Athens, Greece, the modern capital of an ancient world

I find myself in Athens en route to the Cyclades islands in the heart of the Aegean and I have a day to refresh my Greek memories, both ancient and more recent. Certainly, the city has changed since the last time, and surely I don’t have the time to take an in-depth tour of the areas I love the most, which are also the most visited ones: the Acropolis and Mount Lycabettus. However, there are many new or otherwise changed areas that are worth discovering or rediscovering. The first one is certainly Psiri: an area rich in bars, small shops, adorned streets, and many murals. It’s very central, practically next to Monastiraki Square, on the opposite side of the Acropolis. It underwent a massive transformation during the Olympics. Seeing it today, it seems impossible to think it was as infamous as they write. Now it’s one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city, very lively even at night when the numerous bars fill up with people.

After Psiri, there’s the classic Plaka neighborhood, an area beneath the Acropolis full of people, shops, and restaurants. It has always been the area I like the most in Athens because it’s also beautiful from an architectural point of view. Another place, now also iconic, is the Cultural Center of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, designed by the architect Renzo Piano and built by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, as the name suggests. The project, costing 566 million euros, was completed in 2016 and was donated to the Greek state in 2017. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is located in Kallithea, 4 km south of the center of Athens, by the sea. It’s an important cultural complex within a large urban park (170,000 sqm), which includes the Greek National Library and the Greek National Opera. This project revitalized a large semi-abandoned space, formerly the site of a racetrack, then included in the area of the 2004 Olympic Games, and finally became a parking lot. To get there from the city center, from the very central Omonia Square, you just need to take Metro Line M1, and you’ll arrive at your destination in 15 minutes. Alternatively, for those who want to enjoy a panoramic ride, the tram T4 also departs from the same square.

Greece, Athens: Omonia square

Greece, Athens: beautiful view over the city from the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Hotel, Mitropoleos 15

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: The Roman Agora at Athens is located to the north of the Acropolis and to the east of the Ancient Agora

Greece, Athens: Dorou street near Omonia square

Greece, Athens:

Greece, Athens:

Greece, Athens:

Greece, Athens:

Greece, Athens:

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art. Loukanikos on Riga Palamidou St., Psyrri. Work by Billy Gee, Alex Martinez & N_Grams

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art. Psiri area is very close to the Monastiraki square. Many decades ago it was an undeveloped area

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art. Psiri area is very close to the Monastiraki square. Many decades ago it was an undeveloped area

Greece, Athens: beautiful view over the city from the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Hotel, Mitropoleos 15

Greece, Athens: beautiful view over the city from the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Hotel, Mitropoleos 15

Greece, Athens: beautiful view over the city from the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Hotel, Mitropoleos 15

Greece, Athens: beautiful view over the city from the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Hotel, Mitropoleos 15

Greece, Athens: beautiful view over the city from the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Hotel, Mitropoleos 15

Greece, Athens: The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business nonstop since 1886. It consists of a fish market, vegetable market and a meat market extending along both sides of Athinas Street. Also known as Varvakeios Agora, it is open every day, except Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon

Greece, Athens: The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business nonstop since 1886. It consists of a fish market, vegetable market and a meat market extending along both sides of Athinas Street. Also known as Varvakeios Agora, it is open every day, except Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon

Greece, Athens: The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business nonstop since 1886. It consists of a fish market, vegetable market and a meat market extending along both sides of Athinas Street. Also known as Varvakeios Agora, it is open every day, except Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon

Greece, Athens: The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business nonstop since 1886. It consists of a fish market, vegetable market and a meat market extending along both sides of Athinas Street. Also known as Varvakeios Agora, it is open every day, except Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon

Greece, Athens: The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business nonstop since 1886. It consists of a fish market, vegetable market and a meat market extending along both sides of Athinas Street. Also known as Varvakeios Agora, it is open every day, except Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon

Greece, Athens: The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business nonstop since 1886. It consists of a fish market, vegetable market and a meat market extending along both sides of Athinas Street. Also known as Varvakeios Agora, it is open every day, except Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon

Greece, Athens: buildings surrounding the Roman Agora at Athens, located to the north of the Acropolis and to the east of the Ancient Agora

Greece, Athens: 22, Lysiou Street in Plaka, in the historic Athens Center, has its own special history. Way before it was established in people’s conscience, the Cafe-Bar-Restaurant “Melina” was initially used for other purposes, as you can see in the rare photo-gallery provided. Melina Cafe was initially named “Cafe of Melina” in 1994, to place the honours to the last Greek Godess, Melina Mercouri, which had just passed away but her high temperament was engraved in many hearts. Cafe Melina, with this strong sense of the dynamic Greek Godess, offers moments of morning serenity, a lunch in the afternoon and a drink at night, with the help of the multipurpose space, its warm personel and its magnificent coffee

Greece, Athens: La Plaka, Lysiou street. The famous Zorbas restaurant was opened 40 years ago and is located under the Acropolis, in one of the most historical and interesting places of Athens. The view over the Zorba restaurant is from inside the well known Cafè Melina, just across the street

Greece, Athens:

Greece, Athens: La Plaka, Apollonia Lyra Cafe, Lisiou 12

Greece, Athens: scene in La Plaka, Lysiou Street

Greece, Athens: scene in La Plaka district

Greece, Athens: The Roman Agora at Athens is located to the north of the Acropolis and to the east of the Ancient Agora

Greece, Athens: the first hotel in Athens, now an abandoned building, located near the Roman Agora

Greece, Athens: scene in La Plaka district

Greece, Athens: scene in La Plaka district

Greece, Athens: Agios Eleftherios church, also known as Mikri Mitropoli (little metropolitan church) or Panagia Gorgoepikoos is a Byzantine-era church located at the Mitropolis square, next to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens (Megali Mitropoli). It is often said Michael Choniates, the bishop of Athens, ordered the construction at the start of the 13th century, but is known nowadays it dates to the second half of the 15th century, already in the Ottoman period

Greece, Athens: Koulouri, a ring of bread sprinkled with sesame seeds. This healthy snack, packed with carbohydrates and proteins, is virtually sold everywhere, in bakeries or on the streets. And while it’s usually in a simple ring form, you may also find it twisted or braided. Available in many variations (multigrain, filled with chocolate spread, cheese or tahini or even without sesame seeds), the traditional sesame-seed koulouri was first introduced by Greek refugees from Asia Minor who were flooding Greece’s second city.

Greece, Athens: Koulouri, a ring of bread sprinkled with sesame seeds. This healthy snack, packed with carbohydrates and proteins, is virtually sold everywhere, in bakeries or on the streets. And while it’s usually in a simple ring form, you may also find it twisted or braided. Available in many variations (multigrain, filled with chocolate spread, cheese or tahini or even without sesame seeds), the traditional sesame-seed koulouri was first introduced by Greek refugees from Asia Minor who were flooding Greece’s second city.

Greece, Athens: Koulouri, a ring of bread sprinkled with sesame seeds. This healthy snack, packed with carbohydrates and proteins, is virtually sold everywhere, in bakeries or on the streets. And while it’s usually in a simple ring form, you may also find it twisted or braided. Available in many variations (multigrain, filled with chocolate spread, cheese or tahini or even without sesame seeds), the traditional sesame-seed koulouri was first introduced by Greek refugees from Asia Minor who were flooding Greece’s second city.

Greece, Athens: a local pope

Greece, Athens: La Plaka, Lysiou street. The famous Zorbas restaurant was opened 40 years ago and is located under the Acropolis, in one of the most historical and interesting places of Athens. The view over the Zorba restaurant is from inside the well known Cafè Melina, just across the street

Greece, Athens: La Plaka, Lysiou street. The famous Zorbas restaurant was opened 40 years ago and is located under the Acropolis, in one of the most historical and interesting places of Athens. The view over the Zorba restaurant is from inside the well known Cafè Melina, just across the street

Greece, Athens: La Plaka, Apollonia Lyra Cafe, Lisiou 12

Greece, Athens: 22, Lysiou Street in Plaka, in the historic Athens Center, has its own special history. Way before it was established in people’s conscience, the Cafe-Bar-Restaurant “Melina” was initially used for other purposes, as you can see in the rare photo-gallery provided. Melina Cafe was initially named “Cafe of Melina” in 1994, to place the honours to the last Greek Godess, Melina Mercouri, which had just passed away but her high temperament was engraved in many hearts. Cafe Melina, with this strong sense of the dynamic Greek Godess, offers moments of morning serenity, a lunch in the afternoon and a drink at night, with the help of the multipurpose space, its warm personel and its magnificent coffee

Greece, Athens – PALLAS ATHENA GRECOTEL Boutique 65, Athinas str. & Likourgou, GR-10551 Kotzia sq.

Greece, Athens – PALLAS ATHENA GRECOTEL Boutique 65, Athinas str. & Likourgou, GR-10551 Kotzia sq.

Greece, Athens: Syntagma square

Greece, Athens: Mitropolis square, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens (Megali Mitropoli).

Greece, Athens: the Syntagma metropolitan station

Greece, Athens: Local fruit vendor at Omonia square

Greece, Athens: Dinner in the Sky in Athens. An extraordinary culinary proposal, in the center of Athens, welcomes you! A table for 22 people, along with our experienced chefs who are preparing a 5 course menu, lifts you up to 50 meters and offers once in a life time experience over the city. Located in Technopolis

Greece, Athens: Kotzia square where the City Hall is located

Greece, Athens: Kotzia square where the City Hall is located

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the theatre

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the theatre

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the theatre

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the theatre

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the theatre

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the theatre

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the orchestra rehearsaling

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the music room only for rehearsal

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the music room only for rehearsal

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea