to Athens’ writers, artists and academics.

Explore Pangrati The neoclassical façade of the National Archaeological Museum on the edge of Exarchia, under a clear spring skyNeighbourhood

Exarchia

The student and bookshop quarter around Exarchia Square, with cafés, record shops and live music, Strefi Hill and the National Archaeological Museum.

Explore Exarchia Yachts reflected in the calm water of Marina Zea (Pasalimani), with the hill of Kastella rising behindNeighbourhood

Piraeus

Athens’ great port city: yachts at Marina Zea, fish tavernas around little Mikrolimano, the hilltop lanes of Kastella and a seafront walk along Peiraiki.

Explore Piraeus

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