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Christmas Shopping Hours In Athens
Christmas may the 'most wonderful time of the year' however sometimes it tends to be one of the most stressful times of the year, too. There's a lot to do and usually there isn't enough time to get everything done!
To make holiday shopping easier, the shops in Athens have extended their opening hours and include 3 days of Sunday shopping. This special schedule, designed to cater to the increased demand during Christmas and New Year, will commence on Thursday, December 12, 2024, and remain in effect until the end of the year.
Details of the 2024 Festive Schedule
From December 12 onwards, retail stores will operate with extended hours to ensure shoppers have plenty of time to prepare for the holidays. Here’s the complete schedule:
- Thursday, December 12: 09:00 – 21:00
- Friday, December 13: 09:00 – 21:00
- Saturday, December 14: 09:00 – 21:00
- Sunday, December 15: 11:00 – 18:00
- Monday, December 16 – Friday, December 20: 09:00 – 21:00
- Saturday, December 21: 09:00 – 21:00
- Sunday, December 22: 11:00 – 18:00
- Monday, December 23: 09:00 – 21:00
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 09:00 – 21:00
- Friday, December 27 – Saturday, December 28: 09:00 – 21:00
- Sunday, December 29: 11:00 – 18:00
- Monday, December 30: 09:00 – 21:00
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve): 09:00 – 18:00
Holiday Closures:
Stores will remain closed on all of the following days:
Christmas Day - Wednesday, December 25
Boxing Day - Thursday, December 26
New Year Day - January 1
Also on - January 2nd!
Sunday Shopping:
Stores will be open on the following 3 Sundays during the festive season:
- December 15
- December 22
- December 29
A Weekend Outside Of Athens
I wasn’t sure where to go, but I did know that I wanted to spend a relaxing few days with nothing to do but chill out on a beach – no site-seeing, no roadtrips, no late night parties, nothing but sea and sand. So, after a scan of Groupon for a hotel deal, and with my young nephew in tow, we headed for Euboia to a place called ‘Nea Styra.’ Never heard of it? Neither had I.
Evia is the second largest Greek island after Crete. Most people know it if you say ‘Xalkida’, the well-known city for day-trippers from Athens. Evia is a large island, with lots of off-the-beaten-track spots for sleeping and swimming. Nea Styra is a little coastal town along the southwestern coastline, a stone’s throw from the mainland.
We made the quick drive to Agia Marina, a tiny mainland port towards Marathon, and boarded the ferry for the 45 minute trip across the bay. Ferry tickets were €4 per adult and €16 for the car. Once on the other side, you find yourself in a seaside town, where the main activity is, clearly, ‘relaxing’. Nea Styra is a family-oriented town, with a seaside strip of lovely beaches, cafes, tavernas and a very relaxed, ‘low-glam’ feeling. This is a place to wake up, step outside onto the sand, and pretty much do nothing all day… And, evidently, this place is no secret to Athenians, since there are numerous ferries all day long, and the place was buzzing with weekend visitors.
If the ‘do nothing’ plan isn’t enough for you, I was told that there are ancient megalithic structures nearby, dated to around 4,500 years old, called Drakospita (Dragon Houses). Maybe worth a visit. But I wouldn’t know!
So, the weekend passed by with feet in the sand, throwing rocks in the water with my nephew. Nothing special. And totally special.
One of these weekends, I encourage you to jump in the car, point to a random place on the map (preferably along the coast) and just ‘go’. You can thank me later.
Until next week,
Jack
Greek Cities To Visit: City Breaks Far From Mass Tourism
4 Great Fish Taverns Next To The Sea
Below, you will find some of the best fish taverns that are as close to the sea as you can get!
Garbi
@garbirestaurant
This panoramic tavern in Vouliagmeni is quite charming, especially during the sunset and the terrace is simply relaxing. At Garbi, you will find classic dishes that characterize the 98-year-old history of the restaurant, including octopus with vinegar and eggplant salad, but also modern tastes like salmon hamburger and sea bass ceviche.
Location: Iliou 21, Vouliagmeni
Telephone: 210 8963480
Sardelaki Me Thea
@sardelaki_me_thea
The terraces that look over the bay of Vouliagmeni offer a unique breathtaking view. Sardelaki Me Thea is a large restaurant with white tables and chairs, which create a very cheerful atmosphere. There are dishes you must try, including the marinated anchovies and the squid and grilled scorpaena. Also recommended are the sardines cooked with tomatoes, potatoes, and parsley.
Location: Leof. Poseidunos 18, Vouliagmeni
Telephone: 210 9670913
Thea Thalassa
@thea_thalassa_
Located on a gorgeous deck at Mikrolimano, Giorgos Lebidaki's fish tavern is simple and relaxing with a friendly atmosphere. The tavern offers a large menu of classic and modern dishes, including handmade morsels, oysters with seaweed wakame, and lemon fried seaweed (sea lettuce), which you break by hand into seafood chips. This is a great place with good quality and prices.
Location: Akti Themistokleous 344, Piraeus
Telephone: 210 4132070
Ammos
@ammosportorafti
Grab a seat at one of the white sofas of this fish tavern in Porto Rafti and you will get the impression that you are on an Aegean island. In the kitchen, Chrysostomos Prasatzis makes fisherman's risotto, which is mussels with tomato sauce and linguini with clams. There are many choices for meat-eaters such as tenderloin marinated in black beer and served in a delicious mustard sauce.
Location: Avlakiou 52, Pοrto Rafti, Attiki
Telephone: 229 9084550
Athens Airport Receives ‘Fast Travel Gold Award'
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Dial 112 In Case Of Emergency In Greece & EU
112 is an integrated emergency communications service, which includes an inbound and an outbound component. In case of emergency, individuals can dial 112 for free from anywhere in Greece and the European Union.
The outbound component allows the reception of warnings via multiple technologies and communication channels in case of an imminent or occurring dangerous situation so that individuals can take the protective actions required to stay safe.
How To Use 112 In Case Of Emergency
Individuals in the EU need only to remember this emergency number to reach any emergency service. 112 is particularly useful for anyone who finds themselves in distress and needs emergency assistance while traveling within the EU.
The number is available in all EU member states alongside the domestic emergency numbers. However, some EU countries have opted for 112 as their single emergency number.
In Greece, 112 is available 24 hours a day, every day. By dialing 112, the caller can be connected to:
- Police
- Fire Brigade
- Emergency Medical Services
- Coast Guard
- the European Hotline for Missing Children 116000
- the National Helpline for Children SOS 1056
- Text message (SMS) or MMS to 112.
- Email contact@112.gov.gr
- Through the Gov.gr application.
When dialing 112, the emergency call taker will ask for the location of the emergency and questions to determine whether you need police, fire, medical, or other assistance. When reaching 112 by text message or email please make sure to include the following information on your message:
- What is your emergency?
- What is the location of the emergency?
- Are there any casualties?
The public authority having jurisdiction for 112 in Greece is the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.
For more information on the operation of 112 in each EU country, please click here
Amazing Pictures Of Athens & The Greek Islands Covered In Snow
The heavy snowfall has caused many problems both in Athens and the islands, as Greece, a sunny country, isn't used to coping with such extreme weather events. For this reason, the government announced that Tuesday, January 25th, is to be considered a holiday for all workers in both the private and public sectors.
All the problems aside, however, many enjoyed the weather and were eager to capture the magical, snowy moments! Here are some of our favorite pictures of Athens and the Greek islands blanketed in snow, looking like they are straight out of a fairytale!
Acropolis - Athens
@andreas_megos
@athensvibe
@spathumpa
@tom_tsou
@markisia.photography
@milona_katerina
Neimporio - Andros Island
@georgekolidas
@visit.syros
📸 Main image: @amaliakovaiou
Archaeological Museum Enters Digital Age
Twas the Night Before Christmas…
…and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except the kids knocking on the door singing the ‘kalanda’… Is it rude if I don't open the door every single time? Now, with Christmas around the corner, I am moments away from jumping into the car and exiting the city. This year I’m spending a few days in my father’s village, sleeping in past 7:00am, and letting my aunt pamper me with all kinds of food. My Christmas present this year will surely be a collection of new kilograms.
But before I leave, I need to run out to pick up a couple of last-minute gifts. This Christmas will be quite modest, I admit. Gifts are still the order of the day, but with an obvious ‘low key’ and ‘low cost’ feel. And I’m very much ok with that. For me, it’s not a ‘sign of the crisis’ as much as it’s ‘the way things should be’. Who ever said that Christmas was the time of year to buy your brother-in-law a new smartphone?
Which is why I am doubly surprised at the throngs of people that are crammed shoulder-to-shoulder on Ermou St. I have never seen so many people out shopping. I wonder if maybe they didn’t get the memo about the low-key Christmas trend. What are they all doing??
But then I look more closely. Most of them are not carrying many (any!) bags. The stores are packed, but the line at the cash registers isn’t so long. In fact, it’s the cafes and tavernas that are the most packed. Most of the people seem to just be out, with family or friends, walking around the shop-lined streets, looking up at the lights, window shopping and enjoying the vibe, the proverbial Christmas spirit.
And although I suppose it could make me sad, it has the opposite effect. There is a smile on my face, because I think that – when you subtract the gifts and the money spent on stuff we don't need - the vibe of Christmas is what people love. The colourful lights, the music, the crowds, the time with loved ones, the chilly weather – and the warmth of it all. For those of us lucky enough to have at least this much, it’s already enough.
My warmest wishes to the XpatAthens community – Kala Xristougenna!
Until next week,
Jack
In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…