✈️🇬🇷 Athens, Greece: a vibrant city guide
Athens had been my dream destination for a long time when I was young. We finally visited for a brief 3-day trip in the summer of 2022, and it was really an incredible vacation: the perfect mix of tourism and relaxation.
⭐️ I noticed that Athenians don’t start their day too early; they have a more relaxed rhythm to the day. Every day by 9:00 a.m., I’d see the city slowly wake up, with locals strolling the streets and sipping on Freddoccinos with the tiniest straws. And when it comes to food, Greeks don’t mess around. Every place we tried was fantastic — even our super touristy pick was surprisingly good. I can safely say that some of the things we ate still live in my mind rent-free.
🌀 KORA — Went for the branding, stayed for the food!
Mortadella Sandwich - Mortadella, creamy burrata, red bell pepper confit—what else should I say?
Croissant Crunch - A very creative way to use leftover croissants and reduce food waste! It’s basically granola with raisins, seeds, nuts, and crunchy croissant bits.
KORA / @korabakery
🌀 Samba Coffee Roasters — I had really great coffee that I still think about to this day. The space is small, with only a few bar chairs to sit at, but it’s worth the stop.
🌀 Anana Coffee & Food — Nice and cute coffee shop with good-quality coffee.
🌀 Overoll Croissanterie — Funny story: We landed in Athens super early and, of course, couldn’t check into our hotel. We sat in front of Overoll Croissanterie for almost an hour, waiting for them to open. Their croissants were flaky and delicious. They have many creative flavors, so it was definitely worth the wait.
🌀 Couleur Locale — The food wasn’t remarkable, but the view made up for it. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this place for the food, but if you want the experience of having breakfast with a view of the Acropolis, this is your spot. Make sure to get a Freddoccino!
🌀 Kostas — An authentic gyro eatery with a limited menu and a big line that moves fast.
🌀 Akti Restaurant — I can’t seem to get Akti out of my head, no matter how much time passes. Maybe it’s the amazing location, the great décor, the creative menu, or the high-quality meals — this place keeps popping into my mind.
Tuna Tartar - omg, just omg! Served with ponzu sauce, mango & basil.
Greek salad - their take was amazing, we ended up ordering 2.
Shrimp Tempura with Spicy Mayo, Salmon Ceviche with Soy and Sesame Oil, Grilled Squid with Pepper Sauce & Olive Oil with Herbs, Panko-Crusted Cod Fish, Roasted Garlic Béarnaise, and Cucumber Salad with Herbs.
🌀 Noah — Good drinks, good food, good vibes. Sadly, it’s currently closed but I kept it on the list because they will reopen in 2025.
Mini Arancini - LOVED these! Served with coffee & bacon marmalade.
Curry Crab Pappadams - so fresh and fruity, with passion fruit and cream cheese.
Noah / @noah.athens
🌀 Naked — We randomly stopped at Naked for drinks one night, and it was one of our best decisions. The specialty drinks are incredibly good and creative.
🌀 The Clumsies — Our experience wasn’t really the best but I would still recommend the place. It’s on The World's 50 Best Bars list, and I love the concept. Sadly, we got bad service, and didn’t get to drink properly, so I can’t give it a fair judgment.
