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ONLY BE ATHENIAN
Only-Be Athenian
Restaurants that Will Leave their Mark on You in Athens
Athens is not just Greek art but also pure cuisine in capital letters. The Greek capital tastes of feta cheese, of moussaka, of souvlaki, of tzatziki, of bekri meze, of portokalopita, of pastichio and of papoutzakia. And if you are not acquainted with these flavors, I don’t know what you are waiting for. You’ll feel a taste explosion in your palate, and there’s no doubt you’ll want to repeat. The Athenian culinary tradition is at the top end of delicious, and that’s why I’d like to recommend a few restaurants where cuisine becomes an art form. Are you ready to eat Athens?
The Meteora Monasteries: Daytrip from Athens
Ancient times, history, art, and religion come together to the north of Athens, forming an impressive landscape of monasteries that are practically suspended in the air. And I say practically, because they are built at a height of 600 meters, crowning breathtaking rocks looking towards the heavens and sculpted by erosion. If you fancy visiting them, all you have to do is keep on reading.
The Temple of Poseidon Overlooking the Cape of Sounion (Athens)
The Temple of Poseidon, some 60 meters above sea level, is one of those places that conveys peace. Visiting it is like traveling back 2,500 years and returning to the Golden Age of Greece. In the province of Attica about 70 kilometers from Athens, it overlooks Cape Sounion like a great giant.
Athens on a Budget
If you are traveling to Athens on a tight budget or you just don’t want your stay in the Greek capital to use up all your savings, we have a solution. Athens offers a range of low-cost ways to enjoy the holidays without busting your budget. The Acropolis and related museum are must-sees for anyone who comes to Athens, and their prices are also affordable and easy on the pocketbook. Visiting the ancient Athenian Acropolis costs only 12 euros and the entry fee also includes access to the museum and the archaeological site of Ancient Agora, the museum and archaeological site of Keramikos, the Library of Hadrian, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Roman Agora. In addition, access to the Acropolis is free every first Sunday of the month from November to March and additional designated days throughout the year. However, entrance to the Acropolis Museum in Athens is not included in this price and general access to it costs 5 euros. Another item you must see during your time in the Greek capital is the changing of the guard. Held next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in front of the Greek Parliament, this ceremony is led by evzones, a regiment of Greek Light Infantry since the early nineteenth century. Their solemn steps and original and historical attire captivate the many onlookers who congregate in Syntagma Square. The changing of the guard is free of charge, of course, and takes place in a very ceremonious version every Sunday at 11 am, and every other hour of the day in a shorter version. When lunchtime...
Best Views of the Acropolis in Athens
The Acropolis is an emblematic image of Greece. The City of the Gods can be seen from almost anywhere in the city, although there are spots that are more special than others from which to observe this amazing city within a city.
Athens for Foodies
One of the pleasures of visiting Athens is simply eating the food there. Feasts for your palate abound in the Greek capital whose cuisine is also a meeting place for East and West. Greek cuisine combines many essential ingredients of the Mediterranean diet, including olive oil, fresh vegetables, fish and meats, but also typical components of Balkan and Middle Eastern cuisines such as dairy-based sauces and spices. If you plan on traveling to Athens, don’t miss out on trying souvlaki, a skewer of meat or grilled fish served in pita bread and accompanied by tzatziki, a yogurt-based sauce with cucumber and garlic. Another popular Greek dish is the famous mousakka, which is similar to Italian lasagna. It’s served hot and includes minced lamb, eggplant and tomato as main ingredients. The price for main courses in Athens ranges from 8 to 12 euros, and Athenian water is often free. Furthermore, Greek cuisine also includes its own version of take-out: gyros. This meal consists of pita bread stuffed with roast chicken or lamb, tomato, onion and sauce, which is usually yogurt-based. Gyros gets its name due to its being turned on the grill, as meat kebabs usually are cooked. You can get one in a restaurant or at food stalls, where they sell for about 2 euros. Vegetarian travelers will enjoy Spanakotiropites, or pastry filled with traditional Greek feta cheese and spinach, or a Greek salad, which is made with tomato, cucumber, bell pepper and red onion and seasoned with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Although it’s possible to find restaurants to try typical Greek dishes in most neighborhoods...
