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The aliens are taking over the streets of Paris

The aliens are taking over the streets of Paris

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Without you paying attention since the 1990s, we have space invaders clinging to the walls of Paris, France, Europe and the whole world and taking over the territories and houses! Of course, this is the world’s most famous French street artist, French Banksy, and his street name is Space Invader.

He began creating and pasting mosaic creatures from outer space in 1996, when he was an art student, and he mainly wants to tell us that over time, we don’t open our eyes and see what is going on around us without our attention.

Invader began to catch his aliens at a specific spot above the ground, on the side of the Parisian buildings, a hidden place and yet if you look up – find them!

Today, more than 20 years later, Invader is with his works all over the world, he has about 3,000 aliens scattered (and there are also two original ones in Eilat! Madness) and since he is so well known, there are thieves and copyists who chase his works!

To avoid this, Invader has developed a special application called FLASHINVADER with which you can take pictures of the works and see if it is an original Invader (each has a name and number, and of course write the year of infection) and collect as many as possible! Thus, the global peak today is that the highest number is 2,722 which is a crazy record for all opinions!

So what makes Invader so interesting?

He is truly designing and still making change, people start looking for him regularly wherever they are, they look up from the phone, worry about the day, and give a moment to Invader’s art and aliens. For this part, we already have a real automatic search of the walls of the buildings.

Invader continues the work, and works nonstop throughout the world, occasionally creating aliens who have a connection to the political situation (e.g. Trump’s Inventor) or affiliation with where he infects them (e.g. Inbidder pasted a special piece on a building where a terrorist attack in Paris in 2015 condemns The acts).

Another interesting fact is that other street artists are aware of the publicity and influence that Invader has on people who are not at all engaged in the arts, so they usually make works and paste their art next to Invader’s works, to gain further recognition and to attract the eyes of passersby to their works as well (:

So come on, search for Invaider’s works and you might find some really interesting! Successfully !

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Athens- 10 bars and cafés you have to visit in Athens

Athens- 10 bars and cafés you have to visit in Athens

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10 BEST BARS AND CAFE YOU SHOULDN’T MISS IN ATHENS – FROM THE EYES OF A LOCAL

Have you ever visited a city and thought: “I could live here!” or “I love the culture!”? 

In my opinion one of the things that makes a city be worthy to visit is the cafe’ and bars it has- which gives you an opportunity to meet the locals, taste the food and have a good time together.

So either you visit Athens for a few days, or you have decided to spend some more time at the Greek capital, it is always a good idea to get to explore the city by visiting a café or a bar. Explore the different neighborhoods of downtown Athens while drinking coffee, a soft drink or a whisky! and maybe even meet someone who will make you remember the place 🙂

  1. Low Profile Whisky bar at Syntagma

Located a few meters away from the Greek parliament, in a passage, this bar is one of the classic ones! His owner, Stavros, is crazy about whisky and good music, always searching for new ideas. The result of his search: whiskey and good music (mostly jazz and blues), a great list of malt whiskeys but a very good selection among cocktails too. Enjoy your drink while listening to a Tom Waits song in this red-colored whisky bar! 

Location: Voulis 7, 10562, Athens (Syntagma)

Fb page: https://www.facebook.com/LowProfileWhiskyBar/  

2.Au revoir at Kypseli

One of the oldest bars in the city, located at Patision Street, at a neighborhood that has the aroma of old Athens, the one that 50 years ago had this unique allure. The waiters are all well-dressed men, who seem to have jumped out of a movie. Built by the famous architect Proveleggios, this is not a trendy place, but a bar all ages -and especially artists- love to come back to, with a romantic longing. The bar seems like it has come out of a film from the 60’s. Having an early drink here is a must! 

Location: Patision 136, 11257, Athens (Kypseli)

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/AuRevoirBar/

3.56 at Kolonaki

The first time you will try to reach this bar, you will be double checking the street number to make sure you haven’t already passed by it! With an entrance that is half-hidden, you will find yourself entering a jazz bar that has a very Humphrey Bogart –New York 50’s kind of style! The bar has a great list of whisky labels and malts and his owner “Panayiotis” is always ready to propose to you what to try next. The neighborhood is one of the “rich” ones in downtown Athens, but while a lot of restaurants and cafés have a trendy style, 56 succeeds to keep a very classic one, that not only survives but thrives during the decades! 

Location: Ploutarchou 56, 10676, Athens (Kolonaki)

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bar56/317448138298408

4.Couleur Locale at Monastiraki

Located in Psyrri area, where most of the city’s graffiti works are located, this is quite a trendy place with a long cocktail list, that also offers coffee in the morning and snacks during the day. It is most of the times packed with people for a very good reason, besides the service and the beverages: the amazing view. Yes, you guessed right: this bistro is located on a terrace! One with the best views of the Parthenon and all the nearby buildings’ rooftops, the city becomes magical during the night. This is the absolute must during the summer months, but it also stays open during the winter with some glass protection, tents and heaters, that invite you to stay semi-outdoors even on a cold day!

Location: Normanou 3, 105 55, Athens (Monastiraki)

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/couleurlocaleathens/

5.TAF (The Art Foudation) at Monastiraki

Just next to Couleur Locale, another hidden gem at Monastiraki area. When you enter TAF you find yourself at a big yard where an all-day café is operating. TAF is also an art space, hosting performances and art exhibitions throughout the year. It is open from early in the morning until late at night and is always a good idea for a coffee or a drink! 

Location: Normanou 5, 105 55, Athens (Monastiraki)

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/tafTheArtFoundation/

6.Klouvi at Petralona

This bar is located in one of the most vivid neighborhoods of Athens. You can find a lot of restaurants around the corner and other cafés and bars to choose from, but this particular place has a special energy that makes you come back, even though it is quite small. Klouvi in Greek means cage; it always brings to my mind the French play “The cage of madwomen”, and this is by no means accidental: a theatrical aroma comes out of this small bar in Petralona! 

Location: Dimofondos 57, 11851, Athens (Petralona)

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/%CE%9A%CE%BB%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%B2%CE%AF-115379751968063/

7.Lotte at Koukaki

This colorful and beautiful bistro, located in the most hype and trendy neighborhoods of Athens, is open from early morning serving amazing tea, coffee and snacks until late evening serving drinks and cocktails. The whole place has a very unique aesthetics; even the bathroom is beautiful with a vintage decor! The inside is small but it has a lot of tables outside where you can easily sit even during the winter since large heaters are placed in between.

Location: Tsami Karatasou 2, 11742, Athens (Koukaki)

FB page:

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8.TIKI at Makrygianni 

This is the first and original Athenian tiki bar, that offers coffee and delicious options for food by day, amazing cocktails by night! The personnel is friendly and great at what they are doing: cocktails, cocktails, cocktails! You have to try their specials but don’t hesitate to ask the bartender to fix you something with your favorite ingredients, they will be happy to do so! The place hosts live music shows and makes delicious fresh popcorn every night, serving it as a side dish for your drinks! Makrygianni area is located in between Plaka and Koukaki and the bar is 5’ by foot from the Acropolis metro station.

Location: Falirou 15, Makrygianni, 11742, Athens (Makrygianni)

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/TikiBarAthens/

9.Briki at Mavili Square

Briki is where Greeks make the Greek coffee in and this bar is as popular as the square it is located. Mavili square is a paradise for the night owls and the party people, since some of the bars located there stay open until the early hours of dawn. If you visit this bar late at night (2 o’clock in the morning) for a last drink, you may not find a spot to sit, since it’s a standard stop for those who are out on a bar-hopping night! It has a twin sibling at Pagrati, a different area in Athens, not so far away from Mavili square, that is equally beautiful. 

Location: Doryleou 6, 11521, Athens (Mavili Square)

Foursquare: https://foursquare.com/v/%CE%BC%CF%80%CF%81%CE%AF%CE%BA%CE%B9/4bba5676b35776b0bbcdca01

10.Enikos at Exarcheia

Enikos (in Greek; the tenant) is one of the bars in a row, located at Kallidromiou street, one of the most historical streets of Exarcheia area. Kallidromiou has some of the most amazing old buildings in Athens and is located at the upper part of Exarcheia, linking Lycabettus area with the National Archaeological Museum. Every Saturday morning an open market takes place on the street with merchants selling their fresh goods: fruits, vegetables, fish and other amazing stuff. You can have a walk around the neighborhood and come back in the evening to have a drink at Enikos bar. 

Location: Kallidromiou 70, 11473, Athens (Exarcheia)

Foursquare: https://foursquare.com/v/%CE%BF-%CE%AD%CE%BD%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%BF%CF%82/4eb340afc2eef09a06bc2884

 

Hope it gave you a good reason to visit amazing Athens. if you want to join a graffiti tour or a food tour with me, I would be super happy to take you to the places I love the most. Tours take place every day with a local guide. You can order it here If you would like 🙂

 If you want more recommendation on things to see and do in Athens you can visit my other posts in this link. 

Hope you liked my post, if you did you are welcome to share it!

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American artist that did an amazing thing to Paris!

American artist that did an amazing thing to Paris!

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What makes a famous American artist to create a particularly large and patriotic street in the capital of France, Paris? And why do politicians love her so much?

Paris prides on being the only city in the world to have three works by the wonderful artist OBEY or by his real name Shepherd Fairy – within walking distance! The three works are located in the Thirteenth District of Paris, which in recent years has become a colorful gallery of large-scale street art thanks to the head of the quartet Jerome Floor.

This time we will share with you the story of one of the most prominent works in the borough, which is Obi of course, and he prepared it as a gift from him to the city, when he created a very patriotic-French work.

Wait a minute, who is it anyway? Artist Shepherd Fairy began to create street art while he was an art student in 1989, he began distributing stickers with the close-up of “The Giant Andre” boxer and called himself “Obey Giant” following this work. Andre the Giant was an oversized French boxer who also played here and there, and was famous mainly in the 1970s and 1980s. Incidentally, the face of the giant Andre inside a star is his symbol to this day. Obey says that the little sticker has become a real campaign, aimed at getting people to rethink their environment and our relationship with each other. Let’s face it – this was a pre-Internet era and social networking, and such underground messaging (via stickers!) Was the talk of the day.

Over the years Obey has become very famous, today he mainly creates pieces of permission, which are also worth a lot of money, and also has a wine line around the world. Maybe you can recognize his unique style from the 2008 US election, in which Obey designed Barack Obama’s famous poster that reads “HOPE.” The poster, with its color games, became very much in tune with Obama and Obey, and of course he was imitated and inspired. Today, Obey’s creations are mainly distributed to the social network on Instagram, and his work receives an aura of followers and fans just waiting for it.

Obey’s spoken piece in Paris, made so much noise that Jerome Coumet, himself the head of the borough, came to knock on Selfie with the artist, the excitement was great both because of the content of the piece and why it was made!

If you look at the piece you can identify three particularly French elements, attributed to the French society and nation for centuries – the first is of course the French flag colors, red white and blue, which are spread at the back of the piece. The other, perhaps a little less obvious, is the three words written in black above the flag – this is the French motto known as “Liberty Shivin Fraternity”. The third and lesser known element is the female character at the center of the work, this is the mythical character Marian.Marian is the symbol of France, or rather France embodied in human form, this woman appears on different faces throughout history, but always represents the power of the French Republic and actually reinforces the other two symbols – the tricolor and the French motto. Marianne is represented differently in each performance, sometimes she is black-haired, sometimes blonde – it doesn’t matter, because she is every woman. If you ask us, there is a lot of beauty in the fact that the emblem of the country is a female figure, and this has been the case for years, even from the days of the painter AjJain Delacroix.

So what made Obey make such a patriotic creation for a country that is not his nation at all? Great question that many still asked, some of the speculation was that Obey received a very fine sum for this piece from the Paris municipality, other rumors said he just very much liked the culture of France, but the real reason is a traumatic event that happened in France in 2015.

November 2015 attacks in Paris, which occurred at several points in the city, including the Batclan Club, two cafes, the Stadium de France, were a turning point in the French reference to the global situation. Not only did these attacks take a heavy toll on casualties, the shock and fear that engulfed the city and state were precedent. Paris was heavily influenced by these events and changed her forever. Obey felt empathy and pain in light of what had happened and decided to prepare a work as a gift to Paris, in order to encourage the spirits and raise a global awareness of what had happened. Indeed, as soon as such a well-known artist makes such an impressive work, the whole world knows about it.

An interesting fact about the work, which is proudly based on a tall building (and the best vantage point is from the metro), is that not only Jerome Kuma, head of the borough, loves her very much, but also French President Ammonel Macron, was excited about the gesture and of course loved her so much So it’s up to him in the presidential office!

Hope we were able to encourage you a bit more on a vacation in the most beautiful city in the world, and even explore its urban and new sides and not just the classics (whose dignity is in place!). If you liked this article, please share it and write us your thoughts! Want to read more? Enter the page of the 13th Paris Gallery here and continue to browse our blog, which is full of graffiti and street art content in Israel and around the world.

If you are coming to Paris you are invited to join our street art tour, which has many more interesting stories behind the works and artists, for more details click here.

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The top SECRET BARS of Paris

The top SECRET BARS of Paris

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Have you ever dreamed of a cocktail bar hidden in a very normative laundromat? Or behind a pizzeria that isn’t suspicious-looking? Paris has some secret and special bars ..

Today’s Paris is still the most beautiful city in the world, the city of lights, a city of historical monuments and a rich culture, which is widely written in literature and the Internet, but have you ever heard of its diverse nightlife culture? True, wine is an integral part of Parisians and their lifestyle, but today we invite you to the hidden bars of Paris, which is a niche that stands by itself and drives everyone crazy (:

The Moonshiner Bar

Imagine you stop at a regular-looking pizzeria in Paris’s 11th district, buy and eat something, and only later when you told friends did they tell you – went crazy ?! Behind this pizzeria is one of the most sought after bars in town! So the entrance to it is right through the pizzeria, called DeVito, and there you will find a tiny bar specializing in specialty cocktails, both original and classic and especially whiskey! The bar is designed in a vintage style to add to the atmosphere, with a melody turntable and dark lighting that will take you back to the twentieth century. Look, look at a picture and tell us it doesn’t seem like the most ordinary place you have? 😉

where? Rue Sedaine, 75011 Paris, France 5

The bar behind the laundry – LAVOMATIC

Paris is packed with loads of neighborhood laundries, you can find at least one on every street, and people who rent it use it, young as adults, well-established and less established! Why is this the case? The famous Parisian buildings are so old that in some of them, especially in their small apartments, there is no room for a washing machine or a drying machine! Then there are those who have taken advantage of this regular phenomenon of neighborhood laundry, turning one ordinary-looking secret door into a bar behind the laundry! It’s crazy!

The Lavomatic is a bar that hides behind a secret door in the neighborhood of La Quarter Ten, and it’s a particularly cool, light-colored and colorful cocktail bar, a bit like a teenager’s room and a bit of a minimalist. His name is also obviously derived from the unique location, in French LAVOIR means laundry ..

Where? 30 Rue René Boulanger, 75010 Paris

When? Tues&wed 18:00-1:00, Thurs-Saturday 18:00-2:00

AMAZONAS BAR

Plants everywhere .. From the ceiling from the walls and wild nature that will take you into the forest – the next bar we will tell you about is less hidden than those before it, but it is so special that there is no situation we will leave it to ourselves! This amazonian bar, which is all glowing green and even deceiving after a while. So, as you have already imagined, this is also a very chic cocktail bar these days, and yes, everything is green in a complete section (the place is small and holds up to 40 guests and in its cocktail center stands the favorite rum of the young Parisians. Especially when the cocktails are priced at 5.5 euros from 18.00 to 21.00 (at least 8 euros

where? 43 Rue de Lappe, 75011 Paris

When? Tuesday 12am to 2pm, Wednesday to Saturday 6pm to 2pm.

Little Red Door Bar

The next bar, the little red door bar, hides behind a door just like that in Paris’s third quarter. This door looks like it is hiding something .. What a whole world or if reference to the lion, the witch and the wardrobe, but the real entrance to it is not from this door (that’s exactly the trick!), But from the door that is next to it on the left-blue! He, too, is one of the best cocktails in Paris, so be prepared for it in advance! The bar is busy all day of the week and always recommend that you arrive early, just before opening to sign up and be in line to enjoy it. The cocktail menu is dynamic and changes once a year, leaving it at the top of the list of Parisian bars in terms of quality and flavors.

where? 60 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France

When? Sunday-Tuesday 6pm to 2pm, Friday-Saturday 6pm to 3pm

ICE CUBE BAR

The Parisian Ice Bar is an extraordinary experience! It is a concept bar of the post-apocalyptic era, and supposedly located in a secret base of World War II … Look at the French flag that froze while flying, and other periodic but frozen items. This bar operates under a freezing cold of minus 20 degrees Celsius, and you should dress accordingly if you intend to jump on it; The special place .. The bar is part of a hotel called KUBE and has special rooms and suites (but not frozen!)

where?

1-5 Passage Ruelle, 75018 Paris

Hope we were able to encourage you a little to explore the unique nightlife of this unique city of Paris, and taste some interesting cocktails at the locations you might not have discovered without us (:

You are more than welcome to write us your thoughts on the recommendations and share the article if you liked! And of course we’d love to join us on the City of Lights tour, right here.

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6 best things you can do on Sunday in Athens

6 best things you can do on Sunday in Athens

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Don’t have plans for Sunday in Athens yet?

Are you worried that because its Sunday everything is closed? 

Don’t you worrie 🙂 I am here to give you the best  6 places and things you should see and do in Athens on a Sunday – that makes a city be worthy to visit.

Either you visit Athens for a few days, or you have decided to spend some more time at the Greek capital, it is always a good idea to get to explore the city on a Sunday. Explore the different neighborhoods of downtown Athens while meeting locals who are out in the streets since they are enjoying their day off!

1- Visit the National Garden

Feel like having a good walk?

go on a romantic date or read a book?

The National Garden are perfect for that! its Located in the heart of Athens, just a few meters away from the Greek parliament and Syntagma square, it is an oasis of green and quiet in the busy capital. You can wander around the amazing trees and herbs (7,000 trees and 40,000 shrubs), feed the ducks, practice yoga or have a small picnic before the sunset. The Garden opens with the sunrise and close with the sunset, so be careful not to get locked in! There are 6 entrances to the Garden and the admission is free. They can get busy during the weekend but still… they are quite big to fit everyone! 

Fun fact: A lot of Athenians use it to cut their commute short in downtown Athens!

2- If you came all the way to Athens- visit  the Acropolis museum

Are you passionate about History?

Do you want to appreciate Athens even more?

The Acropolis museum is perfect for you than. It’s true that You can choose between many, such as the National Archaeological Museum or The Museum of Illusions, but you shouldn’t leave Athens without visiting the Acropolis museum! Get a ticket online to avoid the queues and get lost in the long corridors and amazing artworks that show ancient Athens. An extra plus: if the weather is good, you can have a coffee or a glass of wine outside on the terrace, where the view is amazing and the atmosphere of old Athens quite vivid. because it much more than a Museum!

Fun fact: the café is a bit pricey but definitely worth visiting on a sunny day!

Buy tickets online: https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/etickets/ticketing.php?la=2

Opening hours: Saturday – Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (last admission: 7:30 p.m.)

3- Admire the view from Anafiotika Neighborhood and get that island feel

Love sightseeing? Want to feel like you are on a movie? 

This is one of the most breathtaking views of the city from Anafiotika Neighborhood , while feeling like you are on a Cycladic island! Wander around the neighborhood and get lost around the neighborhood that was built in the 19th century from residents of Anafi Island. You can definitely finish your walk by having a coffee or a traditional sweet spoon at Yasemi café or Melina café. 

Fun fact: Visitors and some Athenians sometimes get lost and don’t really know how to find Anafiotika… One way of certainly getting there is stay in the Plaka area and keep climbing up towards the rock from the famous and long stairs!

4- Shopping!! Monastiraki Flea market stroll

Love to shop? want to feel like a tourist? 

The Monastiraki flea market has everything! Hidden treasures and vintage colors are flooding Avissinias square. The flea market gets even more traffic on Sundays with locals and visitors blending in this amazing treasure hunting!

Fun fact: It is worth stopping at Avissinias cafe, to have a drink, a meze or a coffee, next to antique furniture that are on sale!

5- Visit the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)

SNFCC is Renzo Piano’s masterpiece in Athens! Located just a few minutes away from the busy center, it hosts the Greek National Opera and the National Library of Greece, with an amazing park, where you can stroll around and discover some exquisite sea views that will blow your mind! Why visit? You can either join a free tour in the buildings or at the Park, watch a show at the opera or even walk to the Lighthouse and surrender to that beautiful sea view. A totally “green” building, amazing in many ways, both architecture and environmental wise.

Fun fact: In the summer, an open air festival takes place in its premises with many different events taking place at the same time on different locations!  

https://www.snfcc.org/en

6- Take a stroll at the pedestrian road around Acropolis

This is one of the most amazing walks of your life! Under the Acropolis rock and with no cars, walk on the pedestrian street that connects Athenians to the city the most. Start from the Acropolis metro station -just outside the Museum of Acropolis- and follow the pedestrian street that circles the rock and leads to Thisseio. Thisseio is an amazing neighborhood, full of old houses, just one stop from Monastiraki, on the other side of the hill. On summer evenings, you will find couples holding hands, street musicians playing a song and people taking their dog for a walk unite! 

Fun fact: Herodion, one of the most famous ancient open theaters is located on this street! 

Hope it gave you a good reason to visit amazing Athens. Because everything is slow down on Sunday I think you have an opportunity to meet the locals, enjoy the city in a different vibe and have a good time. if you want to join a graffiti tour or a food tour with me, I would be super happy to take you to the places I love the most. Tours take place every day with a local guide. You can order it here If you would like 🙂

If you want more recommendations on things to see and do in Athens you can visit my other posts in this link. 

Hope you liked my post, if you did you are welcome to share it!

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. You are always welcome to Subscribe to our blog and newsletter here.

Katerina

Related Posts I have wrote for you:

20 cool fact about Athens

  • 5 most frequent questions n I get asked on a tour about Athens
  • 10 cool things about Greek people
  • Recommendation- 10 best bars and coffee’s
  • Recommendation- 10 best places to shop
  • The 10 foods you have to try before you are leaving Athens
  • Koukaki- why it became super Trendy (5 shops worth visiting)
  • 10 things you should know before coming to Athens
  • 10 pieces of Graffiti you should know
  • Recipes for Greek food
  • Fish and meat- 5 Athens and 5 elsewhere
  • How would you know you choose a good restaurant
  • List of holidays/ important day in Athens and something interesting about it facts you should know
  • What to do on a Sunday in Athens
  • Recommendations for restaurants & bars – A list of things we can either offer it write about: 
  • Write a research neighborhood Koukaki
  • sweet things you should not miss in Athens 
  • 5 different places meat and fish + 5 in another Greek city 
  • 10 pieces of Graffiti you shouldn’t miss
  • 10 things you should know before coming to Athens
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10 Thongs you should know before visiting ATHENS – FROM THE EYES OF A LOCAL!

10 Thongs you should know before visiting ATHENS – FROM THE EYES OF A LOCAL!

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Have you ever visited a city and thought: “I could live here!” or “I love the culture!”? In my opinion one of the things that makes a city worth visiting is going prepared! So either you visit Athens for a few days, or you have decided to spend some more time at the Greek capital, it is always a good idea to know better some things before you do, that will make your visit amazing!

 

People in the streets drive like… crazy!

Perhaps you have been in other cities where people drive without respecting the rules, but you wouldn’t expect that to happen in a European city, such as Athens. The truth is that Greece is between East and West and even though it belongs to united Europe, things can get a little crazy in the road: cars parked illegally, drivers who don’t respect pedestrians, pedestrians who are not road literate and a guy can block one whole road because he didn’t find where to park so he just left the car to get buy some cigarettes and get back! The Athenian jungle can get quite upsetting but is also a characteristic that makes the city alive and vivid! Sometimes, a little too much!

Taxi… in a heart BEAT!

Do you want to roam the city center with a taxi? Do you want to go from one neighborhood to the other without walking? Do you want a cab to come and get you exactly from your address and take you to another with the best conditions possible? Then BEAT is your application! Download it from Play Store or App Store and order a taxi whenever, wherever with no extra charge. You can choose whether to pay with cash or a credit card (you should have already given to the app prior to your moving) and also see the plates, name, rating and services (pet friendly, air conditioner, baby seat etc) provided by the car that is automatically chosen according to proximity. Women choose it for safety and generally it is a great choice for quick transportation!

Greeks and Athenians can be loud… this is normal!

Greeks are a little bit like Italians or Israelis…They speak with their hands and most of the times in a high tone! They are not arguing, they are just very passionate! Well, Greeks are known for their hospitality and they can be quite scary for people coming from Scandinavia or central Europe where body is socially confined. We can get loud, but that’s liberating! Start exploring the limits of your body language in Athens!

Avoid restaurants that have food on their vitrines!

Since Athens is a sunlit capital, food that gets exposed to the sun can be dangerous to consume. So, avoid places that have their food on vitrines exposed to the sun. I would personally suggest to also avoid places that have their plates on a picture or use a guy or a lady to lure in customers. Perhaps their food is not that bad, but their aesthetics is… well… off! You can learn more about Greek culinary traditions by joining one of our food tastings tours!

Airport transportation can be easy! 

Many hotels offer airport transportation from and to the airport. For the ones who don’t, three are the available options: a taxi, a bus or the metro. A taxi would cost you approximately 35-40 euros during daytime and around 50 (taxis have a double tariff from 00:00 until 05:00) and you would need from 25 minutes to an hour depending on traffic, the metro costs 8 euros and gets you to Syntagma in exactly 40 minutes. The bus operates also during the night, it costs 5 euros and gets you to the center in about an hour depending again on traffic.

Choose to visit off season!

Better prices, less tourists, better weather and less queues in museums is what you’ll get if you visit Athens from October to November and from January to April. The summer things get quite busy and you could also choose to walk around the city on August, when things are pretty empty in the capital –everyone sails away to the islands- but you have to handle the heat! Temperatures in Athens during the summer and especially in August can get as high as 38 Celsius degrees!

Bring your sunscreen along!

Temperature in Athens may vary but most of the days are sunny here! So, a walk in the city or a picnic can get your white face red in zero time! Pack your sunscreen before your journey to Athens or get one in the duty free section at the Airport. Sun is boosting our mood, makes our walks even better and helps our bodies produce necessary vitamins for our psychological stability. The sun can get a bit too friendly and in the long run damaging for the skin, so be prepared and wear your sunscreen and sunglasses!

Schedule to spend an afternoon at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center!

SNFCC is Renzo Piano’s masterpiece in Athens! Located just a few minutes away from the busy center, it hosts the Greek National Opera and the National Library of Greece, with an amazing park, where you can stroll around and discover some exquisite sea views that will blow your mind! Why visit? You can either join a free tour in the buildings or at the Park, watch a show at the opera or even walk to the Lighthouse and surrender to that beautiful sea view. A totally “green” building, amazing in many ways, both architecture and environmental wise. Fun fact: In the summer, an open air festival takes place in its premises with many different events taking place at the same time on different locations!

Be prepared to taste some different drinks!

Athens is full with amazing bars and restaurants where tasting our amazing drinks is a must! So, be prepared to drink ouzo (scented with anise), raki & tsipouro (a 40% alcohol produced by grapes that is quite similar to grappa), house wine (red and white) produced in Greece, masticha liquer (a liqueur scented with masticha), rakomelo (a mix of raki together with honey and spices brewed), Greek beers and other amazing drinks you can pair your mezedes (small dishes like tapas) with! Mix and match is never good with spirits, so choose wisely everyday!

Yes, the Acropolis is worth it!

Visit the amazing temple of goddess Athena, at the top of the city; it’s really worth it! Schedule one of your mornings to climb that special rock and visit one of the oldest and best sights in the world! You will discover that the air is different there and the energy quite special. Avoid weekends as it gets super crowded, especially on Sundays. Put your raining shoes on, as stairs can get slippery. Taxis can get you until a certain point if you don’t want to climb all the way up, but then you should walk to reach the peak.

I hope that I gave you a good reason to visit amazing Athens and prepared you about some important things. Last but not least, book a tour with a local! If you want to join a graffiti tour or a food tour with me, I would be super happy to take you to the places I love the most. Tours take place every day with a local guide. You can order it here if you would like 🙂 If you want more recommendations on things to see and do in Athens you can visit my other posts in this link. Hope you liked my post, if you did you are welcome to share it!

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. You are always welcome to Subscribe to our blog and newsletter here.

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The 10 foods you have to in Athens – From the eyes of a local!

The 10 foods you have to in Athens – From the eyes of a local!

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Have you ever visited a city and thought: “I could live here!” or “I love the culture!” because of the food? In my opinion one of the things that makes a city worth visiting and special is the food! So either you visit Athens for a few days, or you have decided to spend some more time at the Greek capital, it is always a good idea to know which tastes you shouldn’t miss so that your visit will be deliciously amazing!

 

Dolmades and dolmadakia

This is one of my favourite dishes and many variations depending on the region: stuffed wine leaves with long grain rice, sometimes minced meat and herbs, this appetizer can be always found on a tavern’s menu. Try it with yogurt or the amazing variation with cabbage leaves (lachanodolmades) and a tasty sauce with eggs and lemon (avgolemono). Yam!

Moussakas

Moussakas is one of the most -if not the most- famous dishes in Greece and it happens for a very good reason: it’s delicious and it gets you full even without any other dish on the side! Sweet eggplants, red sauce with minced meat (lamb or beef, sometimes both), slices of potatoes and a spicy bechamel sauce, this is a -baked in the oven- heaven! The new generation boils the vegetables and doesn’t fry them so that the dish becomes lighter, but either way the taste is from another planet!

Saganaki

Cheese and flour work together in this appetizer, which is one of the most famous on a menu! Yellow cheese is covered by flour and then gets fried on a pan. The flour could be seasoned with some extra spices, so that the saganaki can become spicier! This is a must on a Greek restaurant.

Greek salad…

…and you are naturally following the amazing Mediterranean diet! Slices of tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, red onions, together with some olives and feta cheese on the top, sprinkled with olive oil and grinded oregano are mixed up in a bowl, proving that Greek food can also be very balanced! Dipping a piece of bread in olive oil is a tradition and has a special word, it’s called papara. Friends eating together usually ask before making papara. Since this word resembles a dirty one, it’s a common joke amongst friends.

Tzatziki

This delicacy is in fact yogurt based with cucumber extra thin slices and fresh garlic. You can eat it with bread or french fries. Be careful, since garlic can lower blood pressure and may not be a good idea to consume it in large quantities!

Fresh fish

In Greece you have so many opportunities to enjoy fresh fish and you shouldn’t leave before doing so! Either it’s tsipoura, barbouni, kolios or amazing sargos, fresh fish either in the over, on the grill or rarely in the pan is a must! Popular chefs propose to bake and eat the fish only with olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon, while others get creative and add some other amazing herbs such as oregano or thyme. Don’t forget to try the octopus, and the shrimps!

Gyros and souvlaki

Gyros is the meat that gets roasted while vertically turning on a spit and is usually either pork or chicken meat. Slices of meat on a pita matched with slices of tomato, tzatziki and a bunch of french fries is what Greeks call souvlaki. The meat can be either gyros or any meat in chunks that gets cooked on a stick. Variations are available with sauces lighter than tzatziki or french fries off. The most difficult task now is to discover the best in the city!

Zucchini balls

This recipe goes back to the times when Greeks didn’t have enough food on the table because of the war and has become a gourmet dish you can find in any tavern or restaurant! These are balls with flour, zucchini, feta cheese and herbs -usually mint- that get deep fried in the pan. They are supposed to be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside but each cook does his own variation. An appetizer not to be missed!

Loukoumades

Loukoumades is a very popular, traditional sweet based on flour, honey and cinnamon. Just a few ingredients mixed in a little ball that gets deep fried to become golden and delicious! The traditional way to have them is with honey and cinnamon, but the younger  generation also loves it with chocolate, strawberries or ice cream! Loukoumas comes from the turkish word lokma, which means bite and it refers to their small size, since they can be eaten in one bite! 

Bougatsa 

This is one of the most traditional sweets in Greece, Bougatsa and is made out of Filo (layers of crust) with a pastry vanilla cream filling and a topping of sugar and cinnamon. It is a sweet that comes from Thessaloniki, one of the biggest cities of northern Greece. In Athens, you can have it in specialized  places or make it at home if you are experienced. Frozen filo is available in the supermarkets, but nothing compares to an amazing fresh, home-made filo you can “open” yourself!  

I hope that I gave you a good reason to visit amazing Athens and what to taste once you set your foot in the capital.If you want to join a food tour or a graffiti tour with me, I would be super happy to take you to the places I love the most. Tours take place every day with a local guide. You can order it here if you would like 🙂 If you want more recommendations on things to see and do in Athens you can visit my other posts in this link. Hope you liked my post, if you did you are welcome to share it!

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. You are always welcome to Subscribe to our blog and newsletter here.