
XpatAthens
5 Family-Friendly Museums In Athens

Courtesy: The Acropolis Museum

Credit: Amalia Kovaiou

Courtesy: Goulandris National History Museum
Whether you've just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share!
First L'Etape Greece by Tour de France to Take Cyclists on Scenic Route from Ancient Olympia
the L'Etape Greece by Tour de France promises to be an unforgettable experience for anyone who loves cycling or who simply wants to explore the beauty of Greece in a unique and exciting way. With stunning scenery, challenging routes, and a vibrant atmosphere, this event is sure to be a highlight of the 2023 cycling calendar.
Introducing Athens' New Cultural Hub: Theatre Of The NO
Enter the Theatre of the NO, located in the Plateia Vathis area of Metaxourgio. This dynamic new venue boasts a diverse ensemble of Greek and international actors, united by a shared passion for the theater of the absurd. Here, audiences can expect a captivating repertoire that spans the spectrum from classic to contemporary, with a dash of experimental flair thrown into the mix.
Upcoming Program at Theatre of the NO:
- April 18 - May 13: "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett
- May 17 - June 24: "Lust Lunch" by Yoel Wulfhart
- June 28 - August 5: "Venus in Fur" by David Ives
- August 9 - September 16: "Focus Group / Resistance in the Time of Peace" by Marco Di Stefano / Jibbe Willems
- September 20 - October 28: "Bachelors and Bachelorettes" by Hanoch Levin
- November 1 - December 9: "I am the Labyrinth" by DarkplayTheatre Theatre for thinking people
How To Obtain A Greek Tax ID (AFM) As An Expat Or Non-Resident In Greece
This nine-digit number, pronounced "AFIMI" in Greek, is something you’ll use regularly for tasks such as:
- Getting a Greek phone number in your name.
- Leasing a home or property.
- Logging into TAXISnet to interact with government systems.
- Filing taxes and generating tax certificates.
- Purchasing property or a car.
- Completing many other daily tasks.
- A copy of your passport.
- First and last names of your parents.
- Your home address (outside Greece) and temporary address in Greece (if applicable).
- Your foreign tax number.
- Your mobile phone number.
- An authorization form if you are appointing a tax representative to apply on your behalf.
- Liaising with the tax office and government departments, especially for those on spouse visas, Digital Nomad Visas, and Golden Visas.
- Receiving notifications from the tax office and keeping you updated.
- Opening a TAXISnet account for you.
- Assisting with property or car purchases, leasing, and other related tasks.
This content has been created in collaboration with our trusted partner Tsaks Consulting.
Visiting The Monastery Of Molivdoskepasti At Konitsa
250m from the Greek-Albanian borders and 15 km from the town of Konitsa, next to the quiet Aoos river, the monastery of Molivdoskepasti imposes its lively presence. Molivdoskepasti is a peaceful and beautiful border village. The history of the monastery goes back in the Byzantine era. Its founder was the Byzantine emperor Constantine Pogonatos.
Molivdoskepasti monastery (active even today) owes its name to the lead roof once had (molivdos means lead in Greek, molivdoskepasti means “with a roof of lead”). The lead was stolen by invaders and it was then replaced by slates.
The construction of the nave itself uncovers at least 3 phases: the small three-cornered space with the dome (11th century) the cross-roofed hall from the 14th century, and finally the open narthex which is separated from the main church by a wooden door carved with representations from the Bible, an exquisite symbol of Byzantine art. The stone remnants come from the 14th centrury onwards. The hagiographies are from the 16th century.
The monks there were very busy cleaning and preparing the Monastery for the big day – the 15th of August which is a Great Religious Day for all Christians. Many women from the village, but also from other places were busy also, helping the monks there.
We were offered (lukumia) delights and cold water. A plastic bag full of freshly cut tomatos were given to the driver of the coach by a monk, for any one of us who wished to have one.
Author: Greekcypriot; excerpts, edited by Greece Travel Blog
Source: Greecetravelblog.com
Greece, Lenders Appear To Edge Closer To Deal
There were hopes on Thursday that Greece and the eurozone might be edging toward a deal after Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, attending his first European Union summit, agreed for government officials and representatives of the country’s lenders to find common ground ahead of Monday’s Eurogroup.
Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis and his eurozone counterparts failed to issue a common statement at a Eurogroup that ended early on Thursday morning. However, Tsipras met on Thursday in Brussels with Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem and agreed that representatives of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund should work on the details of a possible deal in the buildup to the Eurogroup on Monday.
“[We] agreed today to ask the institutions to engage with the Greek authorities to start work on a technical assessment of the common ground between the current program and the Greek government’s plans,” Dijsselbloem tweeted. This, he said, would pave the way for crucial talks between eurozone finance ministers next Monday.
"We leave today having made some significant steps," said Tsipras at a late night press conference following the summit. "The technical teams will work over the next few days to prepare the ground for Monday's Eurogroup."
Tsipras insisted that he did not feel "isolated" at the EU Council and said that he explained to his counterparts that the government wants to combine the mandate it has received with Greece's obligations as an EU member. But he insisted that Athens would not accept the continuation of the Memorandum of Understanding or the troika in its existing role.
"The memorandum as we knew it is over," he said. "The same goes for the troika."
To read more, please visit ekathimerini.com
Advice On Traveling To Santorini With Kids
Combine your stay with a trip to another island; there is a direct connection to Crete, Naxos and Mykonos.
Art Links 2015 - 3 Exhibiting Artists Share Their Creative Inner-Worlds
That’s why Art Links Wishes 2015 (opening on Tuesday June 23 at 8pm at Gallery 7 in Kolonaki until July 3) is such a special collaboration. Art Links Wishes is a group art exhibition that showcases drawing, painting, photography and sculpture, donated by dozens of remarkable Greek and international artists, for the cause of Make-A-Wish Greece (Κάνε-Μια-Ευχή Ελλάδος). Proceeds from the sale of the diverse artworks will help illuminate the lives of seriously-ill children here in Greece through a precious moment of happiness.
‘As with all previous Art Links events, Art Links Wishes 2015 aspires to unite our community through creativity and art,’ says Art Links general manager Sia Corrina Durocher.
Here, three of the event’s exhibiting Greek artists share their own creative inner-worlds with Xpat Athens readers:
MARIA HAJIANDREOU
What is the most enjoyable part of the artistic process for you?
Which theme or themes do you most often return to in your work? (And why?)
What do you wish you had known when you were first starting out?
What is your own personal definition of “success” as an artist?
Which gallery or curator would you most love to come knocking at your door?
Finally, what does living a creative life mean to you?
ANGELIKI MAKRIS
What is the most enjoyable part of the artistic process for you?
Which theme or themes do you most often return to in your work? (And why?)
What do you wish you had known when you were first starting out?
What is your own personal definition of “success” as an artist?
What has been the biggest “highpoint” so far in your art journey?
Which gallery or curator would you most love to come knocking at your door?
Finally, what does living a creative life mean to you?
KONSTANTINOS MASSOS
Which theme or themes do you most often return to in your work? (And why?)
What do you wish you had known when you were first starting out?
Finally, what does living a creative life mean to you?
Participating artists are:
Gallery 7 is at Solonos 20 and Boukourestiou, Kolonaki.)
Story and interviews by: Amanda Dardanis
Greek Hoteliers Expect Higher Occupancy Rates For 2018
European Emergency Number Has Become Fully Operational In Greece
The European emergency number is free and can be reached 24/7 from Greece, Switzerland, and any EU country.
Other Greek emergency numbers are:
- 100 - police
- 199 - fire brigade
- 166 - emergency medical service
- 108 - coast guard
- 197 - emergency social assistance