Holiday lettings in Athens

The central neighbourhoods each offer a different flavour of Athens life. The district of Plaka, which lies on the foothills of the Acropolis, is a peaceful quarter where many authentic open-air restaurants can be found. Monastiraki, which is also roughly in the same area, is more bustling and is home to a popular flea market. If chic boutiques, classy cafes and vibrant restaurants are your thing, then the upmarket district of Kolonaki is for you. For an authentic view of old Athens, head to the neighbourhood of Psiri. There you’ll find Neoclassical buildings and pretty paved streets. It is a popular nightlife spot, particularly for its clubs and the taverns. Omonia Square is well located within walking distance of the Greek Parliament and National Gardens park. It’s a typical student neighbourhood, complete with vibrant bars and affordable restaurants. Down at the waterfront, the port neighbourhood of Piraeus is a modern dynamic part of the city.

There are many things to see in Athens and visiting the Parthenon, The Acropolis Museum and The Museum of Cycladic Art are all highly recommended. A tourist ticket can be purchased that gives you access to all of these attractions and more. Perhaps the best place to start your own Greek Odyssey is a trip to the top of Lycabettus Hill, a huge rocky outcrop located to the north-east of the centre. You can’t miss it as it’s the only noticeable hill apart from the Acropolis in the centre and has a church perched on top of it. Close to Lycabettus is the famous Benaki Museum, which hosts a permanent exhibition on Greek culture as well as revolving collections of art. The beautiful and sprawling National Gardens next to Syntagma Square provide much needed shade and tranquility during Athens’ hot summer months.

Special effort should be made to sample as much Greek food as possible during a trip to Athens. Whether it be street food or restaurant cuisine, Greek food is of a high quality and rich in flavour. Loukoumades (big sugary donuts sold by street vendors) washed down with a Greek coffee is a popular breakfast for many Greeks and is worth incorporating into your daily routine. The ubiquitous ‘gyros’, the Greek equivalent of a kebab, is served in pita bread with salad, tzatziki and a few fries. Evening meal dishes range from simple Greek salads to moussaka and souvlaki. Greece has a number of excellent beers - the most popular and internationally recognised is Mythos. Raki wine and ouzo are also associated with Greece and always accompany meals. Greek desserts range from ‘baklava’ (sweetened, thick pastry) to Melomakarona (honey macaroons).

Athens city centre is relatively compact and there is much to see on the small back streets, we recommend taking a stroll and seeing what you can find! The port of Piraeus is a 30 minute metro ride from the centre and it is here where you can take a ferry to the Greek islands. Wimdu offer accommodation and villas on the Greek Islands including on the Cycladic islands, Crete and the Dodecanese. Athens Airport is located 40 minutes by bus from the city centre. The X93 connects Athens airport directly with the centre and runs 24 hours. In the city centre there are plenty of transport options. The metro is clean, reliable and has links with all major tourist attractions. There are also lots of buses operating in the centre too.