Photo: Evan Wise
Geia !
Athens is often used as a pit stop on a trip to the Greek Islands, but it is well-worth a visit on its own. Vibrant and modern, Athens is also an ancient city; the birthplace of western civilisation and home to some of the world’s most important archaeological sites.
Highlights
The Temple of Olympian Zeus
Syntagma Square
Acropolis of Athens
Parthenon
Ancient Agora of Athens
Acropolis Museum
Useful Phraces
Greek
| English | Greek |
|---|---|
| Hello | Γειά |
| Good morning | Καλημέρα |
| Good afternoon | Καλό βράδυ |
| Good night | Καλή νύχτα |
| Goodbye | Αντίο |
| How are you? | Τι κάνεις? |
| I’m well, and you? | Είμαι καλά, εσύ? |
| Good, thank you | Καλά, ευχαριστώ |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώ |
| You’re welcome | Παρακαλώ |
| Please | Παρακαλώ |
| Yes | Ναί |
| No | Όχι |
| Excuse me | Με συγχωρείτε |
| I’m sorry | Συγνώμη |
| I don’t understand | Δεν καταλαβαίνω |
| Do you speak English? | Μιλάτε Αγγλικά? |
Food & Drinks
Loukoumades
The sugar-packed dessert is usually made with a mixture of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt, which is deep-fried and then bathed in syrup or honey.
Tzatziki
A concoction made from yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and numerous herbs and spices such as dill, mint, or parsley.
Gyros
A street food, consisting of meat such as pork and chicken (in Greece) or lamb and veal (popular in other countries) cooked on a vertical spit
Souvlaki
A dish consisting of small cubes of skewered and grilled pork, chicken, lamb, or beef
Moussaka
A baked casserole consisting of ground lamb meat and layers of sliced eggplant, covered with a thick layer of bechamel sauce that gets golden and crusty as it bakes
Spanakopita
A spinach pie consisting of a buttery, flaky phyllo pastry with a filling of cooked spinach, lemon juice, feta cheese, and sometimes dill. It can be served either as a small snack, an appetiser, or a light main course
When to Travel
High Season
From
MayTo
AugustMax
33°C (91.40°F)Min
16°C (60.80°F)Low Season
From
MayTo
AugustMax
33°C (91.40°F)Min
16°C (60.80°F)Shoulder Season
Max
21°C (69.80°F)Min
12°C (53.60°F)From
SeptemberTo
OctoberMax
29°C (84.20°F)Min
15°C (59.00°F)Useful Phraces
Greek
| English | Greek |
|---|---|
| Hello | Γειά |
| Good morning | Καλημέρα |
| Good afternoon | Καλό βράδυ |
| Good night | Καλή νύχτα |
| Goodbye | Αντίο |
| How are you? | Τι κάνεις? |
| I’m well, and you? | Είμαι καλά, εσύ? |
| Good, thank you | Καλά, ευχαριστώ |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώ |
| You’re welcome | Παρακαλώ |
| Please | Παρακαλώ |
| Yes | Ναί |
| No | Όχι |
| Excuse me | Με συγχωρείτε |
| I’m sorry | Συγνώμη |
| I don’t understand | Δεν καταλαβαίνω |
| Do you speak English? | Μιλάτε Αγγλικά? |