Athens Travel Guide

Weather in Athens: The weather in Athens during the spring and the autumn months are perfect for a visit. An Athens guide says that from March to May, the weather is absolutely pleasant for outdoor sightseeing and beach activities, and so the time during September to November. The special feature of Mediterranean climate is dry and hot summers and cool and wet winters. Staying true to that, from December to end of January, Athens gets rainfall, and the weather is chilly. July and August are the driest months, and also the hottest. The average temperature of Athens is around 34°C to 35°C approximately.

Nightlife in Athens: The nightlife in Athens is vivid and eclectic. Whether someone is looking for a glass of sophisticated cocktail or dance the night away to loud music – Athens has it all. Kolonaki and Patsion have a bunch of refined, vintage bars for speciality cocktails, while Metaxourgeio and Kerameikos are home to local Spirou bars and buzzing music. The main spot for clubbing is Gazi, with top-end bars and clubs, traditional and contemporary Greek music and lots and lots of partying. If you are looking for some standard places to bar-hop, Koukaki is the perfect destination for a drink to replenish yourself after sightseeing.

Food in Athens: Greek food is an eclectic mix of Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern cuisines. Greek salad is famous all over the world, but it is still the best in Athens. Crunchy vegetables dressed with olive oil and lemon juice with a slab of feta – it never gets old. Other than there, cheeseballs called Sfougata, kebabs, and Souvlaki – skewered meat, all of which are influenced by middle-eastern food.  In Desserts, one should try out Halvasi cake and Loukoumades, which is basically fried donut balls soaked in syrup. An Athens information directory will show you the best restaurants around for all sorts of cuisines. Most of the common dishes one can find in the small eateries located in marketplaces of Plaka and others. For avant-garde dishes, try Funky Gourmet or Matsuhisa or Spondi. Aegli Zappiou offers outdoor seating and view of the entire Acropolis, along with traditional Greek dishes.

Shopping in Athens: Athens is known for street shopping more than big stores – although the latter kind does exist in abundance. The best places to shop are the streets of Plaka and Thiseio, Syntagma Square, and of course, the famous Monastiraki Flea Market. Shopping places in Athens have special weekly timings, which any Athens tour guide can tell you. Most places are closed on Sunday, except the Flea Market. Sundays see a big crowd there, hustling and bustling through the bazaar-like streets, trying to find the best things out of the piles. Prices here can be negotiated to quite an extent.

Festivals in Athens: Athens hosts a number of festivals throughout the year. A quick look at the Athens visitor guide will tell you what festivals are there during your visit. They are Athens Technopolis Jazz Festival is a local and international music event; Athens Open-Air Film Festival is a film screening are done under the sky at iconic locations; Athens Epidaurus Festival that takes place in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus; International Comics Festival, Athens Photo Festival and Art Athina – the international contemporary art fair and festival.