COMMUNITY CORNER
XpatAthens
Monday, 24 June 2019 07:00
Best Sushi Places In Athens
Who said that sushi was a luxurious option only for people with large wallets? It's not anymore! You can now enjoy favourites such as maki, rolls & nigiri without breaking the bank.
Nowadays, you may find sushi bars with menus up to 20€ per person. Here are some of the best sushi options in Athens!
A young, relaxing and affordable environment, Koi made its appearance about 3 years ago in the multi-cultural neighboorhood of Syntagma. It was an immediate success for lovers of Maki and Nigiri. The menu is quite small, but it changes frequently. Besides sushi, you can also find salads and noodles. Guests can also accompany their meal with sake and a beer. You can also find Koi Sushi Bars in Voula (Vasileos Paulou 98, tel: 213 0320890), in Halandri (Sokratous 5, tel: 211 1845096), in Kifissia (Solomou 4, tel: 210 8084647), in Piraeus (Louka Ralli 139, tel: 210 4177918) and in Melissia (Alex. Zaimi 1 & Psatha, tel: 210 8031100). Menu prices range from 12€ per person.
Location: 15 Nikis, Syntagma
Telephone: 210 3211099
Price Point: $
Dress Code: Casual
Nakama makes enjoyable sushi at everyday prices in a simplistic and friendly environment. At this sushi bar, you will find the most delicious rolls including dragon with eel, ebi with shrimp and caviar, fried Oh-la-la with fresh onion, and salmon and mayonnaise. These are just few of our favourites. You may also try the delicious desserts such as cheechcake with green tea.
Location: 5 Massalias, Kolonaki
Telephone: 210 3616053
Price Point: $$-$$$
Dress Code: Casual
Dress Code: Casual
Kazoku
Kazoku in Japanese means family and this is how you're going to feel there, just like family in a warm and friendly environment. It is small place, but it has great value for your money. It opened about a year ago in Glyfada and it welcomed the lovers of Japanese cuisine just a few meters from Kyprou square. Patrons will have the chance to try the excellent and fresh rolls like the dragon, but also the spicy salmon, rainbow, tiger tempura and the amazing duck salad. Prices range from 17€ per person.
Location: 11 Foivis, Glifada
Telephone: 210 8944549
Price Point: $$
Dress Code: Casual
Shisan Sushi Bar
This new affordable Sushi place in Holargos is a small and friendly spot where you will eat a lot and the prices are great! You may start with salmon or tuna tutaki and may continue with excellent and fresh shisan rolls. You can't leave without trying the Mochi Chocolate, a cream made from rice with a chocolate flavour. They also have take away meals and a delivery service. Prices range from 12€ per person.
Location: 24 Mesogeion, Holargos
Telephone: 210 6510011
Price Point: $$
Dress Code: Casual
Yoshi Sushi Bar
Yoshi Sushi has managed to attract people from all over Athens. Hidden within the Plaza shopping mall, it is a modern place that promises to teach us the secrets of the Japanese cuisine. The best selling dishes are the sushi combos (from 12€), which include a taste from each category of the menu. Ask the waitor about the dish of the day as the restaurant offers something new everyday.
Location: 7 Platonos, Halandri
Telephone: 216 7006857
Price Point: $$-$$$
Dress Code: Casual
Originally posted on ArtTable | Translated by XpatAthens
Published in
Restaurants In Athens
Tagged under
Tuesday, 19 July 2016 07:00
Bank Analysts See Potential In Greek Tourism
Tourism is one of Greece’s main sectors and in a report issued by Alpha Bank, Greece stands to gain traffic this year. Tourism will also get a boost from the upgrade of regional airports in Kalamata, Naxos, Syros, Milos, and Paros.
However, the refugee crisis is reflected, according to the analysis, in a decline of tourism to the Dodecanese islands in the first five months of 2016 — down by 21.9 percent on Kos, 59.9 percent on Lesvos (bearing the brunt of incoming refugee movement) and 40.6 percent on Samos — and partially offset by stronger arrivals to Crete, the Ionian islands and the Cyclades.
At the same time, the Bank of Greece issued a report which found tourist arrivals in the first three months of the year down by 5.3 percent year-on-year to 2.5 million visitors compared to 2.7 million. Travel spending, however, per trip on average grew by 365.9 euros for the first four months of 2016 against 360.3 euros.
The Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) expects 27.5 million visitors this year against 23.6 million in 2015 and revenue to the tune of 15 billion euros compared to 14.2 billion euros in 2015. The EU remains Greece’s main market despite a 10.9 percent decline in the first four months against last year.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
Published in
Greece In The News
Tagged under
Monday, 18 July 2016 18:32
Interview With Michalis Stangos ~ The Golden Period For Greek Start-Ups
In an interview given by Embassy News, Michalis Stangos, who is co-founder of Industry Disruptors-Game Changers (ID-GC), a non-profit/non-governmental organisation that was founded to promote entrepreneurship in Greece, discussed the current opportunities and challenges Greek start-ups are faced with and the ‘Start Tel Aviv 2016’ competition. Greek start-ups have been vital to the economy during the last few years and what ID-GC does is focus its strategy on industry sectors that offer a competitive advantage and aims at supporting start-ups and young entrepreneurs.
Interview to Eleftheria Pantziou
EN: Please, provide us with some information on ID-GC’s main objectives.
Michalis Stangos: Industry Disruptors-Game Changers (ID-GC) is an organization created three years ago by a group of young entrepreneurs, whose business survived the crisis. We decided to take action in order to help young entrepeneurs and people with innovative ideas, stay in Greece and pursue their dreams. The whole idea is to change the mindset, as there are many talents in Greece, but we see many people migrating to pursue a career abroad, whether in academia or in business. We tried to change the mindset and create an organization that would help the youth become more extroversive, gain opportunities and become the next generation of entrepreneurs.
During these three years we managed to raise around 2.5 million euros that we distributed through grant programs and scholarships addressed to startups. We do not work on commission as ID-GC is a non-profit organization.
We also organize “Investor Days” and boot camps to match entrepreneurs and investors with startups. This has also generated a lot of deals and funding opportunities for startups in Greece and abroad.
EN: What are some of the initiatives undertaken by ID-GC on business and education?
Michalis Stangos: Our initiatives include international competitions and our structure is sectoral, as we focus on a) healthcare, b) cleantech and energy, c) agro and agrotechnology, d) creative industry – from gaming to architecture and art, e) Information & Communications Technology (ICT) and f) tourism.
We collaborate with big institutions and organizations in Greece and abroad, as well as sectoral associations such as SFEE – the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies and SEV – the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises. Also with Greece’s major universities. Along with the Athens University of Economics and Business we created a national MBA, that focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship.
In private-public partnership with the University, an NGO and a major multinational company from the pharmaceutical sector, we’ve managed to provide 22 scholarships. As a result a student is able to conclude an MBA and at the same time develop his/her idea into a business.
Also with the University of Thessaly and the National Hellenic Research Foundation we have developed the first Master’s program in Bioentepreneurship. With the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens we are working on an incubation program and we are also launching a new incubator program with the National Technical University of Athens.
The City of Athens has made some efforts to promote entrepreneurship and Greek start-ups, through Innovathens and other initiatives.
EN: What are the main features of a “successful” startup?
Michalis Stangos: The team is the most important element in a start-up. Definately at the end of the day everything is about the team. Also the idea. And it needs a lot of work, hard work and “thrassos” (nerve) as we say in Greek!
To read this interview in full, please visit: Embassy News
Interview to Eleftheria Pantziou
EN: Please, provide us with some information on ID-GC’s main objectives.
Michalis Stangos: Industry Disruptors-Game Changers (ID-GC) is an organization created three years ago by a group of young entrepreneurs, whose business survived the crisis. We decided to take action in order to help young entrepeneurs and people with innovative ideas, stay in Greece and pursue their dreams. The whole idea is to change the mindset, as there are many talents in Greece, but we see many people migrating to pursue a career abroad, whether in academia or in business. We tried to change the mindset and create an organization that would help the youth become more extroversive, gain opportunities and become the next generation of entrepreneurs.
During these three years we managed to raise around 2.5 million euros that we distributed through grant programs and scholarships addressed to startups. We do not work on commission as ID-GC is a non-profit organization.
We also organize “Investor Days” and boot camps to match entrepreneurs and investors with startups. This has also generated a lot of deals and funding opportunities for startups in Greece and abroad.
EN: What are some of the initiatives undertaken by ID-GC on business and education?
Michalis Stangos: Our initiatives include international competitions and our structure is sectoral, as we focus on a) healthcare, b) cleantech and energy, c) agro and agrotechnology, d) creative industry – from gaming to architecture and art, e) Information & Communications Technology (ICT) and f) tourism.
We collaborate with big institutions and organizations in Greece and abroad, as well as sectoral associations such as SFEE – the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies and SEV – the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises. Also with Greece’s major universities. Along with the Athens University of Economics and Business we created a national MBA, that focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship.
In private-public partnership with the University, an NGO and a major multinational company from the pharmaceutical sector, we’ve managed to provide 22 scholarships. As a result a student is able to conclude an MBA and at the same time develop his/her idea into a business.
Also with the University of Thessaly and the National Hellenic Research Foundation we have developed the first Master’s program in Bioentepreneurship. With the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens we are working on an incubation program and we are also launching a new incubator program with the National Technical University of Athens.
The City of Athens has made some efforts to promote entrepreneurship and Greek start-ups, through Innovathens and other initiatives.
EN: What are the main features of a “successful” startup?
Michalis Stangos: The team is the most important element in a start-up. Definately at the end of the day everything is about the team. Also the idea. And it needs a lot of work, hard work and “thrassos” (nerve) as we say in Greek!
To read this interview in full, please visit: Embassy News
Published in
People
Tagged under
Monday, 18 July 2016 07:00
WWF Greece Introduces App Aimed At Mapping Urban Green Areas
Athens has a need for green! With only 0.96 square meters of green area per person, the city hasn’t quite reached the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard of 9 square meters per person. However, that is all changing with a new app designed by World Wildlife Fund Greece (WWF) in order to improve public urban green spaces and encouraging active involvement from the citizens.
The app GreenSpaces, which is free and available on your mobile device, lets users tag and post photos of parks and green areas and rate them based on cleanliness, tidiness, and overall maintenance. To help facilitate interaction among users, the app is designed so others can report ratings they see as unfair or under-explained. People can report rubbish on the ground, vandalism, and even unscooped pet poop.
Achilleas Plitharas, head of the environmental organization’s Better Life campaign said, “We are aiming to motivate people to get out of their homes, to care more about the green oases that may exist in their city or neighborhood. We also wanted to find a way to motivate the municipal authorities, many of which typically take an interest in green areas only during election campaigns. And we wanted to make all this as user-friendly as possible.”
Nikos Belavilas, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning and Urban Design at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and Head of the Urban Environment Laboratory, hopes GreeceSpace will make locals take responsibility for keeping the green areas in good condition.
“A key distinction needs to be made. This is not Stockholm with its wet, cool climate and rich soil. This is the Mediterranean. You need to love a Greek park for what it is. A park with pine and cypress trees, bushes and wild weeds,” said Belavilas.
Belavilas also stated, “there is very little that can be achieved without a change in mentality without putting pressure on municipal authorities and without strengthening the citizens’ role in all this.”
Source: Greece Is
Published in
Local News
Tagged under
Monday, 11 July 2016 11:11
Live The Santorini Experience 2016
Privileged prices for your airline tickets!
“Santorini Experience” continues to innovate by bringing closer to the people, the unique beauty of the worldwide destination of the island of Santorini, on 7-9 October 2016!
“Santorini Experience” continues to innovate by bringing closer to the people, the unique beauty of the worldwide destination of the island of Santorini, on 7-9 October 2016!
After the announcement of the cooperation with the leading TV channel FOX Sports of FOX Networks Group, another significant cooperation, this time with the airline, Ryanair, is achieved for the first time at a sports tourism event, in Greece.
The company will undertake to carry with safety and credibility as the official airline partner of “Santorini Experience” the visitors of the event contributing to the goal for the extension of the tourist season and the promotion of the island as a destination for 365 days a year.
Further to the announcement of this collaboration, Ryanair’s Sales and Marketing Manager for Greece and Eastern Mediterranean, Chiara Ravara said, “As Europe’s largest airline, Ryanair is pleased to support the Santorini Experience event, in what is one of the world’s most sought after destinations. With its breath-taking and diverse landscapes, its mild climate in the four seasons, it is an ideal destination for active holidays and for sports addicts. Ryanair is fully committed further growing and developing Greek tourism and in promoting Greece as a year-round destination, and we look forward to bringing more customers to the ultimate sport experience on the island. To celebrate, we’re launching a seat sate with fares starting from just 19.99€, which are available for booking only on Thursday 14 July & Friday 15 July for travel between 5 to 12 October. Since these amazing low prices will be snapped up quickly, customers interested in joining the event as active participants should log onto Ryanair and avoid missing out.”
On 7-9 October 2016, people will have the opportunity to discover the sport side of Santorini!
On Saturday October 8th 2016, professional and amateur runners will be able to run and live the adrenaline of Caldera!
The starting time for both 10 km and 15 km routes is at 08:15 am in the morning, while the starting time of the 5km route will take place at 11:00. All routes start from the desalination plant in Oia.
Moreover, on Sunday October 9th 2016, professional and amateur swimmers will be able to sense the eruptive atmosphere of the volcano with the impressive view of the island in front of them!
The starting time of the unique swimming route of 1.5 mile (2.4 km) of “Santorini Experience”, will take place at 10:00 am, from the volcano to the old port in Fira.
Registrations in swimming and running continue with an undiminished pace through the official page of the event in the following link: http://activemedia.com.gr/product/santorini-experience-2/
Dreams… that become memories!
For those wishing to combine sports with tourism and take advantage of their stay in one of the two or three most beautiful islands in the world, if not the most beautiful, privileged packages starting from 300 euro for 2 people for 3 days - 2 nights (including transportation, accommodation, food and participation in the event) will be available. For more information you may contact the hospitality sponsors of the event: Aqua Vista Hotels, Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Athina Luxury Suites, Central Fira Hotel, Sienna Residencies, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies and Esperas which are available in the following link: http://santorini-experience.com/event_accommodation_en.html. The page will be daily enriched with new supporters and in the upcoming days discounts on ferry tickets to Santorini will be announced.
“Santorini Experience” will be held under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and will have the international promotion by FOX Sports of FOX Networks Group that participates this year as an Official Broadcaster of the event.
“Santorini Experience” is collaboration between the Municipality of Santorini, the Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (D.A.P.P.O.S.) and Active Media Group.
Official Sponsors: Alafouzos Sport, Santorini Boatmen Union
Official Airline Partner: Ryanair
Official Supporters: “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water, Aqua Vista Hotels, Saucony, Arena, Village Cinemas, Village Cinemas, Passagio Santorini
Official Broadcaster: FOX Sports
Hospitality Sponsors: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Athina Luxury Suites, Central Fira Hotel, Sienna Residencies, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies
Hospitality Sponsors: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Athina Luxury Suites, Central Fira Hotel, Sienna Residencies, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies
Under the auspices of the Hellenic Swimming Federation
Published in
Local News
Tagged under
Monday, 11 July 2016 11:01
1st Messinia Pro Am - International Golf Tournament To Be Launched By Costa Navarino In 2017
Athens, 11th July 2016 – Costa Navarino, the prime sustainable golf destination in the Mediterranean, inaugurates the 1st Messinia Pro Am, on 21-24 February 2017, under the auspices of the PGAs of Europe, the PGA of Greece and the Hellenic Olympic Academy.
When golf meets ancient Greek history…
“Sfairistiki”, the ancestor of all games being played with a club, such as hockey and golf, was among the most popular sports and is being portrayed in many statues and amphoras dating back from 510 to 500 B.C.
Top professional and amateur golf players, celebrities and special guests from all over the world will compete in the awarded golf courses, The Dunes Course and The Bay Course, the only signature golf courses in Greece. The athletes will have the opportunity to enjoy the ideal weather conditions, the Mediterranean landscape and the stunning view of the Ionian Sea and Bay of Navarino, while playing golf amid lush olive groves and rolling hills.
Costa Navarino is home to “The Dunes Course”, the first signature 18 hole golf course, designed by Bernhard Langer, former US Masters champion and chief of the Ryder Cup European team, in association with European Golf Design. The Dunes Course features a 3,500 square meters golf club as well as a Golf Academy. The Bay Course came next, an 18 hole seaside golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., located next to the historic Bay of Navarino and awarded among the “Best of the Best Golf Courses” by Robb Report. Both golf courses have been accolated, as Best Newcomers, by the World of Leading Golf Association, in 2014.
The Messinia Pro Am aims to become an established institution hosting the golfing elite from around the globe, thus contributing to the development and promotion of golf and golf tourism in Greece. Moreover, golf, as of 2016, will again be included in the Olympic Games, for the first time after 1900 and 1904.
AEGEAN, member of STAR ALLIANCE, the leading global aviation alliance will be the official airline partner of the event. The airliner was awarded by Skytrax World Airline Awards, for the 5th consecutive time and 6th time over the last 7 years as the best regional airliner in Europe for 2015.
Subscriptions and participation forms will be accepted through the official website of the event: HERE. For those who are interested in staying at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and enjoying the full program of the Messinia Pro Am 2017, special accommodation packages will be in place.
Official Airline Partner: AEGEAN
Organizer: Costa Navarino Website
Top professional and amateur golf players, celebrities and special guests from all over the world will compete in the awarded golf courses, The Dunes Course and The Bay Course, the only signature golf courses in Greece. The athletes will have the opportunity to enjoy the ideal weather conditions, the Mediterranean landscape and the stunning view of the Ionian Sea and Bay of Navarino, while playing golf amid lush olive groves and rolling hills.
Costa Navarino is home to “The Dunes Course”, the first signature 18 hole golf course, designed by Bernhard Langer, former US Masters champion and chief of the Ryder Cup European team, in association with European Golf Design. The Dunes Course features a 3,500 square meters golf club as well as a Golf Academy. The Bay Course came next, an 18 hole seaside golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., located next to the historic Bay of Navarino and awarded among the “Best of the Best Golf Courses” by Robb Report. Both golf courses have been accolated, as Best Newcomers, by the World of Leading Golf Association, in 2014.
The Messinia Pro Am aims to become an established institution hosting the golfing elite from around the globe, thus contributing to the development and promotion of golf and golf tourism in Greece. Moreover, golf, as of 2016, will again be included in the Olympic Games, for the first time after 1900 and 1904.
AEGEAN, member of STAR ALLIANCE, the leading global aviation alliance will be the official airline partner of the event. The airliner was awarded by Skytrax World Airline Awards, for the 5th consecutive time and 6th time over the last 7 years as the best regional airliner in Europe for 2015.
Subscriptions and participation forms will be accepted through the official website of the event: HERE. For those who are interested in staying at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and enjoying the full program of the Messinia Pro Am 2017, special accommodation packages will be in place.
Official Airline Partner: AEGEAN
Organizer: Costa Navarino Website
Published in
Local News
Tagged under
Tuesday, 12 July 2016 09:30
The Athenian Riviera And Some Great Hotel Picks
Athens is a visitor's paradise, with sights, sounds and tastes that leave everyone delighted. As it turns out, Athens is also a busy conference destination, with lots of companies and professional organizations choosing the city for international meetings.
I spent the last couple days driving around the 'Athenian Riviera', down the coast along the 'paraliaki', all the way to the southern tip at Cape Sounion. This was a work-related mission to inspect the seaside hotels of Athens, in view of holding a business conference here next year. I saw a number of properties, and was pleasantly surprised by some, and surprisingly disappointed by others.
Over 2 days I visited:
- Divani Apollon
- The Margi
- Astir Palace
- Westin Athens
- Grand Resort Lagonissi
- Grecotel Cape Sounion
To be sure, these are not cheap places. Group rates for September start in the high-100's per night - and go up quite quickly to the 300€+ range. But for a business conference, these are more-or-less in line with other European capitals for business conference rates.
In the end we chose The Margi - it combines the gorgeous style and service of a boutique hotel, with the modern meeting room facilities we need, a kitchen run by a well-known (and skilled!) chef, and a brand-new extra-large luxe swimming pool. They also run The Margi Farm, an organic farm where they grow much of the food served in the restaurant. The Margi is not directly on a beach, but you can reach Astir Beach on foot within literally 3 minutes.
If you're looking for a gem of a hotel along the Riviera, The Margi is it. Just forget about mid-September 2017 - we reserved the whole place.
Until next week,
Jack
The Margi
11 Litous Street, Vouliagmeni
www.themargi.gr
www.margifarm.gr
Divani Apollon
Agiou Nikolaou 10, Vouliagmeni
www.divaniapollonhotel.com
Published in
My Week In Athens
Tagged under
Thursday, 14 July 2016 07:00
Checklist For Crete
Crete is the largest island in Greece so there's an abundance of things to do and see. It’s the center of the earliest recorded civilization in Europe. The Venetians, the Ottomans, and others, all of whom left their architectural marks from mosques to castles to fortresses, have occupied it. It’s home to the longest gorge in Europe, full of indigenous wildflowers and shy feral goats. So as not to miss anything, here is a checklist from Paste Magazine that highlights the top sites to visit.
- Knossos Palace - The largest and most elaborate Minoan palace on Crete is considered to be Europe’s oldest city, and offers an excellent introduction to an island so central to Greek myths.
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum - The magnificent holdings at this museum go back thousands of years of human history, from Crete’s earliest settlements, dating to the Neolithic period through Roman times. The large model of Knossos is one item not to miss.
- Samaria Gorge - One of Europe’s longest canyons boasts 1,000-foot cliffs. Hikers wind down from a wooden staircase at the southern end of the Omalos Plateau through rugged, dramatic terrain all the way to the Libyan Sea. Then you can have a swim or continue walking along the coast.
- Elafonisi Beach - In this protected nature reserve, you’ll find white sand tinted reddish pink by coral, as well as a part of the Mediterranean Sea so shallow during low tide that you can wade out to an uninhabited island home to 100+ types of plants and flowers.
- Cretan Wine Country - The world’s oldest wine press consists of a couple of massive stone urns and a trough through which the liquid flowed 3,500-odd years ago. Peza, an area around the cosmopolitan village of Archanes, produces about 70 percent of Cretan wine. Many wineries welcome visitors by appointment, or you can hang out in the town square, petting the stray dogs and staring at Mount Juktas, which is though to be Zeus’ final resting place.
Published in
Travel Greece
Tagged under
Thursday, 14 July 2016 07:00
Archaeologists Uncover Massive Naval Bases Of The Ancient Athenians
After archaeologists excavated parts of two of the three militarized harbors built in Piraeus, they found for the first time the 5th century BC Naval bases of Piraeus, including the ship-sheds, the slipways, and the harbor fortifications.
Bjørn Lovén, director of the Zea Harbor Project, led the excavations and says that the naval fortifications at one time housed about 400 fast and maneuverable ships called triremes. These vessels were tended to by 80,000 sailors and soldiers.
Lovén and his team most recently excavated the remains of six ship sheds. The sheds stored triremes to protect them from marine woodworms and to keep the hot Mediterranean sun from shrinking their timbers and causing leaks. The sheds were huge—spread between the three ports of Piraeus (Mounichia, Zea and Kantharos), they covered 110,000 square meters or more than 1 million square feet. That is about the size of 17 football fields.
Carbon-14 dating of pottery and wooden foundations placed the ship-sheds between 520 and 480 BC. Those dates are significant because it likely means they housed triremes that took part in the Battle of Salamis in 480, a key event in Greek history.
To read this article in full, please visit: Smithsonian
To read this article in full, please visit: Smithsonian
Published in
Local News
Tagged under
Tuesday, 12 July 2016 07:00
Top Things To Do In Athens
What constitutes a perfect day in Athens? Many things contribute to a perfect day like restaurants, bars, shopping, and sight-seeing. A new marketing campaign, ‘Speak Athenian. Be an Athenian,’ is promoting Athens as a hybrid city that blends past and present and is a unique and multi-faceted city with an urban center and a beautiful coast. ‘Hipstorical,’ the term used to describe the new campaign, is defined as ‘An Athenian paradox, über-hipsters that fit right in around the 2,500-year-old Acropolis.’
Some of the best spots for local brews, grain bowls, flea markets, brunches, fine delicatessens, and beard balms can be found in downtown Athens, around the streets of the Parthenon, known as the historical triangle.
Born in Athens, designer Christina Economou, takes us on a tour of her favorite places and describes what makes a perfect day.
Starting the day early with coffee, Economou then takes a morning walk through the National Garden, a beautiful place filled with inspiration for a designer.
Additional Bakeries and Cafes
Takis Bakery: Open since the 1970’s, this family-run bakery serves delicious Greek and international breads, cakes, and pies. Popular sweets include a lemon drizzle pound cake, carrot cake, or the double-decker daily special.
Lotte Café-Bistrot: An adorable anachronistic café situated to the east of the Acropolis, was started as a side project by the owner, Theodora Athanasopoulou, about a year and half ago. This café is a gathering for the Athenian creative class, who like to drink organic Greek wine and signature cocktails while eating Greek pies, cakes, and homemade sweets that are made by Theodora’s mother.
Before heading to work, Economou stops at the sea market of Plateia Avissinias, which has anything from vintage chairs to a tiny curiosity box.
A nice place to eat lunch, according to Economou, is at the Cycladic Museum or a restaurant called Alfiere, that serves sandwiches with truffles. If you’re craving Italian food, Capanna has a great lunch menu.
At the end of the work day, Economou meets with friends for an evening dinner and drinks at RATKA or Freud in Kolonaki, a place for sushi and a great atmosphere. If dinner is not on the agenda, Economou will try to catch an interesting exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery or the Benaki Museum.
If Economou feels like more drinks and dancing, she will head to Cinderella, a new discotheque, or Jazz in Jazz, a small bar close to home.
Additional Bars and Clubs
Alexandrino in Exarchia: A chic place, perfect for unwinding with a glass of wine.
Kitty Cat: What was once an old Chinese restaurant, it is now a nightclub with a hipster vibe and a great place to have drinks and dance until 4 in the morning!
Barrett: On the border of the Monastiraki flea market and Psyri, Barrett is a new alternative rock bar. There are different DJ’s every night and the crowd is filled with artists and musicians. The drinks are affordable and they have a great selection of beers and music. There is also a gallery upstairs with new exhibits every month or two.
Couleur Locale: With multiple levels serving different things, the 3rd floor has a great night scene. It is open air, has stunning views, and an extensive cocktail menu.
Top Spots for Shopping
Greece Is For Lovers: Offers attractive contemporary products with a signature aesthetic, combining kitsch and luxe. Many of their pieces are one-of-a-kind, designed by local craftsmen, Thanos Karampatsos and Christina Kotsilelou.
Forget Me Not: A gift shop in the heart of Plaka, which features products an designs from more than 150 Greek artists, architects, and graphic designers.
Iliana Makri: Offers local, handmade pieces as well as international and Greek jewelry designs.
Luisa: Great for high-end designer clothes.
Attica: One of the best department stores and carries Economou’s collection.
For more suggestions on Top Things To Do In Athens, please visit: Harper's Bazaar and Vogue
Some of the best spots for local brews, grain bowls, flea markets, brunches, fine delicatessens, and beard balms can be found in downtown Athens, around the streets of the Parthenon, known as the historical triangle.
Born in Athens, designer Christina Economou, takes us on a tour of her favorite places and describes what makes a perfect day.
Starting the day early with coffee, Economou then takes a morning walk through the National Garden, a beautiful place filled with inspiration for a designer.
Additional Bakeries and Cafes
Takis Bakery: Open since the 1970’s, this family-run bakery serves delicious Greek and international breads, cakes, and pies. Popular sweets include a lemon drizzle pound cake, carrot cake, or the double-decker daily special.
Lotte Café-Bistrot: An adorable anachronistic café situated to the east of the Acropolis, was started as a side project by the owner, Theodora Athanasopoulou, about a year and half ago. This café is a gathering for the Athenian creative class, who like to drink organic Greek wine and signature cocktails while eating Greek pies, cakes, and homemade sweets that are made by Theodora’s mother.
Before heading to work, Economou stops at the sea market of Plateia Avissinias, which has anything from vintage chairs to a tiny curiosity box.
A nice place to eat lunch, according to Economou, is at the Cycladic Museum or a restaurant called Alfiere, that serves sandwiches with truffles. If you’re craving Italian food, Capanna has a great lunch menu.
At the end of the work day, Economou meets with friends for an evening dinner and drinks at RATKA or Freud in Kolonaki, a place for sushi and a great atmosphere. If dinner is not on the agenda, Economou will try to catch an interesting exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery or the Benaki Museum.
If Economou feels like more drinks and dancing, she will head to Cinderella, a new discotheque, or Jazz in Jazz, a small bar close to home.
Additional Bars and Clubs
Alexandrino in Exarchia: A chic place, perfect for unwinding with a glass of wine.
Kitty Cat: What was once an old Chinese restaurant, it is now a nightclub with a hipster vibe and a great place to have drinks and dance until 4 in the morning!
Barrett: On the border of the Monastiraki flea market and Psyri, Barrett is a new alternative rock bar. There are different DJ’s every night and the crowd is filled with artists and musicians. The drinks are affordable and they have a great selection of beers and music. There is also a gallery upstairs with new exhibits every month or two.
Couleur Locale: With multiple levels serving different things, the 3rd floor has a great night scene. It is open air, has stunning views, and an extensive cocktail menu.
Top Spots for Shopping
Greece Is For Lovers: Offers attractive contemporary products with a signature aesthetic, combining kitsch and luxe. Many of their pieces are one-of-a-kind, designed by local craftsmen, Thanos Karampatsos and Christina Kotsilelou.
Forget Me Not: A gift shop in the heart of Plaka, which features products an designs from more than 150 Greek artists, architects, and graphic designers.
Iliana Makri: Offers local, handmade pieces as well as international and Greek jewelry designs.
Luisa: Great for high-end designer clothes.
Attica: One of the best department stores and carries Economou’s collection.
For more suggestions on Top Things To Do In Athens, please visit: Harper's Bazaar and Vogue
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City Discovery
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