Off the beaten path - athens
Jul 6th, 2008, 04:36 AM
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Off the beaten path - athens
Late Sep, we'll be in Athens for 5 days and will visit all the obvious places, but either Sat afternoon or Sun we'd love to experience Athens off the beaten path: a colorful market? a beach were locals are hanging out? something else? BTW, we don't speak Greek, but I hope it should not be a problem......Thanks in advance
Jul 6th, 2008, 05:24 AM
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Don't know of anything that fits your criteria (Hope someone else does). But, I wanted to say that 5 days in Athens is more...much more..than that city warrants. Do you have plans to visit an island? I recommend Santorini.
I recently spent 10 days in Greece and did not encounter one single person who did not speak English...even better than I!
I recently spent 10 days in Greece and did not encounter one single person who did not speak English...even better than I!
Jul 6th, 2008, 06:16 AM
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Actually, most of Athens is off the beaten path when it comes to tourism.
There are three aspects of the city beyond the Acropolis and the Plaka that you might like to explore: the wealthy Kolonaki district, with its beautiful bars and cafes (and include a trip up Lycebettus hill), the Gazi district, which is the former gas-works now turned into an area of modern art and trendy eateries, and the Byzantine churches and Byzantine art, which is scattered all over the city as well has being housed in a Byzantine musuem.
The "colorful market" is in the Monastraki district on the weekends. Be aware that is is a mob scene.
I'm sure people will pop by with beach recommendations.
Once you move beyond the Plaka, you'll find less and less English, apart from museums. Having a menu translator along will help.
There are three aspects of the city beyond the Acropolis and the Plaka that you might like to explore: the wealthy Kolonaki district, with its beautiful bars and cafes (and include a trip up Lycebettus hill), the Gazi district, which is the former gas-works now turned into an area of modern art and trendy eateries, and the Byzantine churches and Byzantine art, which is scattered all over the city as well has being housed in a Byzantine musuem.
The "colorful market" is in the Monastraki district on the weekends. Be aware that is is a mob scene.
I'm sure people will pop by with beach recommendations.
Once you move beyond the Plaka, you'll find less and less English, apart from museums. Having a menu translator along will help.
Jul 6th, 2008, 04:03 PM
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There was a similar question a few days or a week ()?) ago. Anyway, I just returned from another visit to Athens. This time, we got a chance to take the hydrofoil from the port at Piraeus to Hydra, a tiny island only about 1.5 hours from Athens. We really had a great day there. The waterfront is full of old stone mansions,tavernas, art galleries, and gorgeous boutiques with lots of handmade jewelry and clothes.
If you follow the path to the right as you disembark at the port, you will climb a steep hill that affords gorgeous views of the water. There's a lovely restaurant on the right-hand side before you begin the uphill climb. We had dinner there and it was heavenly.
There are no beaches on Hydra ( also no cars, all foot traffic and donkeys!),but plenty of spots where you swim off the rocks. At least that's what we saw the locals doing.
Hydrofoils in the summer months to and from Athens are very frequent, I think even hourly.
Another island that locals told us about is AEGINA, which is also close to Athens,and apparently an easy ride from Piraeus.
In Athens itself, there is an antique market that's lots of fun to explore. I think it runs on the weekends in the summertime. It is very close to the Plaka. I'm not sure if it runs both days, or just one, but I'm sure it's easy enough to find out.
As far as speaking Greek, not a problem at all! Most Greeks speak better English than we do! It's really amazing how fluent many people are, and usually not just at Greek and English, but several other languages as well.
\
If you follow the path to the right as you disembark at the port, you will climb a steep hill that affords gorgeous views of the water. There's a lovely restaurant on the right-hand side before you begin the uphill climb. We had dinner there and it was heavenly.
There are no beaches on Hydra ( also no cars, all foot traffic and donkeys!),but plenty of spots where you swim off the rocks. At least that's what we saw the locals doing.
Hydrofoils in the summer months to and from Athens are very frequent, I think even hourly.
Another island that locals told us about is AEGINA, which is also close to Athens,and apparently an easy ride from Piraeus.
In Athens itself, there is an antique market that's lots of fun to explore. I think it runs on the weekends in the summertime. It is very close to the Plaka. I'm not sure if it runs both days, or just one, but I'm sure it's easy enough to find out.
As far as speaking Greek, not a problem at all! Most Greeks speak better English than we do! It's really amazing how fluent many people are, and usually not just at Greek and English, but several other languages as well.
\
Jul 6th, 2008, 04:05 PM
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Lastly, if I can find it in my files, there's a great walk to take in Athens that starts with a funicular ride originating just behind Kolonaki ( sp?- the main shopping district.) I will look for my info, if you're interested.
Jul 6th, 2008, 10:35 PM
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There are beaches on Hydra. I went many tinmes to Kaminia, Vlichos and Mandraki.
See http://www.greeka.com/saronic/hydra/hydra-beaches.htm
G.
See http://www.greeka.com/saronic/hydra/hydra-beaches.htm
G.
Jul 7th, 2008, 06:54 AM
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look up Central Market in your guidebooks. Very colorful, meat market, fish market, outside stalls for big barrels of spices, etc. just walk around several block area and you'll be "off the beaten path" and clearly very "colorful."
Jul 8th, 2008, 02:24 AM
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I've seen many posts where people assert that you can 'do' Athens in one or two days – well, fine, if you just want to rush at breakneck speed through a few museums and ancient sites, but you won't get much of an idea of the 'real' Athens. I've been living here for nearly four years after coming regularly for more than twenty five years, and I still feel I've barely scratched the surface of this amazing city! I think five days is ideal and the weather in September should be perfect: you'll have time to visit the main sites at your leisure, to relax, to see something of Greece beyond the city. I wouldn't take the 'three island trip' where you won't see more than the port in each island: there are regular high speed ferries from Piraeus to each of the Saronic islands: Aegina and Hydra are both lovely - the trip should take an hour, or less. For a contrast to the city you could go to Nauplio – traditional seaside town, lots to see, wonderful tavernas. Travel by comfortable, air-conditioned bus, about 2½ hours. (But this wouldn't be such a good idea on Sat or Sun, as it's a popular weekend trip for Athenians and the roads are crowded.) In Athens itself, one site you may not have considered is the ancient cemetery, the Kerameikos, which now has its own new metro station. You get terrific views of the Acropolis as you wander among the ancient tombs (Don't tread on the tortoises – there are usually lots!) The museum here is fascinating, and there are exhibits of ancient artefacts discovered during the excavations for the Metro. You could combine this with a visit to the Flea market on Sunday, as they're very close. I could go on …..!!
Jul 10th, 2008, 06:07 PM
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I will try to search my files again. Right now, all I can find is a company called ATHENS WALKS that I had contacted about a private "walking tour of Athens." Check it out online. It might be of interest to you.
Jul 10th, 2008, 06:50 PM
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The funicular runs up to the summit of Lycabettus hill. I don't know which specfic streets Weadles walked down after that, but surely it was through the Kolonaki district, which is sophisticated Athens at its best, and Kolonaki square makes a fine destination.
Any good guide book or map can direct you to the funicular station. Be aware that the most direct route to the entrance to the funicular requires mounting some dozen flights of stairs. But you can take a taxi to the entrance.
Pick a clear day to go to the summit. There is also a restaurant and cafe up there.
Any good guide book or map can direct you to the funicular station. Be aware that the most direct route to the entrance to the funicular requires mounting some dozen flights of stairs. But you can take a taxi to the entrance.
Pick a clear day to go to the summit. There is also a restaurant and cafe up there.
Jul 10th, 2008, 07:58 PM
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Found my files (!)The article is titled "SUNDAY IN ATHENS WALKING TOUR" written by a British author now living in Greece named Janet McGiffin. Website is: http://www.greecetravel.com/hiking/w...-in-athens-htm. She describes several good walks in Athens in great detail.
Let me know if you have any problems getting this, and if so, I will post the most important parts.
She also suggests looking for two excellent walking guides of Athens: Peripatoi Athenian Walks, by David W. Rupp, Road Editions, 2nd revised edition, 2004; Strolling Through Athens, Fourteen Unforgettable Walks through Europe's Oldest City, by John Freeley, Tauris Parke Paperbacks, 2004.
Lastly, I wanted to mention that The New York Times featured an article titled "36 Hours in Athens" on May 4, 2008, which suggested some walks, and off-the beaten-path bars and restaurants.
Hope this helps!
Let me know if you have any problems getting this, and if so, I will post the most important parts.
She also suggests looking for two excellent walking guides of Athens: Peripatoi Athenian Walks, by David W. Rupp, Road Editions, 2nd revised edition, 2004; Strolling Through Athens, Fourteen Unforgettable Walks through Europe's Oldest City, by John Freeley, Tauris Parke Paperbacks, 2004.
Lastly, I wanted to mention that The New York Times featured an article titled "36 Hours in Athens" on May 4, 2008, which suggested some walks, and off-the beaten-path bars and restaurants.
Hope this helps!
Jul 11th, 2008, 04:21 AM
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Hmmm... if you go to the website I mentioned it seems to have an empty page. But follow Matt's instructions, go to the index, and pull up HIKING IN GREECE. The SUNDAY WALKS IN ATHENS is listed in that category. Good luck, and let me know...
Jul 11th, 2008, 05:21 AM
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If you want a choice of do-it-yourself walks, this site offers many -- but my favorite is #3 -- which goes around the BASE of the Acropolis, all now pedestrianized walkways, with plenty of side forays, and cafe stops. Take a look!
http://www.athensinfoguide.com/walk3.htm
My suggestion would be to print out a map like this in color (Hint - print only page 2 that's all u will need)
and then mark the walk you choose with a highlighter.
http://www.athensinfoguide.com/walk3.htm
http://www.athensinfoguide.com/walk3.htm
My suggestion would be to print out a map like this in color (Hint - print only page 2 that's all u will need)
and then mark the walk you choose with a highlighter.
http://www.athensinfoguide.com/walk3.htm
