Welcome to Heart Athens, your guide to the city we love. Find the best places to eat, stay and explore across Athens and the Attica coast, with simple ways to book it all.
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SportAthens Marathon. The AuthenticThe original marathon route, from the town of Marathon to a finish inside the marble Panathenaic Stadium. Sunday 8 November 2026.
CinemaAthens International Film Festival, Opening NightsGreek and international premieres across the city, with screenings at the Megaron concert hall and the Astor cinema.Festivals and holidaysOhi DayNational holiday marking Greece's refusal of the 1940 ultimatum.
Day tripsThe Acropolis and its SlopesThe one thing nobody skips.Island HopperIsland HopperWork out which islands connect, how long the crossing takes and what it costs, then jump straight to live timetables.Athens weather, next 7 days
14 day forecast ›Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0).
What makes Heart Athens different
- A city guide, not a beach guide. Athens is about its neighbourhoods and street life: the kafeneio on the corner, rebetiko after midnight, rooftops facing the Acropolis and ruins between the apartment blocks.
- Every place says who recommends it. 215 places to eat and drink, each tagged with the guides that list it, such as the Michelin Guide, the World’s 50 Best Bars, Athinorama and This is Athens, with sources and dates.
- We link to live ratings instead of copying them, and nobody pays to be listed.
- Personal picks are marked. Deniz’s own recommendations sit in Heart Picks.
- Ask and review. Every place has a Review this place button, and the forums take questions in English or Greek.
Heart Picks
All Heart Picks ›Deniz’s pickTo Souvlaki tis Madame Sousou, KolonakiOrder the turkey kebab. That is the thing to get here.Deniz’s pickAma Lachei stis Nefelis, ExarcheiaGood food, a lovely setting and genuinely great service. Book in advance.Deniz’s pickVaggelis & Alekos, Neos KosmosSlow cooked home food in a shaded arcade that most visitors never find.Deniz’s pickTo Mikraki, PsyrriThe value pick in Psirri, where the bill still surprises people.
Eat and drink by type
All 215 places ›Explore
More in Explore ›Places to seeAcropolis and ParthenonThe crowning sight of Athens and the symbol of classical Greece.
NeighborhoodsKolonakiUpscale district at the foot of Lycabettus Hill, with galleries, cafes and the Benaki and Cycladic Art museums.
Day tripsCape Sounion Sunset TripA coastal drive south to the Temple of Poseidon, timed for sunset over the Aegean.ParksThe National Garden156,000 square metres in the middle of Athens, laid out from 1839 as the royal garden and the only historic garden in Greece.Family and sciencePlanetarium, zoo and hands on museums14 family and science days out across Athens and Attica, with official prices and hours.Food and Drink
More in Food and Drink ›Eat and DrinkTo Souvlaki tis Madame Sousou, KolonakiA souvlaki place in Kolonaki, on Maraslis at the corner of Alopekis, a short walk up from Kolonaki Square.
Taste of AthensMelitzanosalataThe smoky aubergine dip, charred over a flame then beaten with garlic, olive oil and lemon.Local FavouritesVaggelis & AlekosA family run oinomageireio tucked into a shaded arcade off Frantzi, serving slow cooked home food (mageirefta that changes daily, plus fish and seafood depending on the…Eat and DrinkAma Lachei stis Nefelis, ExarcheiaA mezedopoleio on Kallidromiou 69 in Exarcheia, set in an old school building with a garden courtyard that comes into its own on a warm evening.
Taste of AthensMelitzanosalataThe smoky aubergine dip, charred over a flame then beaten with garlic, olive oil and lemon.Local FavouritesVaggelis & AlekosA family run oinomageireio tucked into a shaded arcade off Frantzi, serving slow cooked home food (mageirefta that changes daily, plus fish and seafood depending on the…Eat and DrinkAma Lachei stis Nefelis, ExarcheiaA mezedopoleio on Kallidromiou 69 in Exarcheia, set in an old school building with a garden courtyard that comes into its own on a warm evening.Recipes
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Main courseGemista (stuffed tomatoes and peppers)Tomatoes and peppers stuffed with rice and herbs, baked in olive oil; a summer classic served warm or at room temperature.
MezeA classic meze plate to serve alongside retsinaGrilled sardines or octopus with olives, feta and bread, the plate that sits beside a well chilled glass of retsina.
DessertBougatsa (custard filled filo pastry)A breakfast pastry of crisp filo filled with semolina custard (sweet) or cheese, dusted with sugar and cinnamon.
DrinkEllinikos kafes (Greek coffee)Finely ground coffee brought slowly to the foam in a briki, poured with its kaimaki into a small cup.What’s On
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ConcertsOdeon of Herodes AtticusThe Roman theatre on the south slope of the Acropolis, and the most atmospheric place in Greece to hear anything.
TheatreAthens and Epidaurus FestivalAncient drama staged at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens and the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in the Peloponnese.CinemaSummer open air cinemasThe therina, open air cinemas, are a genuine Greek institution.FreeFree admission days at state museums and sitesEntry to every state run archaeological site, monument and museum is free on these dates: 6 March, in memory of Melina Mercouri; 18 April, International Monuments Day…Promotions
More in Promotions ›FreeFree entry for everyone to state museums and archaeological sites on set daysNext: Wednesday 28 October 2026 (national holiday).FreeFree opera and ballet tickets by lottery: GNO for All 2026/27Season 2026/27.Discounts3 day tourist ticket: unlimited travel plus the airport both ways for 20 eurosAll year.DiscountsAcropolis Museum reduced ticket: 10 euros instead of 20All year.
Stay and Travel
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Where to StayAthensWas Design HotelFive star design hotel facing the Acropolis, in Plaka.
Getting AroundFrom the airportMetro Line 3 and the X95 bus run to the centre; taxis and transfers too.
Where to StayHerodion HotelBoutique four star by the Acropolis Museum, in Koukaki.
Getting AroundThe metroThree lines cover the centre and reach Piraeus port.Living Here
More in Living Here ›Practical InfoShop Opening HoursMost independent shops open around 09:00 and close at 14:00 or 15:00.
Local TipsBook a Driver, Don't Flag a CabFor the airport or day trips, arranging a known driver in advance sidesteps the language barrier and the meter versus flat fee guessing game entirely.ExpatsMeetup, AthensThe busiest thing going, and free to browse.AppsMoovitThe one to install first.A to Z Guide
More in A to Z Guide ›SightAcropolisThe ancient citadel above the city, crowned by the Parthenon (5th c. BC), the enduring symbol of Athens and of classical Greece.FoodAvgolemonoA silky egg and lemon sauce or soup (often with chicken and rice), a cornerstone of Greek home cooking.NeighbourhoodAdrianou StreetPlaka's pedestrianised main artery, running along the northern edge of the Ancient Agora with cafés, tavernas and jewellery shops beneath the Acropolis.PhraseEfharistoThank you (ef hah ri STO).
Photo credits on this page
- Athens Marathon. The Authentic: Photo: Marcok, CC BY-SA 3.0 (multi licensed, also GFDL and CC BY-SA 2.5, 2.0 and 1.0), via Wikimedia Commons
- The Acropolis and its Slopes: Photo: Jim Killock, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Kolonaki: Photo: Greecelightning, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Cape Sounion Sunset Trip: Photo: Petroskaz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Melitzanosalata: Photo: Badseed, CC BY-SA 3.0 (also offered under GFDL), via Wikimedia Commons
- Gemista (stuffed tomatoes and peppers): Photo: Badseed, CC BY-SA 3.0 (multi licensed, also GFDL and CC BY-SA 2.5), via Wikimedia Commons
- A classic meze plate to serve alongside retsina: Photo: Yorick R., CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Bougatsa (custard filled filo pastry): Photo: Konstantinos Stampoulis (Geraki), CC BY-SA 2.5 (multi licensed, also GFDL 1.2 and CC BY-SA 2.0 and 1.0), via Wikimedia Commons
- Ellinikos kafes (Greek coffee): Photo: Giorgoos, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Athens and Epidaurus Festival: Photo: George E. Koronaios, CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication), via Wikimedia Commons
- AthensWas Design Hotel: Photo: JFKennedy at English Wikipedia, Public domain (PD-user), via Wikimedia Commons
- From the airport: Photo: Peloponnisios, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Herodion Hotel: Photo: Dimorsitanos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- The metro: Photo: Argybz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Book a Driver, Don't Flag a Cab: Photo: Badseed, CC BY-SA 3.0 (also offered under GFDL), via Wikimedia Commons