Athens’ underground music scene, fuelled by crisis and creativity, has lent it a unique sound, making it a top contender for the world techno capital spot, Maya Iliades argues. The indoor bar scene might be new to the city but the bars and clubs that have been instrumental in honing local experimental talent to keep that singularly edgy, ...
Read moreInsider shares our 3 favourite Athens venues where you can take a delightful journey of musical nostalgia, Greek-style. And with chilly evenings still upon us, now is the perfect time of year to cocoon yourself in one of these cosy dens, sit back, and escape to the soundtrack of the past, while enjoying a classic cocktail or memorable mea...
Read moreHow long does it take to convert an Athenian square decked out with Christmas decorations into an Iranian metropolis of Farsi posters and larger-than-life billboards? Less than 24 hours apparently. We go behind the scenes with the Athens Film Office to discover how the Greek capital transformed into Tehran to star in a gripping new big b...
Read moreTrained in silence to attain fitness levels worthy of Hercules and the ability to stand like a statue for over an hour at a time, evzones are the living embodiment of Greek grit. We bring to life the daily existence of these granite-faced guardians of democracy. Who Are They? The Evzones (Greek: Εύζωνας) are a ceremonial unit t...
Read moreOctober 28 – Oxi Day - is a day to recall Hellenic heroes and the daring deeds of our ancestors who fought so that Greece could be the passionate and free democratic country it still is today. On October 28, otherwise known as Oxi Day, we celebrate the 74th anniversary of when the Greek Prime Minister and Military General Ioan...
Read moreWith their famous pompoms and synchronised stoicism, the elite soldiers of the Presidential Guard are just as much a symbol of Athens as the Acropolis (and every bit as Instagrammed!). We take a peek underneath those 400-pleat fustanellas to hail the unsung heroes behind these proud national emblems. Often the most-photograp...
Read moreWe've all heard about the Day of the Dead or seen the classic sugar skull paintings—but what does this celebration really represent? Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is not a Mexican version of Halloween but an explosion of color and life-affirming joy. As in cities across Mexico, join Athenian revellers as they don funky makeup an...
Read moreEvery 15 seconds, somewhere in the world, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer – and tragically, for many, the news comes too late. From free haircuts to digital races and blushing cocktails, here’s how you can become part of the solution this October in Athens. Get a free haircut, donate it to those who need a moral bo...
Read moreThe appetite for accommodation in the Greek capital is soaring with a fresh breed of inner-city boltholes, catering to every style, mood and budget. There are rooms that qualify as art museums, others that will feature in your instant bucket-lists: here’s Athens Insider’s rundown of the hottest hotel openings this year. Stop moaning about...
Read moreGooey and comforting, quick and easy … there are times when only a pizza fix will do. From authentic Italian to Greek spins and vegetarian delights, Athens Insider selflessly scoured the streets to scout the city’s best 5 pizza places. You’re welcome! Etien Pizza Bar From its retro decor in hues of dusty pink offset by sun...
Read moreShop at one of Athens’ organic markets and you’ll be picking your weekly certified produce directly from the men and women who grow it. With 70% of all organic food in Greece imported, Julia Panayotou is on an eco-savvy mission to bring these below-radar bioagores out of the wings and into more Greek pantries. In the early...
Read moreFrom a retrospective of contemporary African art to Brice Marden's marble compositions, Takis' magnetic sculptures, photography exhibitions, film festivals and more, Athens' cultural scene is thriving, angry viruses notwithstanding. Sam Friedman’s Island at Dio Horia WHAT: Sam Friedman's first solo show in Athens, Island, c...
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