The ancient city of Athens has been a global centre attracting visitors from far and wide longer than most cities have even existed. To this day, many people come here to marvel at the magnificent monuments that litter the city, but Athens is far from an historical artefact. With its inventive street art, thriving bar scene, all-night music venues, and friendly forward-looking people, this progressive metropolis is where ancient history and modern urbanity collide. Whether you’re into art, archeology, fashion or food, Athens has it all.
Brought to you with Aperol
Music
Gazarte In the heart of the bustling Gazi neighbourhood lies Gazarte, one of the best places for live music in the city. The venue regularly hosts international and local artists who spread out across its three separate stages. Dance on the rooftop terrace or sip an Aperol Spritz from the bar while taking in the view of the Acropolis and the twinkling city below. Gazarte’s terrace is also the ideal spot to relax and savour the Athenian evening with your friends, surrounded by olive trees and fragrant lavender plants, lounging on cosy sofas under soft lighting as the sun slowly sets behind you.
Release Festival Athens There’s much more to music in Greece than Zorba’s Dance and this festival proves it. One of the biggest summer music events in the country, Release Festival, takes place in the Plateia Nerou – a seaside venue within easy reach of downtown Athens. Drawing some of the biggest names in rock, pop and dance the eclectic line up of headliners include Rosalía, Röyksopp, Wu Tang Clan and Arctic Monkeys. If the day-to-day grind has you feeling tense, this festival is the perfect release.
Food
Mr Peacock Venture to the lively Chalandri neighbourhood in the north of Athens and you’ll soon be wandering down leafy streets dotted with quirky boutiques, artisanal cafes and quaint bookshops. Once you’ve worked up an appetite be sure to stop at Mr Peacock. As the name suggests, this colourful bar and restaurant is a great spot to while the day away in the sunshine. Come for lunch and stay into the evening to enjoy an Aperol Spritz while listening to live music from an eclectic line-up of acts.
DOT Beach Vibes Enjoy an Aperol Spritz at DOT, either on the beach terrace or in the restaurant, and you will find yourself instantly living the consummate Greek summer experience on the Athens Riviera. The bar is located in Voula, a suburb in the south of the city, which translates as “a round mark or spot”, hence the name of this relaxed beach bar. And DOT certainly does hit the spot! Especially because you can avoid disappointment by booking the bar’s smart sun loungers online before you arrive, which feels like a very 21st century way of enjoying time lazing around in the sun. Plus if after all that lying about you have built up an appetite, simply sashay from the beach to the restaurant and choose from a wide selection of local and international fare before watching a sunset, spritz in hand.
Travel
Chalandri square Chalandri’s leafy pedestrianised streets and shady courtyards give this north Athenian neighbourhood a distinctly villagey feel. But don’t be fooled; this is a seriously stylish part of town where you can pick up some new threads in one of the quirky boutiques or a one-of-a-kind print in the many stylish homeware stores. Arms need a break from all the shopping bags? From Greek classics to global cuisine, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Refuelled, grab your mates and head to one of the area’s many fashionable bars for an Aperol Spritz and prepare to dance the evening away.
Metaxourgeio The word “Graffiti” is said to have derived from the Greek word “graphí” meaning to write, draw, or scratch, so it feels right that Athens is home to so much great street art – and nowhere is it better than in the neighbourhood of Metaxourgeio. Head to the corner of Constantinou Paleologou and Samos Street to see artist WD’s mesmerising “Owl of Athens”. And don’t miss the photorealistic “So Many Books, So Little Time” by SimpleG on the side of a building in Megalou Alexandrou 2. A perfect place to supercharge your insta-feed .
Anafiotika Have you always wanted to go to the Cycladic islands but never quite managed to get there? Well never fear, this hidden gem of a neighbourhood feels just like a Greek island, but is located in central Athens. Teetering on the slopes of the Acropolis Hill, this largely residential neighbourhood was built in the 1800s by islanders who wanted the area to look and feel like home. Packed full of charming whitewashed houses draped in bougainvillaea this is an excellent backdrop for an epic selfie.
Leisure
Glyfada See and be seen in glamorous Glyfada, which is located right on the Athens Riviera. Famous for its street life, great shopping and of course, the beach, this corner of the Greek capital really does have it all. A shoppers’ paradise, the designer boutiques are so plentiful that it would be hard to leave without making at least one impulse buy. And with your stylish new purchases, you can follow the chic Athenians down to Pere Ubu, a swish restaurant and bar. As the sun goes down, start your evening right with an Aperol Spritz, and as the night draws near, stay for the excellent soundtrack from the resident and guest DJs.
Varvakios Agora Athens’ major fresh food market offers all the chaos and hubbub you might expect. It’s a go-to destination for locals and tourists alike and it’s easy to see why. The vast complex is a riot of colour, noise, fragrances and flavours. Sharpen those haggling skills and plunge deep into the melee! Then after you are done there are plenty of places to sit back and admire your purchases with some glorious aperitivo in the on-site restaurants dotted around this special market. And where could you possibly get fresher food than deep inside a marketplace this rich with produce?