XpatAthens
Scientific Secrets Of Athens: Places To Explore, Cafes To Digest Your Knowledge
About The Author
To purchase Vassilios' book, please visit: Amazon
3 Delicious Summer Smoothies
Serves: 1
Difficulty: Easy
Cooks in: 5 min
Ingredients
Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie
• 200 ml of coconut milk
• 1 tsp peanut butter
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 banana, peeled
• 1tsp grated chocolate
Melon & Cucumber Smoothie with Mint
• 150 g strained yogurt
• 2 slices melon, chopped
• 1 small cucumber, chopped
• 20 ml maple syrup
• 3 fresh mint leaves and some extra leaves for garnishing
Mixed Berry & Pineapple Smoothie
• 200 ml of milk
• 90 g berries (frozen) and some extra berries for garnishing
• 100 g pineapple, chopped
• 1 tbs berry marmalade
Cooking Instructions
Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie
In a blender combine the coconut milk, the peanut butter, the banana, and the honey and blend until smooth. Serve in a glass and garnish with grated chocolate.
Melon & Cucumber Smoothie with Mint
In a blender add the cucumber, the melon, a few leaves of mint, the yogurt and the maple syrup and blend until smooth. Serve in a glass and garnish with mint leaves.
Mixed Berry & Pineapple Smoothie
In a blender combine the milk, the pineapple, and the marmalade and blend until smooth. Serve in a glass and garnish with berries.
Sun Seeker – Athens Corona Nomads Series
This is Athens asked some second wave “corona nomads” to tell us in their own words how Athens has given them the personal and professional lift they were craving and why life is so much sweeter in the Greek capital, even in lockdown.
The Sun Seeker
Safiya Mary Rose, 35, British-Indian
Conscious Copywriter & Creatress
One of the main reasons we wanted to get out of the UK was the low light levels. I’m a sun worshipper, so Athens is perfect for me. There are so many days like today with flawless blue skies. It opens up something inside me creatively and makes me want to go for nature walks and gaze at ancient temples and buildings. London can make you want to huddle indoors; Athens inspires you to go out and become more expansive.
In London, I was working in ethical finance in a very corporate setting and felt very removed from the real world so I decided to go freelance about 2 years ago. Now I do copywriting and editing and my focus is on ethical organisations and individuals working to make a difference in the world. I also have a textiles practice, do embroidery, make clothes and paint. My partner is Indian and works with medicinal spices from India, so he can do that remotely from anywhere.
Even though we had never stepped foot in Athens before, when we saw a short window between lockdowns in the UK and Greece, we decided to jump through it. We’d wanted to relocate to Europe for a while, and while we visited many places in France, Italy and Spain, we never really found ‘our place’. Athens felt a bit below radar, but we’d heard some great things about it from people who’ve been. So in late October—simply guided by an inner intuition that Athens might just be the city for us—we packed up our stuff and drove all the way here to escape the London winter.
We are renting a gorgeous neoclassical flat in Thissio near the Acropolis Museum, with two big bedrooms and a banana tree outside our window, for half of what we were paying in Crystal Palace in London. Our place is so nice and spacious, we don’t need to go hunting down cafes or co-working spaces. I do think we have the lockdown to thank for that. Otherwise it would have been full of air bnb guests.
Photos: Thomas Gravanis
I love wandering around Athens during lockdown. You can somehow feel the architecture more and connect with the monuments on a deeper level. Athens is full of light and colour—even in the winter, even in quarantine! The creative energy is palpable: from the street art to the cafe culture and galleries. It’s an inspiring and highly multicultural place: with all the modernity of a capital city, yet there are ancient temples literally peppered all over the place. There’s also this deep sense of history, culture and spirituality. I love seeing people sitting together, drinking coffee, playing music or chess. For me, the sun, blue skies and all those olive trees provide endless creative inspiration. The lower cost of living also means there’s more time and space to breathe.
It’s brilliant to have the central food markets of Athens so close to us with all their wonderful flavours, textures and spices. We cook every day. My morning walk right up to the top of Philopappou Hill with my coffee to receive the light of the sun also makes me feel like a proper Athenian. Being able to see the wide horizon and the sea eases that feeling of enclosure that lockdown gives us all. I go up there on the full moon and new moon as well to get a sense of time passing. Summer will return and when it does, we’ll be in a really beautiful place.
My parents and sister are still back in the UK. It can be quite overwhelming at times to know how much more difficult things are back home. But we both just got our residency permits last week so we’re planning to stay in Athens until at least the spring. Then we might check out some parts of the mainland; buy a place and settle down.
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.
Things Everyone Gets Wrong About Greek Mythology
When you think of Medusa, you immediately picture her horrific hair made of snakes. However, Medusa is wrongly singled out as being the only woman in Greek mythology to have this look. Don’t forget that Medusa was merely the only mortal of the three Gorgon sisters; the other two sisters, Stheno and Euryale, also had reptilian locks.
The goddess of hunting is known for her shrewd skills and for being the protector of animals. However, while she is known as the goddess of childbirth in Greek mythology, she is also the destroyer of many young women. In fact, she killed six of Niobe’s daughters for insulting her mother, Leo. Clearly, you didn’t want to get on her bad side!
The god of death and the underworld wasn’t really such a bad guy. Specifically, it wasn’t his choice to rule the underworld; he was stuck with the job that no one wanted. After all, Hades wasn’t the one who was responsible for the redemption of souls; the three demigod brothers, Minos, Aiakos, and Rhadamanthys had that fun job!
Iconic Movies Set In Greece
Zorba the Greek (1964)
Stavros Beach in Crete. Credit: @the_pics_of_crete
Starring Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates, this iconic film follows the story of Basil, a wealthy, educated, English gentleman who forms an unlikely friendship with Alexis Zorba, an uneducated, coarse, Greek peasant. Based on a novel by Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis, the film was shot in various locations in Crete, including Chania, Apokrounas, and Akrotiri. Quinn's iconic sirtaki dancing scene was filmed on the beach of Stavros. Mikis Theodorakis composed the film's music, which became legendary.
Boy on a Dolphin (1957)
The Sophia Loren windmill in Hydra. Credit: @lucydodsworth
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Agios Ioannis Church, Skopelos. Credit: @skopelos.gr
Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001)
Antisamos Beach, Kefalonia. Credit: @vibrant_kefalonia
Based on the book ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ by Louis de Bernières, is a romantic drama set during the Italian occupation of Greece during WWII. Starring Penelope Cruz and Nicolas Cage, the film tells the story of a Greek woman who is abandoned by her fiancé and an Italian captain stationed on the island. Exclusively filmed in Kefalonia, particularly in Sami, Antisamos, and Fiscardo, it goes to show how abundant and majestic this Ionian island is.
The Big Blue (1988)
Panagia Hozoviotissa, Amorgos. Credit: @giannistsou.1
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Kanoni, Corfu. Credit: @mykerkyra_com
Study Reveals Greece As A Top Luxury Travel Destination For This Summer
To read this article in full visit news.gtp.gr
Myrtilo Café: The Place To Be In Panormou
Images Credit: myrtillocafe.gr
The Libraries Of Athens: Where History & Knowledge Meet
Equally inspiring — though on a grander scale — is the National Library of Greece, now housed at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Kallithea. Designed by Renzo Piano, the building itself is a work of art: a glass and marble structure that seems to float above the park, flooded with natural light. Inside, the library preserves more than a million volumes, alongside 15,000 periodicals and a precious collection of manuscripts that trace the history of Greek thought. It’s not only a guardian of the country’s literary heritage but also a vibrant public space where visitors can study, attend lectures, or simply enjoy the quiet rhythm of a modern reading room. The National Library offers both open access areas and special collections for researchers, as well as an electronic reading room that allows registered users to explore thousands of digital resources remotely.
For those drawn to science and technology, the Eugenides Foundation Library offers a different kind of experience. Known for its focus on scientific and educational material, it provides a calm and beautifully organized environment for students, researchers, and curious readers alike. Registration is free, and members can borrow books, explore digital databases, or attend seminars that make complex topics accessible to everyone. The library is part of the Eugenides Foundation’s wider mission to promote science education in Greece, a goal reflected in its interactive exhibitions and planetarium next door.
The Gennadius Library, part of the American School of Classical Studies, offers another window into Athens’ intellectual heritage. Its elegant neoclassical building shelters more than 100,000 volumes focused on Greek history, art, and literature. Founded through the donation of the diplomat Ioannis Gennadios, it remains one of the most important research libraries for scholars of classical and modern Greece. Access is open to students and researchers, and even a brief visit reveals a uniquely serene atmosphere where history truly feels alive.
The Nordic Library at Athens is a remarkable collaborative effort between the Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish Institutes in Greece. It houses around 40,000 volumes with a strong focus on archaeology, classical studies, and the cultural ties between Scandinavia and Greece. Beyond its extensive academic collection, the library also safeguards important archives, including the Calas Archive and the C.P. Cavafy collections, which feature letters, manuscripts, essays, and photographs that offer valuable insights into modern Greek literature and art. The Nordic Library serves as an indispensable resource for researchers and scholars working in the fields of archaeology, history, and cultural studies. While its facilities are mainly geared toward academic use, visitors may access the reading rooms and archives by prior arrangement. Those wishing to consult rare or archival material are encouraged to contact the library in advance to ensure availability and proper guidance.
The Onassis Library preserves rare editions dating from the fifteenth century onwards, along with the personal collection of Aristotle Onassis himself and the extensive Onassis Archive. It offers an intimate glimpse into the legacy of one of Greece’s most influential figures, while also serving as a space dedicated to the study of culture, literature, and history. Traces of Athens’ ancient love of learning can still be found in the Library of Pantainos, located in the Agora. Although now in ruins, it remains one of the few ancient libraries whose founding inscription, outlining its rules and use, has survived. Nearby stands the site of Hadrian’s Library, built by the Roman emperor in the second century AD. Once home to reading rooms, lecture halls, and gardens, it was one of the grandest libraries of its time. Today, its marble columns and courtyards remind visitors that Athens’ connection to knowledge and public learning stretches back thousands of years.
Typography
Το Lorem Ipsum είναι απλά ένα κείμενο χωρίς νόημα για τους επαγγελματίες της τυπογραφίας και στοιχειοθεσίας. Το Lorem Ipsum είναι το επαγγελματικό πρότυπο όσον αφορά το κείμενο χωρίς νόημα, από τον 15ο αιώνα, όταν ένας ανώνυμος τυπογράφος πήρε ένα δοκίμιο και ανακάτεψε τις λέξεις για να δημιουργήσει ένα δείγμα βιβλίου. Όχι μόνο επιβίωσε πέντε αιώνες, αλλά κυριάρχησε στην ηλεκτρονική στοιχειοθεσία, παραμένοντας με κάθε τρόπο αναλλοίωτο. Έγινε δημοφιλές τη δεκαετία του '60 με την έκδοση των δειγμάτων της Letraset όπου περιελάμβαναν αποσπάσματα του Lorem Ipsum, και πιο πρόσφατα με το λογισμικό ηλεκτρονικής σελιδοποίησης όπως το Aldus PageMaker που περιείχαν εκδοχές του Lorem Ipsum.
Heading 2
Το Lorem Ipsum είναι απλά ένα κείμενο χωρίς νόημα για τους επαγγελματίες της τυπογραφίας και στοιχειοθεσίας. Το Lorem Ipsum είναι το επαγγελματικό πρότυπο όσον αφορά το κείμενο χωρίς νόημα, από τον 15ο αιώνα, όταν ένας ανώνυμος τυπογράφος πήρε ένα δοκίμιο και ανακάτεψε τις λέξεις για να δημιουργήσει ένα δείγμα βιβλίου. Όχι μόνο επιβίωσε πέντε αιώνες, αλλά κυριάρχησε στην ηλεκτρονική στοιχειοθεσία, παραμένοντας με κάθε τρόπο αναλλοίωτο. Έγινε δημοφιλές τη δεκαετία του '60 με την έκδοση των δειγμάτων της Letraset όπου περιελάμβαναν αποσπάσματα του Lorem Ipsum, και πιο πρόσφατα με το λογισμικό ηλεκτρονικής σελιδοποίησης όπως το Aldus PageMaker που περιείχαν εκδοχές του Lorem Ipsum.
Heading 3
Το Lorem Ipsum είναι απλά ένα κείμενο χωρίς νόημα για τους επαγγελματίες της τυπογραφίας και στοιχειοθεσίας. Το Lorem Ipsum είναι το επαγγελματικό πρότυπο όσον αφορά το κείμενο χωρίς νόημα, από τον 15ο αιώνα, όταν ένας ανώνυμος τυπογράφος πήρε ένα δοκίμιο και ανακάτεψε τις λέξεις για να δημιουργήσει ένα δείγμα βιβλίου. Όχι μόνο επιβίωσε πέντε αιώνες, αλλά κυριάρχησε στην ηλεκτρονική στοιχειοθεσία, παραμένοντας με κάθε τρόπο αναλλοίωτο. Έγινε δημοφιλές τη δεκαετία του '60 με την έκδοση των δειγμάτων της Letraset όπου περιελάμβαναν αποσπάσματα του Lorem Ipsum, και πιο πρόσφατα με το λογισμικό ηλεκτρονικής σελιδοποίησης όπως το Aldus PageMaker που περιείχαν εκδοχές του Lorem Ipsum.
Heading 4
- Blue
- Green
- Red
- Black
Samothrace: The Island Of The Great Gods
Referred by mythology as island of Aeolus, Samothrace (you’ll see it spelt “Samothraki” too) is wreathed by mount Saos, the highest mountain on the Aegean islands; legend has it that Poseidon sat on its top to watch the Troy war. The attractiveness of the island is now made up of the steep peaks of the holy mountain of the ancients (the highest of which – 1.611 metres- is called “Fengari” = “moon”) the pebbly beaches, the streams and rivers, the pristine natural beauty, the famous healing sources, and the archaeological finds.
An island pregnant with history
There is evidence of human activity on the rich with archaeological treasures island since the Neolithic times. But it’s the Kaviria Mysteries – religious event of great importance, equal to that of the Eleusinian Mysteries - that brought the island’s fame to the top. The grandeur of the archaeological prominence of Samothrace stretches over the 50-square-kilometres site of Palaiópolis, at 6,5km from the port of Kamariótissa.
Hundreds of crystal watered streams flow from mount Saos to rush through the forests all the way to the sea. On their way, they form waterfalls and stone basins, the so called “váthres”. As a matter of fact, the streams and the waterfalls are the landmarks of the island. A pair of the best of those are the stream of Foniás (=”killer”) and its tallest waterfall (Kleidwsi – 35m high). A nature wonder in the form of a waterfall is situated in the Northeast; it’s Kremastó. The water there goes through some iron rocks to obtain a sweet, reddish colour before fiercely ending into the sea. Behind the water mass there is a cave to be explored. Other well-known waterfalls are Kakiá Pláka, Karyá, and Griá Váthra.
Along the north and the eastern coastline there are wetlands formed seasonally. Migratory birds call at the mouth of Foniás, at the wetland of Vdelolimni, whereas the lagoon of Agios Andreas near Kamariótissa is popular with birdwatchers.
But don’t forget you are on an island with rugged, mostly pebbly beaches, some of which are accessible only by boat. The beach of the Gardens with the black and gray shiny pebbles stands out. In the south, there is the only sandy –thus most cosmopolitan- beach of the island, Pachia Ammos (= “thick sand”) where you can marvel at the –perched-on-a-steep-rock chapel of Panagia Krimniotissa. Rent a boat here for a tour around the otherwise inaccessible areas of Katárti, Spiliés, Váto, Kremastó, Grias ta Paniá, and Gyalí. The fascinating bottom of the sea and the underwater life abundance appear transparent through the crystal clear waters.
An alternative tourism paradise
The imposing mountainous heart of the island paired with its pristine nature are just what explorers and adventure lovers could ever wish for: crossing gorges, trekking, mountaineering, mountain bike, paragliding, rafting, kayak, diving will be amongst your choices if you want to go active.
But Mother Nature has been generous to Samothrace in geothermal richness too: sulphurous therapeutic thermal springs welcome you to the village of Therma and to the spa facilities, where Greeks and foreigners seek and find health and wellness.
To read more, please see visitgreece.gr
