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Some of the services offered by XpatAthens have a fee associated. The services that require payment are as outlined below. Prices for these services can be found here.
- a) Listing a business or service in our Directory.
- b) Listing a property in Accommodation.
- c) Listing events, courses, workshops, or tour experiences in What’s On.
- d) Listing items in our Classifieds.
- e) Listing products in our eshop (not yet available).
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Viva Payments Services SA is a licensed e-money institution for operations in the EEA-31 region by the Bank of Greece. Viva Payments ensures speed, quality and security for every transaction. The modes of payment available on XpatAthens via Viva Payments are as outlined below. Note, you are not required to have an account with Viva Payments in order to complete a transaction on XpatAthens.
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Important Additional Information:
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Spiros Gianniotis Wins Silver For Greece In 10k Open-Water Swimming At Rio Olympics
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter
Costa Navarino Is Getting Ready To Host The First ‘Ironman’ Race In Greece
FREE Coaching Support Through Online Platform Be Your Own Muse
The life coaching lessons are based on real needs and provide practical solutions to challenges we all face in this day and age. Coaching lessons include teachings and exercises for self-understanding, building healthy relationships, finding a meaningful career and purpose, increasing resilience, developing balance and inner strength, managing thoughts and feelings and creating lasting positive emotional and mental change.
Be Your Own Muse is a cross-cultural, cross-generational, inclusive platform aiming to assist and unite people from all cultures, ethnic backgrounds and social statuses. The platform is aimed at women but also welcomes men and transgender people with open arms. The Be Your Own Muse platform was launched in 2018 and has successfully been pilot-tested with women from all ages all around the world.
A note from the founder Eleni Meraki:
“I believe that coaching has become a necessity in the rapidly changing, increasingly complicated and demanding times we live in. We haven’t been properly equipped with the mental and emotional skills to manage and thrive in today’s world. And thus, out of this necessity, which has become even greater the last couple of weeks due to the current global COVID-19 pandemic, I came to the deep understanding that coaching shouldn’t be a luxury product, available only to a select few. My platform was initially created in a program structure but with all that is happening now, I recognized the urgent need for these tools, knowledge and wisdom in everyone. Making the platform subscription-based and affordable was a no-brainer. Everyone deserves coaching and should have access to that now. We need people to assume personal responsibility and lead in their communities more than ever before. We are interconnected, we need each other. When you are not well, I am not well. The world changes, one happy and conscious person at a time. And it needs us to change quickly.”
A close friend of ours and contributor to XpatAthens via her platforms Be Your Own Muse and Guts & Tales, we are grateful to Eleni for her contriution to our well-being.
Eleni made a 180 in her life when she left a corporate marketing career in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, to follow a coaching and writing career in Athens, Greece. By making this transition, she embarked on her life’s mission to guide and empower people to live more consciously and authentically. To learn more and get in touch with Eleni visit her personal website at: elenimeraki.com
A Local’s Guide To Keramikos
Rebecca Camhi moved to Keramikos in 2008, long before the gentrification of this gritty, graffiti-lined neighbourhood kicked in. She lives in a sky-blue townhouse that doubles as a gallery and design shop, selling one-of-a-kind ceramics, jewellery, kaftans and cushions. “The area is changing rapidly,” says Camhi. “It’s full of incredible abandoned buildings that are ripe for restoration.” Slowly, these derelict houses and mid-century apartments are being converted into galleries, workshops, bars and restaurants, popping up among the Egyptian hookah bars, no-frills Cretan meze joints, and Chinese grocers. “Visiting artists love the area,” says Camhi. “It’s fresh and different, edgy, scruffy, and even a little seedy in parts, not so exposed to tourists. It’s also one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in Athens, opening up an exciting new chapter in the city’s history.”
Galleries
Take a day to wander around the galleries in Keramikos. A couple of blocks from my gallery, The Breeder is a beautiful space designed by the architect Aris Zambikos and the shows are just as cool. Atopos CVC is a multi-disciplinary space in a neoclassical building and there’s always lots going on there. The Municipal Art Gallery, once a silk factory, is home the city’s modern art collection. Most galleries are closed Sunday and Monday and some spaces are only open by appointment, so check before you go.
Seychelles
I always take visitors to this restaurant and they always love it. In the summer, you can sit outside on Platia Avdi, a huge square that’s the heart of the neighbourhood. Be patient; you may have a long wait for your food, but it will be worth it. They serve Greek dishes with a twist, including an amazing selection of Greek cheeses. Seychelles is open for lunch or dinner but do book ahead—it’s packed even on a Monday night. You can always have a drink at Ble Papagalos, a café-bar across the square, while you’re waiting for a table.
Address: 49 Keramikou, Keramikos, 104 36
Telephone: 211 1834789
Tamarind
After a week of feta and grilled fish, you might be in the mood for something spicier. This cosy, unpretentious Thai place, run by the lovely Angela, has great atmosphere and service. The green curries are divine.
Address: 51 Keramikou, Keramikos, 104 36
Telephone: 210 5225945
Chorologie
This fantastic dance school is run by professional dancers and choreographers with international careers. You can take ballet, jazz and contemporary dance lessons with incredible views of the Parthenon from the studio. If you’re into dance, also check out the Arroyo Nuevo flamenco school nearby, a beautiful loft space in an old car-repair shop.
Address: 76 Peiraios, Keramikos, 104 35
Telephone: 210 5231060
Sto Vathos Kipos
If you’re renting a place with a kitchen, stock up on organic produce at this cute, bright orange store run by two brothers, Loukas and Stefanos Skoulikaris. I do all my grocery shopping here. Look out for the organic loaves from Betty’s Bread. The name of the shop means 'garden at the rear', and there really is a secret garden behind the shop. If you’re into fresh, local produce, do check out the farmer’s market every Tuesday.
Address: 99 Keramikou, Keramikos, 104 35
Telephone: 213 0235776
Latraac Skate Park
This skate bowl has a little café in the yard that does a really good Sunday brunch. You can eat poached eggs and pancakes while you watch the skaters showing off. This unique spot in Athens is the brainchild of architect Zachos Varfis, who designed Athens' first skate bowl using floor wood from an old building and site debris. Latraac frequently hosts DJ sets and you never know which famous skateboarder you'll find whirling on its track.
Address: 63-64 Leonidou, Keramikos, 104 35
Telephone: 213 0453377
This content was originally published on This is Athens
How To Green Up Your Stay In Athens
In short, everywhere. Greeks will always love their meat, but sticking to a plant-based diet in Athens is surprisingly simple. Most tavernas serve hearty vegetarian staples such as pites (pies with fillings like spinach, horta wild greens or mushroom, and ladera (veggies cooked in fresh tomato sauce and olive oil).

Want a break from tavernas?

Where to food shop sustainably
Every Athenian neighbourhood has a weekly laiki, so just ask a local when and where. For a buzzy atmosphere with street musicians, venture to the Kallidromiou Street laiki (every Saturday morning in Exarchia).

Direct Flights From Canada To Athens Starting April 2
The announcement followed a meeting between Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias and Canada’s Ambassador to Greece Mark Allen at the ministry in Athens.
According to the tourism ministry, Canada’s direct flights to the Greek capital will be carried out for the first time until the end of November, as opposed to previous years when they usually stopped in October.
Minister Kikilias welcomed the development, which he said, combined with the recent lifting of the Covid-19 test requirement for fully vaccinated travelers from Canada, is expected to attract more visitors from the Canadian market.
On his part, Ambassador Allen informed the Greek minister of Tourism that Canada was adjusting its Travel Health Notice from a Level 3 to a Level 2, meaning that the government will no longer recommend that Canadians avoid travel for non-essential purposes.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Government of Canada will begin a phased easing of travel restrictions as of February 28.
Originally published on: news.gtp.gr
Greece Tops The List of Mediterranean Countries For Tourist Satisfaction
The so-called general satisfaction index (GRI), based entirely on customer feedback, is especially encouraging for Greek tourism, as it continues to recover from two years of disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Calculated by ReviewPro and processed by the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (INSETE), the GRI for Greece in 2022 was 87%, with Cyprus in second place at 85.6%. The index, which gathers its data from hundreds of social media platforms, hotel review websites and online travel agents, analyzes a range of comparative indicators, inlcuding hotels, service, food and drink, entertainment, hotel cleanliness, location, and value-for-money. A score above 80% indicates a positive experience.
While Greece continues to top the general satisfaction index, it is facing stiff competition in other categories from some of its closest neighbours, including Cyprus, Italy, Croatia, and Turkey.
As of November this year, while Greece ranks first in general satisfaction for hotels (86.8%) and service (89.1%), for example, Cyprus snatched first place for hotel cleanliness (91.8%), and Turkey topped the food and drink category (84.3%). Greece achieved third place in both categories, with scores of 90.6% and 82.7% respectively.
Turkey also topped this year’s list for location (90.4%) and value-for-money (86.8%), with Cyprus in second place in both. As other countries continue to narrow the gap, it’s clear that those working in the Greek tourist industry will need be at the top of their game as we head into 2023.
Originally published on: greece-is.com
Aristotle Onassis's Boeing 747 Lands In Hellinikon's History
Originally published in Greek, on: skai.gr
A Day Of Exploring Athens
The past week whizzed by; half-term meant no school and being free all day to wonder and explore. Waking up at my leisure is a precious gift that I do not take for granted!
As the saying goes, Mens sana in corpore sano “a healthy mind in a healthy body”, my daily routine started off with training at the Zirineio Stadium in Kifissia for a morning work out which allowed plenty of freedom for the remainder of the day. My evenings, on the other hand, were spent exploring the centre of Athens once again.
Our first stop usually included Monastiraki and the various shops in the vicinity. We usually like to visit the shops that carry military equipment, just to have a peek. All the walking made our stomachs rumble and so decided to grab a bite at ‘A for Athens’. With the priceless view, we enjoyed dinner and then hopped on the train bound for Kifissia.
A few days later, a friend invited us to “Spiti” in Filothei to have dinner and to celebrate her birthday. Prior to this, I had not heard of this restaurant but in the end turned out to be a real treat. Although it was a Thursday evening and quite a small restaurant, it was squirming with people of all ages. This was probably because of the tasty food and the logical prices. A definite must for something new!
This My Week In Athens post was provided by Thanasi - a sixteen year old high school student living in Athens.