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mastichas09

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I'm an Athens native, so i'm always looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city! I really recommend going to the beachside restaurants in Glyfada, there's so nice especially at night because the moonlight view is stunning. Here's a good youtube video that my son found so it can give you a better idea of what Glyfada is like

 
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Glydfada has some of the nicest restaurants in Athens because its much cooler during the nighttime and you get to feel the breeze by the beach. The views are amazing and if you can catch the sunset I recommend going at night
 
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I totally agree. The area is beautiful, and there are also some great clubs here. There was a time when this was where many of Greece's celebrities lived. I am not sure this is still the case, but it was at one time. The beaches are relaxing and there are amazing views, too,
 
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That's a great video! This is a nice area, and it's relaxing. It's so close to the center of Athens, too. It's like night and day. There's some nightlife here, too, which is fun.
 
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That's a great video! This is a nice area, and it's relaxing. It's so close to the center of Athens, too. It's like night and day. There's some nightlife here, too, which is fun.
Just picture this..... when I came to Glyfada in 1970 there were 3 tavernas,2 peripteros,1 hotel and a block of apartments in Voula which were rented for younger travellers,I was delivering some Vinyls for the disco there as I was based in London.... Asteria had just opened.....the road from Palio Faliro was just being built ........and when I returned back in 1983 on a convention,we rented the Astir Palace hotel..... And the love story for Elllada continued.... lived in Ano Glyfada too and friends had water sports business in Varkiza.....the beach restaurants and night life all along the Glyfada coastline and all the way to Voula, Varkiza and beyond are magnificent.
 
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Just picture this..... when I came to Glyfada in 1970 there were 3 tavernas,2 peripteros,1 hotel and a block of apartments in Voula which were rented for younger travellers,I was delivering some Vinyls for the disco there as I was based in London.... Asteria had just opened.....the road from Palio Faliro was just being built ........and when I returned back in 1983 on a convention,we rented the Astir Palace hotel..... And the love story for Elllada continued.... lived in Ano Glyfada too and friends had water sports business in Varkiza.....the beach restaurants and night life all along the Glyfada coastline and all the way to Voula, Varkiza and beyond are magnificent.
Woah that's crazy. I had no idea that Glyfada has changed so much. Now it's truly beautiful and a great way to get out of the city which is usually too hot and crowded for me in the summer time
 
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Woah that's crazy. I had no idea that Glyfada has changed so much. Now it's truly beautiful and a great way to get out of the city which is usually too hot and crowded for me in the summer time
I forgot to tell you,I could see my flight coming in to land,had to sleep on the floor when the Junta took over,tanks on the road, army everywhere,US troops were around also I think,all good fun,we were younger and very crazy,the best PR for Greece was Bouzoukis in Syntagma square every evening and complimentary Ouzo and Mezedes.....Filoxenia .....a word I learnt and Hospitality, Greek style ?......I was working in Tourism industry flying in and out of destinations all the time.... Greece was very different! Kalley Mera from Thailand and monsoons beginning..
 
I forgot to tell you,I could see my flight coming in to land,had to sleep on the floor when the Junta took over,tanks on the road, army everywhere,US troops were around also I think,all good fun,we were younger and very crazy,the best PR for Greece was Bouzoukis in Syntagma square every evening and complimentary Ouzo and Mezedes.....Filoxenia .....a word I learnt and Hospitality, Greek style ?......I was working in Tourism industry flying in and out of destinations all the time.... Greece was very different! Kalley Mera from Thailand and monsoons beginning..

Kali Mera! Really enjoyed hearing your experiences of this area of Greece. I have found the hospitality in Greece to be exceptional too, but as someone who is of Greek origin, it is nice to hear that people from other countries have had the same experiences. That's crazy that you experienced the Junta. You were a witness to history!
 
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I forgot to tell you,I could see my flight coming in to land,had to sleep on the floor when the Junta took over,tanks on the road, army everywhere,US troops were around also I think,all good fun,we were younger and very crazy,the best PR for Greece was Bouzoukis in Syntagma square every evening and complimentary Ouzo and Mezedes.....Filoxenia .....a word I learnt and Hospitality, Greek style ?......I was working in Tourism industry flying in and out of destinations all the time.... Greece was very different! Kalley Mera from Thailand and monsoons beginning..
Wow the junta must have been really intense. I've heard many insane stories from my Greek friends' parents
 

Is the area near Syntagma a convenient place to stay?

I may be taking a last-minute trip to Athens sometime in September or October, and I’m starting to look at hotel options. I keep seeing places near Syntagma Square, and I’m wondering whether that is a convenient area to stay.

I like the idea of being central and able to walk to a lot of the main sights, restaurants, and neighborhoods, but I also don’t want to stay somewhere that feels overly busy or touristy all the time. How easy is it to get around from Syntagma, especially to places like Plaka, Monastiraki, the Acropolis, and other parts of central Athens?

I’d also love to know what the area feels like in the evenings. Is it a good choice for someone who wants convenience and walkability, or would you recommend staying in a nearby neighborhood instead?

Any hotel-area suggestions would be appreciated too.

How walkable is Athens?

I’m thinking about visiting Athens this year and trying to figure out how easy it is to get around on foot. I usually prefer walking when I travel, especially in cities where you can explore neighborhoods naturally without relying too much on transportation.

How walkable is Athens overall? Are the main areas like Plaka, Monastiraki, and the Acropolis close enough to each other to comfortably walk between them, or is it more spread out than it looks?

I’m also wondering where it makes the most sense to stay if I want to rely mostly on walking. Would it still be worth using the metro, or even renting a car, or is that unnecessary for a short trip?

First-time impressions of Athens

I’m in the early stages of planning an upcoming trip to Athens, and it made me realize something a little funny. It’s been a very long time since it was my first time there.

Every time I go now, I tend to fall into the same rhythm: familiar neighborhoods, favorite walks, the same cafés and viewpoints. I love Athens, but I’d really like to experience it again through fresh eyes instead of repeating my usual routine.

For those of you who remember your first visit, what were your initial impressions of Athens? What surprised you, in a good or bad way? Was it the energy, the mix of ancient and modern, the pace of daily life, or something completely unexpected?

And for anyone who’s helped a first-time visitor plan a trip, what parts of Athens seemed to leave the strongest impression on them?

Favorite day trips from Athens?

I was talking to someone recently about Athens and realized that a lot of people use it mostly as a base before heading to the islands, but there seem to be so many good day trips nearby that don’t get discussed as much.

The obvious ones like Delphi, Hydra, Nafplio, Cape Sounion, and Aegina always come up, but I’m curious which places people actually enjoyed the most once they went. Sometimes the smaller or less hyped trips end up being the most memorable.

I’m especially interested in places that are realistically doable in a single day without feeling rushed. Could be history-focused, food-focused, beach towns, mountain villages, or even somewhere mostly known for the scenery and atmosphere.

Would love to hear everyone’s favorite day trips from Athens, especially places that surprised you once you got there.

Is renting a car necessary in Athens?

I’m planning to spend a few days in Athens this summer before heading off to the islands, and I’m trying to decide whether renting a car is actually necessary while I’m there.

Part of me likes the flexibility of having a car, especially if I want to explore beyond the main historic center. On the other hand, I’ve heard traffic can be intense, parking is limited, and public transportation is fairly easy to use for the major sites.

My plan is to see the Acropolis, wander neighborhoods like Plaka and Koukaki, enjoy some good food, and maybe do one day trip if time allows. After that, I’ll be taking a ferry.

For those who’ve spent a few days in Athens, did you rent a car or rely on walking, taxis, and public transport? Was having a car helpful, or more of a hassle than it was worth? I’d appreciate honest advice.
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