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The places worth not to miss in Athens

Monicel
The places worth not to miss in Athens

Athens in autumn is like a fine wine that ages slowly: each sip reveals new layers of flavor and depth. The old streets, which in the summer are filled with bright red tourists after spending hours in the sun, empty out a bit and allow a more intimate look into the soul of the city. The air is filled with the aromas of Greek coffee and cinnamon, and the soft sunlight colors the ancient columns in shades of gold and peach.

I arrived in Athens with the arrival of autumn as a guest of the ALUMA hotel chain. I paid a two-day visit to the Greek capital, which left me wanting more. The goal was not only to visit the famous places, but also to experience Athens as the locals do, through the tastes, smells and colors that fill the narrow alleys and crowded squares.

Sunday: Soft landing on “Spice Road”

I arrived in Athens in the afternoon, when the city starts to wake up with nightlife. The trip to the ANISE hotel, one of the chain’s three hotels in Athens, was like traveling back in time: from the wide, modern boulevards to the narrow alleys of the old city. The hotel is located along the famous “Spice Road”, on the edge of the cool and touristy Pasiri district, so you can find cafes, bars and of course shops within walking distance. The neighborhood is located between three famous squares: Monastiraki, Syntagma and Òmnia.

ANISE, which opened in August and has a 4-star rating, is indeed a new hotel, but it is no longer a hotel. It is a meeting point between the past and the future of Athens. The modern design harmoniously combines with traditional elements and creates an atmosphere of homely elegance. The room was quite spacious (especially by European standards) and harmoniously combined rough concrete walls and warm, modern furniture, with the dominant colors being brown and green.

The huge bed with soft bedding, the espresso machine and the balcony overlooking the old city all ensured that the stay was as pleasant as the travels. At the moment it seems that even though it is an Israeli owned chain, only 20% of their guests are Israeli and the rest are mostly European. Something that ensures a balance for anyone looking to escape the Israeli madness but still feel at home. How many at home? Israeli guests can feel comfortable asking for special things in the kitchen.

The hotel building looks from the outside like another typical Greek building, with a shop front and a long corridor leading to a courtyard with a bar and restaurant. Above them are 63 rooms of various sizes, from single rooms to family rooms. Prices here start from €191 per couple per night. In the future, the hotel will include more than a hundred rooms, as the chain also acquired the building adjacent to the hotel. In my eyes, the highlight of ANISE is the rooftop and its transparent pool. There are lounge areas and a nice cocktail bar near the pool.

Anise Pool (credit: PR)

First night: Review of the area and stop at a tavern

Despite the tiredness of the flight, my curiosity grew and I decided to take a short night tour of the area. The neighborhood of Psiri, known as the “Soho of Athens”, comes alive at night. The streets are filled with music, smells of traditional Greek food and sounds of lively conversation. After five minutes of walking I could already see the buzz around Monastiraki Square, which actually connects Psiri and the old Plaka quarter.

asting – food tour (credit: MEITAL SHARABI)

Although the square is busy at all hours of the day, it has a special charm: above it you can see the Acropolis. In addition to the view of the Acropolis in the square there is the church of Pantanassa, an 11th century church rich in wall paintings and mosaics; Cistraki Mosque (Mosque of the Little Steps) built in the 18th century, Hadrian’s Library built in the 2nd century by the Roman emperor Hadrian; and the Agora, which was the heart of ancient Athens.

The Acropolis of Athens (credit: INGIMAGE)

After a round of impressions, I decided to stop at the first taverna I saw, for a first taste of Greek cuisine. Fly with layers of roasted eggplant, juicy ground beef and creamy beschmel, Greek salad (because you can’t do without), dolmades (vine leaves) and other surprises flowed to the table. While eating, I noticed the walls covered in magnificent murals. This was a first glimpse of Athens’ rich graffiti culture, a topic I will explore in depth later in the tour.

With another drop of energy I continued to “Little Cook”, a cafe designed like a scene from the world of Disney fairy tales. Attracting tourists late into the night, the cafe is located in the heart of the Pasiri district and is known for its elaborate and decadent desserts.

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Little Cook (credit: PR)
A room at the Anis Hotel (Credit: PR)

Monday: time travel

The morning started early, with the sun rising over the rooftops of ancient Athens. Breakfast at the ANISE hotel was a culinary feast in itself. I surprisingly gave up the classic yogurt, instead finding myself enjoying a selection of traditional Greek pastries – from borax with feta cheese to pretzels – each of which was a culinary adventure in itself. Local honey, homemade jams and a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables were served alongside the pastries. The person behind the menu here is Amir Kalfon, the head chef of the Isrotel network.

Breakfast with anise (credit: MEITAL SHARABI)

With renewed energy, it’s a good time to head to the site: the Acropolis. Far above the busy streets of modern Athens, rises the Acropolis, a silent testament to the greatness of ancient Greece. As you climb the hill, you can feel how philosophers, artists and statesmen who shaped Western culture once walked it. The Parthenon, which stands at the heart of the complex, is a symbol of the pinnacle of human achievement. It is impossible not to be impressed by its decorated columns, and next to it the Arcatheon with its famous caryatid statues, which remind us of the mythological richness of Greek culture.

But the Acropolis is more than a collection of ancient buildings, it is a multi-sensory experience: The wind blowing between the columns; the touch of the hot stone of the sun; and the spectacular view of Athens that unfolds at your feet: all this creates a magical moment of connection with the past. If you are traveling to the city for several days and are an archeology enthusiast, you should know that you can purchase a combined ticket for all the ancient sites, which is valid for three days. The ticket costs around €30 for an adult.

The secrets of Athens

Apart from history, Athens is also known as a destination for city tours. The best way to understand the wealth that the Greek capital has to offer is to take part in guided tours. And there are many. Many of them are led by Israelis who fell in love with the city and immigrated there. One of the most interesting tours I have discovered is from the company “Secrets of Athens”, and it focuses on food, street art and contemporary culture.

We were accompanied by Inga, an Israeli who lived in Athens for six years. Inga walks the busy streets of the city with the confidence of a local, she is full of joie de vivre and spending time with her is an experience in itself. Unlike the usual tours that focus on famous places, Inga takes us on a journey through time through the hidden layers of the city. It takes us between old and new cafes, recommended restaurants and narrow streets with graffiti and street art and lively markets that only the locals know about.

Graffiti and Food Tour with Inga (Credit: MEITAL SHARABI)

Inga’s wealth of knowledge and love for the city is evident around every corner. Spice up the tour with personal stories and surprising historical anecdotes. The tour itself lasts between three and four hours, during which you will taste the delicacies of the Ionian cuisine, such as the pastry of the gods rich in honey, the spanakopita (phyllo pastry, spinach and feta cheese), locomades (buñuelos) and of course the local alcohol. This tour costs around €75.

Just before the end of the long day, during which we were also blessed with the first rains of autumn, I went up to the roof of the “SKYLARK” hotel, which is located in Omonia Square, which is more than a wonderful pool also has a cool bar and a panoramic view of all of Athens. This is a great place to slow down, sit back with a fancy cocktail and enjoy the peace.

The SKYLARK Pool (Credit: MEITAL SHARABI)

After a refreshing hop back to ANISE’s room, I ended the night at “Kalimetria”, an old town tavern just steps away from the hotel. It’s a perfect place to enjoy good food, Greek music and mezzo that flows like water. If you are more than a couple, you should know that here you can have a “set menu” for €35 per head, which includes the emblematic dishes of the place and a drink.

Kalimetria Tavern (credit: MEITAL SHARABI)

The journalist was a guest of Aluma Hotels.



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