Athens is once again on the rise. Dealt a black eye during the financial
crisis and the ensuing media coverage of the unrest, the country has
pulled itself together and its capital has never been more lively.
With
visitor numbers back up, a recent New York Times article touting the town, and a new campaign to make curious tourists feel more at home (#ImAnAthenian), Athens has regained its confidence and is ready to show the world why this city is the next big thing.
2. Athens is Europe’s city that never sleeps.
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Monday night and Friday night look alarmingly similar at Athens’ bars and restaurants: packed.
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3. There has been a logic-defying explosion of awesome bars, restaurants, and cafes since the crisis.
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Aris Gionis / Via flic.kr
Drinks in the Gazi - a former gas plant turned artsy ‘hood in the center of the city.
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4. Forget Paris or Rome, Athens has the largest cafe culture in the world.
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In Athens it is possible that there is more cafes than inhabitants.
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5. It’s laid back.
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While Londoners, Parisians and even some Romans eat at their desk, long lunches are still normal in Athens.
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6. “Social” is not a strong enough word to describe most Athenians.
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Alexander Besant
Athenians love to talk - a lot.
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7. The city isn’t plagued by rules.
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Alexander Besant
It’s not like Athens doesn’t have
rules - it does. It’s just that those that are seen as an impediment to
living well aren’t really followed.
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8. Athens is actually two cities…
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April Killingsworth / Via flic.kr
Athens and the region of Attica.
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…a seaside Mediterranean one…
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Katerina Paspaliari
View of Faliro from the Poseidon Hotel.
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… and an inland historical center surrounded by mountains.
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paulraven / Via flic.kr
Sunset view from the Lycabettus hill over Athens.
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11. The views.
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Alexander Besant
The view of Lycabettus Hill from the Acropolis.
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12. The city’s visitors, former residents and occupiers have left amazing things behind (though who knows what they took away):
The Ancient Greeks
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Alexander Besant
The Parthenon in all its glory.
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The Bavarians
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Damien Shaw / Via flic.kr
Athens’ Parliament and former palace of the Bavarian King Otto.
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14. The city perfects shabby chic.
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The fading elegance of Athens’ Monastiraki neighborhood.
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15. The street art is world class (though the tagging remains awful)
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The Exarchia neighborhood has particularly good street art.
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16. It’s cheap. Like, really cheap.
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karpidis / Via flic.kr
Most European capitals are
jaw-droppingly expensive, while Athens continues to be a bargain for any
traveler. European brands at discount prices and, er, free hugs for
all.
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17. Out of the crisis came a booming tech start-up culture.
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Nikos Drandakis / Via flic.kr
Nikos Drandakis of the fantastic start-up TaxiBeat that helps Athenians find reliable and friendly cabs in the city.
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18. They’re really good at combining bars, cafes, concert halls, art spaces and sometimes even a pool into one venue.
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Nikos Papanagiotou / Via flic.kr
Audio-visual experimental show at the now legendary Six D.O.G.S. bar, restaurant, art and music space in central Athens.
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19. Rebetika.
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giorgos_kess / Via flic.kr
Traditional music. Food. Dancing. Much drink. Rebetika music nights, in sum.
Listen to some here.
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20. Bouzoukia.
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Tilemahos Efthimiadis / Via flic.kr
The idea is a reserve a table with
friends, buy a few bottles and baskets of rose petals to throw at the
feet of performers and watch your money disappear quickly to the
soundtrack of Greek pop. Dancing onstage is encouraged.
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21. There’s something wonderful about street kiosks where you can buy a beer, a box of tylenol or a Byzantine flag at any hour.
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Alexander Besant
Kiosks can be found on nearly every corner of the city.
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22. You wouldn’t tell by looking at it but Athens is safer than most cities its size.
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spirosk / Via flic.kr
Exarchia (above) might look like a rough neighborhood but appearances can be deceiving. It’s harmless.
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23. The city’s central market is the real deal.
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Far from a tourist trap, Athens’ central market might just be the most authentic Mediterranean experience there is.
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24. And every neighborhood in the city has a lively farmer’s market once per week.
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A farmer selling potatoes in the Kolonaki neighborhood.
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25. It’s hard to have a bad meal.
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Alexander Besant
A typical mezes complete with tzatziki, octopus, boiled greens and a village salad.
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26. The seafood is heavenly.
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Alexander Besant
A piece of grilled octopus from the restaurant Varoulko Seaside near Piraeus.
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27. They always serve food (free) with drinks.
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George M. Groutas / Via flic.kr
Though this might not seem like a
reason to visit a city, you’ll think differently when a bowl of olives,
pistachios, cheese, salty carrots or some grilled veggies arrive with
your beer.
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28. In fact, the food is so good it has its own museum.
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purplesnail / Via flic.kr
A dish from the Museum of Greek Gastronomy Museum in central Athens.
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29. There’s great hiking just above the city.
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alexcoitus / Via flic.kr
The view from Mount Hymettos, which looms over the city.
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30. Athens has mild weather all year round.
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George Laoutaris / Via flic.kr
It’s rare to find a cloud in summer.
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31. You’re a few hours by boat from over one thousand stunning islands.
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Alexander Besant
Firopotmas bay on the island of Milos.
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32. Decent skiing isn’t far away either.
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tedpap / Via flic.kr
Hitting the slopes on Mount Parnassus next to Delphi.
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33. Oh yeah and it was also the birthplace of democracy and, arguably, of Western Civilization.
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The entrance to the Acropolis.
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Alexander Besant
Source: BuzzFeed
*Thanks Anna S. for the article!
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