May I introduce myself? My name is Athena – that’s the name of a lot of the women in our family,” says the 25-year-old Greek, who will be showing us Athens today. We booked the “free walking tour” with her a few hours in advance, because this form of sightseeing is a very authentic, original one, in which young people present their home town, give tips and tell stories that you won’t find in any travel guides.
For example, medical students don’t immediately get a job here, but – like Athena – work as a tourist guide for a few months. “But it doesn’t matter, because I love my homeland very, very much,” she says and takes us into the narrow streets with the lush green facades of the city that has much more to offer than the Acropolis – probably the most famous ruins in Europe, the Perched 156 meters high on a rock. A visit to the modern Acropolis Museum, which lies at the foot of the ancient temple complex, is also recommended. The huge glass fronts always reveal the view of the Parthenon temple and thousands of years of history.
Hip, modern and antique
Athens is ancient. But this city can also be hip and modern. You have an unobstructed view of the city from the Acropolis and the many cool rooftop bars. In the evening, not only the Monastiraki district turns into a place to go. The guest garden season lasts all year round. When it gets a little cooler – like it is currently between 12 and 20 degrees – cozy blankets and radiant heaters warm you up.
Sitting in the taverns seems to be something of a popular sport here. At a later hour people dance in the streets. Not just sirtaki. The hips swing to South American rhythms, to rock ‘n’ roll and pop classics. Gloomy moods don’t stand a chance, they’re danced away and sung away – just like that, and it works.
“We have excellent beer, good wine and wonderful schnapps. And we like to talk,” says Athena, recommending an appetizer platter with zucchini balls and grilled sheep’s cheese. Greek food is more than souvlaki and moussaka – vegetarians have a wide choice here. Then we continue to Syntagma Square, here is the seat of Parliament. Right next door is the largest park in Athens. The former palace garden from the 19th century is now the green lung of the city. Exotic plants, flower beds, ancient ruins and sculptures adorn the area a stone’s throw from Panathinaiko Stadium. The legendary Athens Marathon, which takes place annually in November and attracts thousands of runners from all over the world, ends here.
20,000 steps through the city
We can’t do 42 kilometers. But we’ve walked more than 20,000 steps with Athena. No wonder your feet get tired. A tavern in the central, old market hall is meant to offer a bit of relaxation – a place full of flavors and smells and ancient stories.
Those who have had enough of the past, of old stones and narrow streets, should take the metro in the direction of Piraeus. As soon as you get off you think you’re listening to Melina Mercouri’s old hit – and you really do feel a bit like that girl in Piraeus who loves the port, the ships and the sea… and of course Greece. The ticket for the ferry is cheap, for 20 euros (return) it takes just over an hour to get to Aegina, an island 25 kilometers south of Athens. Here colorful boats sway in the small harbor. Fresh fish is served in the taverns – the temperatures in late autumn are very spring-like. The woman at the vegetable stand sells us fragrant oranges, and the residents of the island all drive mopeds, nobody wears helmets.
But there is also a beach feeling in Piraeus for those who like to ride the tram. This leads along the beach for ten kilometers, past olive groves, pebbles and sand, taverns and fitness equipment. You don’t need a studio here. You strengthen your muscles with a direct view of the sea. After training, there’s a frappé, ice-cold coffee with milk froth. Athens is not only antique and hip. It’s fit too.
The town
- Athens has around 670,000 inhabitants, around 3.8 million people live in the greater area.
- Flights: AUA offers daily flights from Vienna to Athens. The flight takes a little over two hours (round trip around 200 euros). From the airport, the metro goes directly to the center of Athens.
- Hotels: L’Avventura Athens is very central to the metro stations. Nice, quiet and right in the middle of the central Psyrri district.
- Tip: Athens Free Tour – young people from Athens lead those who are interested “through their city” for around three hours. The price is freely selectable. Paid at the end. www.freetour.com
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