Where do the locals go? Where do they have lunch, where do they go out for drinks, where do they spend their time off? These are all very common questions among travelers and tourists when visiting a foreign city. In fact, these questions are so common that the major Greek airline carrier created a whole campaign based on this concept: The locals reveal their favorite places and Greek NBA superstar Giannis Antentokoumpo visits the place with a camera crew to film it. So, with all this in mind, we create a top 5 all-time favourite places list in Athens Greece, the places you shouldn’t miss whatever the reason in case you visit Athens.
Plateia Aghias EIrinis
The historical center of Athens has always been a popular place to visit but for all other reasons than have a drink or two. Right now, this little square is the coolest, hippest, most sociable place to go for a night out, see what the locals look like on a night out. Look for places like “ZAF” and “Tailor Made”, have a cocktail and get a glimpse of the true Athenian nightlife.
Idryma Politismou Stavros Niarchos – Esplanada
The tourist guides have this already spotted, but it’s worth mentioning that this marvel of Architecture is so much better visiting in off peak hours. From the building itself you get a great view of the coastline and the southern suburbs, plus you can have the huge slopped garden all to yourself, you can practice your photography skills without being interrupted and you can have a great workout going uphill or up the side stairs.
Six D.O.G.S
In case you’re in to contemporary popular music, Six D.O.G.S in the center of Athens (quite close to Plateia Aghias Eiriinis) is the place to visit. Six D.O.G.S is a live venue and a cool bar to have drinks while listening to foreign and the best Greek rock bands.
Ymittos
Ymittos (Hymettus) is the mountain situated in the eastern part of the Athenian basin and it’s a great way to see the whole of Athens from above. You can literally see the whole of the Metropolis. Besides than, Ymittos offers hiking routes, mountain bike routes and lots of spots to enjoy the Athenian forest and nature.
Zefyros cinema
Athens has a great tradition in open air cinema and Zefyros is one of the coolest to visit and catch a movie of your liking. Zefyros is also situated in a less known area called Petralona and it’s full bars and restaurants for the locals. In case you find yourself in Petralona, you can walk all the way to Thiseion which is a well-known tourist attraction. The walk should give you an idea of what Athens looked like 50 years ago and the kind of dwelling people were living in at that time.