The European hotspot with Blue Flag beaches, 22C temperatures and £2.60 kebabs | The Sun

AS you climb the slope of the Acropolis, on the obligatory visit to the Parthenon, you pass through the 2,500-year-old remains of a sanctuary dedicated to Dionysus.

Ancient Greeks believed the god, among many other things, taught them how to make wine.


My kind of god.

And they would pay tribute to him in suitable fashion — by drinking, dancing and feasting.

That’s a homage that suits me to a tea and one that modern-day Athenians, with their famously generous hospitality, are keen to help you partake in.

Whether you’re looking for traditional street food or a Michelin-starred experience, this beautiful city is well-equipped to keep you fuelled up during your mission of historical discovery.

READ MORE TRAVEL NEWS

I’m a flight attendant – there’s a big travel myth that you should ignore

Travel chaos begins TODAY with 2.3m drivers on the road – best times to set off

Kostas, a souvlaki joint in Agia Irini that attracts queues of locals, is a good place to start.

For €3, you can sit in the dappled sunshine of the square enjoying a freshly-made “kebab” with its signature spicy sauce.

Cheap as chips this wrap may be, but the commitment to quality goes right down to local legend Kostas slicing the tomato straight into the pita bread to avoid losing any of its juice.

Round the corner at Ergon House, enjoy farm-to-table, locally-sourced dishes in a bright, buzzing space behind a deli market that is also a one-stop shop for treats to take back home.

Most read in News Travel

SLICE OF HEAVEN

A UK beach cafe has the 'best pizza' – and you can watch dolphins and seals

SANDS CHEAP

I'm a Brit living in Portugal – here are the big tourist mistakes that cost you

RIDE ON

Little-known European theme park with award-winning rides is just two hours from UK

COSTA LIVING

Spain holiday warning as Brit tourists face new bans at 28 beaches this summer

If you prefer your dinner with some traditional Greek plate-smashing and live music, Stou Thoma in Piraeus will not leave you disappointed.

Locals pack the place to party late into the night — expect dancing on your table.

To enjoy dinner (or breakfast, or drinks) with a classical Athenian view, however, it’s hard to beat the rooftop bar and restaurant at the Electra Metropolis Hotel.

With indoor and outdoor seating, the views across the city to the nearby ­Parthenon are breathtaking, day or night.

Guests at the stunning five-star hotel have priority to enjoy the vista, and the rooftop pool.

Turquoise waters

But the space is open to non-residents, too, and a booking for early evening, when the sun sets on the horizon beyond the Acropolis and the light gradually changes, is an experience to be treasured.

First-time visitors to the Greek capital will, of course, need to visit the Parthenon rather than just gaze at it — and it is just a 15-minute walk from the Electra.


On the way, a stroll through the vibrant cafe-filled streets of Plaka and the narrow alleyways below the great rock in Anafiotika will make atmospheric additions to your camera roll.

A visit to the Acropolis museum is well worthwhile, too — with the top floor of the building housing a glass-walled chamber that replicates the dimensions and orientation of the Parthenon itself.

It’s better to enter the Acropolis site itself by the south slope rather than north as a) it’s more interesting and b) less crowded.

On that note, if you can’t get to the Acropolis soon after it opens at 8am, you may find it better to visit later in the afternoon as parties from cruise ships docking in the city flood the attraction in the middle of the day.

If you’re keen to learn about the ­stories behind the Acropolis — or indeed any of the historical sites scattered liberally across the city — a tour by the friendly guides at Alternative Athens will have you hungry for more.

But there is more to Athens than food and history.

It’s easy to forget that the city sits on the coast and has 18 blue flag beaches in easy striking distance either by taxi or a €1.50 tram ride.

The nearest island, Aegina, can be reached in just 30 minutes from the port, making it easy to venture off the mainland for a day trip.

Visitors outside of the summer months who still fancy a swim should take the short trip to Vouliagmeni, a freshwater lake 40 minutes’ drive from the city.

Its turquoise waters remain at 22C all year round, and it’s home to a species of fish which give free foot pedicures if that’s your thing.

There’s a rich tradition of street art, with huge paintings covering the walls of buildings up in ­Keramikos.

If you still have the energy for more after all that, Athens has a vibrant nightlife scene.

The bars of the old textile district surrounding Agia Irini Square will start you off nicely.

Tailor Made is a favourite among locals with vintage sewing patterns adorning the walls and reasonably priced cocktails.

Read More on The Sun

‘Beautiful, brilliant’ Coronation Street star Barbara Young dies aged 92

I’m a Celeb’s Carol Vorderman puts on busty display in plunging black bikini

Then, a short walk away, the late-night bars of Kolokotroni Street will help you to pay tribute to Dionysus well into the early hours.

As any Greek will tell you, it’s what he would have wanted.


GO: Athens

GETTING/STAYING THERE: Three nights’ bed & breakfast at the 5H Electra Metropolis is from £699pp, based on two adults sharing and including flights from Stansted on May 4, plus 22kg per person baggage allowance.

See jet2holidays.com or call 0800 408 5594.

Source: Read Full Article

Previous post Clothing company brings back jumper after Prince Louis wore it
Next post How you can now save £5 while using Gatwick airport's car park thanks to The Sun | The Sun