Athens
Stay & Sleep
Athens is one of those cities that you should experience by walking. I used the metro only for the transportation from the airport to my hotel -close to city centre, which took me around 45 min in total.
I had two days to explore Athens, so I preferred staying in the central area, meaning most of the city highlights were walking distance away from my hotel. (Note: 20 min walk is a short distance in my opinion..)
Image(s) credit: Booking.com
1. Moon & Stars Boutique Hotel
Moon & Stars Boutique Hotel is located in Athens city centre, offering easy access to key attractions.
The Temple of Hephaestus is a 4-minute walk away, while Monastiraki Metro Station lies 500 metres nearby (metro line for the airport).
While their room balconies offer city views, you can also enjoy your breakfast while watching the Acropolis on the rooftop.
One of the reasons I enjoy staying at a boutique hotel is because the hotel staff is always ready to help you with getting the best experience from your stay. This includes helping you with restaurant recommendations or giving you tips to explore the city as much as possible. This hotel got a 5/5 star from me on this besides its great location and cleanliness.
Check their Booking.com profile HERE
Eat & Drink
Gyros, Mussaka, Imam, Ouzo and many more great food and drinks..
Here is one rule though:
A must-try side dish Tzatziki: made with salted yoghurt and cucumber.. (here is the recipe)
What you will find in Greece is; easy ingredients but great tastes..
1. Lyra Restaurant Athens
Lyra Restaurant is located in the neighbourhood, Plaka, right underneath the ancient Acropolis.
I sat outside for Mussaka and a Alpha beer which I recommend if you are looking for a quick bite.
If you are not in a hurry, try their other popular dishes such as Cretan salad, eggplant dish or Greek Kagianas.
Image credit: lyrarestaurant.gr
2. Klepsydra Cafe
Klepsydra Cafe is located just below the Acropolis.
It is a nostalgic Greek cafe / restaurant at the top of a small hill that you can enjoy Gyros or the fish of the day with a fresh Greek salad. For drinks, if you have tried Alpha beer already, give also Mythos beer a try.
I ran into this place by chance after my Acropolis tour and I couldn't resist to sit after having a short but memorable conversation with the owner -
I needed table for 1 person as I was travelling solo but I wanted sit at a nice corner with the view even it was a table for 4 person. That is why, I said to the owner that I will eat quick and then leave (the place was just getting busy) but I would like to sit at that table with nice view. He smiled and told me to go ahead and sit there but I should always enjoy my meal eating slow.
Image credit: https://www.facebook.com/klepsidracafe
3. Minu Living Store & Cafe
Minu is a creative living store in Thiseío; meaning every piece of furniture in the store is for sale, including the plants next to you and the sofa that you sit on! Cool, right?!
Besides it's cool concept; if you are a nomad looking for a laptop friendly cafe or if you are looking for a spacious cafe with air conditioning and of course with a good menu - this is the one.
I ran into this cafe while looking for a place to write these lines and escape the peak hours of heat in Athens. The brunch menu was very satisfying with fresh juice options.
Turned out the cafe gets very busy in the afternoon for brunch and it is actually also preferred by the local people for remote working. You will hear both Greek and English in the cafe which is another way to experience the local culture.
Image credit: https://minu-athens.com/
Recommended by Locals
For Explorers in Athens
4. En Iordani
Traditional Greek tavern
Ag. Anargiron 3, Athina 105 54, Greece
Photo credit: Okan Baldil (google guide image)
5. Ristorante Atlantikos
Greek seafood restaurant
Avliton 7, Athina 105 54, Greece
Photo credit: Diell Bakalli (google guide image)
6. Okupa Kitchen & Listening Bar
Modern Greek restaurant - Reservation recommended
Samouil Kalogirou 3, Athina 105 53, Greece
Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/p/Okupa-61552653866066/
7. Dopios Athens
Modern Greek restaurant - Reservation recommended
Skouleniou 1, Athina 105 61, Greece
Photo credit: https://dopiosrestaurant.gr/
8. Balthazar
Modern bar-restaurant - Reservation recommended
Tsocha 27, Athina 115 21, Greece
Photo credit: https://balthazar.gr/en/
9. Zorbas Mikrolimano
Restaurant with seaview - Reservation recommended
Akti Koumoundourou 14, Pireas 185 33, Greece
Photo credit: https://www.zorbasmikrolimano.com/
10. A For Athens Rooftop
Rooftop bar-restaurant
Miaouli 2-4, Athina 105 54, Greece
Photo credit: https://aforathens.com/bar-restaurant/
11. 360 Cocktail Bar
Rooftop bar-restaurant
Ifestou 2, Athina 105 55, Greece
Photo credit: https://three-sixty.gr/
Experience & Highlights
Must See & Do
Acropolis & Parthenon
Prepare to be transported back to ancient times.
You need a ticket for the entry. I recommend a guided tour to hear the history from the local guides and also ask any questions you might have.
You can either buy tickets from the official website or from different tour agents.
Tip: I always choose to buy my guided tour tickets from GetYourGuide and also they have a very user friendly app.
Leaving the link for the guided tour I bought on GetYourGuide HERE
Learn and use these Greek expressions
Have you tried thanking a local person in their own language?
It's the instant smile and the friendliness I see on people's faces which encourage me using simple local expressions while travelling.
Kalimera (Good morning / Good day)
Kalispera (Good evening)
Efharisto poli (Thank you very much)
Ask a translate app how to pronounce them..
If you use these words in Greece, you will see that smile too. And it is even better if you don't sound like a local; thats the cause of that smile ;)
Crete
Stay & Sleep
Photo credit: Booking.com
Paralos Lifestyle Beach - Adults Only
Paralos Lifestyle Beach is located on the Blue Flag Award winning sandy beach of Amoudara, offering an adults only Crete experience.
If you are looking for a peaceful and clean hotel to enjoy the Mediterranean sea, check their Booking.com profile HERE.
Santorini
Stay & Sleep
1. Gaia Suites
Gaia Suites is located in Oia offering, spacious traditionally furnished suites.
It is highly recommended as one of the best options in Oia to experience the iconic Santorini sunsets and the view.
I recommend 1 night stay in Oia area (or max 2 nights - if you want to enjoy that extraordinary view and the iconic blue domes a bit longer)
Check their Booking.com profile HERE.
Photo credit: Booking.com
2. Aqua Blue Hotel
Aqua Blue is located in Perissa, near a top rated beach, offering a relaxing holiday.
Check their Booking.com profile HERE.
Photo credit: Booking.com
Eat & Drink
Both in Oia and Perissa, there are many places to try local food and have whole day meals.
Below are the restaurants and cafes that are highly recommended by me and the locals.
1. KooKoo Bar Restaurant Sunset Rooftop | Oia
Brunch (Recommended)
Epar.Od. Firon-Ias, Oía 847 02, Greece
Photo credit: Kookoo Bar
2. Roka Restaurant | Oia
Lunch & Dinner (Recommended)
m.Mpotsari 6, Oía 847 02, Greece
Photo credit: Roka Restaurant
4. Coffee Shop Vales | Fira
Laptop Friendly Cafe - Coffee & Lunch (Recommended)
Fira, Santorini 847 00, Greece
Photo credit: Roka Restaurant
5. Tutti Frutti | Perissa
Coffee & Smoothie & Bowls (Highly Recommended)
Perissa 847 03, Greece
Photo credit: Tutti Frutti
6. Ntomatini | Perissa
Greek Restaurant (Highly Recommended)
Perissa 847 00, Greece
Photo credit: ntomatini.gr
Rhodes
'As soon as you step off the ferry (if you arrive by ferry), the Rhodes castle stands before you like a tunnel through time.'
This is how my dear friend described her first view on Rhodes.
Quick Tips:
- Travelling with a backpack is advised as the walking paths are made of cobblestone.
-During peak season, make reservations ahead of time and expect crowds.
Stay & Sleep
Lefka Hotel, Apartments & Studios
Lefka Hotel, Apartments & Studios is a family owned apartment, located close to the neighbourhood of Agios Nikolaos.
The hotel is just 500 meters from Zefyros Beach, the Old Town of Rhodes, and the harbor.
For budget friendly travelling, check out their Hotels profile HERE.
Image(s) credit: Hotels.nl
Eat & Drink
1. Nimmos Restaurant
Lunch (Calamari & Beer Recommended)
Dionysiou Alchadef, Rodos 851 00, Greece
Photo credit: Nimmos Restaurant
2. Gelatiamo - Laboratory Italian Gelato
Ice cream (Recommended)
I. Kazouli 9, Rodos 851 00, Greece
Photo credit: shutterstock.com/g/SimgeBykk
3. Palestra Lindos restaurant
Greek Restaurant with sea view
Lindos 851 07, Greece
Photo credit: shutterstock.com/g/SimgeBykk
Experience & Highlights
Must See & Do
1. Lindos Village
Lindos Village is a must-see in Rhodes.
If you are staying in Rhodes old town and want to visit Lindos village, then renting a car might be a good idea.
Image(s) credit: shutterstock.com/g/SimgeBykk
2. Faliraki view points
While travelling by car, don't skip the view points of Faliraki beaches.
Image(s) credit: shutterstock.com/g/SimgeBykk
3. Elli World Rhodes Beach Club
Elli World Rhodes Beach Club is one of the most popular beach clubs in the old town area. You can enjoy the beach in the morning and live dj performances at night.
It is recommended to make a reservation ahead of arrival! As it gets quite busy during the peak season, the service quality for the beach part might be challenging. But don't skip the night performances.
Check their website for the reservation and pricing details HERE.
Image credit: elliworld.gr
4. RONDA - Resto | Beach-Bar
RONDA - Resto | Beach-Bar is a chill beach bar, giving the Bali vibe in Rhodes.
If you are looking for a less crowded beach bar with a friendly staff, this is the place to go.
Check their website for the reservation and pricing details HERE.
Image credit: ronda.gr
5. Historic concrete diving platform
Have you tried jumping out of stairs directly into the sea?
If you are new to heights, there are 3 levels to choose from.
It is 7.5-meter long in total.
Image(s) credit: Shutterstock @simgebykkk