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Wednesday, 14 September 2022 13:43

The Kypseli Neighborhood: A Queen Of Reinvention

This central Athens neighborhood’s fortunes have risen and fallen over the decades. Today, Kypseli is enjoying a thrilling period of new openings, new events, new people, and new energy, making it – once again – the trendiest and most exciting neighborhood in Athens.

Kypseli means “beehive” in Greek and that’s a great metaphor for this area that always throngs with activity. It’s one of the most densely populated urban areas in Europe – and you can feel it. The old apartment blocks stand close together and certain streets can provoke a sense of claustrophobia that sometimes detracts from the spectacular, historic architecture that abounds. The upside is that, while they might be a little cramped for space, the worker bees of Kypseli are constantly working hard on creative projects, chic eateries, and cool galleries, which all come together to form a vibrant honeycomb of cultural life.

Kypseli is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, but it only started to take on its present form in 1937 when architect Vasilios Tsagris began transforming a stream called Levidi into a long stretch of gardens with trees, water fountains, play areas and statues, including a much-loved dog statue which appeared in 1940. The now-pedestrianized Fokionos Negri Street became Kypseli’s central thoroughfare, as a middle-class to upper-middle-class neighborhood grew around it between the 1930s and the 1970s, leaving a treasure trove of architectural gems, from art deco to Bauhaus and mid-century modernist.

It’s still possible to relive the glory days of Kypseli’s golden era, a time when international stars like Frank Sinatra would hang out on Fokionos Negri whenever they visited Athens. Catch a movie at Stella, a retro open-air cinema whose bright neon-pink lighting is a throwback to the neighborhood’s glamorous, showbiz past. English-language films are screened without dubbing and the screen is surrounded by a mosaic of concrete balconies. After the film, head for a stiff cocktail at Au Revoir, a classic-with-a-Greek-twist drinking hole, run by the Papatheodorou family since 1958.

Diversity Dominates

Kypseli continues to attract people from around the world, with foreign-run shops and businesses abounding across the neighborhood and its multiculturalism extending to its food options as well. Kypseli manages to hold all of its old and new residents together in peaceful coexistence: traditional Greek kafeneios, tavernas, and bars sit comfortably alongside authentic food and social spaces from around the world, while creative spirits are constantly adding splashes of cool to the mix. Taken together, Kypseli is more than just a hive of activity; it’s a kaleidoscopic neighborhood of culture, cuisine, and creativity.

To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com

Main image: Dimitris Vlaikos

Published in City Discovery

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Tuesday, 21 January 2025 22:44

Understanding Tax In Greece | Double Taxation

Navigating Greek tax laws can be complex, particularly for expats and foreign businesses operating in the country. Local business consultants play a vital role in simplifying these processes and ensuring compliance with Greek regulations. With deep expertise in Greek tax legislation, local tax experts can assist individuals and businesses to determine whether they qualify as Greek tax residents or foreign tax residents, while offering tailored guidance to meet their unique needs.

Given the extensive Greek international community — spanning Australia, America, the UK, and beyond — local tax experts frequently support expats and international businesses in understanding their tax obligations, including:

Income Tax
Capital Gains Tax
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Social Security Tax
Wealth Tax
Inheritance Tax
General Tax Advice and Structure
Double Taxation Agreements with countries such as the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Israel
Establishing Tax Residency
Tax Compliance for companies and individuals
Shipping and Vessel Taxation
Greek Tax Incentives for Foreigners

Determining Greek Tax Residency

The specialized team will be well-versed in helping clients clarify their residency status under Greek tax legislation. Generally, you are considered a Greek tax resident if:

Your permanent home is in Greece.
You have resided in Greece for more than 183 days within a twelve-month fiscal year, even if not consecutively.

For individuals considered tax residents in both Greece and another country, the situation becomes complex, requiring careful consideration of the double taxation treaties Greece has established with 56 other nations.

Greek Tax Year & Filing Deadlines

The Greek tax year aligns with the Gregorian calendar year, running from January 1st to December 31st. Tax returns for Greek tax residents must typically be filed by April 30 of the following year. For business income, tax must be paid in full based on the earnings declared, often in three installments.

Types of Taxes in Greece

Local tax professionals can guide you through the various tax types in Greece, including:

Income Tax: Employers deduct the appropriate tax amounts from salaries each month for employees and businesses.
Capital Tax: Gains from interest, royalties, lottery winnings, inheritance, or property transfers are taxed at rates ranging from 10% to 20%.
Value Added Tax (VAT): Standard VAT is set at 24%, with some services qualifying for reduced rates.
Social Security Tax: Employers contribute 25.06%, while employees contribute 16% of salaries.

Why Choose A Local Tax Expert In Greece

For expats, foreign businesses, and even locals, working with a local Greek tax expert, like our trusted partner Tsaks Consulting, ensures all tax obligations are handled efficiently. Their team specializes in tax planning, compliance, and leveraging Greek tax incentives to help you optimize your financial strategy.

For more tips and insights on managing your business and taxation in Greece, visit this article. Alternatively, feel free to reach out to us with your questions - we’re here to offer you the guidance you need!

This content has been created in collaboration with our partner Tsaks Consulting.

Published in Accounting & Taxes

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Wednesday, 08 January 2025 11:48

Elias Chimney Cleaning & Repair Services

With over 20 years of trusted experience in chimney cleaning and repair, Elias offers clean, top-quality work at very approachable pricing for both homes and apartments. Service is available 7 days a week anywhere within Attica!

To book your appointment call Elias at 697 6825484 or email: ilias-vergos@hotmail.com.

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

1. It is very dangerous to use a fireplace (and its chimney) if it's not routinely cleaned.

2. Freshly cut and damp wood produce more smoke than dry wood.

3. A chimney windbreak hat is necessary for better ignition and in order to avoid over-smoking.

4. Chimneys should be cleaned every 2 tons of wood burned.

5. Cleaning your chimney reduces the harmful substances contained in smoke and released into the atmosphere.

6. A proper chimney cleaning reduces the risk of fire and any other subsequent damage to your home.

Published in Featured Greek Businesses

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Wednesday, 18 February 2015 13:32

Beaches In Kos

Endless coasts with turquoise waters, vegetation, affluent water springs, ancient and medieval monuments, as well as impressive Italian buildings are just a few of the wonders Kos island has to offer. The third largest island of the Dodecanese complex, it is located just 6.5 kilometers away from the Turkish coasts. The name “Kos” is probably derived from the daughter of the mythical King Meropas, called Koos.

Kos is the birthplace of Hippocrates, the ‘father’ of medicine (460-377 B.C) and was already inhabited during the Neolithic Period (5th - 4th century BC). The island was officially united with Greece in 1948.

Kos island extends over a surface of 290 km2; its coastline is 112 km and has 31,000 inhabitants. It can be reached by ferry from Piraeus Port or by airplane from the Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos.

Kos island has several sandy coasts. The beaches in the north side of the island are more affected by winds. Most of the coasts underwent touristic development and have easy access and various services. Some of the most visited beaches are: Nomikou-Barbagianni sandy beach extending from the city of Kos to the surrounding areas. It is an organized beach with umbrellas and deck-chairs, water sports, restaurants and bars. Zourouni sandy beach is an organized beach with umbrellas and deck-chairs, water sports, bars and loud music. Nautical Club beach with fine sand is awarded with the European Union blue flag. Milos beach with fine sand, has also been awarded with the European Union blue flag. There is a coastal bar with loud music and frequent concerts.

Lambi beach has small rocks followed afterwards by fine sand. It is a beach that usually has waves.

Karnagio beach is located in a quiet area, with fine sand and shallow waters.

Psalidi beach, with rocks, that makes it ideal for spear fishing. There are restaurants and taverns here.

Aghios Fokas beach is located in a quiet area with black sand and steep depth.

“Esperides” beach with thick sand and peddles located in a quiet area.

Thermes beach with abrupt depth surrounded by steep rocks. There you can find warm thermal spas.

To read more, please visit visitgreece.gr

Published in Travel Greece

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Friday, 20 February 2015 15:36

Greek Food: Herbs and Spices

This is one of the easiest pages to write because Greek cooking is very simple and does not rely on a large variety of herbs and spices but the combination of a few. Very few. People who are nervous about going to Greece because they have a fear of spicy foods can take solace. Greeks don't eat spicy foods and they don't season heavily.

The focus of Greek cooking is on the vegetables, breads and meats and the philosophy seems to be bringing out the natural flavor of these things rather than hide it or disguise it with spices.

So lets begin with the basics, and the most basic is alati (salt). Greek cooking relies heavily on salt to bring out the flavor of meat, fish and vegetables and most of the salt used is from the sea. There are many places in Greece where salt is harvested on flat plains by the sea and Greek sea-salt is of a high quality. Next is piperi (pepper) which like salt is found on every table and is usually the normal black pepper that you eat at home. Some chefs, notably Aglaia Kremezi, use Aleppo Pepper which adds an interesting flavor to the food but if this was common in any period of Greek history it is not now unless you are lucky enough to be invited to her house for lunch.

Herbs
Rigani (oregano) is used a lot in Greek cooking appearing in most meat dishes, baked vegetables, sauces and of course on Greek salads. This is the most widely used herb. Among the other herbs which grow on the hillsides of the Greek mainland and the islands dendrolivano (rosemary) is used sparingly, in fact I can think of only two recipes. One is a vinegar sauce for fish that my mother used to make and the other is with lamb and roast potatoes though this may be more common among the Greeks I know than those of the general population. Thymari (thyme) is used in some meat dishes and for flavoring some olives as well as some of the best Greek honey. Faskomilo (sage) can be smelled all over the mountains and is used in a tea. Diosmos (mint) is used to flavor keftedes (meatballs) and in some pies and salads. Vassilikos (basil) which is one of my favorite herbs is actually not eaten in Greece though you will see it grown ornamentally or for good luck in gardens, apartments, rooftops, restaurants and even on boats. Anitho (dill) is used in pitas (pies), salads and dolmadas. Maidanos (parsley) is used as a garnish as well as in some meat and vegetable dishes. Dafnofila (bay leaves) are used in some soups and stews. Selino is actually wild celery and is used in some stews, particularly the hirino me selino which is served in the winter.

Spices
Garifalo (cloves) are an important ingredient in stifado and is also used in breads and sweets. Kumino (cumin) is used in soutzoukakia, the spicey meatballs served in tomato sauce. Sousami (sesame seeds) are used on breads and in halva and with honey to make a sweet called pasteli. Kanela (cinnamon) is used in many sauces and desserts and is sprinkled on apples for a dessert after a big meal.

In the Athens central market there are venders selling herbs and spices on the street and there are several shops that specialize in them, the best known being Elixer on Evripidou Street right near the corner of Athinas Street.

By Matt Barrett

greecefoods.com

Published in Greek Food & Diet

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Friday, 06 March 2015 12:52

Greek FinMin Varoufakis’ Interview In Charlie Hebdo

The latest issue of French magazine Charlie Hebdo hosts an interview with Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis. The issue was released on Wednesday, February 25, and, according to new editor Gerard Biard, pays tribute to extremism, in the shadow of the murderous attacks in Copenhagen on February 14 and 15.

The magazine cover features a sketch of Marine Le Pen, Nicolas Sarkozy, the Pope and a jihadist with a Kalashnikov chasing a dog that has a Charlie Hebdo issue in its mouth.

In his interview, Varoufakis said that racists and nationalists will be the only ones to benefit if European leaders shoot down Greece’s new anti-austerity government. “This is what I tell my counterparts: if you think it is in your interest to shoot down progressive governments like ours, just a few days after our election, then you should fear the worst,” he said.

To read more, please visit greekreporter.com

By Ioanna Zikakou

Published in Greece In The News

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Monday, 11 May 2015 11:30

British Airways Flies Direct From London To Six Greek Islands This Summer

British Airways announced its Greece summer 2015 schedule which will link London to six Greek islands, two of which are new destinations for the airline.

In addition to flights to Kos, Rhodes, Mykonos and Santorini, this summer British Airways will fly direct to Heraklio and Corfu. The last time British Airways flew to Heraklio was some 30 years ago.

“This demonstrates the distint support of the airline to Greek tourism and gives even more passengers the possibility to visit these destinations”, British Airways said in an announcement.

“British Airways continues to invest in the Greek market, expand its route network and proceed with actions that will boost tourism, local communities and their economies”, said Freddie Stier, the commercial manager of British Airways in Greece.

For more information about the proposed schedule, please visit Greek Travel Pages.

Published in Greece In The News

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Tuesday, 23 April 2019 00:00

Thessaloniki - A Great Mini Break Destination

Warm and generous, Thessaloniki is at the same time historic and avant-garde: the second largest city in Greece, ideal for a city break, a mosaic of cultures and fascinating holiday moments.

Located in Macedonia, Northern Greece, there is a city unlike anywhere else in Greece. Thessaloniki is a sprawling urban centre, a cultural melting pot, where dreams, ideas, visions and trends percolate in an alternative, avant garde scene. Its history is written upon everything you see: the Thermaic Gulf, the White Tower, Nikis Avenue, Aristotelous Square, Mitropoleos Avenue, Tsimiski Avenue, Ladadika, Modiano Market, Bit Bazaar and the Old City.

For thousands of years, this northern port-town has been a meeting point for people of different cultures. Impressive attractions, cafes, bars, traditional tavernas, gourmet restaurants, a lively nightlife – you’ll find everything here in Thessaloniki, the beautiful ‘bride of the Thermaic Gulf’.

Thessaloniki: A Multicultural Centre

Trace the civilizations and peoples that have left their mark on this great city of Thessaloniki. The Palace, the Triumphal Arch and the impressive Rotunda offer an insight into to the reign of emperor Galerius Maximilianos (early 4th century) and formed the city’s administrative and religious centre in Roman times. Or the Jewish Museum, in an elegant listed building of 1904 on Agiou Mina Street, recreating the life of the Jewish community in pre-War Salonica and its subsequent extermination by the Nazis. Finally, don’t forget to visit the former home of Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey.

Or wander the narrow lanes of Ano Poli, one of the oldest districts of Thessaloniki, above the modern town. There you’ll admire the numerous attractions, most of which are castles and religious monuments: the Trigoniou Tower, with its amazing view and the Eptapyrgio fortifications, Ottoman monuments, the Vlatades monastery and the Byzantine churches of Osios David and Agios Nikolaos Orfanos. This is the most unspoilt district of the old city. And let’s not forget, of course, the iconic 16th century White Tower, by Aristotelous Square in the city centre.

To learn more about Thessaloniki, please visit: Discover Greece

Published in Travel Greece

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Monday, 19 September 2016 07:00

Top 10 Things To Do In Athens

Areopagus – The Hill of Ares

Just opposite the entrance to the Acropolis sits a huge white rock. Named after the Greek God of War, Ares, it’s thought that many murder trials were held here, including the trial of Ares himself for the murder of Alirrothios, the son of Poseidon. Climb either the marble stairs carved into the side or take the modern steel stairs (which is the best option to avoid slipping) and sit and admire the vista; Athens sprawls out below you with views of the sea and islands nearby.

Anafiotika

Under the northeastern side of the Acropolis lies a hidden “island village.”. In the early 1900s, many people came to Athens from the island of Anafi to build the king’s palace. They built themselves their own neighborhood, called Anafiotika, to remind them of their island homes. Today, only 45 of the original houses remain, but it’s amazing to wander through the winding streets and discover an island village that almost looks out of place within the heart of a city.

Vouliagmeni Lake

Visit the brackish waters of Vouliagmeni Lake, a natural lake formed many years ago from a cave collapse and surrounded by a natural pine forest. The lake is a mixture of warm fresh water and cold seawater and contains the garra rufa fish that nibble at your skin as you swim.

National Garden

Located behind the parliament building in Syntagma Square and designed by Queen Amalia in 1840, you’ll find a plethora of plant, bird and animal species at the National Garden. Open to the public, locals spend their afternoons here drinking coffee in the small cafes dotted around the garden and older men play tavil (Greek backgammon).

Day Trip to Cape Sounion

The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion makes a perfect day trip from Athens. It’s about 42 miles southeast of Athens, but definitely worth it. Visitors can wander around the monument, which is surrounded on three sides by the Aegean Sea, and admire the breathtaking views across the water. Afterwards, relax on the beach below.

This article was originally posted on Onboard.com, which is no longer online.

Published in City Discovery

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Tuesday, 05 September 2017 07:04

10 Of The Best Beach Bars In Greece

Whether you’re in Athens, the Cyclades, the Peloponnese or somewhere in between, there’s always a great beach bar waiting for you! While there’s many to choose from, The Guardian takes us on a tour around Greece and finds 10 of the best.

Tinos Surf Lessons, Tinos, Cyclades

From modest beginnings as a few friends who learned to catch the waves at Kolibithra beach, Tinos Surf Lessons has become a scene. Yiannis Vidalis and his crew have made something fun and friendly at the surf school that is also chic – a VW campervan converted into a bar, with driftwood furniture and umbrellas woven by local basket-makers. Everything is made to be packed up during the winter and leave the sands of one of Tinos’s longest (and windiest) beaches untouched.

Hydronetta Bar, Hydra, Argo-Saronics

One of the best swimming spots is Hydronetta, below the cannons guarding the yacht-lined harbour. Tables shaded by thatched parasols are squeezed on to stone balconies that zigzag down to a tiny sunbathing platform. Between dips, dry off on the rocks then hop back up for an iced coffee.

Limanakia Vouliagmenis Bar, Athens

There aren’t any signs for this wooden canteen; it doesn’t even have a name, beyond being known as the bar at Limanakia beach. Tottering amid a series of craggy inlets between the coastal suburbs of Varkiza and Vouliagmeni, this Athens institution has no electricity (only a generator) or running water. There are no official opening hours either, but the bar is pretty much open 24 hours.

To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian

Published in Travel Greece

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The Kypseli Neighborhood: A Queen Of Reinvention

Understanding Tax In Greece | Double Taxation

Elias Chimney Cleaning & Repair Services

Beaches In Kos

Greek Food: Herbs and Spices

Greek FinMin Varoufakis’ Interview In Charlie Hebdo

British Airways Flies Direct From London To Six Greek Islands This Summer

Thessaloniki - A Great Mini Break Destination

Top 10 Things To Do In Athens

10 Of The Best Beach Bars In Greece

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