first time in athens?
if you’re a history connoisseur, a feta fanatic or just a traveler, what the heck are you waiting for?
I love Athens, deeply. It’s a city that totally captivated me for it’s collateral decadence and slow lifestyle. Besides having the kindest people, it’s so full of history landmarks everywhere! I wasn’t really able to capacitate having aperitivo in front of an Acropolis. The thing about Athens is the fact that everything is spot-on, from the Mediterranean food to the culture. Indeed, it’s full of music initiatives and independent small galleries to showcase the Greek artistic heritage, also from a modern perspective.
Actually, the one below is the first guide that I ever made for myself, and definitely the one that I’m the most proud of. It’s a mix of places that I spotted randomly, as well as the best suggestions from the locals, which are the ones to be trusted always. Also, this is the reason that made me fall in love with guide making in the first place, the idea of research and sharing.
I don’t know, I don’t want to bee too corny. But I want you to enjoy it so much! As much as I did, because there are plenty of treasures — art-wise but also food-wise— that are there, just waiting to be found. If you’re a history connoisseur, a feta fanatic or just a traveler, what the heck are you waiting for?
NB: This guide is intended for insiders. It does include a few popular landmarks, but that's far from the point. If you're looking for a tourist itinerary, this may not work for you. However, I’d really recommend a hop-on/hop-off experience as I did, since it gives a complete view of everything that has to be seen with the freedom to enjoy it for how long as you want by hopping on and off the bus.
Breakfast & brunch:
Greeks take breakfast very seriously, just like me. Maybe that’s why I like them so much? Could be. Being very serious about the first meal of the day, they naturally have the best breakfast spots, which are perfect for brunch, lunch, and even a snack.
Ps: there are so many great brunch spots in Athens.
Kora (Kolonaki): sourdough and viennoiserie bakery.
Stani (Omonoia): serving the best Greek yogurt since 1931, the Omonia area used to be full of dairy shops, which were the cafés of the time. This is the last one serving a real Greek breakfast: sheep’s yogurt under a blanket of liquid gold. Try the bread rolls with churned butter and honey, and the anthogala.
Akra (Pagrati): pastries, bread and also wine.
The Black Salami Microbakery (Exarchia): sourdough everything and anythinggg.
Bougatsadiko (Psirri): best bougatsa! A Greek breakfast food (sweet or savoury) consisting of a filling wrapped in phyllo pastry. Bougatsa has several versions, with the most popular the bougatsa krema that has semolina custard filling. If you’re vegan don’t worry because they vegan versions of any desserts, even the baklava.
Takis (Acropolis): 3rd generation family-owned “bread shrine” opened in 1961. Try the lipsopita, semi-sweet buns made with olive oil and orange zest.
Pnyka (Syntagma): since 1981, this family-led bakery has been baking bread with flour from their stone mill, where they grind their own grains. They don’t use yeast—only their ancient homemade sourdough starter—and the bread is baked in a wood oven. They specialize in making low-gluten buckwheat and zea (an ancient grain) loaves, as well as a chocolate-carob bread.
Feelings (Pagrati): a space filled with baked goodies and pastries of any kind.
Flake (Kypseli): bread bread bread and many other things, sweet and savory.
Tromero Paidi (Ilisia): here bread is made from two sourdough starters: one is 50 years old and the other has been around for 100 years. Try the 100% rye loaf.
Overoll (Trigono): are you a croissant fan? Then you can’t miss this spot.
Fika (Acropoli): Scandi-inspired viennoiserie, sourdough bread & sandwiches.
Lotte (Acropolis): the cutest café-bistro. Looks like an auntie’s house.
Μπελ Ρεϋ/Bel Ray (Koukaki): eggs, sandwiches and anything brunch-related.
Morning Bar (Koukaki): homebaked good, wholesome food, specialty coffee and wine.
Hippy Hippo (Koukaki) the finest coffee, brunch and drinks in the neighbourhood.
Sofi’s Eatery (Piraeus): great matcha lattes and natural breakfast bowls.
Φούρνοι Σέκκας (Piraeus): Michalis Sekkas hand-kneads traditional bread with real sourdough starter every morning and bakes it in a wood-fired oven since 1977. I’d trust him.
Coffee shops:
It’s no secret that I’m obsessed, if not addicted, to coffee. Thus, I obviously had to create a dedicated section for coffee shops. In Athens, there are many indie roasteries working with adorable cafés. Also, Greece has a very ancient tradition of coffee-making.
Most of these cafés, like the breakfast spots, are perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a midday pick-me-up.
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