ATHINEO, the first Creative Brewery and Beer Museum in Greece, opened its doors to the public recently and aims to become a reference point for beer history and tradition in the country. It is located in the exact place where the Athenian Brewery opened its first plant fifty years ago.

Through the museum exhibition and a training center, ATHINEO will host interactive workshops, while the micro-brewery will also test innovative recipes for unpasteurized beer that will be released to the market four times a year at selected distribution places.

The exhibition mainly includes objects found at three Athenian Brewery plants, which were identified and archived by Greek historian and curator Iris Kritikou. ATHINEO will feature a permanent exhibition of original ceramic beer cups, following its history through the centuries.

To read more, please visit: Greek Reporter

Location: Athenian Brewery ~ 102 Kifissou, Aigaleo 12241
Visitor Hours: Every Saturday during the month of June from 13:00 - 20:00. Regular operation will begin in September 2015.

Greece is famous for its fresh fruit and vegetables and whether you live here or are just visiting, it is well worth your time (and pocket) to visit a market in your area.

The farmers markets or as it is locally known, ‘laiki agora’ (λαϊκή αγορά), which literally means ‘the people's market.’ These markets are very common all over Greece, including Athens and its suburbs!

Laiki markets happen weekly in most neighbourhoods and sell mostly fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers and plants, as well as some household items and prepared foods. The laiki agora is considered an important social custom and tradition throughout Greece.

The products sold in the people's market are typically those comprising a Mediterranean diet, known for its healthy qualities, and are key ingredients in Greek cuisine. The produce sold is almost always local, or in Greek known as ‘dopio’ (ντόπιο), such as fresh fruits (depending on the season, oranges, apples, watermelons, melons, strawberries, and others), vegetables and leaf vegetables (like cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and lettuce), chicken, eggs from suburban farms, and fish.   

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Here are some tips for shopping at laiki:

1. You'll only find in season fruits and vegetables, so plan accordingly!

2. Take small euro notes and change with you.

3. It’s said that producers change their prices frequently within the same day, especially for sensitive products such as fish. The price is usually higher early in the morning (8-9h00) and is lowered later in the day, especially if the product does not sell well that particular day. Prices are always written on paper cards and said verbally. The lowest possible prices can be found after midday (particularly by 1-2pm); in many cases less than half the original starting price!

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Below we've compiled a list of all the farmer's markets accordingly to the day of the week. Laiki markets usually start first thing in the morning by 8 am and run until products run out (typically until 2 pm). 

We’ve done our best to provide accurate information, but this information can change every few months. However, you should be able to spot the farmer's market on the designated day by driving around the area and spotting the traffic!

 

 

 

Cholargos	Syrou Street (From 14/9/2015)
Glyka Nera	Bouboulinas Street
Kifissia	1st May Street
Nea Erithraia	Kanari & Iroon Politechniou Street
Rafina	Panousis Street
Saronida	Lefkadas & Chlois Street
Neo Psichiko	Sofouli Street (From 21/9/2015)
Gerakas	Iroon Politechniou Street
Zografou	Permanent: Giourgou Papandreou Street From 26/11: Agias Lavras Street

 

 

Alimos	Lisikratous Str. (From 9/1/2015 to 31/12/2015) Chimaras & Artemidos Str. (From 2/3/2015 to 30/9/2015)
Anthousa	Ksanthis Street
Galatsi	Karaiskaki Street (From 08/09/2015)
Kato Ilioupoli	Farmakidou Street (From 7/7/2015)
Kipseli	Sikinou Street (From 3/3/2015)
Koropi	November to February: G. Anagnostou Str. March to June: N. Konsta str July to October: Ag. Anargiron str
Malakassa	Kolokotroni Street
Melissia	Switches every 6 months between K. Tsimbriki str & Tritis (3rd) Septemvriou
Moschato	Argostoli Street (From 5/12/2015)
Nea Filadelfia	Fleming Street (From 7/7/2015 to 31/12/2015)
Paiania	Othonos Xounta Street
Pagkrati	Laertou & Timotheos Street
Porto Rafti	Leoforos Gregou
Ano Glyfada	Antheon Streer

WEDNESDAY

Anavissos	November to March: Dimosthenous Str April to October Kiprianou Str
Dafni	Eleftheriou Venizelou Street (From 14/10/2015)
Kifissia	Bakogianni Street (Permanent)
Nea Smirni	Ano Nea Smirni: Ellinospontou Street Nea Smirni: Arkadioupoleos Street Nea Smirni: Megalou Aleksandou Stree
Vari Dilofo	Kalimnou Str. (from Panos str to Vari-Koropi Avenue)

 

 

 

 

 

Elliniko	Amazonon Street (From 9/3/2015)
Galatsi	Platonos Street (From 9/9/2015)
Glyfada	Agiou Gerasimou Street
Grammatiko	Agiou Athanasiou
Kipseli	Tinou & Sporadon Street (From 2/7/2015)
Nea Makri	Dimitriadi Street
Papagou	Pindou Street (From 1/10/2015 to 31/12/2015)
Voula	Metaxa Street (From 13/8/2015)
Pallini	Eleftheriou Venizelou Street

 

 

 

 

 

Agia Paraskeui	Eptanisou Street (From 17/7/2015)
Kolonaki	Ksenokratous Street (Permanent)
Palaio Faliro	Chronopoulou Street (Permanent) K. Palaiologou Street (Permanent) Ivis Street (From 23/10/2015)
Vari	Moutousi & Anapafseos Street
Neo Irakleio	Kountouriotou Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agia Paraskeui Ellinikou	Kalidromiou Street
Maroussi	Gounari Street (From 7/6/2015)
Polidrossos	Rododafnis Street (From 3/10/2015)
Vouliagmeni	Thiseos Street

 

 

 

 

 

Athens Central Market

Located on Athinas street between Monastiraki and Omonia, Athens’ central market is open daily, except Sunday.  

Organic Food Markets

There are a growing number of markets where organic producers can sell their certified produce. Organic certification is regulated by the relevant law in force. At these markets, consumers can purchase fresh and manufactured organic products such as fruits, vegetables, edible olives, olive oil, wine, etc. Below is a list of organice markets around Athens.

Monday	Kifissia (Char. Trikoupi) 16:30 to 19:30
Tuesday	Palio Psychiko (Plateia Arsakeiou) 16:30 to 19:30
Wednesday	Glyfada (Plateia Xenofondos) 16:30 to 19:30  Halandri/Chalandri (Timfristou) 16:30 to 19:30  Ilioupoli (Alexandrou Papanastasiou) 16:00-19:30
Thursday	Gerakas (Ethniki Antistaseos) 16:30 to 19:30
Friday	Kolonaki (Dexamenis Square) 09:00- 13:00  Cholargos (Sirou Str) 16:30 to 19:30
Saturday	Kipseli (public Market) 09:00- 14:00  Voula (Sokratous Str) 09:00- 14:00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Low voter turnout, the growing popularity of the far-right, tax hike upon tax hike, widespread disappointment among the citizenry: This is democracy under pressure, in the country where it was born. The publication of “Democracy,” a new graphic novel featuring a broken amphora on its cover, could not have come at a more critical time, launched in the US in mid-September, just days before Greeks headed to the polls for the third time in under a year.

The book describes the establishment of democracy in ancient Greece and was created by the illustrators behind the sensational “Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth” (written by Apostolos Doxiadis and Christos Papadimitriou): Alecos Papadatos and Annie DiDonna.

The main hero is Leander, who, having witnessed the atrocities of the tyrannical regimes, tries to boost his comrades’ morale as they prepare for the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC by telling them about the birth of democracy as he experienced it.

“Oddly enough, none of the pop culture media have dealt with this story. Either because it is somewhat complex or because the applause is always stolen by the achievements of the 5th and 4th centuries BC. So telling it was worthwhile. It is of course about a dark period, the late 6th century BC – there is some confusion in the historical sources, but where research failed to shed light, we used our imaginations,” said Papadatos.

The plot was developed with writer Abraham Kawa and the book was first published in English by Bloomsbury, and recently translated into Greek by Politeia. “We decided to go this route so that it could compete in the foreign market first,” explained Papadatos.

“Abraham has the rare gift of having one foot firmly in analysis and the other in composition. He is very cultured and is crazy about comics and cinema,” said Papadatos. “He also has that annoying habit of knowing exactly what happens in which volume and on what page of Neil Gaiman’s ‘Sandman’ or how many plot twists there are in every issue of ‘Batman.’ He took the story of ‘Democracy’ and took it a whole new level.”

“Democracy” has received rave reviews in the international media. Science and sci-fi blog io9 has hailed it as one of the best graphic novels of 2015.

To read more, please visit: ekathimerini

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

Join the cause with initiatives and NPO's in Athens who are helping refugees. Athens Hotel Association will promote sustainable tourism, Hotel Grande Bretagne and King George recognized as best hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine, and Greece remains the leading ship-owning country in the world!

 

 

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While Athens has been bearing the brunt of the Greek crisis, it has also undergone an evident revival as a tourism destination. Downtown Syntagma has become a hub of exciting restaurants, sophisticated wine bars and award-winning mixologists, alternative art spaces and design studios, but also a few brand-new hotels, with the most talked-about arrival in 2016 being that of the Metropolis Electra. The inauguration of the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the honor of hosting the international art forum Documenta 14 and the anticipated unveiling of the new opera house at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center also point to a renaissance in the arts and constitute excellent reasons to extend your stay beyond a visit to the Acropolis and its museum.

Tinos spent decades in the shadow of the Cycladic island cluster’s most popular destination – Mykonos – and was known mainly as a pilgrimage site for the Church of the Panaghia, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its reputation has undergone a massive turnaround in the past few years, however, and today it’s becoming the place to be, thanks to its many beautiful traditional villages, its local winemakers producing fine organic like Volacus, and cultural events such as Tinos Food Paths and the Tinos World Music Festival.

Just a stone’s throw from the popular Cyclades holiday destination of Paros, this small island that was a punk-rocker haven in 1970s, has acquired a new sophistication after its discovery by Hollywood star Tom Hanks. Laidback campers now rub shoulders with jet-setters sailing into the island on luxury yachts, staying at rented villas and eating at fancy restaurants. The islet of Despotiko, an archaeological site, is a must-see. To reach Antiparos, fly or take a ferry to Paros and take a boat either from Parikia port or from Pounta.

All the beauty of the Peloponnese can be found encapsulated on this island off the peninsula’s southeastern tip. It has great beaches like Kaladi and Halkos, pretty cobbled alleys in the main town of Hora, traditional cafés and seafood restaurants where you can dine on fresh lobster, and, of course, located above the village of Milopotamos, the famous Neraida Waterfall, named after the fabled fairies some believe still frolic among the age-old plane trees.

And many more!

To read this article in full, please visit: Greece Is

Lemons weren’t always grown in Greece. At some point in Greece’s history, lemon trees found their way to Greece. Now, lemon groves can be found all over Greece, especially in some of the warmer climates, such as on the island of Crete and in the Cyclades. Lemons, along with garlic, olive oil, and Greek oregano, are also one of the most common, and most important, flavoring agents in Greece cooking.

Today, lemons make up about 18% of the total citrus production within the country. Most of the lemons grown in Greece are also consumed in Greece. Lemon exported out of Greece make up a much smaller percentage. The main areas of production include the Cycladic Islands, the island of Crete, and also the Peloponnese.

The reason why lemons are so important as a seasoning agent is because the citrus notes of the lemon pair well with a wide variety of dishes. Salted and preserved lemon wedges are also served to accompany some meze spreads. Most Greeks understand how important it is, which is why slices of lemon wedges accompany nearly every traditional Greek meal, especially those that involve meats and vegetables.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Boston

The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Columns of Olympian Zeus, in central Athens, will soon undergo restoration works, aiming to support its structure.

Located between the Acropolis and the Ardittos hill in the heart of the capital, the temple was dedicated to Olympian Zeus. Construction began in the 6th century BC but was completed some 600 years later, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD.

The Central Archaeological Council (KAS) has approved the studies for the monument’s restoration and maintenance, which were compiled taking into consideration its construction features and history, in order to prevent any alterations to its authenticity.

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

Two new ferry routes, one began on June 15, 2018 and the other to begin soon, will connect Thessaloniki with the Sporades islands, Cyclades, and Crete. The Greek ferry company Golden Star Ferries recently launched their service departing from Thessaloniki and going to Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos.

Itineraries of both vessels will be daily and run until September 9.


The Golden Star Super Cat

Departure 09:00 from Volos - Skiathos - Volos
Departure 12:15 from Volos - Skiathos - Skopelos - Alonissos - Skiathos - Thessaloniki (arrival 19:00)

The Golden Star Super Speed

Departure 10:00 from Thessaloniki - Skiathos - Skopelos - Alonissos - Skopelos - Skiathos - Volos (arrival 17:00)

There will also be a local Volos - Skiathos - Volos route, which will depart every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning.

Additionally, the Cyclades islands will be linked with Thessaloniki and Crete via a bi-weekly ferry service, which will be launched in the near future. This ferry service was recently announced by the Alternate Shipping Minister Nektarios Santorinios during the 15th Regional Conference held on Syros.

The route will run twice a week for three months and will connect Thessaloniki, Skiathos, Syros, and other Cyclades islands with Heraklion, Crete.

Santorinios also announced that every Friday and Sunday, a high-speed ferry will depart from Piraeus linking Heraklion with the Cyclades, Syros, and Santorini.

Please click here and and here to visit Greek Travel Pages for more information.

The online tax declaration platform, for the incomes of 2019, is expected to open at the end of this month. Taxpayers and corporations will be able to submit their tax returns until June 30, and the first installment will be payable a month later.

Τhe higher ceiling for achieving the tax-free threshold through online payments will be applicable from the 2020 financial year. Consequently, the declarations submitted this spring will have the previous limits of 10% for all incomes up to 10,000 euros, 15% for incomes from 10,001 to 30,000 euros, and 20% for revenues of over 30,000 euros.

 

As of last year, couples receive separate tax clearance documents, concerning only their personal incomes and not the income of their spouses, regardless of whether they submitted a joint or separate tax declaration.

To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini