Hestia Dimitressa 4

This is Athens Downtown’s most posh neighborhood with specialty boutiques, high-end shopping and a lot of good food. It’s a pleasure to window shop, and you can reach the area after about a pleasant 10-minute walk, especially if you go behind Evangelismos hospital, head to the upper end of PatriarchouIoakim street and start from there.

In the heart of the city but also a great escape, the National Garden, once the grounds of the ex-royal palace (today the Greek parliament). Peaceful corners and a great way to reach Syntagma Square if you take the back roads and come to the back end of this park with its interesting flora and old-world charm.

The bustling heart of Athens is where the change of the guards takes place, right in front of the Parliament. Syntagma is also where Ermou Street, the capital’s most famous shopping street begins. There are a lot of eateries and cafes in the alleyways below the square.

Recently completely renovated with stunning results, the National Gallery hosts a grand collection of Euroean art dating anywhere between the 14th and 20th centuries. The collection is presented in chronological order and focuses on post-Byzantine art, with a strong showing from the renaissance period.A very short walk from Dimitressa 4, so be sure to visit!

Take a look at the Hellenism through the prism of Christianity and the Byzantine era. This museum possesses thousands of portraits, documents, books and artefacts from all over Greece and wherever Greek culture thrived. You’ll be amazed at the collection that begins chronologically with the Early Christian era and continues through the Byzantine and medieval periods, then to the post-Byzantine era.

One of Athens’ best features is how life revolves around the neighborhood’s main square. In this sense,Proskopon Square – or Plateia Proskopon in Greek – is a true neighborhood delight. The square and the streets around it are surrounded by laidback cafés, bars and restaurants, and the area is well worth a visit if you’re looking for local color. Choose a café on the side streets or one right in the middle of the square, and do walk around to observe how the neighborhood’sresidents enjoy themselves.

Set in a gorgeous neoclassical building that in itself is a major attraction, this museum is home to several exceptional permanent collections divided by topic and by different time periods. You’ll go through a tour of prehistoric, ancient Greek and Roman art in one section of the museum, Byzantine art in another, and a collection of paintings, prints and drawings in another. Several temporary collections and events enrich the museum even further.

Dubbed “The world’s only white marble stadium”, the Panathenaic Stadium or Kalimarmaro (meaning Fine Marble in Greek) will impress you with its size. This was where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896,althoughthe stadium’s marble roots date back to the 4^th century BC. It’s a nice 20-minute walk to reach here,and you would do well to take a hat and sunglasses with you.

Higher end Greek food where socialites and local businessmen visit often, along with more upscale service and a deliciously authentic Greek menu. Waiters willalso pass a tray of starters (meze) to pick and choose from.

Fine Mediterranean Greek dining with a large variety of choices and good reviews. While the restaurant is on the posh side and has been popular for decades with the Hilton crowd, prices remain reasonable for the quality and the service is very good.

If you’re dreaming of the gyros and souvlaki you’ve heard so much about, i.e. Greek street food, walk over to KalosTousand order what you fancy, along with some fried potatoes and a Greek salad. This Souvlaki place hits the spot when you need fast food with a twist of tradition and quality.

One of the few seafood places in the center of the city, Mastra is own by people from the island of Lesvos who have bought their cooking tradition with them to Athens. A bit more upmarket in its dishes and pricing, but well worth it if you like seafood. Great seating during warm days in the shady island-ambiance alley in the back.

This quick service burger joint is Greece’s answer to McDonalds and is very kids friendly. There’s a big variety to choose from and ample seating space to enjoy. The variety of burgers, salads,fries and soft drinks offers something for all tastes, including a couple of plant-based options on the menu.

For those who love the familiar service and products of international brands, along with a Greek touch in terms of salads, sandwiches, and savory pies. Spacious indoor seating as well as outdoor seating.

An urban café with a decent snack menu, including good sandwiches, salads and desserts, as well as hot and cold beverages. Enough space indoors to take your laptop with you and sit there for an hour or two. Great for a quick escape and if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by the outdoor street café culture.

Hip, modern and happening, Lot 51 is buzzing with the younger crowd and specializes in more gourmet coffees from different world destinations, with a more sophisticated menu that appeals to finer palates. Quieter if you go early morning, transforming into a music bar towards the evening.

Around the corner and two blocks down the road likes one of the trendier and more chic pubs in town. Think jazz and funk beats leveraged against a collection of whiskeys, cognacs, wines, beers and other spirits, with tasty dishes to accompany every choice. Good seating both indoors and outdoors.

One of the less conspicuous little pubs in the neighborhood that boasts some finesse. The friendly owner prepares good food to accompany the many spirits on offer, and it’s not as busy or noisy as the bigger, more popular yet more commercial choices.Read the choices on the small blackboards to get inspired and make it your hangout while here!

More of a family bakery and pastry shop with good prices and a neighborhood feel. You can also sit at small gazebo across the quiet road for a coffee and a dessert. Both their sweet and savory pastries are tasty,so is their ice cream. Good value for money and a leisurely walk through the park.

A great variety of fruits, vegetables, gourmet cheeses and cold cuts, this relatively new arrival to the market has more specialty items and imported products not available in regular supermarkets.Beer, wine and great home-style meals ready for takeout make it a great option when you want to eat in without having to prepare anything. Feel like something in the middle of the night? Not an issue: this place is a rare gem that opens 24 hours a day!

This standard supermarket is one of the top ones in Greece, and will cover you in just about anything you might think of. Plenty of fresh produce, wines, some ready cooked food such as grilled chicken, organic products, dairy (including soy and almond milk), cereals, frozen foods,cheeses and meats of all sorts. Head to the second floor for cosmetics and detergents.

A great variety of fruits, vegetables, gourmet cheeses and cold cuts, this relatively new arrival to the market has more specialty items and imported products not available in regular supermarkets.Beer, wine and great home-style meals ready for takeout make it a great option when you want to eat in without having to prepare anything. Feel like something in the middle of the night? Not an issue: this place is a rare gem that opens 24 hours a day!