Hestia Romvis 9

Every big European city has one, and Athens is no exception: the main paved shopping street with all the brand names is just a minute away, with all the big names such as American Eagle, Bershka, Body Shop, Foot Locker, H&M, Marks & Spencer, Massimo Dutti, Nike, Pull & Bear, Sephora and Zara, to name a few alphabetically. There are many find Greek brands as well worth discovering, weather for clothing or shoes, so this is your street if you like to shop till you drop.

Imagine that right in the middle of Athens’ busiest shopping street (Ermou), one of Athens’ oldest churches that’s over 1000 years old was build over a more ancient Greek temple, once likely paying homage to Athena or Demeter. If you’re lucky enough to find the doors open, take a look at a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and admire the murals.

It’s intriguing to know that the Monastiraki Flea Market has been probably just that for hundreds of years, a remnant of Ottoman occupation and reflecting the more eastern tradition of open markets. Today it is filled with clothing shops, shoe stores and souvenir shops, with a very special antiques market towards the end on Abyssinias Square, an additional attraction in and of itself.

Barely two minutes away by foot, this cobblestone square is one of the hippest in the city with trendy cafés and bars that also serve some food, an LGBTQ-friendly vibe and traditional church in a neighborhood that is very popular with young Greeks. Slightly less touristic than Plaka and Monastiraki, it offers a peek into Athens’ relaxed coffee culture by day and boasts a buzzing wine-meets-cocktail crowd by night.

No visit to Athens would be complete without visiting the old parliament, where the changing of the guards takes place every hour. This is Athens’ ground zero with iconic hotels and the underground main metro station define the landscape. Worthy of note are the Royal Gardens behind the parliament building, recommended for a shady stroll and as an escape from the fast-paced city center.

Here’s a more sophisticated side of Greek gastronomy, with quite a refined menu by chef Leonidas Koutsopoulos. Delicacies include Pancetta with Sweet Potato Puree and Caramelized Onion, as well as Cheese-filled Spiral made with Greek veggies as well. A bit pricey but it’s a real gastronomic treat.

When fast food and vegan meet, you get Vegan Beat Athens. The soymeat “lahmatzun” or faux-mincemeat roll is delicious, so is the mushroom burger with a side of coleslaw. There are even vegan desserts that will impress. Very eclectic crowd and decent prices.

The neighborhood around Romvis 9 is very eclectic and cosmopolitan, complete with a Latin restaurant that claims to offer authentic Mexican/Tex-Mex food, from nachos and burritos to enchiladas and frozen cocktails. The latter will put you in the Mex mood!

Bairaktaris is an old name on the Athens gastronomy scene, but their new Eatery has taken Greek cuisine from Anatolia to new heights and added some Middle Eastern elements to make it richer than ever. The place has a nouveau vintage feel – if such an expression exists – and the menu causes meat eaters to drool, with dishes like kebab, chicken, ribs and even fish croquettes. Vegetarians are not left out, thanks to the yummy falafel sandwiches (Vegan variety available). Great breakfasts too, such as organic omelet frittata!

We love Filema because it’s a Greek restaurant in the heart of Downtown Athens that’s hidden on Romvis Street away from most tourists. It’s very popular with the locals and has boasts several classical yet hearty no-frills Greek dishes. Straightforward Greek food with decent prices, the place features favorites such as pan-friend saganaki cheese, salads, grilled meats, but also vegetarian and vegan options.

Offering good Middle Eastern street food that hits the spot when you’re hungry, Not Just Falafel will win you over with its falafel sandwiches, but also favorite sides like Hommus and Tabbouli. While vegetarians and vegans will delight in this place, chicken lovers also emerge very happy with the Shish Taouk.

Much praise has been heaped on this sushi joint that offers mouthwatering choices such as eel-filled dragon rolls, the nigiri salmon special and the seabass carpaccio. Great value for money during happy hour every day except Sundays from 12.30 to 7.30 pm, while kids below 7 years old eat for free. If you have a craving for Japanese and don’t want to fork out a fortune yet demand some authenticity, this place is for you.

For those who fancy award-winning cocktails by distinguished bartenders, the Clumsies is a must. Be warned, it has lots of loud music and a throng of well-dressed people, but it remains an institution for those who want to enjoy the Athens nightlife. Winning numerous awards, such as 4th best bar (CNN Travel) and being featured on the “World’s 50 Best Bars” list, visitors often flock here to put the place to the test. Either way, it’s a fun place!

It’s been around for over a decade, but it’s proven its worth as a relaxed café and bar in a hidden courtyard filled with trees, even if many people do converge on it in the evening. Not easy to guess what it’s about if you don’t actually go in and down the steps, this place is great for chatting with friends for a bite, complete with a garden and chill music. Some ethnic dishes add more intrigue to the setting, and somehow it all works well together.

As a visitor to this city, nothing beats sitting on one of its rooftop bars in full view of the Acropolis, where the best photo opportunities and social media posts are born. Anglais is perfect to enjoy cocktails before or after dinner. While its not famed for its food, the views are stunning and the vibe is very cool!

This trendy place is about “unique sandwiches and coffee”, as they describe themselves, and we also love the slogan on the wall: Caffeine isn’t a drug, it’s a Vitamin. The place is great to sit in, right on a cobblestone street in the heart of Athens, and to savor different offerings, including some really good cakes and sandwiches. Excellent as a breakfast choice and quite close.

Don’t be fooled by the name, this is much more than a coffee bar as it transforms into an easy-going pub in the evening with friendly barpersons and a cool ambiance. Naturally, the coffee itself is first class. It’s barely a block away so it’s always good to know you have a cool hangout near you for any time of the day.

A four-minute walk from your apartment will take you to Zuccherino, a little dessert and ice-cream parlor that has satisfied many a sweet tooth in recent years! Many different flavors and cakes to choose from, great with tea, coffee or any beverage on offer. Sit outside do some people watching as you enjoy a good dessert!

You can’t help but stop and stare in amazement at this fairytale of a place. With various themes around the year (Alice in Wonderland, Christmas Story, Disneyland, costume parties, etc.), kids will love this place and adults will awaken their inner child. An assortment of hearty cakes and desserts are on offer and the place is very popular, so be a bit patient with the service and you’ll end up with a very sweet experience.

For a pastry shop and bakery that opens until midnight every day, this place offers all the baked goods you can think of, including cookies, hearty sandwiches and coffee to go. Specialty breads, croissants, sesame sticks, donuts and syrupy sweets are just a few of the delights. Watch out for more “sinful” goodies during Christmas and Easter season!

In a very central location and with a huge range of products, this is another nearby pharmacy that later remains open later than others, i.e. at least until 8 pm (closed on Sundays). Good to know, the pharmacy also offers rapid tests for covid in case you need one for travelling.

Greece’s iconic higher-end supermarket offers more specialty items and is a feast for the eyes. This particular branch is quite large and housed in an old Downtown Athens building that’s also worth admiring as you shop. Spirits, health food section, quality local cheeses, cold cuts and organic produce on offer too!