The Acropolis in Athens is one of the most photographed and recognised landmarks in the world. Getting a great photo may seem daunting, but Why Athens gives us the inside scoop on the best places to photograph one of the most important monuments in Western civilisation!

Standing 277 meters above sea level, Lycabettus Hill is the highest point in central Athens. The view from Lycabettus Hill is best enjoyed at sunset whilst waiting for the lights of the Parthenon, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Panathenaic Stadium to illuminate at dusk. You will also be reminded that Athens is surrounded by sea with spectacular views across the Aegean.

Strefi Hill is located in the inner city suburb of Exarchia, Northeast of the Acropolis and has commanding views over Athens. It is one of the best places to capture both Lycabettus Hill and the Parthenon.

Pnyx Hill overlooks the Ancient Agora, directly to the west of the Acropolis and offers spectacular visibility both day and night. The hill is easily accessible by foot from the inner suburb of Thissio and is a favoured point to take photos from during a full moon and for stargazing in the clear night skies above Athens.

To read this article in full, please visit: Why Athens

Photo Credit: Why Athens

New sushi place in town! Located on the 9th Floor of the Wyndham Grand in Athens, the ABOVE Rooftop Bar recently opened it's new Sushi Bar. Sushi lovers rejoice, as you can now eat delicious sushi by the pool, taking your taste buds on a gastronomic experience.

Enjoy the city's most impressive panoramic views and choose among a variety of sushi like maki, nigiri, sashimi and ceviche in a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. 

Lay back in your seats under the wooden pergolas, look over the horizon and indugle in delicious dishes inspired from the far East. Tuna ceviche with thyme and honey, salmon with passion fruit, chili and coriander, california rolls with crab stick and avocado are just some of the dishes that you are welcomed to try, along with refreshing signature cocktails. 

Address: Meg. Alexandrou 2, Karaiskaki Square - Metaxoughio 

Tel: 2168009965

See you there!

"Oman has strong bilateral relations with Greece and the introduction of this new flight will certainly help strengthen relations even further," Abdulaziz Al Raisi, Oman Air's Chief Executive Officer, said. "Oman is turning into a very important regional logistics hub with world-class infrastructure and we are sure Greek investors and companies recognize the opportunities here," he added.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

 

The Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens celebrated the beginning of the holiday season on Saturday, November 30, with its traditional Christmas Tree lighting event in its lobby in a festive atmosphere. The ceremony included Christmas carols performed by the children’s choir of the educational institution “Themistoklis”. Volunteers of ELIZA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children were also present informing guests about the organization’s important initiatives.

 

Everyone enjoyed themselves within the overwhelming Christmas spirit and had the chance to watch the Hotel’s new Christmas video. As every year, the highlight was the amazing Christmas tree, decorated with impressive garlands, special ornaments and more than 10,000 lights creating a unique festive scene in the lobby.

 

Being part of a socially responsible company, Hotels Grande Bretagne and King George continue their special fund raising campaign. From December 1st and for four months, €1.50 will be added to each receipt issued at the GB Roof Garden and Tudor Hall restaurants with the customers’ consent and will be donated to support “ELIZA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children” in its pioneering work, aimed at protecting children who have suffered or are in danger of suffering abuse and neglect all over Greece.

Learn more about the Hotel Grande Bretagne, here.

Want to experience Athens like a local – with a local? “This is Athens with a Local” lets you get under the skin of Athens and discover all the city has to offer on a free themed walk. Choose from a diverse community of volunteer storytellers: all happy to spill their insider secrets and favourite urban hangouts.

Thousands visit Athens every day, but few get the chance to experience Athens like a local. Meet our community of locals and follow in their footsteps, discovering hidden treasures and places of interest. What do Athenians do in their spare time, and how do they balance their careers and personal lives? When and where do they go out? A community of savvy Athenians will answer all your questions and help you navigate the city. People of diverse backgrounds offer their perspective on what makes Athens so irresistible and unique.

Choose a themed walk with a local and get to know Athens as an insider. Experience the real Athenian lifestyle and explore the places you won't find in any tourist guides.

Here are some of our favourite "This is Athens with a Local" walks:

Surf Athens With A Local

Athens is a city of contradictions, where the past meets the present in imperfect harmony. Beyond the famous ancient monuments, there is a modern metropolis that's easy to discover on foot. A local will show you how it really feels to live in Athens, by exploring their favourite haunts and unravelling the hidden secrets of this ever-changing city.

Explore Athens Architecture With A Local

Understand the evolution of Athens through its architecture, with the help of a local insider. Scattered all over the Greek capital are ruins, monuments and landmarks that reveal many layers of history. From elaborate government buildings to Byzantine churches, Bauhaus apartments and contemporary landmarks, the architecture of Athens reveals fascinating stories of migration and gentrification.

Check Out LGBT+ Athens With A Local

Athens is often hailed as the birthplace of democracy, but it was also the birthplace of gay culture. Openly practiced and celebrated, homosexuality was part of the social fabric of ancient Athens. Today, the Greek capital remains a very gay-friendly city, with countless gay and lesbian bars, many openly gay celebrities, and a vibrant LGBT+ community. Your local will introduce you to the LGBT+ scene, including cafes, bars, and beaches, as well as suggestions for drag shows and nightlife.

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To read more, please visit This is Athens

Whether you've just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! This is Athens is the official guide to this captivating city of ancient energies and booming urban culture. Compiled by a team of specialist local writers, This is Athens brings you an authentic and intimate portrait of a living Athens beyond the guidebooks – along with daily curated listings of all the best events and great weekend inspiration all-year round. From must-know neighbourhoods and emerging art hubs, to gourmet hotspots, cool shopping and the buzziest bars, This is Athens will help you to get the most out of living in Athens!

Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.

When you listen to Greek radio, Greek songs, or you live in Greece, of course, you hear Greek all the time. However, if you do not understand what is said, do not worry - you can still enjoy Greece and Greek life, without speaking Greek! 

But the more you live in Greece, and the more Greek you hear on the streets, in the shops, on the radio, etc., it's only natural to desire to understand and communicate with Greeks, in their native language of course.

So why not trying to communicate in Greek with the locals? Even if you start in Greek and finish the conversation in English, it does not matter. As long you show you try, you will make friends forever.

Of course, nobody tells you it is easy! Understanding Greek or having a normal conversation in Greek always contains grammar structures, slang, a lot of vocabulary, etc. But do not be afraid of making mistakes, it is the best way to learn.

How, when, or where to start learning Greek?

A. Learn with a Greek friend or try lessons with a Greek teacher close to your home or online. You don't need to spend years learning Greek. Instead, you can use simple sentences and limited vocabulary which you use on a daily basis in Greece. The friendly reactions and comments from Greeks, impressed by your effort to learn their language, will motivate you to continue learning more.

B. Try the “Greek Speaking Starter Kit” an online multi-media starter kit, made by the Omilo Greek Language School.  

C. Learn Greek by yourself. Learning a language on your own, without a teacher, is fun, but, keep in mind, that it can be full of difficult moments and delay the entire process by many years.

 

Masaresi.com was founded by Maya Cornelissens-Andreadi, who shares her experience about how “to integrate in Greece and feel like a local”. Masaresi = μας αρέσει = we like it! Discover the “real Greece," while delving into all the aspects of Greek life – from modern lifestyle and culture to history, literature, traditions, and many more.

Explore Greece - Read About Greece - Buy Greek - Learn Greek

Leaving behind the pandemic, with travel having fully recovered, more and more people are looking for destinations to visit in the new year, and the New York Times, as they do every year, made suggestions.

At the top of its list of proposed destinations for 2023 is London, with the NYT noting that the bustling city is preparing for the coronation of King Charles.

The American newspaper in its list chooses destinations that are ideal for their cuisine, culture, for adventure or thanks to their natural beauty.

Regarding our country for the New York Times, Methana is one of the places one should visit in 2023, which ranks 39th on the list.

"Athens’s nearest active volcano, Methana, sits on a peninsula of the same name some 30 miles southwest of the Greek capital. Though largely unknown to tourists, the area is slowly evolving, in part because of its increasing popularity as a hiking destination.

"In recent years, groups of locals have managed to reopen and map old walking paths, some of which date back to the Mycenaean Era, creating hiking trails that attract visitors from around the world. (So far, more than 18 miles have been cleared and marked.)

"The Methana Volcano Challenge, first organized in 2021, offers a trail run across the peninsula’s sloping landscape.

"Visitors to this volcanic peninsula can also enjoy several hot springs, the most interesting of which is an ancient (and recently renovated) tub known as the Pausanias Baths near the village of Agios Nikolaos."

To read this article in full, please visit: greekcitytimes.com

Music, like a universal language, possesses a remarkable capacity to traverse boundaries, cultures, and linguistic barriers, intertwining its harmonies into the very essence of our collective consciousness. Yet, within some internationally acclaimed tunes lies a hidden richness of heritage, often obscured from the ears of many: their origins can be traced back to the culturally fertile grounds of Greece.

Original: If You Remember My Dream (An Thimithis To Oniro Mou) by Mikis Theodorakis

While The Beatles are renowned for their revolutionary impact on music history, few may realize that one of their early hits, "Honeymoon Song," has Greek roots. Originally composed by the legendary Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, this enchanting melody captured the essence of romance long before it became a part of the Beatles' repertoire. The song was initially known as "If You Remember My Dream," sung in Greek by Giovanna.

Original: Don't Ask The Heavens (Min Ton Rotas Ton Ourano) by Manos Hadjidakis)

Brenda Lee's haunting ballad "All Alone Am I" carries a poignant melancholy that resonates deeply with listeners. However, its origins can be traced back to the Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis. The original Greek version, titled "Don't Ask the Heavens," was sung by actress Tzeni Karezi in the film "Island of the Brave," embodying a timeless elegance that transcends generations.

Original: Greek Kalymnian Folk Song

Dalida's captivating rendition of "Darla Dirladada" enchanted audiences with its infectious energy and rhythm. Yet, this lively tune finds its roots in the traditional music of the Greek island of Kalymnos, where it was sung for generations before finding its way into the global music scene.

4. Misirlou

Original: Egyptian Folk Song

"Misirlou," meaning "Egyptian woman" in Greek, stands as an iconic tune that has been reimagined by artists across genres and generations. While the melody originated in Egypt, it was a Greek, Tetos Dimitriadis, who recorded the first rendition of the song in New York in July 1927 under the Columbia label. This Greek version retains the essence of the original Egyptian tune, reflecting Dimitriadis's rebetiko style and precise translation from Arabic. Since then, it has captivated listeners worldwide with its hypnotic melody and pulsating rhythm. Its influence spans decades and musical styles, inspiring diverse interpretations ranging from Dick Dale's electrifying surf-rock rendition to contemporary adaptations featured in popular media like the movie "Pulp Fiction" and the Black Eyed Peas' hit "Pump It".

The Armatomenoi (Armed) Moraites Association was founded in 2020 in the Municipality of Nafplio by Konstantinos Dimoulis. It aims is to exalt patriotic sentiment whilst highlighting the historical events of the Greek revolution of 1821, its heroes and especially Staikos Staikopoulos, conqueror of the Palamidi Fortress.

Proud and deeply influenced by the history of his city, Konstantinos Dimoulis wanted to establish an association of individuals who honour and respect the past and believe in keeping tradition alive in the present. As expected, a significant number responded, resulting in the association currently boasting 70 active members.

The Armatomenoi Moraites march proudly, dressed in their traditional Moraitic costumes from the Peloponnese, bearing seven flags that symbolise important facets of their history. The gentlemen of the association don the traditional ‘foustanellas’, (traditional pleated skirt-like garments) equipped with ‘Karyophiles’ (rifles), ‘Koumpouras’ (pistols) and ‘Pala’ (swords). The ladies dress in traditional costumes, from more elaborately decorated garments to simpler versions, often embellished with buttons.

The association made its inaugural appearance on October 28, 2021, in Nafplio. Since that time, it has been actively involved in various commemorative events significant to the area, including the celebration of the city's liberation on November 30 at Palamidi, the memorial event honouring Ioannis Kapodistrias, and the parade held on March 25, marking the anniversary of the Greek revolution. They attended Zatouna, the birthplace of the hero Staikos Staikopoulos, Astros Kynourias, for the anniversary of the 3rd National Assembly, Thessaloniki for the October 28 parade, and Tripoli for the anniversary of its liberation.

The association, in collaboration with the Municipality of Nafplio, organised a painting exhibition at the Parliament in March 2022, focusing on the hero Staikos Staikopoulos. Additionally, another painting exhibition took place at the War Museum in November 2022, where, after 197 years, the sword of our Hero—the only surviving relic, in Agia Triada of Tinos—was returned and displayed in Nafplio.

In 2024, a new section was established in the association, for ‘Philhellenes’ – foreign nationals residing in our country who hold a deep respect for our history and honour our heritage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until the early 20th century, the monasteries were practically unreachable. People and supplies were hauled up in nets and baskets using winches — and you can still see remnants of these old systems at some of the monasteries today. Nowadays, all the inhabited monasteries have stairways, making them far easier to access. Over the centuries, a total of 24 Greek Orthodox monasteries and hermitages were built here, and six of them are still active and open to visitors. No surprise, then, that Meteora is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a place where nature, faith and sheer human determination come together in the most breathtaking way.