Popular Areas

So which parts of the city do you visit? What is there to see? Which area has the best bars? The best coffee places? The nest nightlife? The best food? Where are the best festivals and concerts? Lets take a stroll through Athens and lets meet them together!

Kifissia (Northern Suburbs)

One of Athen's most beautiful suburbs, Kifissia is located approximately 12km from the city center. Access to Kifissia and the surrounding areas (Kefalari, Nea Erythrea) is simple since the suburb is literaly connected to the center via only one road, Kifissias avenue. Access is also easy via public transportation and mainly via train (see our Useful Info Page). Kifissia is well known for being one of Athen's most expensive areas, and is the home of many wealthy families and politicians. Perhaps the most significant draws are the vast green areas (Kifissia is home to the Alsos Kifissias or Kifissia Park), high-end shops, numerous cafes and restaurants and the laid back feel. It is also still one of the few areas where one can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride. Dont forget to visit the landmark pastry shop of Kiffisia, "Varsos" which has been around since 1892. Other landmarks include the Goulandri National Museum (also great for a coffee in the garden) and the really great shops.

Full of high-end shops

Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through thevery green suburb

Varsos Pastry shop, a landmark in Kifissia (Since 1892)

Really great old mansions turned into high-end shops

Great for a quiet stroll

Great for a cup of coffee

Shopping is definitely a passtime in Kifissia

Even the bank branches are impressive here

You almost feel like you are not in Athens, but rather somewhere more exotic

Goulandri National Museum Garden

Cafe on the pedestrian road leading to Kefalari square

Chalandri (Northern Suburbs)

Chalandri (or "Halandri"), is a northern suburb of Athens, located approximately 12km from the city center. It's name is said to derive from the Greek words "Χίλιοι Άνδρες", which means 1,000 men, which is said to have been the number of men required to build the suburb. Chalandri is one of Ancient Athens' boroughs, known in those days as Phlya ("Φλύα"). Although it began as a small village, the rapid expansion of the 1960's and 1970's transformed it into a bustling suburb. It is known for its many green parks and in fact has the highest ratio of green areas per citizen of all the suburbs of Athens. For the modern day visitor it offers access to a many shops (it has a very well known and popular market), cafe's, restaurants and pedestrian roads for taking strolls. Try and avoid going by car, parking is a big problem in this particular area.

A great little pedestrian road to nip into and enjoy a coffee

One of hundreds of little shops to grab a bite to eat

You can even sit outside

Shops galore!

St. Nicholas Square

Great for an afternoon coffee

Or perhaps a drink...or some food

A small taste of Paris in the heart of Chalandri (great hot chocolate!)

A view from the steps leading up to St. Nicholas church

One of the many pedestrian roads with many many shops

St. Nicholas church - in the center of Chalandri

Psyrri (Ψυρρή)

One of Athens' best places to experience true Athenian nightlife (Night photos will follow soon). Psyrri is one of Athens' most historic neighborhoods, known for its many restaurants, ouzeri's, bars, cafe's, and live music taverns. Psyrri is rich in history as it has a dark, underworld past, since in the 19th centrury it was home to anti-establishment individuals who where known for their criminal activities and deviant ways (the "Koutsavakides"). On a more positive note, Psyrri is also the home of Lord Byron's "Maid of Athens", since she was said to have lived next door to the boarding house where Byron stayed when he lived in Athens in 1809 . Although Psyrri still seems "dark" it is by far the most authentically "Greek" place to visit when in Athens. A must see are the live music tavernas which play Rembetika songs (Greek songs whose lyrics are mainly about exile, pain, poverty, hashish and sometimes love).

A typical street in Psyrri

Musicians play their music during the day as well

Athens Microbrewery in Psyrri square

Another view of the main square

Graffiti is abundent all over Psyrri

During the day - for coffee

An artistic attempt

St. Eirene Square (Plateia Agias Eirnis)

Just a five minute walk from Syntagma square and even less from Monastiraki and the Athens Fleas Marke, St. Eirene Square is a great little spot for an afternoon coffee or a late evening drink. Try the Coktails at "Tailor Made" and the bagels and coffees at "Throubi". The view of the church (St. Eirene) is calming and the hustle and bustle is ideal for "people watching". Definitely a must see area when visiting the center of Athens.

Tailor Made

St. Eirene Church

Throubi

A view of the Square

Great in the spring

Offers great shots...like this one