Athens Nightlife

Last year an American couple visited me. I live in Athens, the capital of Greece. The population is about 6 million people. It is a big place. My friends loved it. They found the city friendly and vibrant. They felt alive and secure walking the streets at midnight. They entertained themselves till morning. They adored the historic center. They visited Monastiraki, Thissio, and the other popular areas. They also went to the coast and enjoyed dinner by the sea.

In the historic center, you walk down the Acropolis sacred rock. You can admire the old renovated 19th-century buildings. People buy ice cream, corn or roasted chestnuts. They sit in outdoor night cafes and enjoy a drink. Tourists dance the traditional "sirtaki" in Athenian tavernas. They taste the healthy Greek cuisine. Others take in hand the notorious Greek souvlaki and stroll. There is the majority of the city's archeological sites.

Monastiraki is a great piece of Athens' history. It is the liveliest part of the city. There is the square where it begins and ends the fun for the Athenians and visitors. The metro station is full of people evening-morning. Nearby is Ermou street. It is the best place to wander and shop. You will find various shoe shops, clothing shops, and music stores. Nowadays, this area is the leader in Nightlife. You can find many cafes, bars, and restaurants for all tastes!

There you see Theseum. It is the temple, dedicated to god Hephaestus. It took this name because its sculptures represent the exploits of hero Theseus. Nowadays, the area has many cafes and restaurants, galleries, and museums. There is also the oldest outdoor cinema in Athens. You can watch classic films with a great view of the Acropolis. Metro station provides access to the port of Piraeus. But you can also go to the northern suburbs. There are the expensive neighborhoods of Athens.

Two minutes' walk and you will find Psiri. It is an arty and bohemian place. The narrow streets between the bars create a fascinating atmosphere. You can enter the taverns with live music and the traditional restaurants. There are small music corners (from Greek folk to heavy metal). Young people love this district. The nightlife is always busy.

It is the most popular tourist area. You can stroll through the narrow streets. They will travel you to Athens in the 19th- century. The sight-seeing is breathtaking. There are fine neoclassical mansions and houses with red tiles roofs. Visitors enjoy their drink in the shade of the Acropolis rock.

If you follow the street down from the Monastiraki train station, you will easily find it on your right. The area took its name from "keramos". It means "pottery" in Greek. In antiquity, a lot of potters lived there. Citizens used it as landfill. Then, it became the most important cemetery of ancient Athens. You can visit the museum. There are marble statues, remains of public buildings, funeral offerings, and tombs.

This place is under the Acropolis rock. In antiquity, it was the political, social, cultural, and economic center. There was the path to Parthenon temple during "the Great Panathenaea", the most important ancient festival. There are many archaic buildings and a museum. You will also see theaters. Opposite you can visit the Hill of the Nymphs. There is the National Observatory with the big telescope. Theofilos Hansen designed it in 1842. At the top of the hill, you can view the "Pnyx". It was the place for public assemblies in ancient Athens. Pericles, Aristides, and Alcibiades spoke here.

A colorful neighborhood like an island of Cyclades! It is on the rock of the Acropolis. You will lose yourself in the charming labyrinth of low houses. Pass through courtyards and tiny whitewashed streets. Smell the jasmine and rose bushes. You will enjoy the panoramic night view of Athens.

The term Acropolis means upper city. It is the one historic site you can't miss. There is the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. This temple is the famous Porch of the Caryatids. Sometimes, tourists may visit these monuments even at night. The sunset from the sacred rock is magical!

This area is the most known pedestrian street in Athens! It is a shopping paradise at night. In the middle of Ermou street, you can visit Kapnikarea. This old church is famous. They built it around 1060-1070. Performers and vendors gather around. People enter the elegant cafes in the arcades. They prefer those that have their tables in the alleys.

Athens is a cultural capital. The theater was born in this city 2500 years ago. One of the most beautiful ancient theaters under the cliff is the “Odeon of Herodes Atticus”. It always hosts great performances. You can also watch Opera, Dance or Concerts. Choose what you like. Experience the magic of space. Admire the starry sky of Attica.

The southern suburbs are a beautiful part of Attica! The coastal zone is the most expensive residential area. It offers a rich nightlife. It is easy to get there by car or tram. Musical evenings, youth meetings, flower exhibitions await you. Summer parties take place under the moonlight. Something happens there every night. Athens beach bustles with life and action. On the edge of this unique coastline, there is "Sounion", "The Temple of Poseidon". The location is unique. Ancient myths can inspire you. Aegeus jumped into the sea and committed suicide there. He thought by mistake he lost his son Theseus from the Minotaur in the labyrinth!

In coastal areas, nightlife becomes more intense. "Poseidonos Avenue" is one of the major summer nightclub spots in Athens. By the sea, huge bar-restaurants offer their visitors unsurpassed fun. You can get your swimsuit for a bath. By the sea, there are big clubs. They play loud foreign and Greek music until morning. You can also spend your night in the famous "bouzoukia". They are venues where Greek singers perform live. You must sit in small tavernas by the sea. There you'll enjoy wines from all over Greece. Have it with delicious snacks. Eat Greek salad, grilled "dakos" or halloumi cheese.

Athens is the European city enchanting all its visitors. It is not only the inhabitants' hospitality. It isn't even the great classical antiquity. It isn't the healthy and delicious Greek cuisine. It is most of all the nightlife! You can spend your time in large clubs by the beach or small bars in the historic center. Athens is a city that never sleeps!