Practical in the Athens A to Z
29 entries filed under Practical in the Athens A to Z Travel Dictionary. Each name opens the full entry.
A
Airport express buses
Express bus routes connect the airport with the centre, Piraeus and the Kifissos coach station around the clock. Check the current route numbers and fares before you travel.
Astynomia
Police. The Europe wide emergency number 112 works throughout Greece and is answered in English.
Ath.ena Card
The rechargeable smartcard for Athens buses, trolleys, metro and tram, sold at metro stations and OASA kiosks; a paper Ath.ena Ticket covers shorter visits.
E
Eisitirio
Ticket, whether for a bus, metro, tram or ferry. Validate it before or as you board where a validator is provided.
F
Farmakeio
Pharmacy, marked by a green cross. A published rota keeps one open overnight in each area; the list is posted in the window.
Filoxenia
The Greek ideal of hospitality to strangers, literally 'friend to the foreigner', felt in tavernas and family run rooms.
K
Kafeneio
The traditional Greek coffee house, a place for Greek coffee, backgammon and slow conversation.
KTEL
The intercity coach network; from the Kifissos and Liosion terminals, buses reach the Peloponnese, Delphi and mainland towns.
L
Laiki agora
The weekly open air street market that rotates around each neighbourhood, selling fruit, vegetables, fish and household goods from morning until early afternoon.
Lavrio
A working harbour town on the southern Attica coast, the main departure point for ferries to Kea, Kythnos and other western Cyclades islands, and a quieter alternative to Piraeus.
Leoforos
Avenue. Greek addresses are usually Odos or Leoforos plus the street name and number.
M
Meltemi
The dry north wind that sweeps the Aegean in high summer; it cools Athens but can disrupt island ferries.
Metro
Three lines cover the centre and reach Piraeus port and the airport, clean, cheap and the fastest way across town.
Metro Line 1
The green line, and the oldest, running since 1869. It carries you from Piraeus up through Monastiraki and Omonia to Kifisia, 24 stations and about 40 minutes end to end, mostly above ground.
N
Nosokomeio
Hospital. Larger towns have a duty hospital that rotates for emergency admissions.
O
OASA
The Athens public transport authority; a single ticket covers metro, bus, trolley and tram.
Odos
Street. Often omitted in speech and on signs, so an address may show only the name and number.
Ouzeri
A casual eatery built around ouzo and small plates of meze; the tsipouro equivalent is a tsipouradiko.
P
Paralia
Beach, or the seafront street running along it, which is why so many coastal towns have a “Paralia” address.
Periptero
The small street kiosk selling water, snacks, transport tickets, phone top ups and newspapers; a practical landmark on many Athens corners.
Piraeus
Greece's largest passenger port and the gateway to the Saronic and Cycladic islands, at the end of Metro Line 1.
Plateia
A neighbourhood square (plateia), the social hub where cafes spill out and children play in the evening.
Proastiakos
The suburban railway linking Athens Airport, the city and the wider region including Kiato and Chalkida; a slower but cheaper alternative to some intercity routes.
R
Rafina
Attica's second busiest port after Piraeus, closer to Athens airport, with frequent high speed and conventional ferries serving Andros, Tinos, Mykonos and other Cyclades islands.
T
Tram
A surface tram line runs from the city down to the southern coastal suburbs, slower than the metro but a pleasant ride along the shore.
Trapeza
Bank. Cash machines are signed ATM and are widespread, though small islands and villages can have only one, or none.
Trolley
Electric trolleybuses run on overhead wires through the centre, on the same tickets as the ordinary buses.
V
Volta
The evening stroll, Greeks take a leisurely 'volta' along the seafront or square once the day cools.
Y
Yamas
'Cheers!', the toast (yamas) raised over ouzo or wine, literally 'to our health'.