Athens guidebook
Local amenities
Self service laundry with coin-operated washing machines and dryers
Open 365 days, 7:00-23:30
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easywash Self Service Laundry
27 EftichidouSelf service laundry with coin-operated washing machines and dryers
Open 365 days, 7:00-23:30
ΕΛΤΑ - ΠΑΓΚΡΑΤΙΟΥ
12 VriaxidosPost Office
Open Mon-Fri 7:30-14:45
Pharmacy: there is a pharmacy on almost every street in Athens (the closest one to the apartment is on Archelaou Street). Efstathiou is a slightly longer walk, but in addition to conventional medicines they have a nice range in organic toiletries and alternative remedies.
Φαρμακείο Ευσταθίου
32 StravonosPharmacy: there is a pharmacy on almost every street in Athens (the closest one to the apartment is on Archelaou Street). Efstathiou is a slightly longer walk, but in addition to conventional medicines they have a nice range in organic toiletries and alternative remedies.
The nearest supermarket, with cheese, meat and fish service counters, as well as some hot prepared food items (such as rotisserie chicken). Good selection and variety of foods, specialty items, biscuits, chocolate and snacks, as well as household items and wine, spirits and beer. open Mon - Sat until 9pm.
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ΑΒ Βασιλόπουλος
32 Gonata StilianouThe nearest supermarket, with cheese, meat and fish service counters, as well as some hot prepared food items (such as rotisserie chicken). Good selection and variety of foods, specialty items, biscuits, chocolate and snacks, as well as household items and wine, spirits and beer. open Mon - Sat until 9pm.
Handy convenience store open 7 days a week 8:00-23:00.
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OK Anytime Markets
8 AmintaHandy convenience store open 7 days a week 8:00-23:00.
Budget supermarket, about 15 minutes' walk from the apartment. Located on the lower ground floor of a shopping mall, and not immediately obvious from the street level entrance. Good quality snacks, staples, dairy and bread at reasonable prices. Open Mon - Sat until 9pm.
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LIDL
300 Leof. Agiou DimitriouBudget supermarket, about 15 minutes' walk from the apartment. Located on the lower ground floor of a shopping mall, and not immediately obvious from the street level entrance. Good quality snacks, staples, dairy and bread at reasonable prices. Open Mon - Sat until 9pm.
Very useful corner shop, stocks a range of organic, gluten-free and quirky traditional products in addition to essentials.
Stays open late.
Το απαραίτητο
16 ArchelaouVery useful corner shop, stocks a range of organic, gluten-free and quirky traditional products in addition to essentials.
Stays open late.
Nice selection of wines, beers and spirits, as well as spices, cooking ingredients and snacks.
MOSCHOS & CINNAMON
6 EftichidouNice selection of wines, beers and spirits, as well as spices, cooking ingredients and snacks.
Not to be missed! Friday market on Archimidous Street in the winter and Pirrou Street in the summer has the best and cheapest fruit and vegetables and a lot of local colour.
From early morning until 15:00.
Λαϊκή αγορά Παρασκευής Παγκράτι
23 ArchimidousNot to be missed! Friday market on Archimidous Street in the winter and Pirrou Street in the summer has the best and cheapest fruit and vegetables and a lot of local colour.
From early morning until 15:00.
Local Filipino-run grocery store with a good basic selection of Asian ingredients.
Athens Sarisari store Ethnic
3 Spirou MerkouriLocal Filipino-run grocery store with a good basic selection of Asian ingredients.
Sourdough specialists with great bread selection and desserts. A bit pricier than most local bakeries but well worth it if you're after a bit of a treat.
Monokeros Bakery
Sourdough specialists with great bread selection and desserts. A bit pricier than most local bakeries but well worth it if you're after a bit of a treat.
This nearest bakery is part of a chain, but staff are very friendly and their bread is always fresh and comes in many varieties.
They also serve sandwiches, savoury pies, and sweets.
Open 7 days until 22:00.
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Ok Bread
1 ChironosThis nearest bakery is part of a chain, but staff are very friendly and their bread is always fresh and comes in many varieties.
They also serve sandwiches, savoury pies, and sweets.
Open 7 days until 22:00.
Local independent bakery, bakes a variety of breads including quirky varieties like carob and turmeric. Pnyka supplies several upscale hotels in the area, so it comes highly recommended!
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Pnyka
24 PetrakiLocal independent bakery, bakes a variety of breads including quirky varieties like carob and turmeric. Pnyka supplies several upscale hotels in the area, so it comes highly recommended!
A tiny, old pastry shop and one of the best places to try the Greek sweet bread 'tsoureki'. Queues form around the block at Easter, b ut the rest of he year, there's no wait.
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Ζαχαροπλαστείο Lido
35 ChremonidouA tiny, old pastry shop and one of the best places to try the Greek sweet bread 'tsoureki'. Queues form around the block at Easter, b ut the rest of he year, there's no wait.
Famous downtown branch of a nuts, dried fruit and sweets shop, all made on premises and of the highest quality. Freshly roasted peanuts from here are to die for.
Matsoukas Ξηροί Καρποί
10 NikisFamous downtown branch of a nuts, dried fruit and sweets shop, all made on premises and of the highest quality. Freshly roasted peanuts from here are to die for.
Lovely independent bookshop with large foreign language selection and periodicals. Hosts frequent book launch, lecture and music events.
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TEXTO LEXIKOPOLEIO
13 StasinouLovely independent bookshop with large foreign language selection and periodicals. Hosts frequent book launch, lecture and music events.
If you are planning to explore Greece beyond Athens, start at this helpful specialist bookshops for maps and guidebooks. The store also has a smartphone app with digital versions of their maps.
Anavasi Maps - Travel Bookstore
32 VoulisIf you are planning to explore Greece beyond Athens, start at this helpful specialist bookshops for maps and guidebooks. The store also has a smartphone app with digital versions of their maps.
Beautiful, serious independent bookstore with frequent author readings and discussion panels.
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Pleiádes
62 Spirou MerkouriBeautiful, serious independent bookstore with frequent author readings and discussion panels.
Terrific independent bookshop featuring numerous foreign language titles on a wide range of subjects including politics, history, art and photography. regularly hosts readings and panel discussions.
Free Thinking Zone
1 SkoufaTerrific independent bookshop featuring numerous foreign language titles on a wide range of subjects including politics, history, art and photography. regularly hosts readings and panel discussions.
Charming new bookshop specialising in children's titles, with frequent readings and events.
Ο γάτος Μαουρίτσιο
6-8 EfroniouCharming new bookshop specialising in children's titles, with frequent readings and events.
Stationery shop, also does printing and photocopying. Very helpful and professional.
Φ. Ασλάνης - Π. Σαλονικίδης Ο.Ε.
64 Spirou MerkouriStationery shop, also does printing and photocopying. Very helpful and professional.
Outdoor cinema, one of the best in Athens, by the National Gardens. A great place to spend a summer evening.
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Egli Film (summer)
Outdoor cinema, one of the best in Athens, by the National Gardens. A great place to spend a summer evening.
Cine Oasis is one of the last remaining open-air cinemas in the neighbourhood. It is run by lovely people and specialises in classic cinema rather than new release blockbusters. They offer mosquito repellent spray at the ticket both which you will be wise to use if you don't have your own.
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KOTIRA ADAMANTIA TOU PANAGIOTI
7 PratinouCine Oasis is one of the last remaining open-air cinemas in the neighbourhood. It is run by lovely people and specialises in classic cinema rather than new release blockbusters. They offer mosquito repellent spray at the ticket both which you will be wise to use if you don't have your own.
Brazilian beauty salon, comes recommended by a native Brazilian.
Beleza Brasileira Nails & More by Jo Souza
5A IppomedontosBrazilian beauty salon, comes recommended by a native Brazilian.
Food Scene
Great home-style Greek cooking at very reasonable prices, served with a smile. Eat-in or take-away, the menu changes daily and is updated on their Facebook page. Lunch-time only.
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Athēnas
Great home-style Greek cooking at very reasonable prices, served with a smile. Eat-in or take-away, the menu changes daily and is updated on their Facebook page. Lunch-time only.
"Elvis" serves the best souvlaki in town. Top quality, well-seasoned meat on a skewer, grilled over charcoal, served with fries. No frills, all substance. You can eat at the counter or take away. Pangrati outpost of Kerameikos original. Simply the best souvlaki καλαμακια we've had anywhere in Athens. On a warm evening Elvis is a great place to grab a stool outside with a cold beer and a platter of perfectly grilled meat (the loukaniko sausage with leeks is terrific too).
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Elvis
112 Plateon"Elvis" serves the best souvlaki in town. Top quality, well-seasoned meat on a skewer, grilled over charcoal, served with fries. No frills, all substance. You can eat at the counter or take away. Pangrati outpost of Kerameikos original. Simply the best souvlaki καλαμακια we've had anywhere in Athens. On a warm evening Elvis is a great place to grab a stool outside with a cold beer and a platter of perfectly grilled meat (the loukaniko sausage with leeks is terrific too).
"Vyrinis" is one of the oldest family-owned tavernas in the neighbourhood, and a favourite of our family. It is open year-round, with a cosy dining room with wine barrels for winter, and a cool courtyard for dining al fresco in the summer. Very friendly service, classic Greek cooking plus some lighter dishes.
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ΤΑΒΕΡΝΑ ΒΥΡΙΝΗΣ
11 Archimidous"Vyrinis" is one of the oldest family-owned tavernas in the neighbourhood, and a favourite of our family. It is open year-round, with a cosy dining room with wine barrels for winter, and a cool courtyard for dining al fresco in the summer. Very friendly service, classic Greek cooking plus some lighter dishes.
The Black Cat is a great one for meat-lovers, but the non-meat options are great too. A traditional Greek taverna, always busy. They are famous for their lamb chops (served by the kilo) and their pies, which change daily. The Black Cat salad is also recommended.
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George (former Black Cat)
4 PolemonosThe Black Cat is a great one for meat-lovers, but the non-meat options are great too. A traditional Greek taverna, always busy. They are famous for their lamb chops (served by the kilo) and their pies, which change daily. The Black Cat salad is also recommended.
Lovely fresh falafel and other vegetarian/vegan options. Their fries are great too!
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Baba Ghanoush Vegetarian Restaurant
25 - 27 EmpedokleousLovely fresh falafel and other vegetarian/vegan options. Their fries are great too!
Nearby souvlaki restaurant open late serving a fine, simple, high quality kalamaki-pitta (grilled meat skewer on pitta with salad, potatoes and sauce). Great for a quick bite post-bar-hopping.
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Piggy - Πόπουλο
16 ArchelaouNearby souvlaki restaurant open late serving a fine, simple, high quality kalamaki-pitta (grilled meat skewer on pitta with salad, potatoes and sauce). Great for a quick bite post-bar-hopping.
Η ΠΙΠΕΡΙΑ
12 FormionosHomemade traditional Greek fare to eat in or takeaway by a lovely couple.
Excellent souvlaki and gyros to takeaway, with limited pavement seating.
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To Pikantiko
23 EftichidouExcellent souvlaki and gyros to takeaway, with limited pavement seating.
Italian joint. Wood-fired pizza, pasta, ice cream and pastries. An old neighborhood staple, recommended for casual dining and families.
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Ciao Italia S.A.
4 Spirou MerkouriItalian joint. Wood-fired pizza, pasta, ice cream and pastries. An old neighborhood staple, recommended for casual dining and families.
Quirky pizza restaurant with plenty of other options including vegan and gluten-free. Friendky and full of character, housed in a beautiful old townhouse with a lovely roof garden.
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Mystic
2 FerekidouQuirky pizza restaurant with plenty of other options including vegan and gluten-free. Friendky and full of character, housed in a beautiful old townhouse with a lovely roof garden.
Lovely little wine bar on Messologgiou Square. Great selection of wines from Greece and abroad and delicious light sharing plates.
Materia Prima, Pagrati. wine-deli-bistro
3 Pl. MesologgiouLovely little wine bar on Messologgiou Square. Great selection of wines from Greece and abroad and delicious light sharing plates.
New Greek cooking with a light touch. Friendly service, nice setting, special but not too formal.
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Simul
63 IpsilantouNew Greek cooking with a light touch. Friendly service, nice setting, special but not too formal.
Greek home-cooked food by day, bistro by night. Truly excellent in both its incarnations, a firm favourite of ours.
το χατίρι
28 RizariGreek home-cooked food by day, bistro by night. Truly excellent in both its incarnations, a firm favourite of ours.
Unreconstructed no-nonsense Greek grill, serving fish, meat, salads at reasonable prices. Very pleasant shaded outdoor seating area set back from the road opposite the Goulandris gallery. Much more pleasant (and convenient) than anywhere in the Plaka.
O Stavros
Unreconstructed no-nonsense Greek grill, serving fish, meat, salads at reasonable prices. Very pleasant shaded outdoor seating area set back from the road opposite the Goulandris gallery. Much more pleasant (and convenient) than anywhere in the Plaka.
Bars & Cafés
Long-standing cafe popular with locals serving coffee, light meals, and drinks until late, in a mellow jazz-inflected atmosphere.
Cafe Αερόστατο
4 PtolemeonLong-standing cafe popular with locals serving coffee, light meals, and drinks until late, in a mellow jazz-inflected atmosphere.
A mainstay of the Pangrati scene with ample outdoor seating and a relaxed atmosphere.
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Trigono
23 AmintaA mainstay of the Pangrati scene with ample outdoor seating and a relaxed atmosphere.
Hidden away inside one of downtown Athens' old arcades, this gem of a cocktail bar is a throwback to the '70s. Not to be confused with the bar of the same name atop the Athens Hilton.
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Galaxy Bar
10 StadiouHidden away inside one of downtown Athens' old arcades, this gem of a cocktail bar is a throwback to the '70s. Not to be confused with the bar of the same name atop the Athens Hilton.
Youkali Συνεργατικό Καφενείο
3 Pl. MesologgiouFunky cooperative-run cafe serving mezze on Plateia Messolonghiou.
"Sporaki": The mildly-Irish-themed pub decor may give the wrong impression of this local bar, which is friendly and low-key, with an 80s vinyl soundtrack. Unpretentious bar situated smack bang in the middle of the hip Archelaou scene.
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SPORAKI-ΣΠΟΡΑΚΙ (seed) Rock Irish Pub Athens Pagrati
11 Archelaou"Sporaki": The mildly-Irish-themed pub decor may give the wrong impression of this local bar, which is friendly and low-key, with an 80s vinyl soundtrack. Unpretentious bar situated smack bang in the middle of the hip Archelaou scene.
Charming spot on a Monastiraki alley serving a wide range of top quality small-producer Greek wines and accompanying mezze platters. Indoor and outdoor seating both benefit from the cool jazz soundtrack.
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heteroclito
2 FokionosCharming spot on a Monastiraki alley serving a wide range of top quality small-producer Greek wines and accompanying mezze platters. Indoor and outdoor seating both benefit from the cool jazz soundtrack.
Epireia (Επήρεια)
2 KtisiouCocktail bar with snack and brunch menu, spacious setting on Proskopon Square
Superfly Cafe
28 EmpedokleousFunky bar with retro features near Varnava Square
The café is attached to the Athens Conservatoire. Shady outdoor terrace seating in green surroundings. Highly recommended for when everywhere else is baking hot. The Conservatoire itself is a stunning modernist building, recently renovated.
Peristylion Café
The café is attached to the Athens Conservatoire. Shady outdoor terrace seating in green surroundings. Highly recommended for when everywhere else is baking hot. The Conservatoire itself is a stunning modernist building, recently renovated.
Neighbourhoods
Leafy Square surrounded by bars and cafés. Buzzing in the evenings, year-round.
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Germany
Leafy Square surrounded by bars and cafés. Buzzing in the evenings, year-round.
Local square popular with families and dog walkers. Several good bars, restaurants and cafés, less trendy than Plateia Proskopon, more of a neighbourhood vibe.
Platia Mesologgiou
Local square popular with families and dog walkers. Several good bars, restaurants and cafés, less trendy than Plateia Proskopon, more of a neighbourhood vibe.