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Athens for Adventurers: The Alternative Tours Edition

A guide to the acropolis, the sacred rock of athens, best monuments and landmarks in athens, the agora of athens: the heartbeat of classical greece, best green spaces in athens, 50 best art spaces in athens.

In the most thorough guide you'll find online, we present all the galleries that you must visit

BY ALEXIA AMVRAZI

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In the last two decades but especially in the period following the Greek financial crisis and then the COVID-19 pandemic, Athens has kept witnessing surges in art spaces. These range from prominent international galleries collaborating with local counterparts to self-managed venues, artist spaces, and urban galleries. The Greek capital has made a remarkable entry onto the global art scene. What began with the major international exhibition of Contemporary Art Documenta in 2017 has now blossomed into a vibrant art landscape, teeming with possibilities. The city exudes a magnetic charm, attracting artists and creative minds, with annual events like Art Athina , which bring galleries big and small into a shared exhibition space, and events that draw an increasingly wide public.

The art scene is thriving, with opportunities for both established and emerging artists, who collaborate in projects often moving beyond their trajectory in art events like the Fast Forward Festival organised by institutions such as Onassis’ Stegi . Athens offers affordable art, catering to art enthusiasts from various economic backgrounds and tastes, while the surge in art spaces not only benefits the city but also fosters artist networking and international exposure, enriching the cultural landscape. Here we present not only the very ‘best’ and prominent art spaces in the city’s key neighbourhoods but also smaller spaces that are equally committed to important projects and all have exciting expressions to share.

Photo: Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Centre/Facebook

Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Centre

With 300 square metres over two floors, this gallery, founded in 1988 in a spacious post-industrial building, is a prominent platform for Greek artists of the mid-20th century. Renowned for its engaging exhibitions (over 250 to date), the gallery also has a restaurant and art shop to offer a complete cultural experience. Its important role in the promotion of Greek talent worldwide and its pioneering role in the region make it a key destination for lovers of modern art. Website

Enterprise Projects

Founded by curator Danae Giannoglou and artist Vasilis Papageorgiou, Enterprise Projects is based in Athens. This initiative is dedicated to experimentation and reconciliation: experimenting with curatorial proposals, artistic creation, and self-organised operation, while also fostering a dialogue with the art scene, the Athenian audience, and the very space that hosts the project. In 2018, it launched the EP Journal, an online platform for publishing original theoretical and research texts related to art in both Greek and English. Website

Photo: Zoumboulakis Gallery/Facebook

KOLONAKI – SYNTAGMA

Zoumboulakis gallery.

For more than half a century, Zoumboulakis Gallery has been a major force in Greek art. Originally showing works by icons such as Dali and Picasso, the gallery later focused on acclaimed and emerging local talent. The gallery, which has been based in Kolonaki since the 1970s, is run by Daphne Zoumboulakis, who continues the legacy of promoting Greek artists. Its diverse exhibitions range from internationally renowned artists to influential Greeks. The gallery’s design and antiques shop make it an important destination for art lovers. Website

Photo: Gallery Skoufa/Facebook

Gallery Skoufa

The gallery, whose primary mission is to reflect the multifaceted nature of contemporary art, has been a prominent art space since 1981. It mainly exhibits modern Greek painting, from the influential generation of the 1930s to the subsequent waves of Greek artists. Website

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Since its inception in 2007, the gallery has represented artistic pluralism and diversity. It stands out for presenting a variety of perspectives and media, focusing on both Greek and international contemporary artists. With a particular emphasis on sculpture, it occupies a prominent place in the annual art calendar. In addition to its art exhibitions, it also participates in and supports a wide range of important cultural activities. Website

Photo: Kalfayan Galleries/Facebook

Kalfayan Galleries

Rooted in the Armenian Kalfayan family’s century-old tradition of cultural preservation, Kalfayan Galleries expanded from Thessaloniki in 1995 to a modern glass-fronted gallery in Athens in 2000. It honours the legacy of important Greek artists of the 20th century and specialises in contemporary Greek and international artists. It has gained international recognition and appeal through its commitment to showcasing the Armenian heritage and promoting Greek art at global art fairs such as Art Basel and The Armory Show. Website

Astrolavos Galleries

The Astrolavos Dexameni Gallery showcases a rich tapestry of art, featuring both contemporary and retrospective exhibitions. The gallery’s large space, spread across three main levels, allows simultaneous presentations of diverse artistic styles, encompassing paintings, photography, and constructions. Recent exhibitions include Nikolas Klironomos’ “Excavators-urban records” in 2023. Website

Photo: Gagosian Athens/Facebook

Gagosian Athens

Contemporary art titan Larry Gagosian expanded his global gallery network to Athens in 2017. The gallery, which initially opened in a modest apartment near Syntagma Square, later moved to a grand modernist mansion in the Kolonaki district. It focuses on artists with Greek connections, such as the Hydra-influenced American minimalist Brice Marden, as well as celebrated names such as Sterling Ruby and Giuseppe Penone, making it a hot spot for art lovers and collectors alike. Website

Eleftheria Tseliou Gallery

A hidden gem in the Athens art scene is Eleftheria Tseliou’s Kolonaki gallery, housed in an apartment on Irodotou Street. Since 2013, Tseliou has curated a thoughtful selection of contemporary art, showcasing a range of Greek artists from different generations. Known for her discerning eye, her focus is on artists who creatively reinvent traditional mediums such as painting, drawing and clay. A secret to the casual passer-by but a treasure trove to those in the know, this gallery offers a unique experience where visitors may be greeted in person by the gallery owner. Website

Photo: Citronne Galleries/Facebook

Citronne Galleries

Founded in 2006 by Dr. Tatiana Spinari, Citronne Gallery began on Poros Island, focusing on contemporary Greek art and its diaspora. Expanding to Athens in 2019, it opened a space in Kolonaki to blend local and global art scenes. This ‘glocal’ approach has led to over 50 thought-provoking exhibitions. The Athens gallery, set in a bourgeois apartment, serves as a living space where art and thought converge, reflecting Citronne’s commitment to fostering a dialogue between local heritage and international perspectives. Website

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Athens Art Gallery

The Athens Art Gallery, the brainchild of Marilena Liakopoulou over half a century ago, has been a major force in the art world since 1973. It gained recognition for its bold exhibitions during the dictatorship, including Maria Karavela’s gripping prison installations and Elias Dekoulakos’s powerful prison torture paintings. The gallery has also consistently highlighted the work of important Greek diaspora artists and rising stars. The gallery continues to play an important role in enriching the cultural tapestry of the art scene through its commitment to showcasing both local and international talent in solo exhibitions. Website

Photo: Allouche Benias Gallery/Facebook

Allouche Benias Gallery / Facebook

Allouche Benias Gallery

This is the Athenian sibling of New York’s Allouche Gallery. It opened its doors near Syntagma Square in June 2018 with a group show of four American artists, and since then has developed a programme that is directly influenced by pop and street art, working in direct dialogue with current developments in American and Greek painting. Even if contemporary painting is not high on your agenda, the stately Deligiorgis mansion – the gallery’s current home, designed by architect Ernst Ziller – is reason enough to visit. Website

Contemporary Art Meeting Point

The Contemporary Art Meeting Point, commonly known as CAMP, is housed in a three-storey neoclassical building on the corner of Eupolidos and Apellou Streets. It has become a focal point for art lovers to interact with artists, art groups and organisations. The venue is renowned for its exhibitions, complemented by experimental music, exploratory theatre performances and innovative screenings, creating a vibrant hub for contemporary artistic expression. Website

Photo: Phoenix Athens/Facebook

Phoenix Athens

A non-profit arts centre and artists’ sanctuary, Phoenix Athens was initiated by Greek-American creator Dimitris Yin and aims to provide artists, both local and international, with the necessary infrastructure and support to nurture and exhibit their creativity in Greece. This groundbreaking project underlines the role of art as a catalyst for inspiration and social development. Discover this space to encounter a dynamic fusion of contemporary art and interact with the artists who are actively shaping the Greek cultural environment. Website

KYAN Athens

The brainchild of artist Kyveli Zoi Stenou, KYAN is an independent art space by artists for artists. Against the backdrop of the established ‘white cube’ aesthetic, the initiative aims to support exhibitions and ideas that bring forth new proposals, emphasising a wide range of diversity. KYAN is housed in the pre-war living room of an old house in Exarchia and serves as a platform to showcase emerging Greek and international artists through residencies, screenings, exhibitions and various cultural events. Website

Photo: Two Thirds Project Space/Facebook

Two Thirds Project Space

Located on the fifth floor of a former law firm, this space is a pioneering artist-run hub. Founded in 2020 by Dorina Fountouli, it follows an abstract curatorial agenda and is open to the public for a wide range of activities. Its mission is to provide opportunities for the development and presentation of solo and group installations, site-specific works and projects, and to inspire and encourage emerging artists. Website

Esto Association

Seamlessly blending design, visual arts and research, Esto Association is a dynamic arts centre. Its primary mission is to spark meaningful conversations about pressing socio-political issues and to engage with the local community. The collaborative work of its members is at the heart of the association’s endeavours. Website

Photo: 3 137/Facebook

Established in 2012, the artist-led space focuses on contemporary art practices aimed at engaging diverse communities, conducting research, and generating discourse on public issues. Over the years, it has collaborated with more than 300 artists, curators, collectives, institutes and art foundations. In addition, it has set up GABRIELA, an art institute that explores the role and impact of artistic initiatives in terms of sustainability, labour and institutionalisation. Website

Backspace Athens

An independent and experimental art space, Backspace explores contemporary public art and its interplay with collaborative artistic practices, while doubling as an art studio. It has hosted numerous events that have promoted dialogue on the evolving nature of public art and collaborative creation, exploring artistic interventions not only in the bustling streets of Athens but also in selected international locations. Website

Photo: Kappatos Gallery/Facebook

HISTORICAL CENTRE

Kappatos gallery.

Founded in 1991 by Gerasimos Kappatos in Athens, the gallery is a key player in contemporary art in Greece that showcases a mix of Greek and international artists, both established and emerging. Renowned for its “Rooms” exhibition since 1999, the gallery centres on promoting young artists across diverse disciplines. Additionally, it hosts the first official Art Residency supported by a European fund, fostering international artistic exchange and public engagement. Website

The Project Gallery

An intriguing art experience is offered by the Project Gallery, established in 2018. Accessed through an unassuming entrance in Monastiraki, the interior of this gallery surprises with its contemporary, minimalist design. It frequently curates group exhibitions showcasing the diverse works of local and international artists, and serves as a venue for a variety of events, such as performances and discussions. Your visit won’t be complete without a stop at the famous rooftop bar in the same building. Website

Photo: Ekfrasi – Yianna Grammatopoulou Gallery/Facebook

Ekfrasi – Yianna Grammatopoulou Gallery

Discreetly situated on Valaoritou Street near Syntagma Square, this gallery has been part of the Athens art scene since 1983. Under the direction of Yianna Grammatopoulou, the gallery specialises in presenting the works of renowned Greek artists, focusing on sculpture, installation and painting. Offering an insight into the country’s artistic heritage, it’s a valuable destination for those interested in Greek art of the late 20th century. Website

Photo: aantonopoulou art/Facebook

Gazi – votanikos, aantonopoulou art.

Established in Athens in 2001 by Angeliki Antonopoulou, this space is a continuation of the “Epikentro” gallery in Patras. It stands out as one of Greece’s longest-running independent galleries, focusing on Greek and international art. The gallery is known for its contemporary art orientation and plays an active role in promoting Greek art on both national and international levels. It frequently participates in significant art events and fairs, such as the Venice Biennale, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and Documenta 14. The gallery hosts an intensive program of monthly or bimonthly solo and group shows. Website

Saigon Current

Embodying an industrial aesthetic and underground ethos, Saigon was founded in 2020 as an independent artist-run project space in the former PLyFA factory. Its core mission is to showcase emerging Greek and international artists, especially those working in sound-based and visual practices. The space also curates annual off-site group exhibitions and invites curators to organise in-situ group exhibitions in the Votanikos neighbourhood and initiatives aimed at facilitating engaging dialogues between artists of different backgrounds and artistic stages. Website

Photo: TAF The Art Foundation/Facebook

MONASTIRAKI -PLAKA

Taf the art foundation.

The Art Foundation (TAF) in Athens is a vibrant hub for contemporary art, housed in a 19th-century Ottoman building. Its gallery, spanning 100 square metres, showcases an eclectic array of exhibitions, with a focus on both local and international artists. These exhibits, often experimental, include a variety of mediums like photography and graphic design and often include interactive elements like workshops, performances, and discussions, making TAF a lively centre for artistic discourse and community engagement. Website

Gramma_Epsilon Athens

The gallery commits to highlighting the work of female artists, particularly those who played a pivotal role in the artistic scene of the 1970s. The gallery’s mission is to bring attention to these artists and their works, which remain relevant today. Through a series of carefully curated thematic and monographic exhibitions, Gramma_Epsilon seeks to stir interest in artistic expressions centred around the feminine, verbal-visual experimentation, and the post-war avant-garde. Website

Photo: Eleni Marneri Galerie/Facebook

Eleni Marneri Galerie

A unique space set in a neoclassical residence from 1910 that is dedicated to contemporary jewellery by established and emerging Greek artists, the gallery has for over 30 years stood out for its artistic jewellery exhibitions and activities. It showcases a diverse range of jewellery styles, from fine to conceptual design, as well as art, costume and fashion jewellery. Additionally, it presents an eclectic collection of exceptional artworks in sculptural and ceramic art. Website

Photo: National Gallery of Contemporary Art (EMST)/Facebook

KOUKAKI – MAKRYIANNI

Since 2000, the National Gallery of Contemporary Art (EMST) has been housed in the iconic FIX building, but was forced into hiatus in 2003-2016 because of financial constraints. It successfully resumed operations in 2016, hosting a series of engaging exhibitions. Located in Koukaki, the gallery’s open architecture complements its thought-provoking artwork. The programme is socially and politically charged, showcasing Greek artists who address pertinent issues through a variety of mediums, including photography, sculpture and audio-visual installations. It is the place to see how contemporary Greek art responds to the challenges of our time. Website

KȮREN Process Space

An artist-run space, KȮREN focuses on the artistic process, fostering dialogue between various art forms, from visual arts to dance. Founded by Irene Ragusini and Evripidis Papadopetrakis, it primarily serves as their workshop. Through exhibitions, workshops, and related activities, it aims to connect the evolution of creative practices with the public directly. Website

Photo: Or.artspace/Facebook

Or.artspace

Established in 2021 in Athens by visual artist and anthropologist Dr. Elpida Rikou, Or.artspace serves as her workspace. This artistic laboratory remains open to collaborations, creating, exhibiting, and selling various forms of art. Additionally, it hosts workshops for small groups on various themes. Website

State of Concept

Founded in 2013 by art critic and curator Iliana Fokianaki, State of Concept Athens is a nonprofit institution in Koukaki. As an independent platform, it advocates for the recognition of contemporary art, both locally and globally, while promoting artistic and curatorial practices. The institution has collaborations with international foundations and its exhibitions and programme components have been presented in various cities worldwide, such as Amsterdam, Oakland, Ljubljana, New York, Paris and Rotterdam. From virtual reality installations to traditional art forms, it presents a diverse range of exhibitions. Website

Photo: Dio Horia/Facebook

Founded in 2015, Dio Horia serves as a contemporary art platform in Mykonos and operates in both Athens and the Cycladic island. In addition to vibrant exhibitions in Mykonos’s main town, the gallery hosts shows in Athens. Dio Horia features solo and group exhibitions, showcasing emerging artists from regions such as the Balkans and Latin America. Website

Photo: Technohoros Art Gallery/Facebook

Technohoros Art Gallery

This contemporary art space is dedicated to showcasing and promoting new as well as established artists, with a focus on diverse artistic techniques and fresh ideas. The gallery holds both solo and group exhibitions featuring a variety of art forms such as painting, sculpture, ceramics, and photography. The gallery aims to promote the new Greek and international artists and is active in organising exhibitions and cultural events, demonstrating its commitment to the dynamic art scene in Greece​. Website

P.E.T. Projects

A self-managed art space in Kypseli, founded by artist Angelos Plessas in 2018, the P.E.T Projects concept reflects the process of engaging in a project that someone chooses to do out of interest and not out of duty, a choice inspired by a strong and pleasant desire. Their programme aims to present artists and various cultural professionals at all stages of their careers, assigning them, guiding them, and “housing” them, aspiring to become a cultural “refuge.” Website

Photo: Noucmas/Facebook

Located in Kypseli Square since 2019, the non-profit arts organisation Noucmas provides workspace and exposure to its founders (Olga Souri, Katerina Harou and Vincent Meyrignac) and collaborating artists through various kinds of exhibitions and public events. The organisation aims to create an independent platform for collaboration and networking among emerging artists from Greece and abroad while maintaining an open dialogue with the historic neighbourhood of Kypseli. Website

Photo: The Blender Gallery/Facebook

The Blender Gallery

Located in the southern suburb of Glyfada, The Blender Gallery is a dynamic art space and cultural hub with year-round exhibitions and events. The gallery features vibrant and captivating artists, often with roots in street and urban art, from both Greece and abroad. Plan your visit by checking their event schedule; you might have the chance to enjoy a concert and drinks at their bar during your visit. Website

Photo: Rodeo Gallery/Facebook

Rodeo Gallery

Located in a former warehouse near Piraeus’ main port, Rodeo Gallery embraces its industrial heritage while projecting a forward-looking approach. Founder Sylvia Kouvali first established the gallery in Istanbul in 2007, expanding to London in 2015 and later to Greece in 2018. Its identity is defined by its peripheral locations, deliberately avoiding central urbanisation. Kouvali values how art interacts with diverse settings and audiences, making each venue in London, Athens, and Piraeus a unique frame for artistic expression. Rodeo’s presence reflects Athens’ growing creative community and its newfound global recognition, fueled in part by events like Documenta. Website

DL Gallery and ENIA Gallery

Dimitris Lymperopoulos’ DL Gallery was a pioneerwho in 2015 transformed his father’s former factory into a contemporary art space. The industrial setting, with its 1950s glass facade, lends itself to large sculptures and installations. As part of a further expansion, Lymperopoulos bought an adjacent warehouse and created the ENIA gallery, with a focus on conceptual art and installations. DL Gallery represents local and international artists such as Dimitris Yeros and Virgilio Ferreira. Growing up in Agios Dionysios, Lymperopoulos witnessed the area’s transition from a post-industrial decline to a vibrant artistic centre. Website

Photo: The Intermission/Facebook

The Intermission

The Intermission, an exhibiting programme based in Piraeus, was founded by Artemis Baltogianni in September 2019, welcoming artists from different parts of the world to present their work, with the support of their respective galleries. The space encourages the creation of new artworks and is known for fostering dynamic and creative collaborations. This flexible programming model adapts to the evolving needs of the artistic community in Greece and around the world, promoting art both locally and internationally. Website

Photo: Carwan Gallery/Facebook

Carwan gallery.

Carwan Gallery in Athens, established in 2010, stands at the forefront of contemporary design and art. It bridges traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, showcasing limited edition furniture and sculptural objects. The gallery emphasises innovation, hosting exhibitions that feature international designers. It has carved a niche for itself by focusing on the dialogue between design evolution and cultural richness. Website

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SYNGROU – NEOS KOSMOS

Callirrhoe is an independent contemporary art space, a hybrid model that combines gallery exhibition and art association. Founded by art historian and independent curator Olympia Tzortzi, it aims to support artists and curators while promoting research and art trade. It provides an inclusive exhibition space that transcends conventional boundaries at the intersection of art and society. The space serves as a platform for artists, thinkers and anyone interested in discussing current issues in the art world. Website

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Delirium Athens

Founded by visual and street artist The Krah, Delirium Athens showcases Greek Street Art, Pop Surreal, Dark Art, and wider urban scenes. The gallery is a great reflection on the country’s urban art, promoting Greek and international artists while undertaking mural projects on indoor and outdoor walls. Website

Photo: Rebecca Camhi Gallery/Facebook

OMONIA-METAXOURGEIO

Rebecca camhi gallery.

A committed gallerist since 1995, Rebecca Camhi started out in a penthouse near Omonia before moving to a neoclassical townhouse in Metaxourgeio, and in 2008, there was an expansion with the addition of an art shop and a garden. The gallery works with international and local artists, while exhibitions and art fairs are held regularly with the aim of preoviding visitors with a well-rounded art experience. Camhi’s flexibility and community involvement have set the gallery apart, showcasing great talents and highlighting art’s connections to life, history and politics. Website

Photo: The Breeder/Facebook

The Breeder Athens

The breeder.

The Breeder Gallery is a major player in Athens’ art scene, known for its playful and pop culture-inspired aesthetic. Founded in 2002 as an art magazine, it evolved into a gallery promoting global artists and creative dialogues. It is housed in a beautifully restored building with multiple exhibition spaces and features artists like Jannis Varelas and Alexandros Vasmoulakis, known for their colorful, abstract work. In Metaxourgeio, this gallery was once an icehouse, now hosting diverse art programmes. Website

One Minute Space

Since its establishment in July 2021 by Nadja Geer and Giorgos Papadopoulos, One Minute Space has been a vibrant hub for supporting over 40 artists. Through exhibitions, residencies, workshops, and international programmes, it has attracted local and global audiences while fostering dynamic collaborations within the community. It’s a thriving artistic space worth visiting for its commitment to nurturing emerging talents and engaging the art-loving public. Website

Photo: Bernier Eliades/Facebook

THISSEIO – PETRALONA

Bernier eliades.

Bernier Eliades, a prominent contemporary art gallery founded in 1977, has been instrumental in introducing international art trends to Greece. Initially based in Kolonaki, the gallery moved to Thissio in 1999 and expanded to Brussels in 2016. Owners Jean Bernier and Marina Eliades revolutionised the Athens art scene, bringing radical new perspectives at a time when institutions dominated. Their eclectic curation has included artists such as Richard Serra and Robert Wilson. Their legacy extends beyond exhibitions, fostering an international artistic community and pioneering the presentation of international artists in Greece. Today, the gallery’s neo-classical building in Thiseio remains a vital force in the resurgence of the Athens art scene. Website

Photo: Eleni Koroneou Gallery/Facebook

Eleni Koroneou Gallery

Gallerist Eleni Koroneou established her art space in 1989, initially focusing on European and American artists such as Martin Kippenberger, Christopher Wool, Michael Schmidt, Michel Majerus, and Helmut Middendorf. In 2009, her daughter Alexandra Oikonomou joined the gallery, and they inaugurated a new location in Petralona. The gallery specialises in contemporary painting and maintains a strong international presence, representing established painters from around the world while also nurturing local emerging talents. Website

Ergo Collective

Founded in 2017 as a non-profit organisation, Ergo Collective serves as a creative platform built on the principle of collaboration. It is a collective space where resident artists and members engage in diverse dialogues during their temporary residencies. Located in Kato Petralona, Athens, it is constantly exploring its identity as an artist-run space. Website

Giorgos Sfakianakis

Photo: DESTE Foundation/Facebook

DESTE Foundation

The DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art, a non-profit gallery founded in 1983 in Geneva by the influential art collector Dakis Joannou, is now located in the suburbs of Athens. After a number of moves, it found a permanent home in 1996 in a Neo Psychico building designed by the American architect Christian Huber. Renowned for its presentation of cutting-edge, both world-renowned and emerging Greek artists, the gallery also works in collaboration with the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Benaki Museum to ensure a lively and diverse display of contemporary works. Website

Photo: Mamush/Facebook

The international gallery is known for featuring a diverse array of artworks from both emerging and established artists from Greece and globally. This international gallery specialises in contemporary art, featuring a private collection of pieces by artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, and Victor Vasarely, and works by established Greek artists such as Takis, Pavlos, Gaitis, and Ope Zouni. The gallery’s collection spans various styles, genres, and eras, offering an eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures, mixed media, installations, and limited-edition prints. Website

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Kouvoutsakis Art Institute

Founded in 1995 by Panayotis N. Kouvoutsakis, this non-profit institution is dedicated to the promotion of fine art, particularly Greek figurative painting and sculpture. Housed in a privately owned building in the in the northern suburb of Kifissia, the institute serves as a cultural and exhibition centre, showcasing a permanent collection in a space of about 2,000 metres squared. It operates without any financial assistance from external sources, relying solely on donations from its founder. The institute also offers its premises for cultural events and educational tours, free of charge. Website

Best Museums in Greece | travel.gr

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Athens Is One of the World’s Most Exciting Contemporary Art Cities – Here are the Galleries and Museums to Visit

In the Greek capital, ancient history is everywhere you look. But these days, the city is also home to boundary-pushing art.

Thomas Gravanis

A passerby might have mistaken it for a wedding feast. In Metaxourgio, a formerly industrial neighborhood of Athens , a crowd of boisterous Greeks had spilled onto the street and were squeezing around rows of long tables arranged end to end. The air was filled with the scent of lamb being roasted on an open grill. But rather than someone’s nuptials, this was in fact an exhibition opening at a progressive contemporary art gallery, the Breeder . Housed in a renovated ice cream factory, it was heralded by a sleek (and spotless) white façade. A vast iron portal opened to reveal a regal interior with organic curves.

On the ground floor, the artist Andreas Lolis showed me his striking sculptures. At first glance, they looked like blank canvases that had suffered delicate cuts, but they were actually crafted from that most traditional of Greek materials: marble. “I found inspiration from Henry Moore and Lucio Fontana,” Lolis explained, referring to the British and Argentine-Italian artists. “They both tested the boundaries of what can be achieved within their chosen forms.”

The Breeder is just one example of Athens’s revitalized culture scene, which is thriving despite a series of disasters that would have crushed the spirit of a less resilient city. The Greek capital is still recovering from the economic turmoil that began in 2008 — a crisis that led to a series of financial bailouts from other EU member nations, which were accompanied by austerity measures that infuriated much of the populace. Those struggles were hardly eased by the global pandemic, but they had their benefits, the gallery’s associate director Alkistis Tsampouraki told me: “I worked for seven years in galleries in Mayfair. I came home two years ago, and I thought,  What? This is Athens?  Artists I knew in London, and even New Yorkers, had suddenly realized that studios could be rented here for 300 euros a month, with a quality of life that is hard to beat.”

In fact, Tsampouraki said, Athens’s volatile history since the crisis is the unlikely key to its revival: “Where there is chaos, there is also creativity.” The city’s popularity with bohemians and its use of derelict urban spaces inspired the phrase “Athens is the new Berlin,” which was coined by a street artist named Cacao Rocks around 2009 and seized upon internationally the next year. Athenians reviled that description — in part because they considered the forced spending cuts demanded by Germany in the EU’s 2010 rescue package brutal and unfair.

Sometime around 2015, Cacao Rocks started daubing walls with THIS IS NOT BERLIN as a form of protest. In 2017, he evolved the sentiment further, coining his most popular and pointed version: ATHENS IS THE NEW ATHENS. But if there is any real comparison, Tsampouraki insisted, it is to New York City in the 1980s: “It was dirty and difficult, but also incredibly creative. It had an energy that was addictive. That’s Athens today.”

I could relate to Tsampouraki’s surprise. Twenty years ago, I spent weeks in Athens to research  Pagan Holiday  and  The Naked Olympics,  my two books on the classical Greek world. I love an Acropolis view as much as the next person, but I was forced to agree with the general opinion of the city as a traffic-clogged, unlovable mess to be passed through as quickly as possible on the way to the islands. But word has been filtering out that Athens is rebounding with a gusto unseen since the days of Plato. And so I decided to make a pilgrimage back to the fountainhead of Western culture. This time, I swore, I would pay little heed to its wealth of ancient ruins and concentrate instead on what has happened in the past few years.

“It was dirty and difficult, but also incredibly creative. It had an energy that was addictive. That’s Athens today.”

I hopped in a cab from the airport straight to the  Shila Hotel . This six-room boutique property is a calm oasis of art and beauty that’s set in a 1920s Neoclassical town house in the Kolonaki district, a well-heeled enclave of steep streets at the base of Lycabettus Hill.

Like many businesses that comprise the new Athens vanguard, the Shila deftly balances elements of tradition and modernity. My suite — called the Dreamers — was decorated with original terrazzo floors, antiques and artisan-made pieces, and contemporary artwork, while its shop sells beautiful linen clothes by Lefko, a brand founded by a Singaporean-Greek couple who employ refugees and survivors of human trafficking. But for me, the true advantage of staying at the Shila was the chance to attend its Social Club, an invitation-only event that has since been relocated to Shila’s sister property, Mona, under the name Club Monamour. It’s a hot ticket for the creative types that have descended on Athens, many of them returning expats like Tsampouraki.

As soon as I had climbed the stairs to the rooftop, where the festivities were being held, I ran into the Shila’s creative director, artist-photographer Eftihia Stefanidi, who moved back from New York to curate the hotel’s art collection. Stefanidi introduced me to the cast of regulars, including her sister Elli (an artist based in New York who returns every summer) and her friend Alexandra Mercuri (a Greek-born designer, freshly back from Paris), who then presented me to her sister Dorotea (a Greek actress and TV host, back from New York), Alexia Kirmitsi (a fashion designer, back from London), and Andreas Lagos (a nomadic chef who advises the new wave of Athenian restaurants and has proselytized on behalf of Greek cuisine in the U.K. and U.S.). Within an hour, I felt like I had met half of Athens, been plied with hot tips on the city, and received enough invitations to dinners and drinks to last me a month.

Related: The Athens Riviera Is Returning to a World-renowned Beachfront Destination

The Shila Social Club resembled a Greek version of Soho House, but nobody was about to confuse it with London or New York, I realized as I sipped a “Perfect Greek G and T” made from a locally crafted gin called Votanikon, which is distilled with a variety of endemic herbs — including earthy sideritis and piny  mastiha — that “highlight the botanical heritage of Greece,” according to Stefanidi.

Armed with suggestions from my new friends, I was ready to sally forth to explore the “New Athens.” I began with lunch at the city’s first (and only) Japanese-Greek restaurant,  Nolan . Only a stone’s throw from noisy Syntagma Square — the official center of Athens, with its pompous Parliament House and formal parks — I savored such cross-cultural delicacies as bean noodles with octopus and kalamata olives.

Today the city’s allure is the way the centuries blend effortlessly. Young Greeks are beginning to forge a cultural identity that absorbs and builds on ancient Greek culture, as well as the rest of its long and convoluted history,

From there, I bypassed Plaka — the old Turkish quarter where the busy paths to the Acropolis begin — and migrated to the  Clumsies , a cocktail lounge set in a cozy town house in the central neighborhood of Psirri. Ranked on the World’s Top 50 Bars list for the past three years, it has become known for its famed Aegean Negroni, which mixes the bar’s own artisanal gin with fennel seeds and exotic Greek liqueurs such as Diktamo into a fluorescent turquoise concoction worthy of the sea it’s named after.

Hesitant to call it a night, I headed to an even newer and more fashionable bar,  Santarosa , just north of the city center in Exarcheia, where a perfectly groomed papillon puppy frolicked along the wooden bar beneath abstract paintings and patrons chain-smoked as if the EU ban on cigarettes indoors had never been enacted. This indifference to the law has made the bar an underground favorite. “How did you hear about it?” Athenians asked me suspiciously later, as if I would expose their secret.

Other once-derelict working-class districts are also gentrifying with dizzying speed. Many roads led me back to Metaxourgio, a name that translates to “silk mill” and harks back to the area’s industrial past. Under the belief that the king of Greece was going to move his palace nearby, aristocrats built grand homes there in the 1830s and invested in a giant shopping center, which was turned into a silk mill when the sovereign later changed his mind. The area fell into decay last century, but has bounced back in the past several years.

“It’s my favorite neighborhood,” explained a street artist known as Rude, who showed me around Metaxourgio one afternoon. The neighborhood certainly encourages the creative use of historic space. We passed one half-ruined, roofless mansion where the interior had been repurposed as a courtyard to house  Galiántra , a truck serving contemporary comfort foods like meatballs with creamy  tsalafouti  cheese, soy-mince stew with cucumber and onions, and tomato and watermelon salad. “No food trucks are allowed on the streets in Athens, so a group of chefs rented a whole house and put one inside,” Rude explained. Just as eccentric is the nearby  Latraac , a café with its own skateboard bowl.

“Greek artists have more international dialogue now. They move between MoMA in New York and the Venice Biennale and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.”

Rude wanted to show me the most provocative street art in the city. Since the economic crisis of 2008, painters with names like Ino, Achilles, Exit, Waxhead, Same84, and Simple G have turned the whole of Athens into an open-air canvas, with monumental images taking up the sides of buildings or billboard-size stretches of walls beside busy highways. Rude’s real name, it turned out, is Nikos Tongas. When I asked him how he picked the handle, he shrugged: “I opened up a dictionary and there it was. I liked it because it is only four letters and so easy to write.” His favorite images found across the city included a black-and-white painting of the Mona Lisa’s eyes, positioned above a busy highway. “Can you see the reflections in her pupils?” he asked. One contained an image of a policeman raising a baton, the other a shifty-looking man in a suit. “The two big problems of Greece — police brutality and corrupt politicians.”

It's said that the contemporary art scene in Athens was kick-started when it cohosted Documenta in 2017 alongside the exhibition’s longtime home of Kassel, Germany. Artists began arriving in droves, while new galleries and museums sprouted in such numbers that in September 2020, the  Financial Times  hailed Athens as Europe’s hot spot under the headline AN ART CAPITAL RISES. These days, there are so many cultural spaces in Athens that it’s impossible to see them all — at least in one visit.

I bounced from scrappy local outposts like the Breeder to a lavish satellite of the blue-chip gallery  Gagosian , which moved into a palatial mansion in Kolonaki in 2020. Its airy parlors displayed the works of Italian maestro Giuseppe Penone, contrasting photographs of his youthful hands with sculptures made from twisting branches that evoke aging veins. At the National Museum of Contemporary Art, which opened in a monolithic new building in the Koukaki neighborhood in 2020, Greek artists are shown alongside global names. I gravitated toward an installation called  Acropolis Redux (Director’s Cut)  by conceptual artist Kendell Geers. The piece — the name of which is meant to evoke both the ancient fortress complex and Francis Ford Coppola’s war epic — places coiled barbed wire in metal shelves as a commentary on the dangers and violence of modern life.

My favorite venue was  Neon , a spectacular art center that debuted in 2021 inside a former tobacco factory in Kolonos, a residential neighborhood in northwest Athens. True to its name, the raw-stone walls of its cavernous atrium were glowing with lines of poetry in blue neon. The work,  Waiting for the Barbarians,  by the U.S. artist Glenn Ligon, presents nine different translations of a politically charged line from beloved Greek-Egyptian poet C. P. Cavafy’s 1904 masterwork of the same name: “Now what are we going to do without the barbarians? Those people were a kind of solution.” The multiple iterations invite the viewer to contemplate the nuances of language and how the meaning of a phrase can change from tongue to tongue.

As I admired the illuminated poetry on the time-scarred walls, I realized that, after a week of focusing on modern Athens, I was missing the point. Not long ago, cultural critics argued that the city was oppressed by the weight of its illustrious past and that it prized its classical ruins above all else. But today the city’s allure is the way the centuries blend effortlessly. Young Greeks are beginning to forge a cultural identity that absorbs and builds on ancient Greek culture, as well as the rest of its long and convoluted history, including the long centuries of Turkish rule and the 19th-century independence struggle. Granted, the full expression of that movement is a long way off, but there is already a palpable energy and confidence that feels new.

Some of Athens’s more recent architectural remnants, long ignored, have been converted into theatrical stages for social life. One morning, my artist friends from the Shila Hotel helped me construct a little self-guided tour, starting at  T.A.F./the Art Foundation , a multidisciplinary space that occupies a 19th-century Ottoman dwelling that, in the early 1900s, became one of the last tenements for the district’s gas workers and artisans. Hidden down a shoulder-width alley between the antiques stores of the Monastiraki district, it has six small rooms arranged around a verdant patio and a gift shop where young Greek designers sell their jewelry. A short stroll away I found  Anäna , a spectacular café in the soaring, light-filled courtyard of a 1936 Art Deco building that has become a favorite hangout for fashionable professionals and serves what may well be the most potent espresso in Greece.

More Trip Ideas: Everything You Need to Know To Plan Your Perfect Greek Islands Vacation

The discoveries became even more exciting at lunchtime, when I tracked down an unmarked double door near the central vegetable market and descended worn stone steps into Diporto  (9 Sokratous; 30-21-0321-1463),  the oldest — and most secret — tavern in the city. As legend has it, the subterranean site was a wine bar in the time of Socrates. Today, the cellar-like space is crowded with wooden wine barrels and rickety tables arranged around a charred metal stove, where battered tin pots of food burble. There is no printed menu, but the white-haired chef and owner, Dimitris Kololios, doled out hearty plates of grilled sardines, a bowl of  yiouvetsi  (orzo cooked with meat in a red sauce), a delectable Greek version of ratatouille, and Moschofilero wine. He then sat down at my table and scribbled on the paper tablecloth “1959” — the year, he explained, that he began working as a waiter in the restaurant before eventually taking the place over about 20 years ago.

That night, I sought out the ultimate in cross-generational entertainment at  Café Avissinia . In this beloved institution, hidden down another winding back alley, Athenians of all ages were boozily singing mournful  rebetika  to an accordion player and occasionally standing up to dance. “Think of it as the Greek blues,” explained the Shila’s Stefanidi, who had joined me for dinner. “It involves  charmolypi,  the Greek idea of ‘happy-sad.’” To explain, she translated snippets of the song (“Even if my heart really yearns for it, I will never love again”) and showed me how to dance  zeibekiko,  a slow step performed with the head bowed and arms extended. “My father always said, just pretend you have dropped your keys and are looking for them on the floor.” By midnight, her advice seemed to be working excellently.

The next night I headed to the  Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center , a complex of white structures that loom in Pharaonic splendor over the surrounding gardens and fountains, for a performance of Marina Abramović’s experimental opera  7 Deaths of Maria Callas.  In the gorgeous Renzo Piano–designed concert hall, a packed house of well-heeled Athenians laughed and wept at the extravagant life and death of the great Greek diva.

The strands of history came together most seamlessly on my last night, when I took a 15-minute taxi ride to Piraeus, the gritty port district. Back in the fifth century B.C., this was where the ancient Athenian navy was built and headquartered, creating a maritime empire during the golden age of the politician Pericles. In modern times, it became the shipping nexus of the eastern Mediterranean, and today, Stefanidi told me, it’s also one of Europe’s most unlikely art hubs.

Related: 3 Incredible Itineraries for Travelers Heading to Greece This Year

Cautiously, I exited my cab on a backstreet, Polidefkous, which was lined with machinery shops and dusty hardware stores selling propellers and boat parts. I quickly spotted the trio of new galleries that have taken the Athenian passion for abandoned work spaces to its most extreme heights. Each one is in a renovated stone warehouse that soars like an industrial cathedral. I started at  Rodeo , the oldest of the three, having opened in 2018. The director, Sylvia Kouvali, was showing a bevy of British collectors the gallery’s new acquisitions, including a sculpture of a ghostly silver bush that was secreted behind a noisy electric garage door.

“Greek artists have more international dialogue now,” she said. “They move between MoMA in New York and the Venice Biennale and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.” Even so, the ancient cultural connection with the Middle East still felt tangible in Piraeus. Kouvali said she had returned to Athens after running a gallery in Istanbul, while the owner of the Carwan Gallery next door had run a pioneering contemporary design gallery in Beirut.

As always in the Greek capital, the most important thing to bring on a gallery hop is a healthy appetite. Next door to Carwan, another warehouse had been taken over by the  Paleo Wine Store , where the towering, deadly serious owner Giannis Kaimenakis was putting wooden tables out on the sidewalk. Again, I felt like I was at a wedding party: chatting with the groups who quickly gathered at nearby seats, I settled down to a meal of oven-cooked grouper and risotto while choosing among three dozen fine bottles of wine from some of the Mediterranean’s oldest vineyards, all open and ready to savor. It was the ideal package: contemporary cuisine in a historic setting, a charming local crowd, and good drink.

But I realized that the ancient Greeks would hardly have been surprised by this modern-day incarnation of their beloved Athens. After all, the gourmandizing philosopher Epicurus came up with an apt slogan for the metropolis 2,500 years ago: “Pleasure is the first good,” he wrote. “It is the beginning of every choice and every aversion.”

Some things, it seems, never change.

A version of this story first appeared in the June 2023 issue of  Travel + Leisure  under the headline "All New Athens ."

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What’s New 2022

In Athens, Creativity in Art, Food and More Rises

The Greek capital has added impressive arts venues, daring restaurants and a blossoming hotel scene to its well-known Classical draws.

By Niki Kitsantonis

Here’s a surprise: While Athenians were locked down because of the pandemic, a flurry of creative and entrepreneurial activity was underway. The outcome? A total of 272 new restaurants, according to the local industry association, as well as hundreds more cafes and bars. The city also acquired 34 new hotels, offering 1,982 rooms over the last two years. And its cultural landscape blossomed, with major national projects coming to fruition.

“We’ve witnessed a cultural revival and a growing gastronomical scene that showcases the new dynamism of the city,” said Vassilis Kikilias, Greece’s tourism minister. Adding in the construction of new hotels and the upgrading of older ones, Mr. Kikilias said made him “optimistic for the season.”

As of May, the number of foreign visitors to the city was still below 2019 levels, but only by about 12 percent, and since then crowds have returned to the central squares and landmarks in numbers reminiscent of prepandemic days.

Covid vaccination certificates are no longer required to enter the country or to visit shops, restaurants and museums, and since June 1, face masks are no longer required in closed public spaces with the exception of hospitals, pharmacies, public transport and ferries.

Cultural gems shine again

The Greek capital’s newest cultural gem (or rather an impressively burnished old one), the National Gallery reopened last year after an eight-year, 60-million-euro overhaul. Twice the size of the original, the sleek new building has a glass facade that allows natural light to illuminate exhibits and offers visitors a glimpse of the city at every corner. You could spend hours exploring the three floors charting the evolution of Greek art over nearly seven centuries. But even a brief visit should not skip the arresting works of the Greek modernist painters Konstantinos Parthenis and Yannis Tsarouchis with their dreamlike symbolism, and the luminous paintings of the Orientalist Theodoros Rallis and the postimpressionist Iakovos Rizos.

A fourth floor dedicated to Western European art is to open in the coming weeks and will include paintings by Picasso and Mondrian stolen in a daring one-man heist in 2012 and recovered last year.

Another treasure trove for art lovers is the Νational Museum of Contemporary Art , a former brewery which opened in late February 2020 after an extended renovation, but closed almost immediately with the country’s first lockdown. Five floors of thought-provoking sculptures, videos and installations by Greek and foreign artists — new exhibitions grapple with the themes of nation-building, mass protests and the environment — are topped by a roof terrace with a view sweeping from the Acropolis to the southern coastline.

The capital’s independent art scene, invigorated by a flurry of creativity stoked by the social unrest that came with the decade-long financial crisis, bloomed again during the pandemic, with the opening of exciting new spaces to see art. One of the edgiest is a former tobacco factory in the gritty Athens neighborhood of Kolonos whose pink and yellow facade has drawn comparisons to a giant Battenberg cake . Following a debut exhibition last summer, the space reopened in June with a show featuring 18 large-scale installations from the collection of the entrepreneur Dimitris Daskalopoulos, the founder of Neon, the cultural organization that overhauled the factory, who recently donated hundreds of works to museums including the Guggenheim.

Eating and drinking

There has been buzz around Linou Soumpasis & Co. since it opened in December in the vibrant central district of Psyrri. Dismissing the neo-taverna and bistronomy labels, the self-professed “simple restaurant” serves high quality fare with a contemporary twist from a bustling open kitchen. The emphasis is on fresh food, particularly fish, with the menu updated daily according to the day’s haul. Recent dishes include a feather-light John Dory tartare with seaweed in cucumber juice and a tender chargrilled piper fish in zucchini purée. The veal cheeks stew in chick pea soup is also popular as are the selection of homemade breads and organic wines from small Greek producers. Expect to pay about 110 euros (about $116) for a three-course dinner with wine for two. Wines range from € 22 to € 150 a bottle and are all available by the glass.

A few blocks away, Gastone, the latest venture by the people behind Cookoovaya (recommended by the Michelin Guide) serves up Mediterranean flavors and street food in a lively retro setting that is part classic Greek taverna, part American diner. Dinner for two is about €30 and highlights include the crispy pork sandwich and a twist on tzatziki made with Gorgonzola cheese.

Two new arrivals in gentrified industrial districts of Athens are also drawing crowds. Tzoutzouka in Rouf, offers adventurous takes on traditional Greek dishes, like a rich ewe casserole in red sauce with homemade pasta and spicy hard cheese for about €30 per person with wine. Proveleggios in nearby Kerameikos is the latest endeavor from the brains behind the super-popular Nolan restaurant, serving innovative cuisine like hand-pulled noodles with sweet wild greens in tare dipping sauce and cocktails on a tree-lined terrace against an indie rock soundtrack. Dinner is about €35 per person without drinks.

For cocktail aficionados, Athens offers a dizzying selection of new drinking spots. At the Bar in Front of the Bar , on a buzzing pedestrians-only alley near central Syntagma Square, energetic young staff prepare twists on classic cocktails using ingredients produced on site, with prices starting at €7. Those who want their drink with a view of the city can join a bohemian crowd at Attic Urban Rooftop in the bustling Monastiraki district, one of several new roof terraces, where cocktails are priced from €11 to €13.

In the up-and-coming Petralona neighborhood is Line Athens (the sister bar of world-ranking the Clumsies ) where staff shake up cocktails with homemade vermouth, most priced at €10.

The same area is home to Hervé, the discreet new restaurant of Paris-born Hervé Pronzato whose experience as a chef in Athens includes stints at the Michelin-starred Spondi and Hytra . Hervé has a 17-item tasting menu offering a mix of dishes reflecting Mr. Pronzato’s take on international cuisine for €95 a head. There is no sign — to enter, you punch in a code acquired with your reservation.

At Soil , in the Pangrati neighborhood, Tasos Mantis, also formerly a chef at Hytra, serves “earthy gastronomy” using vegetables and herbs grown on his own farm in a renovated neoclassical building with a serene garden. A tasting menu, at €86, includes shrimp in an orange, pecan and fennel sauce and scallops with yuzo kosho, grapefruit and lemon confit.

Options at the high end for both food and lodgings include the understatedly opulent Xenodocheio Milos , which touts itself as the capital’s first “gastronomy 5 star hotel” — the latest enterprise of the celebrated chef Costas Spiliadis, who has established his Milos restaurant brand in locations including New York, Montreal and London. Rooms start at about €230 per night, while dining starts at about €60 per person, with specials that include sea bass baked in sea salt and wafer-thin fried zucchini and eggplant.

New lodging, along the coast and in the city

One of the newest spots for hotels is the so-called Athens Riviera, a 60-kilometer stretch of coastline dotted with marinas, beaches and secluded coves that is about a 30-minute taxi ride from the city center. The Four Seasons Astir Palace opened on a pine-clad peninsula there in 2019, offering 303 rooms (starting at €1,700 in July and €1,100 in August) and fine dining with a sea view at its Michelin-starred Pelagos restaurant. A nine-course tasting menu including Kristal caviar, red prawns and octopus-ink risotto for €160 per person.

Wyndham’s Ramada Attica Riviera recently opened its doors at a quiet spot on the Riviera, offering spacious rooms with sea views from €120 a night and more hotels are due to open in the coming months.

In Athens proper, there is no shortage of choice for accommodation. Of the 34 hotels that opened in greater Athens during the pandemic, 26 of them are in the city center. New arrivals at the revamped central Omonia Square include the Brown Acropol with its modern take on ’60s Athens aesthetics (it has 165 rooms starting at €130 per night). It is one of four hotels opened in the capital by the rapidly expanding Israeli Brown chain. In the same square, in the heart of the capital’s historic and commercial district, is Marriott’s ultra-trendy Moxy Athens City , with its bright interiors, cheerful staff and comfortable rooms starting at €170 a night.

A few blocks away, close to the nightlife of Psyrri, the quirky Selina Athens Theatrou, part of the global hospitality brand, has bright, mural-adorned rooms and airy co-working spaces from €90 to €120 a night.

And in the heart of the city near Greece’s Parliament, Athens Capital — MGallery features a rooftop infinity pool with a view of the Acropolis and prices starting at around €300 a night.

The pandemic brought some closures too, notably the capital’s iconic Hilton which shut its doors earlier this year after nearly six decades, though it is expected to reopen in 2024 as part of the chain’s luxury Conrad line.

52 Places for a Changed World

The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution.

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

The Alaska Highway:  On an epic road trip, a family plots a course from Alaska to the Lower 48, passing through some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery .

Minorca:  Spend 36 hours on this slow-paced Spanish island , which offers a quieter and wilder retreat than its more touristy neighbors.

Japan:  A new high-speed train stop unlocks Kaga, a destination for hot springs, nourishing food and traditional crafts , as an easy-to-reach getaway from Tokyo.

London:  The Victoria and Albert Museum is a treasure trove of art and design. Here’s one besotted visitor’s plan for taking it all in .

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Art tour in Greece

Duration: 7 days, program only valid for private groups of 20 or more people, day 1: athens arrival & walking tour, day 2: acropolis museum, acropolis hill & plaka – theatrical performance & ancient greek mask workshop, day 3: national archaeological museum, ancient agora & sounion, day 4: epidaurus - mycenae & pottery workshop, day 5: one-day cruise to hydra, poros & aegina, day 6: delphi & cooking class or greek dance class or drawing/painting class, day 7: athens departure, recommended itineraries.

Educational Field Trip in Greece

Educational study tour in Greece

Fascinating and Adventurous Greece

3 Day Cruise, Athens & Corinth

Classical Greece and Cyclades

Ancient Greece & Italy Combined

Classical Greece, Rome and Istanbul

Our Art Vacations

Jeannette and Suzy set a new high standard of travel. I joined an ArtWalk Greece with 3 girlfriends. We left Greece with a whole new appreciation of seeing the world by traveling “at the speed of you.” They are fabulous tour leaders. They have a depth of knowledge of the local towns and sites that I have never before experienced. We always felt so well taken care of. We did a lot of walking and art-making. I am looking forward to another Blue Walk in the future!

Prescott, AZ

Travel Journal Art Vacations

Create an experience to remember.

You’ve daydreamed of this: a vacation with time each day to simply create. The destinations are beautiful. The accommodations are welcoming. All the details are taken care of. In the company of like-minded travelers you savor the wonder of the present moment. And you capture it all through your art.

Create as You Travel

Our Art Walk art vacations are the perfect tours for artists of all levels. Talented and engaging teaching artists offer daily classes inspired by stunning locations. Equal parts journey and learning, our art vacations are based on a travel journal format. Art classes are mostly on site. Some programs have “studio” time at our hotels. Space is almost always limited, so you will learn to work with what is available, being able to create wherever and however you may find yourself. Sketchbook, watercolor, collage, and multimedia workshops are all represented in our schedule.

Everyone is Welcome

Join us. Solo travelers love the easy camaraderie our tours provide. First time European travelers and budding artists love the safe, supportive, and welcoming atmosphere. The main requirements are a desire for adventure and gratitude for the opportunity to pursue it. 

Travel at the speed of you.

Stretch your legs and expand your experience.

Find a community. Receive and share inspiration.

Return home renewed, accomplished, and feeling better than ever.

Keeping an illustrated travel journal enhances your trip and opens your mind. Everything around me is fresh and beautiful because I’m drawing it, seeing it truly for the first time.    

Once you return from your trip, your mind remains full of wonder. A quick flip through your journal’s pages keeps those memories alive.  

Danny Gregory

The Art of Keeping a Travel Sketchbook

Explore Our Art Workshops & Retreats

Sketchbook Travel Journal Vacation in Greece with Koosje Koene

Sep 24-Oct 6, 2024 join Koosje Koene’s island-hopping sketchbook journal vacation in Greece.

Art Journal Workshop in Paris, France with Betsy Beier

Sep 16-23, 2024 join Betsy Beier’s art journal workshop in Paris, France. Fill your sketchbook as we walk the neighborhoods of Paris!

Watercolor Sketchbook Art Workshop in Italy

Ohn Mar Win teaches a 7-night watercolor sketchbook art workshop in Italy. We will tour the Italian Riviera and stunning Lake Como. Join us October 2024.

Art and Creativity Workshop in Italy

Join Jill Badonsky for an art and creativity workshop on the Italian Riviera in October 2024. Write, paint, and sketch for an inspired week.

Art workshop in Venice, Padua, and Parma, Italy

Oct 21-27, 2024 Anne Leuck teaches her art workshop in Venice, Padua and Parma, Italy. See Venice like a local! Taste the best of Parma!

Watercolor Workshop in Greece with Angela Fehr

April 22 – May 4, 2025

Mixed Media Art Workshop in Portugal with Tammy Gilley

March 30-April 5, 2025

Mixed Media Art Workshop in Portugal with Mary Beth Shaw

April 6-12, 2025

Art Workshop Vacation in Paris, France with Tammy Gilley

April 12-19 , 2025

Watercolor Workshop in Italy with Angela Fehr

May 5-11, 2025

Mixed Media Art Workshop in Italy with Tiffany Goff-Smith

May 11-18, 2025

Collage Travel Journal Workshop in Greece with Karen Stamper

May 20-June 1, 2025

Sketchbook Art Workshop in Portugal with Anne Leuck

June 9-15, 2025

Watercolor Journal Workshop in Spain with Ohn Mar Win

June 30 – July 6, 2025

Travel Journal Art Workshop in Spain with Julie Snidle

Sep 8-14, 2025

Sketchbook Art Workshop in Spain with Koosje Koene

Sep 14-20, 2025

Mixed Media Art Workshop in Sicily, Italy with Mary Beth Shaw

Oct 19-Nov 1, 2025 (Coming Soon)

Art Workshop in Spain: Barcelona and Costa Brava

Join artist Mary Beth Shaw for a mixed media art workshop in Spain September 2024. Get inspired and renewed in Barcelona and Costa Brava.

Mixed Media Art Workshop Vacation in Nice, France

Join Tammy Gilley for a mixed media art workshop in Nice, France June 2-8, 2024. Follow in the footsteps of the Matisse, Monet, and Van Gogh.

Mixed Media Art Workshop in Switzerland

Join Mary Beth Shaw on her mixed media art workshop in Switzerland June 2024.

Art Vacations Schedule

This is a list of our public art vacations. The Blue Walk offers private and custom small group tours in addition to our advertised tours. 

There is a separate Blue Walk schedule for our walking vacations. 

2024 Art Vacation Workshops

• Jun 2-8: Mixed media with Tammy Gilley on the French Riviera (6 nights) from $3495 SOLD OUT (waiting list available)
• Jun 9-16: Mixed media with Mary Beth Shaw in Switzerland (7 nights) from $4845  (1 space available)
• September 7-14: Mixed media with Mary Beth Shaw in Spain (7 nights) from $3695 SOLD OUT (waiting list available)
• September 16-23: Sketchbook journal with Betsy Beier in Paris, France (7 nights) from $4295
• September 24-October 6: Sketchbook journal with Koosje Koene in Greece (12 nights) SOLD OUT (waiting list available)
• October 7-14: Sketchbook journal with Ohn Mar Win on the Italian Riviera and Lake Como (7 nights) from $3795 SOLD OUT (waiting list available)
• October 14-20: Art and Creativity workshop with Jill Badonsky on the Italian Riviera (6 nights) from $3595 SOLD OUT (waiting list available)
• October 21-27: Sketchbook journal with Anne Leuck in Venice and Parma, Italy (6 nights) from ($3745)

2025 Art Vacation Workshops

• March 30-April 5: Mixed Media Workshop Vacation in Portugal with Tammy Gilley (6 nights) from $3495 -1 space available
• April 6-12: Mixed Media Art Workshop in Portugal with Mary Beth Shaw (6 nights) from $3395
• April 12-19: Art Workshop Vacation in Paris, France with Tammy Gilley (7 nights) from $3995
• April 22 - May 4: Watercolor workshop with Angela Fehr in Greece (12 nights) from $4745
• May 5-11: Watercolor workshop in Italy with Angela Fehr (6 nights) from $3445
• May 11-18: Mixed media art workshop in Italy with Tiffany Goff-Smith (7 nights) from $3795
• May 20 - June 1: Collage Travel Journal Workshop in Greece with Karen Stamper (12 nights) from $4745- 1 space available
• June 9 - 15: Sketchbook Workshop in Portugal with Anne Leuck (6 nights) from $3495
• June 30 - July 6: Watercolor journal workshop in Spain with Ohn Mar Win (6 nights) from $3595 SOLD OUT (waiting list available)
• September 8-14: Travel Journal Art Workshop in Spain with Julie Snidle (6 nights) from $3445 
• September 14-20: sketchbook workshop in Spain with Koosje Koene (6 nights) from $3445
• Oct 21 - Nov 1: Mixed Media Art Workshop in Sicily, Italy with Mary Beth Shaw (11 nights) Details coming soon. Join interest list.

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Travel with your own tribe! Friends, family or colleagues with groups from 8-20 can reserve private tours. Special pricing or tour leader rates availble. We will work with you to reserve the best itinerary and dates for your own amazing tour.

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Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Athens

By Anastasia Miari

Often misunderstood as a chaotic urban jungle or a mere pit-stop before hopping the islands, Greece’s capital is having a shining moment. Driven by young Athenians who have moved back to the city following years of financial crisis, Athens is experiencing a renaissance in its arts and culture scene. While the Cyclades have made Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the Best Places to Go in 2024 , for those en route to the islands, Athens and its bon vivant attitude await, and demand more than just a single night to be discovered.

The neighborhoods of Athens are all vastly different, and each deserve a little ‘getting-to-know-you’ time, from the turquoise-wave-lapped ‘riviera’ of Glyfada (home to the new One&Only Aesthesis hotel ) and Vouliagmeni beach areas, to the industrial port of Piraeus that’s become a magnet for creative types to the frenetic appeal of downtown Athens with its charming, old-world Athenian architecture. Depending on where you spend your days, you can have many different experiences in this complicated, enthralling Greek city.

While the summer months are best dedicated to the islands, Athens makes for a great off-season destination in the winter months, or during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn. While in August, even the Athenians clear out of the city to take a break from the soaring temperatures, spring and autumn see locals playing backgammon under the dappled shade of bitter orange trees, dining out late on balconies and pedestrianized streets just before enjoying what the city is now best known for: its nightlife. Here’s how to explore the full potential of Athens, from the coastline to the lively central neighborhoods.

Beyond the Parthenon, the Acropolis' many landmarks include the ancient Erechtheion temple and its famed Porch of the Caryatids (or maidens).

The best things to do

A visit to Athens would not be complete without the urban hike up to the Acropolis , the over-2,000-year-old temple at the heart of the city, built in dedication to the goddess Athena. The three main arterial roads leading into Athens all lead to the Acropolis, making it the crown jewel of the city and a massive landmark to set aside enough time to visit. The modern Acropolis Museum , nestled into the foothills of the complex, offers context into the monument thanks to its impressive glass windows that span floor to ceiling with views over the Parthenon. Visit the Acropolis in the morning or late afternoon, when temperatures dip, and make sure to also stroll up Philopappou hill just a stone’s throw away for sweeping views over the city, onto the port of Piraeus and the neighboring island of Aegina.

A more inconspicuous museum you should set time aside for is the Fassianos Museum , celebrating the bold, color-saturated works of the late, great Greek artist Alekos Fassianos, who took inspiration from antiquity and Byzantium, breathing bold hues into his canvases that always nodded in some way to life in Greece across the ages. The Benaki Museum of Greek Culture , full of art, classical pottery and traditional dress from throughout history also gives great context on the history of Greece while the National Gallery offers a dip into the reflections and masterpieces of Greek artists (like Nikiforos Lytras, Nikos Haztikyriakos-Gikas, and Yannis Tsarouchis) from the 18th century onwards.

If you’re looking for art that’s a little more contemporary, head to Athens’ port of Piraeus’ Polidefkous Street for a series of new galleries that have popped up in former boat warehouses in the wake of the crisis. Intermission, Rodeo, and Carwan galleries are all on the same street, with openings often taking place on a Thursday, giving you the opportunity to rub shoulders with Athens’ creative crowd.

For those lucky enough to be in Athens over the weekend, head to edgy Exarcheia—the now-vibrant neighborhood known for its anarchistic spirit—for a lively farmer’s market (the ‘laiki’) which pops up on a Saturday morning complete with a live band. It’s here that you can shop for food souvenirs like dried herbs, olive oil, and local honey before pulling up a pew at a local kafeneion for an iced Greek coffee and some people watching.

Newly opened Taverna Ton Filon serves traditional Greek mezze and heartier Mediterranean dishes for a taste of Athenian home cooking

Where to eat and drink

A geographical meeting point between east and west home to immigrants from Asia Minor and the Levant who brought their cuisine with them to the city, Athens’ food scene is representative of an amalgam of culinary inspirations. You might find a ‘galaktoboureko’ at Cherchez La Femme in the heart of Athens and be taken aback with its similarity to a Turkish bourek. Or try a silty coffee from the same spot and notice that the ‘Greek’ coffee really has very little difference to the ones you might find across the Middle East.

For a modern take on the Greek taverna concept, head to recently opened Taverna Ton Filon for fresh, local produce that sings of the flavors of the Mediterranean—the taramosalata (a pureed, salted roe dip) here is hard to beat, and the desserts are elegant in their simplicity, but most charming are the staff, always up for a chat.

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In the heart of town just by the Varvakios central market, basement joint Diporto has been in business since the 1880s, churning out the same chickpea, grilled sardines, fava and greek salad combo of dishes for time immemorial. It is here you can come for a flavor of stripped-back, home cooking. On the topic of home cooking, don’t miss a trip to Geitonia in the downtown neighborhood of Kypseli for classic dishes like spanakorizo, pastitsio, and gemista—cooked as they would be by a Greek yiayia .

Over in Pagrati just a stroll away from the National Gardens and Athens’ houses of parliament in Syntagma Square, Akra has become the restaurant of the moment with much of the Athenian crowd, and for good reason. An open kitchen with a cooking-on-fire concept along with prep-benches that run the periphery of the restaurant so that the action happens all round the diners makes for an entertaining dining experience. Fresh grilled seafood and exquisite patisserie are what to order at this place.

If you’re heading out and wondering which night is best to party, don’t fret—”every night of the week,” is the answer most Athenians will give you. Locals dine late and dance until dawn. Athenian wine bars , like Tanini Agapi Mou in buzzing Exarcheia, are where you can start the night, with the option of a tasting if you’re new to the Greek varietals and want to find out more. Head to Galaxy Bar, an Athenian institution for fifty years now, if you’re more into the idea of a martini. For live music, Feidiou 2 is a small rebetadiko , or traditional music cafe, known for its melancholic Greek folk music and meze bites swilled down with sharp swigs of tsipouro , a Greek version of grappa. Then it’s onto Romantzo, an old magazine printing factory, for dancing until late on a moonlit roof terrace.

The famous Astir Palace, now a Four Seasons hotel, is an Athenian Riviera gem that overlooks the Saronic Gulf

Where to stay

What Athens lacks in green spaces it makes up for with its proximity to the beach. Stay at the Four Season Astir Palace for a nod to a golden period of tourism for the city in the 1960s. Perched on the Saronic Gulf overlooking the island of Aegina, the hotel’s stylish mid-century bungalows designed by famed Greek architects Prokopis Vasileiades, Emmanouel Voulekas, Konstantinos Dekavallas and Pericles Sakellarios are the ultimate hideaway if escaping the crowds is something you crave on a city break. Beyond the privacy of your sea-view bungalow, the hotel’s offer includes six restaurants, including Nobu off-shoot Matsuhisa and the wave-lapped Taverna 37 right by the beach.

If the heady nightlife of the city is what you’re most interested in, then look to the newly opened design hotel Apollo Palm for a comfortable, central location that’s just a walk away from most of the bars and clubs of downtown Athens. This 48-bedroom hotel at the heart of Psyrri has a terrace with a view of the Acropolis. It nods to LA or Palm Springs with its fresh-feeling Americana aesthetic, punctuated with color and bespoke furnishings.

For an opportunity to live like a local, stay at Monsieur Didot , a neoclassical townhouse in the well-heeled neighborhood of Kolonaki, a stroll away from one of Athens’ best bakeries, Kora, and one-time hosts of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The suite with its own roof terrace is the one to plump for here.

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Athens & Attica Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums

This page, part of our Greece Travel Guide , provides details of the art, archaeology and history sites, museums and related attractions to visit in the Attica administrative region, that includes the city of Athens. Readers wishing to visit these places will find visitor information, links to official websites as well as other helpful resources. The guide is produced by Thomas Dowson , an archaeologist and the founder of Archaeology Travel, who has been visiting Greece regularly since 1990, and is currently researching a comprehensive guidebook to Athens. Read more about the website, its authors and our work .

New to the Archaeology Travel website? Those who have an account (free of charge) can create personal travel lists and itineraries. To benefit fully from the various travel planning features, see the User’s Guide .

Athens' Top Seven Archaeology Sites

The Acropolis

Arguably one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites, it is certainly the most popular in Athens. Although there is evidence of some 5,000 years of activity on the citadel, it is the ruins of ancient temples and sanctuaries, the most famous being the Parthenon, from the 5th century BCE to the Roman period that are highlighted, and the focus of restoration work. Anything post-Roman, including the Christian church and Ottoman mosque, has been all but obliterated, and this period of the Acropolis’ history receives only passing mention.

Ancient Agora

The Ancient Agora was the civic centre of the ancient city of Athens. A large open square, where various public activities took place, was surrounded by administrative buildings and temples. Overlooking the Agora is the best preserved temple in Greece, the Hephaisteion, dedicated to Hephaistos. The Panathenaic Way passed through the Agora to the Acropolis. Entry to the archaeological site includes the Museum of the Ancient Agora, housed in the restored Stoa of Attalos.

Archaeological Site of Aristotle's Lyceum

The remains of the legendary Gymnasium of Lykeion, the location of Aristotle’s school of philosophy, were discovered during rescue excavations in 1996. The name comes from the sanctuary of Apollo Lykeios, built before the gymnasium; sadly the temple was not found. An area of 0.25 hectares has been exposed, revealing part of the palaestra where athletes trained in wrestling and boxing. The school was founded in 334 BCE and continued to function as such until it was destroyed by the Roman general Sulla 86 BCE.

Kerameikos Archaeological Site & Museum

A walkable distance from the main concentration of ancient sites north-west of the Acropolis is the oldest and largest ancient cemetery of Kerameikos. This was one of the largest districts of ancient Athens, and it was here that the potters who made the iconic ‘Attic vases’ lived and worked. Besides funerary features, you can also see part of the Themistoclean Wall, the Dipylon Gate and Sacred Gate. An onsite museum houses artefacts from the site, mostly dealing with funerary customs and rituals through the ages.

Roman Agora

The site of the Roman Agora, built between 19 and 11 BCE, was the first commercial centre of Athens. Here a large courtyard is surrounded by shops and other commercial buildings. Just beyond the agora, are the remains of the public toilets and the octagonal Tower of the Winds, built for astronomical purposes. The tower has carvings that depict the ‘eight winds’, and during the Ottoman period was used by Turkish Dervishes. In 1458 the Ottomans built the Fethiye Mosque on the site of a Byzantine basilica.

Hadrian's Library

Built in 132 CE, the Library was a gift from Emperor Hadrian to the people of Athens. Hadrian was a committed Hellenophile, and he did much to leave his mark here. Today we enter the site at the imposing Pentelic marble façade, with its monumental Corinthian gateway. A small onsite exhibition room houses a colossal statue of Nike and some other artefacts recovered on the site.

Olympieion - Temple of Olympian Zeus

Although the colossal Temple of Olympian Zeus can be seen from the street (it is one of the largest Classical temples), this is a monument that definitely should be experienced up close. When completed by Hadrian in the 2nd century CE 104 columns made up the temple. Of these, only 16 remain standing today. There are many other features on site, including a Roman bath house, a basilica and the remains of the city’s walls.

Must See Museums in Athens

National Archaeological Museum of Athens

Greece’s National Archaeological Museum in Athens is home to some of the most well known artefacts from all over the modern nation state of Greece. From prehistory to the Romans, with special collections of Cypriot and Egyptian antiquities. The museum has been in the current building with its spectacular Neoclassical façade since the 1889, but has been expanded many times since then. With the richest collection of ancient Greek artefacts anywhere in the world, this is a must for anyone with an interest in ancient Greece.

Acropolis Museum

Opened in 2009, this award winning museum displays over 4,000 objects from the nearby Acropolis. These range from the Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine periods on the citadel. One of the reasons for the construction of this state-of-the-art museum was the reunification of sculptures taken by Lord Elgin from the Parthenon. The museum was constructed above the archaeological site of Makrygianni. Visitors can follow walkways in a space under the museum to see in situ features of Roman and early Byzantine Athens.

Museum of Cycladic Art

Established in 1986, the Museum of Cycladic Art houses Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris’ extensive collection of Cycladic and Ancient Greek art. The couple had been collecting prehistoric and ancient art since the 1960s. The museum also has one of the largest collections of Cypriot antiquities in the world outside of Cyprus. There are three permanent exhibitions: Cycladic art from the Cycladic Islands (3200 – 2000 BC), Greek art (2000 BC to 395 AD), and art from Cyprus (3900 BC to the 6th century BC).

Combo Ticket Pass for Sites & Museums in Athens

Save yourself time and money with this combination ticket for entry to the best archaeological sites and museums in Athens. Includes the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum, the Benaki collection of museums and the Panathenaic Stadium. The pass is valid for three days, and comes with 48 hours of unlimited use of hop-on-hop-off buses.

More Sites & Museums In Athens & Attica

Prehistoric & Ancient Athens

Athens has been inhabited since at least the Neolithic period, some 5,000 years ago. But it was not until much later that, during the Classical period, Athens became a powerful political centre in the region. During the 5th century BC, the Age of Pericles, the city became the foremost centre of the arts, learning and  philosophy. This was when most of the magnificent monuments were built, such as those on the Acropolis. These ancient temples, which continue to attract visitors in their millions to the modern-day Greek capital, stand as a testament to the achievements and influence of ancient Athenian civilisation. 

Roman Athens

The sacking of Athens in 86 BC by the Roman general Sulla is generally thought to be the beginning of the Roman period in the ancient city. Most buildings, including defensive and domestic structures, were destroyed, with the exception of monuments and civic buildings. Athens lost much of its political power under the Romans. It was Corinth that became the provincial capital, while Athens prospered as a cultural centre of philosophy and education, attracting intellectuals and scholars from all over the Mediterranean. During this time many public buildings were erected by emperors and the wealthy elite. 

Byzantine Athens

As the Roman Empire began to be governed from Constantinople in the 4th century AD and Christianity took over paganism, Athens’ fortunes began to wane. Many of the monuments we see now as inherently Classical, such as the Parthneon and the Hephaisteion, were converted into churches. Athens became a provincial town of little importance. Until its fortunes changed towards the end of the 11th century when Venetian traders from their posts in the Aegean were attracted to developing industries. During the 11th and 12th century Athens once again flourished, with many Byzantine churches being built at this time.

Ottoman Athens

From the mid 15th century to the early 19th century Athens was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Although it is often said that Athens held little importance for the Ottomans,  the city saw a number architectural additions, such as mosques and a madrasa, fountains and hammams. Many of these Ottoman buildings have been destroyed, and often obliterated with historians favouring the city’s Classical heritage. Despite this, there are still traces of the Ottoman period scattered about the Greek capital. Especially in the Plaka area where the Ottoman town thrived. 

Museums & Art Galleries in Athens & Attica

From the city’s earliest artefacts, to a spirited body of modern and contemporary art. A national archaeological museum and a national art collection. From prehistory to Classical. From Christian, Byzantine and Islamic, to the contemporary. Including such themes as war and criminology, design and jewellery, the theatre and toys. Besides the well known archaeological sites, Athens has an alluring range of museums and art galleries to visit. Whether you are in the Greek capital for a day or two seeing the main sites, or spending a bit more time, Athens will not disappoint. With over 70 museums open to the public there is something that will interest everyone, of all ages and all interests in Greek history and culture.

Archaeology in Athens Metro Stations

The construction of the Athens metro system between 1993 and 2000 facilitated the largest programme of archaeological excavations ever carried out in Greece. Builders were warned of the consequences from the start, and so were forced to adopt special measures. In all 50,000 ancient artefacts in numerous archaeological features were recovered from all periods of Athens’ past. Artefacts include all manner of objects used in daily life, such as ceramic vessels and toys. Excavators encountered wells, funerary structures and even parts of one of Athens’ oldest bridges. A number of metro stations now display some of these finds.

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Η Τήνος είναι το νησί της πρώτης και της τελευταίας απόδρασης του καλοκαιριού. Ή καλύτερα, της απόδρασης της τελευταίας στιγμής, όποτε κι αν είναι αυτή για τον καθένα μας. Κι αυτό γιατί το “χειροποίητο νησί”, όπως την αποκάλεσε ο Καστοριάδης απέχει ελάχιστα από τη Ραφήνα και μια ανάσα από την κοσμοπολίτικη γειτόνισσά της, τη Μύκονο. Για να δεις το αληθινό της πρόσωπο, αυτό που λάτρεψαν διανοούμενοι και εραστές των low profile διακοπών θα πρέπει να αποφύγεις το Δεκαπενταύγουστο και τα πλήθη που συνωστίζονται για να προσκυνήσουν. Η Παναγία, άλλωστε, θα είναι πάντα εκεί και θα περιμένει να ακούσει το δικό σου μικρό ή μεγάλο θαύμα. 

Αν περάσεις βιαστικός, υπάρχει πιθανότητα να παρεξηγήσεις τη Χώρα αφού κρατά καλά φυλαγμένα τα μυστικά της. Το μόνο που σου ζητά είναι να την αφιερώσεις χρόνο, να περπατήσεις στα δαιδαλώδη σοκάκια της παλιάς πόλης και να κάνεις ένα νοερό ταξίδι στο 19ο αιώνα. Σοκάκια, καμάρες, παραδοσιακά αρχοντικά και παλιές εκκλησίες, αλλά και επαύλεις με μεγάλους κήπους με οπωροκηπευτικά, λαγκάδια και κρήνες, πλακόστρωτα σοκάκια και σπίτια με οικόσημα, δίνουν απλόχερα μια νησιώτικη πόλη που κρύβει μέσα της μπόλικη ιστορία. Η οικονομική και κοινωνική ακμή του παρελθόντος είναι εμφανής σε κάθε βήμα. Ο παλαιός πλακόστρωτος δρόμος της Παναγίας κατασκευάστηκε στα μέσα του 19ου αιώνα ενώ ο νέος τη δεκαετία του '50. Όλοι όμως οδηγούν τους πιστούς στο συγκρότημα της Παναγίας που από το βόρειο άκρο της πόλης φαίνεται ότι την παρακολουθεί, την αγκαλιάζει και την προστατεύει.

Έξω από τη Χώρα το χειροποίητο νησί μοιάζει με υπαίθριο έργο τέχνης. Γοητευτικοί οικισμοί, καλοδιατηρημένα χωριά που κρύβουν θησαυρούς μέσα σε σκιερές μεσαιωνικές στοές και σπίτια με μαρμαρόγλυπτες λεπτομέρειες και παραλίες με διάφανα νερά, είναι όλα εκεί και περιμένουν τους μυημένους να τα ανακαλύψουν. Το road-trip στην ενδοχώρα της Τήνου κρύβουν εικόνες που μας εκπλήσσουν σε κάθε στροφή του δρόμου: στην ορεινή Αετοφωλιά όπου πνέουν μόνιμα βόρειοι άνεμοι, στον γραφικό Αρνάδο με τις μεσαιωνικές καμάρες, τις λουλουδιασμένες αυλές και το εκκλησιαστικό μουσείο, στο Βώλακα με το μοναδικό στον κόσμο σεληνιακό τοπίο και τα φημισμένα εργαστήρια καλαθοπλεκτικής, στα Δύο Χωριά που θεωρούνται τα “μπαλκόνια” της Τήνου με υπέροχη θέα στη θάλασσα, στην Καλλονή με τις ολάνθιστες αυλές, στον πανέμορφο Κάμπο στο κέντρο του νησιού, στη γραφική Καρδιανή, το μικρό χωριό Κουμάρος στις απότομες πλαγιές του Φούρκα, στον Κτικάδο με τα μεγάλα σπίτια στολισμένα με μαρμάρινα υπέρθυρα, στο ψαροχώρι του Πάνορμου στα βόρεια του νησιού, στο Σκλαβοχωριό τη γενέτειρα του ζωγράφου Ν. Γύζη και φυσικά στον Πύργο, το μεγαλύτερο και για πολλούς ομορφότερο χωριό της Τήνου. Η Τήνος ανήκει στις βόρειες Κυκλάδες και είναι το τρίτο σε μέγεθος νησί του συμπλέγματος μετά την Άνδρο και τη Νάξο. Έχει έκταση 197 τ.χλμκαι αριθμεί 52 οικισμούς με πληθυσμό σχεδόν 10.000 κατοίκους. Η Τήνος έχει ορεινό έδαφος με ψηλότερο βουνό τον Τσικνιά, που βρίσκεται στα ανατολικά με 726 μ. ύψος, ενώ το κλίμα της είναι ήπιο και ξηρό με βασικό χαρακτηριστικό της τους έντονους ανέμους. Οι κάτοικοι του νησιού ασχολούνται με τη γεωργία, τη ναυτιλία, την αλιεία και τον τουρισμό, με έμφαση στον θρησκευτικό τουρισμό λόγω της περίφημης Παναγίας της Τήνου. Ιδιαίτερο χαρακτηριστικό του νησιού είναι οι πολλοί και με αξιοθαύμαστη αρχιτεκτονική περιστεριώνες και οι εκατοντάδες εκκλησίες και ξωκλήσια του.

Know before you go

Διακοπές στις πιο ήρεμες γωνιές της ελλάδας..

Ανοίγουμε το χάρτη και ψάχνουμε εκείνες τις πιο ήσυχες γωνιές, μακριά από τον πολύ κόσμο και τα τουριστικά σημεία, που δεν στερούνται τίποτα από καλοκαίρι, ήλιο και ατελείωτη ομορφιά. Ό,τι τύπος διακοπών και αν είστε, θα βρείτε το επόμενο ταξίδι σας σ'αυτούς τους προορισμούς.

Κυκλάδες: 15 γεύσεις-αφορμή για ταξίδι.

Γυρίσαμε τις Κυκλάδες αυτή τη φορά όχι για χάρη κάποιας παραλίας αλλά για να γευτούμε τα πιο χαρακτηριστικά πιάτα τους. Και αν αυτή την περίοδο σκεφτόμαστε δύο φορές πριν ταξιδέψουμε, σ'αυτό το ταξίδι μοναδικός οδηγός είναι η γεύση και μας ταξιδεύει από το σπίτι μας.

Οι πιο ξεχωριστές ταβέρνες στις Κυκλάδες.

Στρώνουν τραπέζια δίπλα στη θάλασσα, ατενίζουν το απέραντο γαλάζιο, αξιοποιούν στο έπακρο τους θησαυρούς της θάλασσας και ξέρουν ότι τα καλύτερα υλικά μπορούν να προμηθευτούν μονάχα από το μποστάνι τους. Ακολουθούν οι πιο “νόστιμες ταβέρνες” των Κυκλάδων.

Τήνος: 8 γραφικά χωριά της

Αφήνουμε για λίγο την Χώρα και τα πλήθη που παίρνουν το δρόμο για την Παναγία, και ανακαλύπτουμε παραδοσιακά χωριά, όπου ο χρόνος μοιάζει να έχει σταματήσει και οι ντόπιοι χαρίζουν αυθεντικά χαμόγελα.

Οι ωραιότερες πλατείες των Κυκλάδων.

Στα πλακόστρωτα και τα πεζούλια τους συνυπάρχουν παραδοσιακά καφενεία και εκκλησιές, ξένοι και ντόπιοι, πιτσιρίκια με μουστάκια από το χωνάκι παγωτό και παρέες που στήνουν αυθόρμητα γλέντια.

Κυκλάδες: 8 χωριά να επισκεφτείτε.

Δεν ψάχνουν για πειρατές, ούτε για ορδές τουριστών που θα γεμίσουν τις τσέπες των λιγοστών μόνιμων κατοίκων τους. Μια χούφτα χωριά, κρυψώνες καλοκαιρινής ανεμελιάς, θύλακες γαλήνης ελάχιστα χιλιόμετρα μακριά από λουστραρισμένους προορισμούς.

7 ρομαντικά ελληνικά νησιά.

Τα πρώτα 35c κάνουν δειλά την εμφάνιση τους και όσο και αν δεν έχει προλάβει να μας κατακτήσει το καλοκαιράκι, ήδη χαζεύουμε τις περσινές καλοκαιρινές μας φωτογραφίες, αναπολούμε και ονειρευόμαστε.

Slow living σε 5 γενναιόδωρα νησιά

Θέλουμε να καμπυλώσουμε το χρόνο, να χωρέσει μέσα του λίγο ακόμη καλοκαίρι. Σ' αυτά τα νησιά θα τα καταφέρουμε χωρίς καν να προσπαθήσουμε. Αυθόρμητα, ελεύθερα. Αυτά ξέρουν το πώς...

Οι καλύτεροι νησιωτικοί ξενώνες

Παρασυρόμαστε από τη νησιωτική φιλοξενία, μαθαίνουμε τα μυστικά της κουζίνας κι ανακαλύπτουμε ξανά τις εποχές όπως η φύση τις ορίζει. Στους καλύτερους νησιωτικούς ξενώνες αναπνέει η ψυχή μας.

Το Πάσχα σε όλη την Ελλάδα

Κάθε γωνιά της Ελλάδας, πέρα από τα κοινά στοιχεία του εορτασμού όπως είναι τα κόκκινα αυγά, τα κουλούρια και τα τσουρέκια έχει και τη δική της προσέγγιση στον εορτασμό του Πάσχα.

Υστέρνια: Το ιδιαίτερο χωριό της Τήνου

Η Τήνος έχει πολλά γοητευτικά χωριά για να ανακαλύψει κανείς και να γίνουν τα αγαπημένα του. Όμως τα Υστέρνια έχουν κάτι ιδιαίτερο: τοπία που σου φέρνουν στο μυαλό τους Δον Κιχώτες που έχεις συναντήσει στην ζωή σου.

Οι πιο ξεχωριστές ταβέρνες των Κυκλάδων

7 ατμοσφαιρικοί ξενώνες στις κυκλάδες.

Θέλετε μια διαφορετική εμπειρία διαμονής στις Κυκλάδες; Αν ναι το Art Travel σας προτείνει να δοκιμάσετε τη φιλοξενία ενός ξενώνα. Πρόκειται για καταλύματα που διατηρούν την ταυτότητα και την προσωπικότητα του κάθε προορισμού

Οι 10 καλύτερες παραλίες της Τήνου.

Όπως όλα τα Kυκλαδονήσια έτσι και η Τήνος μετρά πολλές και διαφορετικές μεταξύ τους μοναδικές παραλίες, σχεδόν όλες εύκολα προσβάσιμες αλλά πάντα με την δέουσα προσοχή στα μελτέμια.

Τήνος: Low budget διαμονή

Τα τελευταία καλοκαίρια θεωρείται ένα από τα πιο hot νησιά του ελληνικού πελάγους. Ανακαλύπτουμε τα κρυφά θαύματα του “χειροποίητου νησιού” που λάτρεψαν καλλιτέχνες και διανοούμενοι και κοιμόμαστε στις καλύτερες low best επιλογές διαμονής.

Fly me to the Greek (honey)moon .15 Ρομαντικα νησιά

Η ευτυχία, λένε, είναι να ζεις σαν τη πρώτη μέρα του μήνα του μέλιτος. Εμείς βρήκαμε τα 15 νησιά όπου θα σκηνοθετήσετε τις πρώτες στιγμές της νέας σας ζωής σαν ζευγάρι.

Τήνος: Πάσχα με τη Μεγαλόχαρη

Ο επιτάφιος φτάνει μέχρι τη θάλασσα και τα βεγγαλικά μέχρι τον ουρανό στη μεγαλύτερη γιορτή του μεγαλύτερου ναού στο Αιγαίο. Οι εκκλησίες και οι δρόμοι ευωδιάζουν άνθη και παραδοσιακές νοστιμιές, η νύχτα γίνεται μέρα και η ζωή γλεντάει.

5 βεράντες ξενοδοχείων με θέα στα ελληνικά νησιά

Εκτός από τη βεράντα του δωματίου που επιλέγετε πριν κάνετε κράτηση δεν ρίχνετε και μια ματιά για το κεντρικό κήπο ή τη βεράντα του καταλύματος; Εμείς ναι, γι' αυτό συγκεντρώσαμε μερικές όμορφες βεράντες.

5 κυκλαδίτικα χωριά για μυημένους

Γυρίσαμε μερικά από τα διασημότερα νησιά μας αλλά αυτή τη φορά μείναμε μακριά από τις πρωτεύουσες και τα τουριστικά μονοπάτια για να ανακαλύψουμε ορεινά χωριά-διαμάντια. Ακολουθήστε μας!

48 μαγικές ώρες στο πιο θαυματουργό νησί των Κυκλάδων.

Γυρίζουμε τη Χώρα και τα χωριά του νησιού που έχει καταφέρει με ένα μαγικό τρόπο να μείνει απρόσβλητο από το σύνδρομο του lifestyle κι ανακαλύπτουμε τα κρυφά θαύματα του "χειροποίητου νησιού" που λάτρεψαν καλλιτέχνες και διανοούμενοι. Τώρα, που τα μελτέμια έχουν πέσει και ο κόσμος είναι λιγότερος από ποτέ.

Tα διάσημα ελληνικά νησιά και οι "ήρεμοι" αντικαταστάτες τους.

10 εναλλακτικές προτάσεις που στέκονται απέναντι και πολύ κοντά στα πιο δημοφιλή νησιά της Ελλάδας, όχι μόνο σε απόσταση αλλά και σε ομοιότητα.

Τήνος: Ένα αλλιώτικο νησί μας ταξιδεύει στο χρόνο.

Η Τήνος έχει να προσφέρει όλα όσα κάνουν την χώρα μας τον ιδανικότερο προορισμό για καλοκαιρινές διακοπές. Χαλαρός τρόπος ζωής, φρέσκια, απλή κουζίνα, υπέροχες παραλίες και παρθένα τοπία, αλλά χωρίς τα μεγάλα πλήθη. Μια εβδομάδα εκεί και θα αναρωτιέστε πως αυτό το νησί, έχει τραβήξει τα φώτα άλλο στο βαθμό που εκείνο το επιτρέπει.

Τα πιο ρομαντικά εστιατόρια των Κυκλάδων

Μαγευτική θέα στο γαλάζιο του Αιγαίου, γεύσεις που γαργαλούν τον ουρανίσκο, ρομαντική διάθεση και εκλεκτό κρασί. Φέτος το καλοκαίρι πάρτε το ταίρι σας, ταξιδέψτε στις πάντα αγαπημένες μας Κυκλάδες και απολαύστε τα πιο ατμοσφαιρικά γεύματα.

Τήνος: Θαύματα γεύσης

Τη μισή νοστιμιά τη κουβαλούν ο αλμυρός αέρας, η θάλασσα, η προικισμένη γη, την άλλη μισή τη δίνει το μεράκι των ντόπιων που στα χέρια τους τα πιο απλά υλικά μετατρέπονται σε θαύματα. Όσοι πιστοί προσέλθετε.

Aeolis Tinos Suites: Eμπειρία φιλοξενίας στην Τήνο

To Aeοlis Tinos Suites, στην Τήνο, δεν είναι απλά και μόνο ένα πολυτελές ξενοδοχείο, αλλά ένας μοναδικός τόπος που εξασφαλίζει την απόλυτη εμπειρία διαφυγής στους φιλοξενούμενους, μέσα σε ένα πλαίσιο υψηλής ποιότητας...

Τήνος: 10 γεύματα μακριά από τα πλήθη

Το χειροποίητο νησί είναι πανέμορφο, αρκεί να του δώσεις χρόνο να σου αποκαλύψει ένα ένα τα μυστικά του. Σίγουρα δεν θα τα βρεις μαζί με τα πλήθη που συνωστίζονται για την Παναγία. Εμείς βρήκαμε 10 υπέροχα γεύματα μακριά από τη Χώρα.

Η μαγεία των Κυκλάδων σε ένα βίντεο!

Δείτε το υπέροχο βίντεο γεμάτο εικόνες από τις υπέροχες Κυκλάδες. Ολόλευκα σπιτάκια, παραλίες, καλντερίμια, ηλιοβασιλέματα και γεύσεις, είναι όλα εδώ και σίγουρα θα σας ταξιδέψουν!

Stonehouse Villa, Τήνος

Ένα διαρκής διάλογος με τη φύση. Αυτό σου έρχεται στο μυαλό αντικρίζοντας για πρώτη φορά αυτό το κατάλυμα που μόλις έχει ολοκληρωθεί. Οι δημιουργοί του έχουν μελετήσει τόσο την κατασκευή της ώστε μέχρι και η τελευταία λεπτομέρεια.

Diles & Rinies Villas Tinos, Τήνος

Aπολαυστικές στιγμές με απεριόριστη θέα στο Αιγαίο και διακοπές με άνεση, ιδιωτικότητα και γαλήνη. Φόντο το απέραντο γαλάζιο, η κυκλαδίτικη αρχιτεκτονική και τα λουλούδια της Μεσογείου. Με άλλα λόγια το Diles & Rinies Villas.

Castria Boutique Studios

Θα σας τραβήξει αμέσως την προσοχή. Το κατάλευκο συγκρότημα των Castria Boutique Studios ξεχωρίζει μέσα στο γνώριμο πετρώδες περιβάλλον των Κυκλάδων και της τηνιακής γης. Φωλιασμένο στην κορυφή του λόφου, σε μια γαλήνια τοποθεσία λίγο έξω από τα γραφικά Κιόνια, το Castria Boutique Studios προσφέρει πανοραμική θέα στο Αιγαίο και τη γύρω φύση του προικισμένου νησιού.

Diles & Rinies

Πρόκειται για μια γειτονιά από οχτώ ανεξάρτητες, πολυτελείς βίλες μια ανάσα από το λιμάνι, στο δρόμο προς την παραλία του Αγίου Φωκά. Η θέση τους είναι τέτοια που προσφέρει θέα στο Αιγαίο που απλώνεται μπροστά τους επιβλητικό, αλλά και στα νησιά της Δήλου και τη Ρήνειας από τα οποία πήρε το όνομα του.

Από τις πλακόστρωτες βεράντες αυτού του παραδοσιακού συγκροτήματος, στον αμμουδερό όρμο του Αγίου Ρωμανού, απολαμβάνουμε τα χρώματα του ηλιοβασιλέματος, λίγο πριν την τελευταία μας δροσιστική βουτιά στην ήσυχη παραλία που βρίσκεται στα 200 μέτρα.

Το Περιβόλι

Στην Καρδιανή, το πανέμορφο μπαλκόνι του Αιγαίου με την ασυνήθιστη για τα κυκλαδίτικα δεδομένα βλάστηση και την πανοραμική θέα στη θάλασσα, προσφέρει καλομαγειρεμένο φαγητό υπό σκιάν. Το μικρό μενού του εστιατορίου περιλαμβάνει πιάτα ελληνικής κουζίνας, τα οποία παρασκευάζονται με φρέσκα, εποχιακά υλικά δικής τους παραγωγής και μπόλικο μεράκι, δίνοντας ένα απόλυτα γευστικό αποτέλεσμα.

Στεγάζεται σε νεοκλασικό κτίριο, στο παλαιότερο σημείο της πόλης της Τήνου και αποτελεί κτίσμα των αρχών του 19ου αιώνα. Στην όμορφη βεράντα του θα γευτείτε σαλάτα τηνιακή με αμπελοφάσουλα, χταποδάκι λεπτεπίλεπτο ξυδάτο, κοτόπουλο με σος παρμεζάνας, lime και φρέσκια ρόκα ή ριζότο με γαρίδες.

Μια τις καλύτερες ταβέρνες του νησιού, στη μεγαλύτερη παραλία, τον Άγιο Φωκά. Η αιγαιοπελαγίτικη αύρα και οι παραδοσιακές συνταγές εμπνέουν δημιουργικά την κουζίνα του. Εξαιρετικής ποιότητας υλικά και τοπικά προϊόντα, διαλεγμένα με την προσωπική φροντίδα του Μαρίνου, που επιλέγει απ’ όλα τα καΐκια της Τήνου τα πιο φρέσκα ψάρια και θαλασσινά.

Ατμοσφαιρικό στέκι για πρωινό, ελαφρύ γεύμα ή για ποτό το βράδυ. Θα βρείτε μεγάλη ποικιλία από καφέ, τσάι κι επιλεγμένα κρασιά του νησιού που συνοδεύονται από γευστικά πιάτα. Εκεί διοργανώνονται βραδιές τζαζ και sushi, ενώ στο καφέ-μπαρ- που ανά τακτά χρονικά διαστήματα φιλοξενούνται εκθέσεις- μπορεί επίσης κανείς να ενημερωθεί για τα πολιτιστικά δρώμενα του νησιού.

Άνοιξε το 2012 κι αμέσως έγινε talk of the town χάρη στην τοποθεσία του, σχεδόν πάνω στην παραλία Καλάμια. Στο café-bar-restaurant απολαμβάνετε καφέ, snacks, μπύρες και γνήσια ρακή Τήνου ενώ πολύ συχνά διοργανώνονται events με ζωντανή μουσική, χορό, τραγούδι, γνωστούς ηθοποιούς και διεθνούς φήμης Djs.

Mojito με θέα το Αιγαίο στον Κάκτο, το καλύτερο cocktail bar της Τήνου, στον κεντρικό δρόμο λίγο έξω από τη χώρα, στους Μύλους. Μεξικάνικο σκηνικό, mainstream μουσική και πολλά events με γνωστούς DJs από την Αθήνα με φόντο το μεσαιωνικό μύλο.

Μεγάλος Καφενές

Στην πλατεία του παραδοσιακού χωριού Πύργος δεν θα μπορούσε να λείπει ένας παραδοσιακός καφενές. Με ιστορία πάνω από 100 χρόνια, ο Μεγάλος Καφενές ανακαινίσθηκε πρόσφατα και προσφέρει παρεΐστικη ατμόσφαιρα, σπιτικά γλυκά, ελληνικό καφέ στο μπρίκι αλλά και ποικιλίες που θα συνοδεύσουν το τσίπουρο, το ούζο και το κρασάκι σας.

Κυριακάτικο Καφενείο

Με ατμόσφαιρα παλιάς εποχής και επιλεγμένη μουσική, είναι το ιδανικό σημείο για να αποφύγετε την πολυκοσμία και τη φασαρία της Χώρας.

Ωραίο μπαράκι στην πρωτεύουσα, που μετρά ήδη 10 χρόνια λειτουργίας. Αποτελεί σταθερή αξία για διασκέδαση σε πολύχρωμο χώρο με ωραίες μουσικές και υπέροχα κοκτέιλ από κορυφαίους Dj s και μπαρτέντερ που έχουν περάσει από τα καλύτερα μαγαζιά της Αθήνας.

Γλυκύτατο παραδοσιακό καφενείο στο ομώνυμο χωριό. Μετά τις βόλτες σας αξίζει να πιάσετε τραπεζάκι στη βεράντα του για να απολαύσετε το ηλιοβασίλεμα συντροφιά με καφέ και σπιτικά γλυκά του κουταλιού

Rochari Beach Bar

Στην οργανωμένη παραλία Ρόχαρη, κοντά στον Πάνορμο, το Rochari Beach λειτουργεί από το 2014 και αποτελεί την ιδανική επιλογή για βουτιές σε ατμόσφαιρα Καραϊβικής.

All-time classic ροκ μπαρ, από τα παλαιότερα και γνωστότερα του νησιού. Τα πρωινά για καφέ, σάντουιτς και χυμούς με θέα στο λιμάνι. Ενώ τα βράδια επιφυλάσσουν φοβερά fun party με κοκτέιλ, rock, jazz και acid funk μέχρι αργά.

Το καλοκαιρινό σκηνικό χαλάρωσης στην υπέροχη παραλία συμπληρώνεται ιδανικά με το beach bar “Πορτοκάλι. Ξύλινα decks, μαξιλάρες, αιώρες, chill out ήχοι. Αφράτες πετσέτες, που προσφέρονται δωρεάν στην οργανωμένη παραλία, δροσεροί καφέδες, κρασιά και πολύχρωμα κοκτέιλ που καταφτάνουν στην ξαπλώστρα.

Ίσως είναι από τις πιο αδικημένες πρωτεύουσες των Κυκλάδων. Κι αυτό γιατί η Χώρα δεν θα κερδίσει τους επισκέπτες με την πρώτη ματιά. Θα χρειαστεί να της αφιερώσουμε χρόνο για να ανακαλύψουμε μια όμορφη νησιώτικη πόλη, που διατηρεί πολλά από τα στοιχεία του 19ου αιώνα.

Ο επιβλητικός ναός της Παναγίας ιδρύθηκε το 1823, στο σημείο όπου βρέθηκε η εικόνα του Ευαγγελισμού της Θεοτόκου, σύμφωνα με το όραμα της Αγίας Πελαγίας. Πρόκειται για ένα λαμπρό οικοδόμημα κατασκευασμένο από λευκό μάρμαρο, το οποίο είναι το πρώτο αξιόλογο αρχιτεκτονικό μνημείο του απελευθερωμένου ελληνικού έθνους.

Κάθε γωνιά στο χωριό του μεγαλοφυούς Γιαννούλη Χαλεπά, του Νικηφόρου Λύτρα και πολλών ακόμα καλλιτεχνών έχει στολιστεί με μεράκι: μαρμάρινες κρήνες, τέμπλα, θυρώματα και υπέρθυρα, μαρμαρόστρωτοι δρόμοι.

Όμορφο ψαροχώρι στα βόρεια του νησιού, που αποτελεί φυσικό γραφικό λιμανάκι με ψαροταβέρνες δίπλα στο κύμα. Πρόκειται για το επίνειο του Πύργου και ένας από τους πιο όμορφους προορισμούς στην Τήνο.

Αφήστε για λίγο τη Χώρα κι οδηγήστε για περίπου 20 λεπτά στην ενδοχώρα του νησιού, με προορισμό το μεσαιωνικό χωριό Βώλαξ. Όσες φωτογραφίες κι αν τραβήξετε, δεν θα είναι ποτέ αρκετές: εντυπωσιακοί λείοι, γρανιτένιοι ογκόλιθοι είναι διάσπαρτοι στο χωριό Βώλαξ συνθέτοντας ένα μοναδικό σεληνιακό τοπίο.

Μουσείο Κώστα Τσόκλη

Λειτουργεί από το 2011 και στεγάζεται στο πρώην δημοτικό σχολείο του χωριού Κάμπος. Προβάλλει το έργο του μεγάλου δημιουργού και παραδίδει μαθήματα σύγχρονης τέχνης μέσα από εργαστήρια, εκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα, κινηματογραφικές προβολές με θέμα τη ζωή μεγάλων καλλιτεχνών, θεατρικές και μουσικές παραστάσεις.

Moυσείο Μαρμαροτεχνίας

Tο σύγχρονο μουσείο που δημιουργήθηκε από το Πολιτιστικό Ίδρυμα του Ομίλου Πειραιώς Κι αποτελεί αποτελεί μοναδικό παράδειγμα παρουσίασης της τεχνολογίας του μαρμάρου, υλικού που κατέχει ιδιαίτερη θέση στην αρχιτεκτονική και την τέχνη της Ελλάδας, από την αρχαιότητα μέχρι σήμερα.

Μουσείο Τήνιων καλλιτεχνών

Περιλαμβάνει έργα γλυπτικής και ζωγραφικής Τηνίων Καλλιτεχνών. Ιδρύθηκε το 1930 και έκτοτε εμπλουτίζεται συνεχώς. Ένα μόνο μέρος των έργων προέρχεται από αγορές του Ιδρύματος που ποτέ δεν έπαψε να στηρίζει τις τέχνες και τα γράμματα.

Μονή Κεχροβουνίου

Η Ιερά μονή Κεχροβουνίου, βρίσκεται στην περιοχή Μοναστήρι, σε απότομη πλαγιά σε ύψος 650μ πάνω από την θάλασσα. Είναι αφιερωμένη στην Κοίμηση της Θεοτόκου και ιδρύθηκε από κόρες εύπορης οικογένειας της Τήνου τον 11ο ή 12ο αιώνα.

Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο

Βρίσκεται στον κεντρικό δρόμο που οδηγεί από το λιμάνι στην εκκλησία της Παναγίας. Εκεί, θα βρείτε μια πλούσια συλλογή από αγγεία και οικιακά αντικείμενα από διάφορες περιόδους, βάζα της Γεωμετρικής περιόδου, μεγάλους αμφορείς και πήλινα δοχεία καθώς και επιτύμβιες στήλες του 5ου αιώνα που βρέθηκαν στο Εξώμβουργο και στον Κάμπο.

Ναός Ποσειδώνα

Η Τήνος κατά την αρχαιότητα αποτέλεσε ένα από τα σημαντικότερα θρησκευτικά κέντρα, σύγχρονο με αυτό της Δήλου. Κατά τον 5ο π.Χ. αιώνα σημείωσε πολύ μεγάλη ακμή ως λατρευτικό κέντρο του Ποσειδώνα ο οποίος εκτός από θεός της θάλασσας, λατρεύονταν και ως θεραπευτής.

Περιστεριώνες

Αποτελούν μνημεία μοναδικής λαϊκής τέχνης στο νησί. Η πρώτη επίσημη γραπτή μαρτυρία για την ύπαρξη περιστεριώνων είναι το 1726 και αφορούσε ένα ερειπωμένο σήμερα περιστεριώνα στην θέση Σπηλιά κοντά στην Κώμη.

Άγιος Ρωμανός

Καθαρή, μεγάλη κι απάνεμη παραλία, εύκολα προσβάσιμη με αυτοκίνητο. Έχει άμμο, ψιλό βότσαλο, γαλαζοπράσινα νερά και αλμυρίκια που προσφέρουν σκιά. Δεν είναι οργανωμένη γιαυτό φροντίστε για τα απαραίτητα ενώ φαγητό θα βρείτε σε κοντινή ταβέρνα.

Για πολλούς η πιο εξωτική και ωραιότερη παραλία του νησιού. Έχει ψιλή άμμο, είναι απάνεμη και απόμερη ενώ δεν έχει οργάνωση γι'αυτό θα πρέπει να φροντίσετε για νερό και τα απαραίτητα.

Μεγάλη παραλία με πεντακάθαρα νερά που χωρίζεται σε οργανωμένη και μη οργανωμένη πλευρά. Είναι απάνεμη στο οργανωμένο κομμάτι της, με πλούσια σκιά από αλμυρίκια, άμμο, ομπρέλες , ξαπλώστρες και beach bar ενώ στο μη οργανωμένο είναι πιο φαρδύ και πιο ήσυχο.

Άγιος Πέτρος

Πρόκειται για δύο παραλίες χωρισμένες από το εκκλησάκι του Αγίου Πέτρου πάνω σε ένα μικρό βουναλάκι. Και οι δύο διακρίνονται για τα καθαρά κρυστάλλινα νερά τους, έχουν ψιλή άμμο και είναι αρκετά απόμερες.

Crossroads Inn

Μια παλιά ερειπωμένη γειτονιά στο γραφικό χωριό Τριπόταμος αναγεννήθηκε και μετατράπηκε σε υπέροχα παραδοσιακά καταλύματα που χαρίζουν την πιο αυθεντική κυκλαδίτικη διαμονή. Στη διάθεσή μας τέσσερα καταλύματα, το ένα πιο γοητευτικό από το άλλο.

Crossroads Inn, Τήνος.

Μια παλιά ερειπωμένη γειτονιά στο γραφικό χωριό Τριπόταμος αναγεννήθηκε και μετατράπηκε σε υπέροχα παραδοσιακά καταλύματα που χαρίζουν την πιο αυθεντική κυκλαδίτικη διαμονή.

Porto Raphael

Το παραδοσιακά χτισμένο ξενοδοχειακό συγκρότημα βρίσκεται μέσα σε καταπράσινη έκταση, λίγα μέτρα από τη θάλασσα. Αποτελείται από 30 διαμερίσματα και δωμάτια που προσφέρουν απέραντη θέα στον κήπο, τον ειδυλλιακό κόλπο του Αγίου Ιωάννη και τα γύρω κυκλαδονήσια.

Porto Raphael, Τήνος.

Αξιοζήλευτη τοποθεσία, υπέροχη κυκλαδίτικη αρχιτεκτονική, προσεγμένη διακόσμηση και ασύγκριτη θέα. Το Porto Raphael είναι το δικό μας κυκλαδίτικο καταφύγιο στο “χειροποίητο νησί”.

Το Θαλασσάκι

Ο Άρης και η Αντωνία βάζουν στην κουζίνα τους μόνο φρέσκα υλικά και παρθένο ελαιόλαδο. Η ταβέρνα ειδικεύεται στα θαλασσινά και τα μαγειρευτά όλα με ντόπια προϊόντα. Ξεχωρίζουμε το λεμονάτο κατσικάκι, το μαύρο ριζότο με μελάνι σουπιάς, τα μύδια με ζαφορά και το ντόπιο τυρί “πέτρωμα” που το σερβίρει με φουντούκια και γύρη.

Lonely Planet: Tα καλύτερα ελληνικα εστιατόρια

Οι συντάκτες του γύρισαν τη χώρα μας και επέλεξαν μερικά από τα καλύτερα εστιατόρια με βάση την κουζίνα αλλά και την ατμόσφαιρα που αποπνέουν. Κρατήστε σημειώσεις!

Golden Beach

Βρίσκεται στη χρυσαφένια παραλία του Αγίου Φωκά, σε μια καταπράσινη έκταση γεμάτη γεράνια, φοίνικες, ελιές και μπουκαμβίλιες. Μετά την ανακαίνιση αρκετά studios και διαμερίσματα ομόρφυναν, αποκτώντας υπέρδιπλα κρεβάτια, μαρμάρινους νιπτήρες, έπιπλα αντίκες και τηλεοράσεις LCD.

Μόλις 500 μέτρα από την παραλία της Αγίας Κυριακής, ολόλευκα δωμάτια με άψογες γραμμές κυκλαδίτικης αρχιτεκτονικής και ζεν αίσθηση.

Λίγα λεπτά από το κέντρο της Τήνου, σχεδόν πάνω στο κύμα στην παραλία της Αγκάλης, το συμπαθέστατο ξενοδοχείο διαθέτει 69 πλήρως εξοπλισμένα δωμάτια.

Favie Suzanne

Την αρχή την έκανε ο Φαβιέ το 1968 δημιουργώντας το θρυλικό ξενοδοχείο στην Χώρα της Τήνου. Από το 1999, τα εγγόνια του ανέλαβαν το Favie Suzanne, ανακαινίζοντάς το ολοκληρωτικά το 2004 ενώ το 2007 δημιουργήθηκε μια νέα, deluxe πτέρυγα.

Vega Apartments

Τα εφτά λευκά σπιτάκια, που δανείζονται το όνομά τους από αστέρια του ουρανού, υποδέχτηκαν τους πρώτους τους θαμώνες το 2008. Χτισμένα στην πλαγιά πάνω από τη θάλασσα, απολαμβάνουν υπέροχη θέα στο ηλιοβασίλεμα και στη Σύρο.

Τήνος Beach Hotel

Σε προνομιακή θέση δίπλα στη θάλασσα, το συγκρότημα απλώνεται σε τέσσερα κτίρια και διαθέτει απλά και superior δωμάτια, σουίτες αλλά και bungalows ιδανικά για οικογένειες.

Cavos Studios

Λίγα μέτρα από την αμμουδερή παραλία του Άγιου Σώστη, τα bungalows έχουν κατασκευαστεί σύμφωνα με την τοπική παραδοσιακή αρχιτεκτονική και προσφέρουν εκπληκτική θέα στο Αιγαίο.

Altana Boutique Hotel

Οι αναφορές στην Τήνο και την παράδοσή της είναι έντονες σε κάθε σημείο του ξενοδοχείου. Στα 12 συνολικά του δωμάτια το λευκό μπερδεύεται αρμονικά με τα χρώματα της άμμου, της ελιάς και της θάλασσας δημιουργώντας ένα απόλυτα χαλαρωτικό σκηνικό.

Porto Tango

Παραδοσιακά διώροφα σπιτάκια κτισμένα γύρω από την πισίνα περιμένουν να φιλοξενήσουν τις καλοκαιρινές μας αποδράσεις. Αμφιθεατρικά χτισμένο σε μια από τις ωραιότερες παραλίες της Τήνου, τον Άγιο Ιωάννη Πόρτο, το ολόλευκο συγκρότημα με τις καμάρες και τα πρασινωπά παραθυρόφυλλα μοιάζει το ιδανικό καταφύγιο ηρεμίας.

To συγκρότημα απέχει λίγα μέτρα από την παραλία του Αγίου Φωκά και θυμίζει κυκλαδίτικο χωριό με καμάρες και όμορφους διαδρόμους σε μια έκταση πέντε στρεμμάτων. Διαθέτει πισίνα, spa με προϊόντα Apivita, εξωτερικό jacuzzi, βιβλιοθήκη και πολύ καλό εστιατόριο με τοπική και κυκλαδίτικη κουζίνα.

Μια από τις πιο παλιές, παραδοσιακές ταβέρνες της Τήνου στρώνει τραπέζια στον Άγιο Ιωάννη Πόρτο. Θα χορτάσετε με μεθυστικό μπεκρή μεζέ, ''παιχνιδιάρα'' σαρδέλα του λαδιού, ''άπιαστα'' κεφτεδάκια και παραδεισένιες σαλάτες.

Υψηλή αισθητική τόσο στα πιάτα, όσο και στην διακόσμηση. Κοφτό μακαρονάκι με θαλασσινά, αλλά λιτό γαύρο στη σχάρα αρωματισμένο με φρέσκο δεντρολίβανο και φρέσκια ντομάτα.

Προσεγμένη τρατορία με μοντέρνο ντεκόρ, πάνω στη θάλασσα και ιταλικά πιάτα με ντόπιες πρώτες ύλες. Στο μενού αυθεντική καρμπονάρα αλλά και ζουμερό ψαρονέφρι γεμιστό με λιαστή ντομάτα και σάλτσα κρασιού.

Σε ατμοσφαιρικό αίθριο με θέα το λιμάνι βρίσκεται το πλήρως ανακαινισμένο Μεταξύ μας. Η κ. Μαριγώ επιστρατεύει όλη της την τέχνη στην κουζίνα και φτιάχνει ξεχωριστά πιάτα όπως μανιτάρια φρικασέ, αρνάκι με κολοκύθι στην κατσαρόλα και χορτοκεφτέδες με κολοκύθι, μάραθο και λιαστή ντομάτα.

Ήταν ένα μικρό καράβι

Σε μια κουκλίστικη αυλή, στο παλιό λιμάνι της Τήνου, γευτήκαμε τυράκια λαδιού με πάστα λιαστής ντομάτας και μανιτάρια ψητά με θυμάρι και σκόρδο ενώ από τα κυρίως μας άρεσε το μπούτι κοτόπουλο γεμιστό με σπανάκι, γραβιέρα και λιαστές ντομάτες.

Στη σκιερή πλατεία του Πύργου η Σοφία ετοιμάζει παραδοσιακά πιάτα με αγαπημένα μας τα πιτσούνια στη γάστρα, τις σουπιές κρασάτες με μαύρα λαζάνια, τους μαραθοκεφτέδες αλλά και το ψαρονέφρι με δαμάσκηνα.

Η τοποθεσία του στην άκρη του λιμανιού, δίπλα στον ταρσανά με τα καΐκια προδίδει την κουζίνα που σερβίρει: θαλασσινά και φρέσκα ψάρια αρωματισμένα με μανιάτικο ελαιόλαδο.

Εδώ και μια δεκαετία έχουμε κάνει στέκι μας την ταβερνούλα στον γραφικό κόλπο του Αϊ Γιάννη Πόρτο. Κι αυτό γιατί λατρεύουμε τα ντολμαδάκια αυγολέμονο και τους μυρωδάτους ρεβυθοκεφτέδες με δυόσμο.

Το Κουτούκι της Ελένης

Βρίσκεται σε γραφικό στενάκι στη Χώρα και σερβίρει τα καλύτερα μεζεδάκια και μαγειρευτά εδώ και δεκαετίες. Καθισμένοι στα τραπεζάκια, ανάμεσα σε πιπεριές και μπαχαρικά, κουτάλες και κατσαρολικά που κρέμονται από το ταβάνι, θα γευτείτε παραδοσιακούς λαχανοντολμάδες, κουνελάκι στιφάδο, πιτσουνάκια με πιλάφι, αρνάκι με θυμάρι και μαραθοτηγανίτες.

Κλασική κυκλαδίτικη ψαροταβέρνα με θέα στον Όρμο της Καρδιανής. Ο Ντίνος ετοιμάζει απίθανες ψαρολιχουδιές όπως φρέσκια αχινοσαλάτα που μοσχοβολάει θάλασσα, πικάντικα μύδια σαγανάκι και καβουροκεφτέδες.

Άγιος Ιωάννης Πόρτο

Την μεγάλη αμμουδερή παραλία προτιμούν κυρίως οικογένειες αφού βρίσκεται σε μικρή απόσταση από τη Χώρα της Τήνου. Επιπλέον, είναι οργανωμένη με ομπρέλες και ξαπλώστρες, αρκετά ταβερνάκια, εστιατόρια και beach bar.

Από τις τελευταίες ανακαλύψεις, με άσπρα βότσαλα και καθαρά γαλαζοπράσινα νερά. Πρόκειται για μικρή, απόμερη, ειδυλλιακή, απομακρυσμένη αμμουδιά στο βόρειο τμήμα του νησιού.

Άγρια εμπειρία. Ένα ποτάμι που εκβάλει, νερόλακκοι και απότομα κοφτερά βράχια. Πρόκειται για γραφική παραλία με βότσαλο, χοντρή άμμο και τους παράξενους γεωλογικούς σχηματισμούς.

Παχιά Άμμος

Mικρή, αμμουδερή παραλία 2,5 χλμ. βορειοανατολικά απ’ τον Αϊ-Γιάννη Πόρτο. Έχει απόλυτη ησυχία, κρυστάλλινα νερά και ξανθή άμμο ενώ θα πρέπει να έχετε μαζί σας τα απαραίτητα αφού δεν υπάρχουν υποδομές.

Μια θαλάσσια φυσική λεκάνη που έχει χαρακτηριστεί βιότοπος, αφού από εκεί εκτός από λουόμενους περνούν διάφορα σπάνια είδη πουλιών. Ουσιαστικά πρόκειται για δύο παραλίες. Η μικρότερη είναι η πιο κοσμοπολίτικη, οργανωμένη με ξαπλώστρες και ομπρέλες ενώ η πιο μεγάλη είναι πιο απόμερη και εκτεθειμένη στους βόρειους ανέμους.

Άγιος Σώστης

Πρόκειται για την μεγαλύτερη και πιο οργανωμένη παραλία της Τήνου. Είναι μια αμμουδιά με ρηχά πεντακάθαρα, διαυγή νερά με θέα τη Μύκονο ενώ στο σκηνικό πρωταγωνιστεί ένα εξωκλήσι του 19ου αιώνα.

Άγιος Φωκάς

Η μεγαλύτερη παραλία του νησιού σε μικρή απόσταση από τη Χώρα. Σε διάφορα σημεία της υπάρχει κάποια βλάστηση που προσφέρει σκιά σε όσους προλάβουν. Έχει καλή οργάνωση με ξαπλώστρες, ομπρέλες, μπαρ και εστιατόρια.

Δημοφιλής παραλία με ψιλή άμμο και εύκολη πρόσβαση. Απέχει μόλις τρία χιλιόμετρα από την πόλη της Τήνου και βρίσκεται κοντά στον αρχαιολογικό χώρο του αρχαίου ναού αφιερωμένου στον Ποσειδώνα και τη γυναίκα του, την Αμφιτρίτη.

H ωραιότερη πισίνα του κόσμου φτιάχνεται στην Τήνo.

Τα σχέδια ενός ελληνικού γραφείου που έγιναν παγκόσμιο viral, είναι ένα αρχιτεκτονικό αριστούργημα.

Τα καλύτερα θέματα του Art Travel κάθε μέρα στο mail σας.

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13 things to know before you go to Greece and the Greek Islands

Mar 6, 2024 • 8 min read

These top planning tips can help you prep for a trip to Greece, from health and safety to local etiquette © EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS / Getty Images

Get out your bucket list; it’s time to cross off a major line item: Greece . 

The fabled land remains tops for culture , food, outdoor travel, art and, of course, beaches and islands . As part of the border-free Schengen Area, it’s also incredibly easy to visit for many travelers worldwide. From advance booking to local etiquette – and health and safety issues when you're there – here's everything you need to know to plan a memorable trip to Greece.

1. Choose your season wisely

Your experience in Greece will be wildly different depending on when you visit . Summer is tops for action, family fun, and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, but prices are at their highest and pre-booking is necessary for everything since it’s all so popular.

The shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are a delight – prices are lower, and rooms and resources are more readily available. Winter offers a moody and budget-friendly retreat, great for walking, hiking and sedate travels where you will often be the only visitor around. Bear in mind that some businesses will shut down completely during the low season.

2. Prioritize your wishlist and make a plan

Do you want a grand tour, taking in the not-to-be-missed highlights all over Greece, or would you prefer to focus your time on exploring your favorite islands  or regions, like the Peloponnese ?

The best way to choose from the dizzying array of options on offer is to focus on what is important to you – relaxing on beautiful beaches, learning more about Greece's fascinating history and culture , museums and archaeology, off-the-beaten-track wildlife, or partying until dawn – and plan accordingly.

3. Find the perfect island or region for you

Greece merits multiple trips as every island offers something different , and each of its regions is equally dazzling – you're never going to see everything on your first visit, and you'll ruin your trip if you pressure yourself to do just that. Also, don’t be fooled that the biggies are the only islands worthy of your attention. Though Mykonos , Santorini and the major names have plenty to offer, lesser-known islands (there are hundreds!) like Amorgos or Kythira are also a delight. They've also got the added bonus of smaller crowds and lower prices if that's a key consideration for you.

4. Athens isn't the only gateway to Greece

In many cases, you will find it useful to transit in or out of Greece via Athens , as its airport has connections with numerous international destinations, and the city itself is a gem . However, there are other international airports around the Greek mainland (such as in Thessaloniki ) and on some major islands (such as Mykonos , Santorini  and  Corfu ).

If you need any internal flights to get to your destination of choice, it's worth checking the price of these individually. Due to government subsidies, it can work out significantly cheaper to book each part of your Greek itinerary separately from your international flights.

5. Book everything in advance during peak season

In peak season , prices are high, and demand for car hire, accommodations and ferry tickets is even higher – this is not the time for ad hoc bookings on the fly. Greece is an incredibly popular summer destination, and the best options get snapped up well in advance.

6. Roads in Greece are for confident drivers

No one who has traveled on Greece’s roads will be surprised to hear that the country’s road fatality rate is one of the highest in Europe. Overtaking is listed as the greatest cause of accidents. Heart-stopping moments aside, your own car is a great way to explore off the beaten track if you are confident in your driving and keep a few key points in mind.

• The road network has improved enormously in recent years; many roads marked as dirt tracks on older maps have now been sealed, and a lot of the islands have very little traffic.
• There are regular (if costly) car-ferry services to almost all islands.
• Greece is not the best place to initiate yourself into motorcycling. If you're not confident on a motorbike, it may be best to park this option until you have more experience.
• All the big multinational car-rental companies are represented in Athens, and most have branches in major towns and popular tourist destinations. The majority of islands have at least one outlet.

7. Greece is not very wheelchair-friendly beyond Athens

Access for travelers with disabilities has improved somewhat in recent years, but the majority of accessible sights, hotels and restaurants tend to be located in Athens. While improvements are on the horizon for beach access,  much of the rest of Greece remains inaccessible to wheelchairs, and the abundance of stones, marble, slippery cobbles and stepped alleys create frustrating barriers for those with mobility issues. People who have visual or hearing impairments are also rarely catered for.

Careful planning before you go can make a world of difference. There are specific resources online that provide links to local articles, resorts and tour groups catering to tourists with physical disabilities.

8. Pack the right kinds of clothing

Athenians are well-dressed, and the younger crowd is trendy, so keep your smart clothes for the urban catwalk of clubs and bars. Nevertheless, in Athens and other metropolises such as Rhodes , Thessaloniki and Iraklio , everyday attire such as shorts or jeans and casual tops are just fine.

Bars or fashionable restaurants require more effort – the scene is stylish rather than dressy. Think tops and trousers rather than T-shirts and cut-offs. In out-of-the-way places, you can wear casual clothing, and in summer, the heat will make you want to wear the least amount of fabric you can get away with – bring quick-drying tank tops and cool dresses.

Sturdy walking shoes are a must for the cobbled roads, and proper hiking boots are key if you're exploring the countryside on foot . It's respectful to cover up before entering churches.

9. Learn some basic Greek phrases

Greek is a tough language to learn thoroughly, but mastering a few basic greetings and niceties will make a world of difference in how Greek speakers receive you. In touristed areas, many people speak English, so rest assured that you can get by as long as you know some key phrases.

10. Carry cash and don't rely on cards or ATMs

As part of the EU, Greece uses the euro. In restaurants, a service charge is normally included in the bill, and while a tip is not expected (as it is in North America), it is always appreciated. Taxi drivers normally expect you to round up the fare, while bellhops who help you carry your luggage to your hotel room or stewards on ferries who take you to your cabin normally expect a small gratuity of between €1 and €3.

ATMs are found in every town large enough to support a bank and in almost all the tourist areas. Be aware that ATMs on the islands can lose their connection for a day or two at a time, making it impossible for anyone (locals included) to withdraw money. It’s useful to keep some backup cash just in case this happens during your visit.

Credit cards are now an accepted part of the commercial scene in Greece, although they’re often not accepted on many of the smaller islands or in small villages. Don't rely on your cards alone, and check in advance when dining or drinking if it's your only option.

11. Make sure you have good travel insurance

Although medical training is of a high standard in Greece, the public health service is underfunded. Hospitals can be overcrowded, and relatives are expected to bring in food for the patient – often a problem for solo travelers. Conditions and treatment are much better in private hospitals, which are expensive. All this means that a comprehensive travel insurance policy is essential.

There is at least one doctor on every island, and larger islands have hospitals. Pharmacies can dispense medicines that are available only on prescription in most European countries. If the situation isn't critical, it's often best to consult a pharmacist first for minor ailments.

12. Stay hydrated and remember how powerful the sun can be

Tap water isn't safe to drink on many islands – if in doubt, ask. Keeping a supply of bottled water to hand is essential for hydration as well as safety; many tourists underestimate how hot it can get in Greece, and heatstroke and serious sunburn are common on beaches with little shade.

Break up your sun-drenched siestas with time in the shade getting hydrated, and pack plenty of high-factor sunscreen. Mosquitos are an irritant rather than a danger – packing insect repellant is recommended.

13. Pickpocketing and other petty crime is common in busy places

The major risks of theft in Greece are pickpockets in the large cities and theft of belongings when lounging on busy, popular beaches (leave passports behind in hotel safes). Never leave your belongings unattended, and don't leave your bags hanging from the back of your seat where you can't keep an eye on them. 

The tourist police work in cooperation with the regular Greek police. Each tourist police office has at least one member of staff who speaks English. If you need to report a theft or loss of passport, go to the tourist police first, and they will act as interpreters between you and the regular police.

Some unscrupulous taxi drivers will try to charge you extortionate rates from the airports to the city centers. Always make sure the meter is running or pre-negotiate and agree on the price before you get in.

This article was first published Mar 1, 2022 and updated Mar 6, 2024.

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