Demetrios Ioannou

Greece is, quite simply, king of the holidays. It’s a country full of sprawling cities, beautiful islands and some of the best beaches in the entire world, and the food? Don’t even get us started on the food. There’s a hell of a lot of islands, and our editors have been to a hell of a lot of them, but for the on-the-ground knowledge that only a local has, we’ve roped in our Greece expert Demetrios Ioannou, who grew up in Athens but has travelled all over the country. Whatever you’re looking for, here are the best places to visit in Greece.  Where should I go for my first time in Greece? We’re firm believers that everyone should go to Athens at least once in their lives. So if it’s your first time visiting the country, you should probably start there. But the good news is that in Greece, you can pretty much do it all. So don’t stay in Athens for a full week – spend a perfect weekend there before heading out on a ferry to Aegina, Poros, Hydra and more. If you’ve ticked off Athens already, consider Greece’s latest destination dupe, Paros, which is set to this year’s ‘new Santorini’ (just without the crowds).  RECOMMENDED:🏝️ The most beautiful Greek islands🏖️ The best beaches in Greece🏨 The best hotels in Greece At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information,

Continuously inhabited since 3000 bC, there is no doubt that Athens has a long and fascinating history. Tormented through the winds of time, the city has been through a lot: Good and bad days, Gold and dark years; has seen heroes and warriors, kingdoms rising to power and decline, empires besieging its great walls, the birth of Democracy and philosophy. Athens is a city with great cultural heritage and as such it is dotted with numerous museums and archaeological sites. From ancient treasures, to modern art, and with more than 70 museums all around Athens, the visitor can get a better understanding of this ever-changing city. Be amazed by the Parthenon marbles, check out the unique Cycladic figurines and some of the world’s oldest coins, or think out of the box with Greek and international contemporary art. Whatever you’re into, here are the best museums in Athens. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Athens🥙 The best restaurants in Athens 🏛 How to spend a weekend in Athens🏨 The best hotels in Athens Words and original photos by Athens-based Demetrios Ioannou. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Athens has it all. And we’ve always known it, but it seems more and more people are clocking onto just how brilliant the Greek capital is, whether you’re here for a full week or just a weekend.  Bursting with history, full of mind-boggling ancient ruins and packed full of fantastic restaurants, food markets and bars, Athens is a dream no matter what you’re into. Ready to spend your days hiking, eating and visiting one of the city’s many open-air cinemas? Step this way. Here are the best things to do in Athens right now. RECOMMENDED:🥙 The best restaurants in Athens🏖️ The best beaches in Athens🏠 The best hotels in Athens🇬🇷 The best places to visit in Greece Words and original photos by Athens-based Demetrios Ioannou. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Being one of the oldest cities in the world comes with a huge responsibility and Athens definitely lives up to its legacy. That’s why the Greek capital is not just a stopover before you head to the islands but a dream destination, putting it somewhere near the top of every traveler’s bucket list. Its long history, exciting culture, unique architecture, delicious food and vibrant nightlife are only a few of the reasons thousands of tourists visit Athens every year. And when it comes to its hotel scene, things are no different. There’s a huge variety, from luxurious resorts in downtown Athens and by the beach, to boutique hotels at the foot of the Acropolis with gorgeous views of the Parthenon, or blending into the smaller streets of its multicultural neighborhoods. Athens really does have it all. Whether you are a family or a solo traveler, you want to explore the city or just relax in the comforts of your hotel, the Athenian hoteliers are ready to satisfy every guest’s needs. Though the best time to visit Athens might be between April to October, the usually mild weather all year long has made the city an all-season destination. Don't know where to start? We've done the legwork for you and curated a list of the crème de la crème – the coolest hotels in Athens. These accommodations are more than just places to sleep; they're an integral part of your Greek getaway. So, let's dive into our top picks that will take your trip to the next level. RECOMMENDED:🌞 The 14 best things t

With over 6,000 islands, a seemingly endless coastline, ancient sites and lively party towns, it's easy to see why Greece is such a top tourist destination. Plus, it’s a country that caters to all tastes and all budgets. Whether you’re looking to tuck into Cretan dakos and assyrtiko wine in a taverna run by a feisty grandma, explore Athens’ overabundant art scene, or just install yourself by an infinity pool overlooking the Adriatic, you’re well covered. Accommodation options range from wallet-friendly, family-run digs to some of the most exclusive (and expensive) hideaways in the world, offering all manner of appealing extras; from yachts and private beaches to billiard rooms and free bikes. Here is our pick of the best hotels in Greece. RECOMMENDED: 🇬🇷 The best places to visit in Greece🏨 The best hotels in Mykonos This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Even from a distance, Santorini is a sight to behold. Surrounded by the azure Aegean Sea and home to its famous flooded caldera, it’s a true gem of the Cyclades. This is the Greece that attracts tourists from all across the globe: the sugar cube-like houses glinting in the sunlight (almost good enough to eat) and the domes of Orthodox churches sending flashes of blue through the landscape. The island is almost too attractive. On the days when a cruise ship has docked, Santorini’s largest towns, like Fira and Oia, become packed with friendly visitors. But don’t let that put you off. If you know where to look, there are plenty of lesser-known, picture-perfect spots to stay away from the hustle and bustle. Start your holiday here. And now, relax... RECOMMENDED:🇬🇷 New to Greece? Here's where to stay in Santorini☀️ Check out the best spots to visit in Greece  Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

You’ll find, expectedly, a fair few tourist traps in Athens if you look in the wrong places. But if you know where to look, you’re guaranteed to find some unforgettable meals. After all, you’re here to eat mostly, right? Our local writers have scoured the city to bring us everything from traditional Greek grub to Michelin-starred seafood and steaming bowls of ramen (it cools you down, didn’t you know?). Ready to eat, and eat, and eat some more? Here are the best restaurants in Athens.  September 2024: We’ve just reviewed Nyn Esti, the restaurant at Athens’s National Museum of Contemporary Art. Read on to see where it ranks in our new list!   RECOMMENDED:🧿 How to spend a weekend in Athens🏛️ The best things to do in Athens🐚 Where to stay in Athens🏠 The best hotels in Athens This guide was recently updated by Demetrios Ioannou, a writer and photographer based in Athens. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

You need at least a week to explore the Greek islands, but a weekend in Athens can feel just right. There’s nowhere better for a few days than this vibrant and colourful city, and be you a history buff, foodie or party goer, the Greek capital has something for you. Guaranteed.  Remember to pack your most comfortable shoes, as you’ll want to be ready for a weekend filled with exploration on foot – and trust us, there’s no better way to see it all up close. You’ll find yourself strolling through ancient monuments, historic buildings, trendy cafes and stylish restaurants all in the same breath. A new surprise awaits on every corner. Here is how to smash a perfect 48 hours in Athens.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Athens🥙 The best restaurants in Athens🏨 The best hotels in Athens😎 How to explore Kypseli, Athens’s coolest neighbourhood Demetrios Ioannou is a writer and photographer from Athens. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

In Athens, it’s easy to tell when summer is on its way. The weather gets nicer, the nights are warmer and the outdoor cinemas open for the season. Every evening, the fragrant aromas of blooming jasmine and buttered popcorn welcome movie-lovers from all over the city to watch their favourite films and enjoy the cool summer breeze under the stars. It’s a much-loved tradition that runs every year from early May to late October, mostly depending on the weather. Is this the best place in the world to watch a movie under the stars? Often located on rooftops or in gardens, often with spectacular views, Athens’s outdoor cinemas are a unique experience for moviegoers. Today, at least 60 and possibly as many as 100 operate in the city, putting Athens somewhere near the top of the list of cities with the most alfresco movie theatres per capita in the world. And although there are open-air cinemas throughout Greece, it’s Athens which has the strongest connection with them: a love affair with a long history.RECOMMENDED: The 40 most beautiful outdoor cinemas in the world How Athens got hooked on open-air cinema It is believed that the first open-air movie screenings in the Greek capital began in the early 1900s at the cafés around central Syntagma Square. At the time, an open-air cinema was just a projector screening black-and-white silent movies onto a white sheet. It wasn’t long afterwards, in 1904, that Cine Aegli opened its doors. Located in the garden of Zappeion Hall, next to the Pa

Monsieur Didot took its name from a French man, Ambroise Firmin Didot, a truephilhellene, whose name was also given as an honour by the Greek state to thestreet right next to the two-storey mansion house. The name seemed fitting forthe sisters Natalia Georgopoulou and Margarita Papaioannou, who bought thebuilding - that was built in 1890 and served as a home to a wealthy Greek family-,and decided to transform it into this lovely guesthouse. Divided into six separate areas, four rooms and two suites, and a small terracewhere you can relax under the Athenian sky during hot summer nights, the propertyhas been refurbished but has also kept some of its old magic, including parts of thefrescoes on the walls, the marble fireplace, the high ceilings, the beautiful woodenstairs. It is decorated with large bookcases, paintings of famous and emerging artistsand handmade ceramics, mostly in earthy tones, with a few pinches of colour hereand there. The old blends beautifully with the contemporary, as does luxury and comfort at Monsieur Didot. Each room has its own poetic name… The Tale of a Special Child, The Novel of a Platonic Tree Love, The Sonnet of a Secret Door - that last one actually has a secret door leading to the bathroom. Find it if you can! The mini bar is always fully stocked for whatever you fancy,  while the large TV,  comfy king-size bed and rainforest shower are bound to make you want to spend more time indoors than out. Breakfast is served in the rooms and can be enjoye

Santorini is, for many, a dream destination. With its active volcano (Santorini Caldera), its beautiful cliffside villages, and what I rate as quite possibly the best sunset in the world, a trip to this Greek island is certainly worth the outlay. Because Santorini is relatively expensive; probably the most expensive Greek island in the Aegean, in fact. But do you get value for spending all that money? Not always. Grace Hotel, however, is certainly one of the exceptions. Located in the stunning Imerovigli village, somewhere in the middle of the island, this gorgeous boutique hotel is part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, with luxury hotels, resorts and residences all over the world. Grace Hotel is perched on the cliff overlooking the Venetian Castle of Skaros, with the heart of the volcano on its left, granting one of the best sunset views on the entire island. It has a large pool, and in total just 23 rooms, including a completely independent villa, and its newest additions, two Infinity Suites featuring private entry, a private dining area, and a private infinity pool, where you are greeted with a bottle of Champagne and sweet snacks made by their pastry chef. For your first dinner on the island, Varoulko Santorini is your best choice. The summer edition of the Michelin-starred Varoulko Athens, the brainchild of chef Lefteris Lazarou, one of the most prominent Greek chefs, sits on the best spot of the property. Here you can sample a modern take on traditional Greek cuisin

This historic hotel, dating back to 1930s, has always played an integral part in the city’s socio-political life. Being only a breath away from the Greek parliament, overlooking the main Syntagma square, King George Hotel is situated right in the heart of the city. Over the years it has hosted famous guests, including Alain Delon and Romy Schneider, and Prince Rainier of Monaco with his wife Grace Kelly. Not bad pedigree, that. Today, King George Hotel is part of the Marriott Luxury Collection Hotels and is one of the best places to stay in Athens if you want to fully experience the city. With 102 rooms and suites to choose from, and a penthouse on the top floor with its own swimming pool, the options are plenty. The rooms from the 1st to 3rd floor have street views, and as you go up you can get a better glimpse of the Acropolis to the back. All of the rooms are spacious, and luxurious. Each has a big bathroom with a marble bathtub, heavy furniture and a large TV, making you feel like you’re stepping into a palace.  The Tudor Hall restaurant on the 7th floor is a must-visit. Not only does it have an amazing panoramic view of the Parthenon, the Parliament, and the Panathenaic Stadium, its Michelin-stared fine-dining menu will blow your palate away. Curated by the executive chef, Asterios Koustoudis, and delivered by the talented chef de cuisine Nikos Livadias (along with the pastry chef, Alexandros Koufas) it’s easy to see why dinner here is so often recommended. If this is yo

What’s the vibe?  At this Michelin-starred spot, tucked away in an urban backyard in downtown Athens, you’ll find fine dining at its best, where fresh, local Greek ingredients meet French techniques.  What are the prices like? The ‘CTC Voyage’, a blind 11-course taste menu, will set you back €105, which is actually pretty reasonable for this kind of spot. You can also get it with drinks pairings; there are two options at €80 and €130 euros per person.  What should I order? The tasting menu isn’t seasonal and generally stays pretty consistent; we won’t give it all away, but the sea bass ceviche with garlic, kiwi and chilli is pretty unforgettable, along with the fava ‘octopus’. What’s worth visiting nearby? The restaurant is near the Technopolis (Gazi), the city’s former gasworks, which has transformed into one of Athens’s largest cultural venues, hosting concerts, art exhibitions and more. The surrounding Keramikos area is full of great bars and cafés.  📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Athens

What’s the vibe?  Proper, home-cooked Greek food like my grandma would make. This family owned tavern on a little side street in central Athens is the place to for a real taste of what traditional Greek food is in a chilled-out, friendly restaurant. What are the prices like? Ridiculously reasonable. Plates range between €7-14, and the price per head will probably be €20 with drinks.  What should I order? There’s no menu, but you can expect classic Greek dishes; moussaka, stuffed vegetables and several meaty options. Pair them with Greek beer and watch your food being made in the open kitchen for the ultimate experience. What’s worth visiting nearby?  The Acropolis Museum is literally on the next corner. What more could you ask for? If you walk an extra five minutes you’ll find the Acropolis itself, plus Philopappos hill, which is a great spot to catch the sunset. Note: To Kati Allo has no website and no Instagram (the marker of a good restaurant in Athens). We’ve included a link to its location on Google Maps. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Athens

What’s the vibe?  This half-deli-half-restaurant is the perfect place to sample some of the best produce in Greece. The name derives from Karamanlides, the Greeks of Cappadocia in Turkey, and you can expect to find some bits from Anatolia to buy.  What are the prices like?  Starting at €5 and going up to around €15, expect to pay no more than €25 pp with drinks here (but obviously, that depends on how many things you want to try).  What should I order? Choose from several starters and a hefty main menu, the options are pretty endless here (but vegetarians be warned, it’s mostly pretty meaty). Be sure to try the pastirma, air-dried cured beef originating in the Middle East with an intense flavour, served here in several ways.  What’s worth visiting nearby?  Take a walk through the colourful Monastiraki and Psyrri neighbourhoods or visit the nearby flea market and the central market of Athens for fresh fish, meat and veg. Grab a coffee or a drink at one of the rooftops in the area; they all come with that all-important Acropolis view. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Athens

What is the Acropolis and why is it famous? Acropolis (‘the edge of the city’), the greatest masterpiece of ancient Greek Classical art, is a citadel situated on a small hill in the center of Athens with several temples including the Parthenon, the temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion. It was built in the 5th century BC during the golden age of Pericles, reflecting the power and wealth of the city, and it is dedicated to the city’s patron goddess, Athena. Is it worth visiting? Considered as the cradle of modern democracy, this really is a must-see site in Athens. Apart from the awesome 360° view, it offers a perfect glimpse into Ancient Greece. The architectural style of this unique monument, created by two well-known architects at the time Ictinus and Callicrates, and sculptor Phidias, has played a significant role in much of the art and architecture you see around Athens today.  Do you have to pay to see it? You can grab a ticket to Acropolis hill including all the temples for €20, with reduced tickets (€10) every year from November 1 to March 31. There’s also a special ticket package at €30 that allows you to visit most of Athens’ outdoor sites. You can either buy the ticket on the spot, or buy it online here. Guides tours and queue-jump tickets are available on GetYourGuide.  Where should I eat nearby?  The whole area around the Acropolis hill is full of great restaurants and bars. The Acropolis museum restaurant offers a superb view to the lit-up Parthenon and serve

What is it and why is it important?  This stone Roman conservatory, also known as the ‘Herodeon’, was built in the 2nd century AD on the southern slopes of Acropolis and served mainly for musical festivals. Destroyed in 267 AD and restored in the early 50s, it’s the only one of its kind in Athens. Tourists love it, but locals do too – it still operates as a venue for concerts and other performances. Is it worth visiting?  With a total capacity of 5,000 people, it’s well worth enjoying a performance here if you can. It’s a real sight to behold, and one of the oldest (still operating) theatres in the world. The Athens Epidaurous Festival is hosted here, as well as music festivals, theatre and more. You’ll have to go see it for yourself, but trust us, the acoustics are next level.  How much are tickets?  The tickets for a show in this beautiful ancient theatre range between 25-100 euros, depending on the show and the siting. Oh and don’t worry, you don’t have to speak Greek; Greek ancient theatre plays normally have supertitles (but obviously, I’d recommend checking beforehand).  Where should I eat nearby? There are several good food spots nearby, which includes the neighbourhoods of Plaka, Thiseio and Koukaki. Try the Bel Ray (Μπελ Ρεϋ) at Koukaki, an all day snack bar, or Tiki Bar with a 50s-60s vibe, live gigs and exotic cocktails. 📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Athens

What is it and why is it famous? Dedicated to Zeus’s rival brother, Poseidon, the ancient Greek god of sea, the temple could not have been built in a better spot than Cape Sounion, overlooking  the Aegean Sea and guarding the city of Athens from anyone heading to the main Piraeus port. It is the southernmost point of Attica, just a couple of hours from the city centre, and the temple is made entirely of white marble. It’s pretty much as spectacular as it sounds.  Is it worth seeing? The perfect spot to view the sunset (and the full moon), and with tickets coming in much much cheaper than buying expensive cocktails at rooftop bars (€10 for a standard ticket), the Temple of Poseidon is absolutely worth it. You can also swim on a nearby beach during the summer months, which is really something.  How do I get from Athens to the Temple of Poseidon? It’s easiest to go by car, so I’d suggest renting one for a day, but if that’s not an option you can get the bus, which takes longer but does give you a very cheap tour through Athens. The starting point for KTEL Attikis Public Buses is at Pedion tou Areos on Alexandras Avenue and passes through central spots in Athens, such as Klafthmonos Square, Syntagma, Metro Station Syngrou – FIX. The ticket costs €12.50 and the route by the sea is truly beautiful. Where should I eat nearby?  You’re by the sea, so obviously it’s time for seafood. For serious views of the temple, go for Yali restaurant of Cape Sounio Grecotel Boutique Resort. Naos c