Athens guidebook

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Athens guidebook

Local amenities

Self service laundry with coin-operated washing machines and dryers Open 365 days, 7:00-23:30
22 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
easywash Self Service Laundry
27 Eftichidou
22 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Self service laundry with coin-operated washing machines and dryers Open 365 days, 7:00-23:30
Post Office Open Mon-Fri 7:30-14:45
ΕΛΤΑ - ΠΑΓΚΡΑΤΙΟΥ
12 Vriaxidos
Post Office Open Mon-Fri 7:30-14:45
Pharmacy: there is a pharmacy on almost every street in Athens (the closest one to the apartment is on Archelaou Street). Efstathiou is a slightly longer walk, but in addition to conventional medicines they have a nice range in organic toiletries and alternative remedies.
Φαρμακείο Ευσταθίου
32 Stravonos
Pharmacy: there is a pharmacy on almost every street in Athens (the closest one to the apartment is on Archelaou Street). Efstathiou is a slightly longer walk, but in addition to conventional medicines they have a nice range in organic toiletries and alternative remedies.
The nearest supermarket, with cheese, meat and fish service counters, as well as some hot prepared food items (such as rotisserie chicken). Good selection and variety of foods, specialty items, biscuits, chocolate and snacks, as well as household items and wine, spirits and beer. open Mon - Sat until 9pm.
45 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
ΑΒ Βασιλόπουλος
32 Gonata Stilianou
45 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The nearest supermarket, with cheese, meat and fish service counters, as well as some hot prepared food items (such as rotisserie chicken). Good selection and variety of foods, specialty items, biscuits, chocolate and snacks, as well as household items and wine, spirits and beer. open Mon - Sat until 9pm.
Handy convenience store open 7 days a week 8:00-23:00.
70 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
OK Anytime Markets
8 Aminta
70 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Handy convenience store open 7 days a week 8:00-23:00.
Budget supermarket, about 15 minutes' walk from the apartment. Located on the lower ground floor of a shopping mall, and not immediately obvious from the street level entrance. Good quality snacks, staples, dairy and bread at reasonable prices. Open Mon - Sat until 9pm.
71 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
LIDL
300 Leof. Agiou Dimitriou
71 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Budget supermarket, about 15 minutes' walk from the apartment. Located on the lower ground floor of a shopping mall, and not immediately obvious from the street level entrance. Good quality snacks, staples, dairy and bread at reasonable prices. Open Mon - Sat until 9pm.
Very useful corner shop, stocks a range of organic, gluten-free and quirky traditional products in addition to essentials. Stays open late.
Το απαραίτητο
16 Archelaou
Very useful corner shop, stocks a range of organic, gluten-free and quirky traditional products in addition to essentials. Stays open late.
Nice selection of wines, beers and spirits, as well as spices, cooking ingredients and snacks.
MOSCHOS & CINNAMON
6 Eftichidou
Nice selection of wines, beers and spirits, as well as spices, cooking ingredients and snacks.
Not to be missed! Friday market on Archimidous Street in the winter and Pirrou Street in the summer has the best and cheapest fruit and vegetables and a lot of local colour. From early morning until 15:00.
Λαϊκή αγορά Παρασκευής Παγκράτι
23 Archimidous
Not to be missed! Friday market on Archimidous Street in the winter and Pirrou Street in the summer has the best and cheapest fruit and vegetables and a lot of local colour. From early morning until 15:00.
Local Filipino-run grocery store with a good basic selection of Asian ingredients.
Athens Sarisari store Ethnic
3 Spirou Merkouri
Local Filipino-run grocery store with a good basic selection of Asian ingredients.
Sourdough specialists with great bread selection and desserts. A bit pricier than most local bakeries but well worth it if you're after a bit of a treat.
Monokeros Bakery
Sourdough specialists with great bread selection and desserts. A bit pricier than most local bakeries but well worth it if you're after a bit of a treat.
This nearest bakery is part of a chain, but staff are very friendly and their bread is always fresh and comes in many varieties. They also serve sandwiches, savoury pies, and sweets. Open 7 days until 22:00.
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Ok Bread
1 Chironos
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
This nearest bakery is part of a chain, but staff are very friendly and their bread is always fresh and comes in many varieties. They also serve sandwiches, savoury pies, and sweets. Open 7 days until 22:00.
Local independent bakery, bakes a variety of breads including quirky varieties like carob and turmeric. Pnyka supplies several upscale hotels in the area, so it comes highly recommended!
18 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Pnyka
24 Petraki
18 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Local independent bakery, bakes a variety of breads including quirky varieties like carob and turmeric. Pnyka supplies several upscale hotels in the area, so it comes highly recommended!
A tiny, old pastry shop and one of the best places to try the Greek sweet bread 'tsoureki'. Queues form around the block at Easter, b ut the rest of he year, there's no wait.
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Ζαχαροπλαστείο Lido
35 Chremonidou
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
A tiny, old pastry shop and one of the best places to try the Greek sweet bread 'tsoureki'. Queues form around the block at Easter, b ut the rest of he year, there's no wait.
Famous downtown branch of a nuts, dried fruit and sweets shop, all made on premises and of the highest quality. Freshly roasted peanuts from here are to die for.
Matsoukas Ξηροί Καρποί
10 Nikis
Famous downtown branch of a nuts, dried fruit and sweets shop, all made on premises and of the highest quality. Freshly roasted peanuts from here are to die for.
Lovely independent bookshop with large foreign language selection and periodicals. Hosts frequent book launch, lecture and music events.
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
TEXTO LEXIKOPOLEIO
13 Stasinou
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Lovely independent bookshop with large foreign language selection and periodicals. Hosts frequent book launch, lecture and music events.
If you are planning to explore Greece beyond Athens, start at this helpful specialist bookshops for maps and guidebooks. The store also has a smartphone app with digital versions of their maps.
Anavasi Maps - Travel Bookstore
32 Voulis
If you are planning to explore Greece beyond Athens, start at this helpful specialist bookshops for maps and guidebooks. The store also has a smartphone app with digital versions of their maps.
Beautiful, serious independent bookstore with frequent author readings and discussion panels.
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Pleiádes
62 Spirou Merkouri
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Beautiful, serious independent bookstore with frequent author readings and discussion panels.
Terrific independent bookshop featuring numerous foreign language titles on a wide range of subjects including politics, history, art and photography. regularly hosts readings and panel discussions.
Free Thinking Zone
64 Skoufa
Terrific independent bookshop featuring numerous foreign language titles on a wide range of subjects including politics, history, art and photography. regularly hosts readings and panel discussions.
Charming new bookshop specialising in children's titles, with frequent readings and events.
Ο γάτος Μαουρίτσιο
6-8 Efroniou
Charming new bookshop specialising in children's titles, with frequent readings and events.
Stationery shop, also does printing and photocopying. Very helpful and professional.
Φ. Ασλάνης - Π. Σαλονικίδης Ο.Ε.
64 Spirou Merkouri
Stationery shop, also does printing and photocopying. Very helpful and professional.
Outdoor cinema, one of the best in Athens, by the National Gardens. A great place to spend a summer evening.
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Egli Film (summer)
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Outdoor cinema, one of the best in Athens, by the National Gardens. A great place to spend a summer evening.
Cine Oasis is one of the last remaining open-air cinemas in the neighbourhood. It is run by lovely people and specialises in classic cinema rather than new release blockbusters. They offer mosquito repellent spray at the ticket both which you will be wise to use if you don't have your own.
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
KOTIRA ADAMANTIA TOU PANAGIOTI
7 Pratinou
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Cine Oasis is one of the last remaining open-air cinemas in the neighbourhood. It is run by lovely people and specialises in classic cinema rather than new release blockbusters. They offer mosquito repellent spray at the ticket both which you will be wise to use if you don't have your own.
Brazilian beauty salon, comes recommended by a native Brazilian.
Beleza Brasileira Nails & More by Jo Souza
5A Ippomedontos
Brazilian beauty salon, comes recommended by a native Brazilian.

Food Scene

Great home-style Greek cooking at very reasonable prices, served with a smile. Eat-in or take-away, the menu changes daily and is updated on their Facebook page. Lunch-time only.
13 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Athēnas
13 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Great home-style Greek cooking at very reasonable prices, served with a smile. Eat-in or take-away, the menu changes daily and is updated on their Facebook page. Lunch-time only.
"Elvis" serves the best souvlaki in town. Top quality, well-seasoned meat on a skewer, grilled over charcoal, served with fries. No frills, all substance. You can eat at the counter or take away. Pangrati outpost of Kerameikos original. Simply the best souvlaki καλαμακια we've had anywhere in Athens. On a warm evening Elvis is a great place to grab a stool outside with a cold beer and a platter of perfectly grilled meat (the loukaniko sausage with leeks is terrific too).
95 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Elvis
29 Plateon
95 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
"Elvis" serves the best souvlaki in town. Top quality, well-seasoned meat on a skewer, grilled over charcoal, served with fries. No frills, all substance. You can eat at the counter or take away. Pangrati outpost of Kerameikos original. Simply the best souvlaki καλαμακια we've had anywhere in Athens. On a warm evening Elvis is a great place to grab a stool outside with a cold beer and a platter of perfectly grilled meat (the loukaniko sausage with leeks is terrific too).
"Vyrinis" is one of the oldest family-owned tavernas in the neighbourhood, and a favourite of our family. It is open year-round, with a cosy dining room with wine barrels for winter, and a cool courtyard for dining al fresco in the summer. Very friendly service, classic Greek cooking plus some lighter dishes.
46 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
ΤΑΒΕΡΝΑ ΒΥΡΙΝΗΣ
11 Archimidous
46 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
"Vyrinis" is one of the oldest family-owned tavernas in the neighbourhood, and a favourite of our family. It is open year-round, with a cosy dining room with wine barrels for winter, and a cool courtyard for dining al fresco in the summer. Very friendly service, classic Greek cooking plus some lighter dishes.
The Black Cat is a great one for meat-lovers, but the non-meat options are great too. A traditional Greek taverna, always busy. They are famous for their lamb chops (served by the kilo) and their pies, which change daily. The Black Cat salad is also recommended.
16 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
George (former Black Cat)
4 Polemonos
16 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Black Cat is a great one for meat-lovers, but the non-meat options are great too. A traditional Greek taverna, always busy. They are famous for their lamb chops (served by the kilo) and their pies, which change daily. The Black Cat salad is also recommended.
Lovely fresh falafel and other vegetarian/vegan options. Their fries are great too!
49 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Baba Ghanoush Vegetarian Restaurant
25 - 27 Empedokleous
49 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Lovely fresh falafel and other vegetarian/vegan options. Their fries are great too!
Nearby souvlaki restaurant open late serving a fine, simple, high quality kalamaki-pitta (grilled meat skewer on pitta with salad, potatoes and sauce). Great for a quick bite post-bar-hopping.
13 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Piggy - Πόπουλο
16 Archelaou
13 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Nearby souvlaki restaurant open late serving a fine, simple, high quality kalamaki-pitta (grilled meat skewer on pitta with salad, potatoes and sauce). Great for a quick bite post-bar-hopping.
Homemade traditional Greek fare to eat in or takeaway by a lovely couple.
Η ΠΙΠΕΡΙΑ
12 Formionos
Homemade traditional Greek fare to eat in or takeaway by a lovely couple.
Excellent souvlaki and gyros to takeaway, with limited pavement seating.
8 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
To Pikantiko
23 Eftichidou
8 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Excellent souvlaki and gyros to takeaway, with limited pavement seating.
Italian joint. Wood-fired pizza, pasta, ice cream and pastries. An old neighborhood staple, recommended for casual dining and families.
35 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Ciao Italia S.A.
4 Spirou Merkouri
35 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Italian joint. Wood-fired pizza, pasta, ice cream and pastries. An old neighborhood staple, recommended for casual dining and families.
Quirky pizza restaurant with plenty of other options including vegan and gluten-free. Friendky and full of character, housed in a beautiful old townhouse with a lovely roof garden.
13 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Mystic
76 Ferekidou
13 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Quirky pizza restaurant with plenty of other options including vegan and gluten-free. Friendky and full of character, housed in a beautiful old townhouse with a lovely roof garden.
Lovely little wine bar on Messologgiou Square. Great selection of wines from Greece and abroad and delicious light sharing plates.
Materia Prima, Pagrati. wine-deli-bistro
3 Pl. Mesologgiou
Lovely little wine bar on Messologgiou Square. Great selection of wines from Greece and abroad and delicious light sharing plates.
New Greek cooking with a light touch. Friendly service, nice setting, special but not too formal.
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Simul
63 Ipsilantou
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
New Greek cooking with a light touch. Friendly service, nice setting, special but not too formal.
Greek home-cooked food by day, bistro by night. Truly excellent in both its incarnations, a firm favourite of ours.
το χατίρι
28 Rizari
Greek home-cooked food by day, bistro by night. Truly excellent in both its incarnations, a firm favourite of ours.
Unreconstructed no-nonsense Greek grill, serving fish, meat, salads at reasonable prices. Very pleasant shaded outdoor seating area set back from the road opposite the Goulandris gallery. Much more pleasant (and convenient) than anywhere in the Plaka.
O Stavros
Unreconstructed no-nonsense Greek grill, serving fish, meat, salads at reasonable prices. Very pleasant shaded outdoor seating area set back from the road opposite the Goulandris gallery. Much more pleasant (and convenient) than anywhere in the Plaka.

Bars & Cafés

Long-standing cafe popular with locals serving coffee, light meals, and drinks until late, in a mellow jazz-inflected atmosphere.
Cafe Αερόστατο
4 Ptolemeon
Long-standing cafe popular with locals serving coffee, light meals, and drinks until late, in a mellow jazz-inflected atmosphere.
A mainstay of the Pangrati scene with ample outdoor seating and a relaxed atmosphere.
22 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Trigono
23 Aminta
22 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
A mainstay of the Pangrati scene with ample outdoor seating and a relaxed atmosphere.
Hidden away inside one of downtown Athens' old arcades, this gem of a cocktail bar is a throwback to the '70s. Not to be confused with the bar of the same name atop the Athens Hilton.
28 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Galaxy Bar
10 Stadiou
28 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Hidden away inside one of downtown Athens' old arcades, this gem of a cocktail bar is a throwback to the '70s. Not to be confused with the bar of the same name atop the Athens Hilton.
Funky cooperative-run cafe serving mezze on Plateia Messolonghiou.
Youkali Συνεργατικό Καφενείο
3 Pl. Mesologgiou
Funky cooperative-run cafe serving mezze on Plateia Messolonghiou.
"Sporaki": The mildly-Irish-themed pub decor may give the wrong impression of this local bar, which is friendly and low-key, with an 80s vinyl soundtrack. Unpretentious bar situated smack bang in the middle of the hip Archelaou scene.
9 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
SPORAKI-ΣΠΟΡΑΚΙ (seed) Rock Irish Pub Athens Pagrati
11 Archelaou
9 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
"Sporaki": The mildly-Irish-themed pub decor may give the wrong impression of this local bar, which is friendly and low-key, with an 80s vinyl soundtrack. Unpretentious bar situated smack bang in the middle of the hip Archelaou scene.
Charming spot on a Monastiraki alley serving a wide range of top quality small-producer Greek wines and accompanying mezze platters. Indoor and outdoor seating both benefit from the cool jazz soundtrack.
83 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
heteroclito
2 Fokionos
83 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Charming spot on a Monastiraki alley serving a wide range of top quality small-producer Greek wines and accompanying mezze platters. Indoor and outdoor seating both benefit from the cool jazz soundtrack.
Cocktail bar with snack and brunch menu, spacious setting on Proskopon Square
Epireia (Επήρεια)
2 Ktisiou
Cocktail bar with snack and brunch menu, spacious setting on Proskopon Square
Funky bar with retro features near Varnava Square
29 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Superfly Cafe
28 Empedokleous
29 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Funky bar with retro features near Varnava Square
The café is attached to the Athens Conservatoire. Shady outdoor terrace seating in green surroundings. Highly recommended for when everywhere else is baking hot. The Conservatoire itself is a stunning modernist building, recently renovated.
Peristylion Café
The café is attached to the Athens Conservatoire. Shady outdoor terrace seating in green surroundings. Highly recommended for when everywhere else is baking hot. The Conservatoire itself is a stunning modernist building, recently renovated.

Neighbourhoods

Leafy Square surrounded by bars and cafés. Buzzing in the evenings, year-round.
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Alemanya
Leafy Square surrounded by bars and cafés. Buzzing in the evenings, year-round.
Local square popular with families and dog walkers. Several good bars, restaurants and cafés, less trendy than Plateia Proskopon, more of a neighbourhood vibe.
Pl. Mesologgiou, Athina 116 34, Greece
Local square popular with families and dog walkers. Several good bars, restaurants and cafés, less trendy than Plateia Proskopon, more of a neighbourhood vibe.