This is Athens

19/06/2025

There are easier ways to reach the Temple of Poseidon. But none quite like this.

Trade the bus ride for a paddle and join Expedition Kayaking on a beginner-friendly journey across sea caves, secret beaches and mirror-clear water — ending with a front-row view of Poseidon’s clifftop throne.

Myths aside, it’s one of the most rewarding day trips out of Athens. Read more below.

Why take the bus to the Temple of Poseidon, when you can smoothly paddle your way there, in the company of professionals, while stopping by secluded beaches for refreshing dips?

12/06/2025

☀️ Athens in summer hits different.

Some leave town. Others head straight for the coast.🌊
You’ll find life happening in the early mornings, late nights, and shaded corners.

Think open-air cinemas, ferry rides that don’t break the bank, rooftop gigs, and sweaty dancefloors. Museums stay cool, terraces stay full, and yes—someone’s always having a freddo.

Your survival kit: light clothes, late dinners, and knowing when to duck into the National Garden.

Follow our guide to at the link below.

Beautiful beaches, rooftop cocktail bars, outdoor cinemas, and music festivals by the sea. Athens is your summer romance with so many things to do.

03/06/2025

Some stages feel timeless — even as they prepare for change.🎭

With the Athens Epidaurus Festival in full swing, now’s the time to soak up the magic of open-air performance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus — and if you're planning to catch a show at the ancient amphitheatre, make it count.

This is the final season before the Herodion takes a three-year pause from our Athenian summers for vital restoration. From autumn 2025, the Herodion will undergo major conservation works to preserve its historic grandeur — so every seat this summer feels just a little more special.

Follow the link in the comments for our hand-picked highlights from this year’s edition of one of Europe’s longest-running performing arts festivals.

❗ Don’t forget: you can get tickets for any show at the This is Athens Info Point in Syntagma Square. 🎫

📷 Georgios Makkas / © This is Athens

28/05/2025

Blink and you'll miss it! 🌸💜

Well, not quite that swiftly — but jacaranda season in Athens only lasts a few weeks tops. So if you’re in town or planning to visit, make sure to catch their purple splendour before it fades. The city’s streets burst into violet for a short time only, and as Nobel laureate George Seferis once wrote:

“Jacarandas playing castanets and dancing,
threw around their feet a violet snow.”

The Zappeion is the city’s main stage for this late spring show, but don’t skip Rigillis Street — a lesser-known spot that locals often overlook. Nearby, you’ll also find the wonderful Byzantine & Christian Museum and Aristotle’s Lyceum, both worth a detour in bloom season.

Jacarandas are also in bloom along Athinas Street, adding a splash of purple to the city's busiest thoroughfare — perfect for a quick photo stop as you wander through central Athens.

📽

21/05/2025

Best out of three? 🔲🔳

Palio Faliro is home to famed old-school patisseries, great off-the-beaten-path museums and one of the best kid-friendly areas in Athens. It's also where the rowdiest concerts and the most peaceful seaside chess battles take place in spring and summer.

Discover Palio Faliro 👉 https://bit.ly/TiA_PalioFaliro

📷 Thomas Gravanis / © This is Athens

13/05/2025

Everything is in place for another memorable summer cinema season in Athens.🌞🎞

The city's open-air movie theatres have dusted off their chairs and tables, trimmed their bougainvillaea, honeysuckle and jasmine trees and stocked up on cold beers and sour cherry drinks.🍺🍒

From seaside spots to urban rooftops, track down the most historic therina (summer) cinemas in Athens at the link below.

Outdoor movies are an Athenian institution during the summer months. Every neighbourhood has at least one open-air cinema.

07/05/2025

Many classic Greek dishes are vegan by nature — like silky fava dip and spanakopita. And even those that aren’t, like moussaka or feta cheese, can be transformed into delicious plant-based versions.

Talented vegan chef Roman Wit is showing how at Koukaki’s cosy Soybird Athens - VEGAN Cooking Experience. Follow the link for a crash course in traditional Greek cooking with a vegan twist.

Learn how to make delicious vegan versions of classic Greek dishes without losing a single ounce of flavour, then enjoy them in a family-style dinner in Soybird’s sunlit kitchen.

02/05/2025

Looking for a reason to stay outdoors in Athens this weekend? This is Athens - City Festival offers more than 25. Take notes. 🗒

🎶 Open-air street parties across the city – from live shows at Koumoundourou Square to DJ sets at Omonia, Amerikis Square, Zappeion and Santaroza Square.

🖼 Art exhibitions at EMST Athens, CAN Christina Androulidaki gallery and Mosaico.

🎭 Dance and theatre performances about identity, community and the environment.

Exploring Athens this weekend? You’re in the heart of the festival.

📍 Find the full weekend lineup at the link in comments.

📷 1-3 Thomas Gravanis ; 2 Georgios Makkas / © This is Athens

30/04/2025

Here’s a glimpse of your future memories in Athens—so you don’t have to break the spell while making them.

Any guesses where this was taken from—and what that iconic building in the background is?

📷 Thomas Gravanis / © This is Athens

28/04/2025

Athens is ready for a great week — and it’s not just any week, it’s festival week! 🎉

This is Athens - City Festival kicks off this Thursday with our signature picnic at Plato’s Academy Park. Join us from 12pm to 8pm for a full day of family fun, music, and community vibes.

Our month-long celebration of all things Athens is just getting started, with more than 200 free-entry events for every taste.

Check out the full programme here 👉 https://bit.ly/42JGmh3

📷 Orestis Seferoglou / © This is Athens

25/04/2025

In Athens, spring and summer are best savoured slowly—with a good book and a great brew.📚☕

Whether you're seeking shade from the midday sun or a peaceful corner to unwind, the city's book cafés offer the perfect retreat. From tucked-away corners with curated reads to coffee counters that double as conversation starters, the city’s book cafés offer a slower, thoughtful kind of magic.

Discover our favourite literary hideaways in Athens at the link below.

Explore Athens’ top book cafés, where intimate settings and curated collections bring the city’s diverse book culture to life. From activist hubs to reputable publishing houses, these cosy spots are ideal for coffee and a good read.

23/04/2025

Word has it, everyone who visits Athens ends up wandering through Plaka.😉

A labyrinth of cobbled alleys and old-world charm, it’s the city’s most iconic (and most visited) neighbourhood. But not every taverna or café is what it seems. We point you to the ones that deliver the real deal — no gimmicks, just good food and heart. Read more below.

Plaka is packed with restaurants and cafés. These are among the best places to eat and drink as you explore this historic Athenian neighbourhood.