E&V Shop 1
Central Market
1 ANAFIOTIKA This idyllic neighborhood on the slopes of the Acropolis comprises 45 houses and narrow alleyways, and is often described as a village inside the city. 2 ACROPOLIS MUSEUM A modern structure that opened in 2009 and houses some 4,000 treasures. 3 MONASTIRAKI FLEA MARKET You’ll find everything here from souvenirs and furniture to military surplus. 4 ATHENSWAS A luxury hotel situated near the Temple of Olympian Zeus and only a ten-minute walk from Syntagma Square. 2
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Ermou Street
Mus. of Cycladic Art
Agia Triada
Intermission Gallery
A tour of Athens
Lycabettus
The Breeder Gallery
Acropolis
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Panathenaic Stadium Piraeus Harbor
his city was once the most powerful in ancient Greece: the cradle of democracy and the birthplace of drama and western civilization. Today, perhaps more than ever, Athens boasts a rich cultural mix. Young Athenians in particular are opening pop-up stores and restaurants in trendy neighborhoods like Chalandri, or are coming together to form artists’ collectives. Others are restoring dilapidated buildings in the streets of Pangrati, Kypseli and Keramikos to turn them into stylish hotels. The resurrection of Greece’s largest city, which at less than 39 square kilometers is a relatively small metropolis, has attracted creatives and digital nomads from all over the world. They throng the streets of the hip Gazi and Psiri districts, where graffiti-adorned, cracked facades invite visitors to admire the street art during the day. In the evening, strains of relaxing music waft out of the open doors of the bars and clubs. The in-crowd likes to congregate at the Breeder Gallery, which exhibits timeless pieces by up-and-coming artists, or in the unassuming courtyard of The Art Foundation (TAF), with its bar, gallery and small designer shops. On Sundays, the Monastiraki flea market is held in the streets outside TAF, a must in the social calendars of many young Athenians. The Central Market, where even restauranteurs go to buy their produce, is also well worth wandering through. Wherever you look, you see new, vibrant activities taking place within the historical walls of the ancient city. A squat on Riga Palmidou, for instance, now houses the Embrós theater (embrós means “forward”). It’s a well-known venue among members of the Athenian underground. Here, independent theater groups often perform comedies about the Greek financial crisis. But despite these contemporary transformations, the best thing about Athens is
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still its history, which dates back millennia. At the Syntagma Square station, visitors can admire skeletons and artifacts from Classical times, discovered during excavations when the metro was built. A few streets away, the family-owned delicatessen Kostarelos prepares and serves feta cheese – a very popular Greek food – in the traditional way. At the foot of the Acropolis lies a hidden gem: The scenic Anafiotika neighborhood with its white-washed houses is an oasis of calm. Its stone steps and blue shutters were built by migrants from the Cyclades island of Anafi in the 19th century. A short walk away is the Acropolis Museum, a contemporary building designed by architect Bernard Tschumi. It houses archeological finds as well as temporary exhibitions. Close by, on Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athens’ most famous pedestrian street, you’ll find the luxurious boutique hotel AthensWas, with its classically furnished suites. The Sense, a chic restaurant on the top floor of the hotel, has a stunning roof terrace that is very popular with the city’s in-crowd. Here, you can sip wine and enjoy creative Greek dishes, for example orzo pasta, while admiring the unique view of the Parthenon and the Acropolis hill. 4
The AthensWas Design Hotel boasts 21 rooms, furnished in marble and walnut, and panoramic views. From 179 euros a night.