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5 Amazing Spots To Enjoy Sunset In Athens
But, you probably don’t know that you don’t have to travel to a Greek island for a memorable golden hour experience. Sunsets in Athens are equally indescribable, unsurpassable, and unforgettable. Here’s a list of 5 places in the Greek capital that every sunset chaser like us will fall in love with!
Areopagus
@iamsmark
Located northwest of the Acropolis, this prominent rock used to be the supreme court of ancient Athens. Today it is just as fascinating, providing panoramic views of the whole city. A beloved hangout spot for locals, there you will see groups of friends and couples chatting and taking in the spectacular vistas any time of the day (or night!).
Kastella
@3_k_0_t_s
Set on a hill overlooking the Port of Mikrolimano, Kastella is, without a doubt, the most picturesque district in Piraeus. As you make your way to the top of the hill, meandering through the narrow, scenic streets, you will encounter impressive neoclassical buildings, architectural gems, and the Veakeio Theatre, until you reach the church of Profitis Ilias where the views over the Saronic Gulf will leave you speechless.
Lycabettus Hill
@chiara.zagli
Gracefully standing 277 meters above sea level, Lycabettus Hill is the highest point in Athens. You can get there by taxi, the funicular, or on foot, but, no matter what, the views from the top are rewarding. Go all the way up until you reach the Holy Church of Saint Isidore, a chapel of striking beauty, and enjoy the mesmerizing views of the islands of Salamina and Aegina.
Temple Of Poseidon At Sounio
@Tibortokai
At the end of the Sounio Peninsula, at the southernmost point of Attica, lies the Temple of Poseidon, a site of worship of the sea god Poseidon, built during Athens’ Golden Age. Today, it continues to enthrall visitors who, except for the bewitching views, can swim in crystalline waters while marveling at the marble-white columns of a 5th-century BC temple. A combination you can’t miss!
Parthenon
@manon_alzieu
Of course, a visit to Athens isn’t complete until you go all the way up to the temple of Parthenon that dominates the hill of the Acropolis. Undeniably Athens’ most famous historical landmark, a symbol of democracy, and a masterpiece of ancient architecture, Parthenon is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset, just like Athenians did 2.500 years ago!
The Oldest Weather Station In The World Is In Greece
Originally published in Greek on: newsbeast.gr
The Wholesome Goodness Of Greek Cuisine
Alin Batanian - Yoga & Pilates Instructor
As a dancer, she has taught classical ballet at the Gymnastics Club of Irakleio Attikis (2010–2011) and contemporary dance at The Henny Jurriëns Foundation in Amsterdam (2012). She has performed in productions across the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Portugal (2012–2014) under the choreography of Manuel Ronda.
In Greece, she has collaborated extensively with choreographer Menti Mega on projects such as Unlimited Access—a European program supporting professional dancers and individuals with motor, cognitive, or visual impairments (2014–2016); the educational program Triples and Triplets (2017–2018); and the performance Sweet Abyss (2015). She also participated in the 3rd Young Choreographers Festival at the Onassis Cultural Centre (Fläche en Handfläche by Ioanna Angelopoulou, 2015) and in Stavros Petropoulos’ documentary I Am a Dancer (2016), all produced by the Onassis Foundation.
In recent years, she has worked closely with Irini Kourouvani, organizing dance workshops and performances in public primary schools across Attica. These initiatives, part of the International Olympic Truce Centre’s educational programs, aim to help children reconnect with their bodies, explore rhythm and movement as forms of expression, and embrace the diversity of every body.
She also volunteers with the “Pisti” Association at the “Agia Sofia” Children’s Hospital in Athens, offering dance therapy and yoga sessions to young patients and their families in the Pediatric Oncology-Hematology Unit (POAIM – K.E.TH.).
Certifications
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Professional Dance School “Rallou Manou” (2011)
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200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (The Yoga Studio Marousi)
under Course Director Swami Nirvikalpananda (Olga Alexiou) and Lead Trainer Mahatman (Michalis Evangelidis) – Yoga Alliance International Certified -
120-Hour Bahiranga Restorative Yoga for Musculoskeletal Pain (Nada Yoga Place) with Lead Trainer Mahatman (Michalis Evangelidis)
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120-Hour Bahiranga Holistic Healing Aspects of Yoga (Nada Yoga Place) with Lead Trainer Mahatman (Michalis Evangelidis)
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60-Hour Aerial Flow Yoga Teacher Training (Kyklos Aerial Lab)
with Aggeliki Sotiropoulou -
Advanced Level II in the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) training program, studying classical ballet under Carol Hanis and reaching.
🌐 https://alignbyalin.gr
Tango!
I am a regular user of Groupon, one of those ‘special deal sites’ where you can get dinner or a trip or product for a 30-40-50% discount. I receive their emails (along with their competitors GoldenDeals, OlaDeals and a few others…), and put up with the constant bombardment of offers – since from time to time I see something that I think is irresistible.
Last week I bought a Groupon deal for dinner at El Bandoneon in Thiseio. Not only is it one of the (very) few Argentinean restaurants in Athens, it also offers free tango lessons, and, well, it’s in the neighbourhood. I often walk by and wonder who actually goes there…
Our Groupon was for 50% off the price of a set dinner, with drinks charged extra. Six of us went (including one Argentinean) and I must say we enjoyed the evening. The food was good and definitely passed the ‘minimum standards’ of our Argentinean friend. The ambiance was decidedly un-Athenian – think of your visual impression of a decades-old parlour in Buenos Aires, tango music, candlelight. It was actually a romantic atmosphere – and yes some of the guests even got up in front of everyone and learned to dance tango! At the end of the evening, the view of our group was that it was a very pleasant and ‘different’ experience – but definitely pricier than other nights.
The reason I’m writing this is not to promote the restaurant, but instead to share what I found at the door on the way out. I picked up a map – called ‘Greece Tango Map’. It turns out that tango is incredibly popular in Greece, with venues, events, and ‘milongas’ happening all over. This map shows many of the tango venues around the country. Here are a few I noted in Athens from the map:
TangoFix – tangofix.gr
El Abrazo – elabrazotango.gr
TangoAcropolis 2013 competition – tangoacropolis.eu
In case you’re wondering, I did not take tango lessons that night. I was more interested in catching up with my friends and enjoying the lovely red wine – Chilean wine, since they had run out of their Argentinean Malbec. Go figure.
Groupon (Greece) - www.groupon.gr
El Bandoneon Café-Mate Bar, Akamantos 11, www.bandoneoncafe.com
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…
Ninnolo - The Home Of Great Gelato
We tried Ninnolo's heavenly ice cream last week and definitely recommend it highly! Whether you're in Kifisia or Agia Paraskevi, head to Ninnolo's for a taste of their homemade gelato - you'll definitely go back again and again. We tried the chocolate, pistachio and pink grapefruit - cant wait to try the rest of the flavours!
Locations:
Kifissia: Agiou Dimitriou 8 - Tel: 21 0801 2765 (around the corner from the AB Vasilopoulos super market on the main street)
Agia Paraskevi: Evergetou Giavasi 13a, 15342 - Tel: 213 0 240 776 - Email: ninnolo.gelato@gmail.com
They are also open for breakfast and brunch.
For further info, visit their Facebook pages here and here.
Do you have a recommendation or recipe to share? Send it to us at ideas@xpatathens.com!
Athens: Most Affordable Hotel Prices In Europe
“Athens is and remains the most inexpensive capital city in Europe based on benchmarking data,” the Athens-Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association said in an announcement to the press on 12 June in response to recent reports concerning rising hotel prices in the Greek capital.
According to the association, the Greek capital recorded a rise in arrivals during the January-May 2014 period in comparison to the same period last year, exactly due to the fact that the Greek capital’s hotels have the lowest – and very competitive – prices in Europe. During the January-May period, Athens recorded a 25.4 percent increase in occupancy and a 2.7 percent rise in the average room rate compared to 2013.
In the announcement, the hotel association also reminded that the Greek capital had lost 40 percent of hotel revenue and suffered the loss of 87 hotel units since 2008. “The hotel prices in Athens are 24.9 percent lower than the prices of 2008, which was the last good year for Athenian hoteliers,” the Greek capital’s hotel association noted.
The association added that the effort to restore occupancy and prices to levels that ensure the viability of the city’s hotels, must be a common goal as it will ensure job growth and benefit a number of sectors and the Greek capital’s economy in general.
To read more, please visit news.gtp.gr
New Book: My Greek Island Home
In My Greek Island Home Claire Lloyd shares the story of how illness brought to an end her fast-paced London life as a very successful magazine art director, film maker, photographer and property developer, before finding renewed purpose in life when fell in love with the Greek island of Lesvos and the people who live there, and made it both her home and her passion.
Featuring evocative images of the beautiful island, the home which she and her partner have lovingly restored, and the many friends - and animals - who have welcomed them into their lives, My Greek Island Home is a celebration of a way of life that Claire and Matthew have embraced with open arms. They have now bought and restored a second home, Ken's Spiti, also featured in the book, which they offer for personally-tailored holidays to people wishing to experience and be part of 'the real Greece'.
My Greek Island Home by Claire Lloyd will be published by Clearview Books on 28th April.
Raising Awareness Of Duchenne's Disease
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common fatal genetic disorders, which affects on average one in every 3,500 newborn boys worldwide. It is caused by errors in the dystrophin gene, the longest gene in the human body. Boys with DMD gradually lose mobility and are wheelchair-bound by the age of 12. In the next period it destroys breathing and heart muscles. The condition carries a life expectancy of 25-30 years and has no current cure.
To mark the day, 500 red balloons will be released after 7 p.m. to represent the 500 boys and men currently living with DMD in Greece.
To read more, please visit: ekathimerini
Refreshing Swimming Pools In Athens
St. George Lycabettus
@stgeorge_lycabettus_hotel
With a breathtaking view of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill, the roof garden of St. George may not have the biggest swimming pool, but overall it has many other strengths. Other facilities and amenities include a health studio, sauna, pool bar, and a cool breeze that often blows from the highlands of Lycabettus. On the 7th floor of the hotel, you will find comfortable white chairs waiting for visitors to lounge. With the entrance fee, you receive a free coffee or soft drink and a towel.
Where: 2 Kleomenous, Kolonaki
Telephone: 21 0741 6000
Poseidon
@poseidonhotel
Poseidon offers a nice, clean pool just a step away from the Saronic Gulf. On the 8th floor of the seaside hotel, there is a Gamma-shaped pool complete with sun loungers, a pool bar, and beautiful views of the coast from Piraeus to Glyfada.
Where: 72 Poseidonos Avenue, Palaio Faliro
Telephone: 21 0987 2000
Fresh Hotel
@freshhotelathens
On the 9th floor of the Fresh Hotel, you will find a small swimming pool with large advantages. From the pool, there is a breathtaking view of the Acropolis and the urban, hip style of the centre of Athens makes it ideal for a mini getaway. Upon entrance, each person receives a coffee or soft drink and a towel.
Where: 26 Sofokleous, Athens
Telephone: 210 5248511
Semiramis Hotel
@semiramiscityhotel
Located in the northern suburbs, specifically in Kefalari Kifissia, there is a swimming pool with a funky and innovative pop aesthetic that gives off great vibes. Entrance includes coffee or soft drink and a towel.
Where: 48 Charilaou Trikoupi 48
Telephone: 210 6284400
Radisson Blu Park Hotel
At the beginning of Alexandras Avenue, there is a spacious and wonderful pool with plenty of comfortable seats that ensure a certain comfort and a completely unobstructed view of the green area of the Champ de Mars. Entrance includes a lounger and a soft drink, juice, or coffee.
Where: Alexandras Avenue 10
Telephone: 210 8894500