Dioni’s guide to Exarcheia
Food scene
Mouthwatering authentic Cretan food, very good value for money, great service, live music on occasion
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Rakoumel
71 Emmanouil BenakiMouthwatering authentic Cretan food, very good value for money, great service, live music on occasion
Huge variety of "homemade" traditional Greek food, good prices
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Αχιλλέας-βεργινα
62 ValtetsiouHuge variety of "homemade" traditional Greek food, good prices
Great variety of Greek dishes, good service and prices, popular with tourists and locals alike
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Rosalia
59 ValtetsiouGreat variety of Greek dishes, good service and prices, popular with tourists and locals alike
Greek dishes with a twist in a beautiful old schoolyard, decent prices (not the cheapest option, but still ok)
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Ama Lachei
69 KallidromiouGreek dishes with a twist in a beautiful old schoolyard, decent prices (not the cheapest option, but still ok)
Bouka
29 SolomouGreat value for money, huge portions, good variety of dishes
Filomila Vegeterian Food
13 Andrea MetaxaAmazing vegetarian pies, very cheap, wonderful owner/cook
Valteziana Pizzeria
41 ValtetsiouTop quality Napoli pizza and salads, good value for money
Traditional Greek souvlaki and grill, great prices, very fast service (and even faster home delivery), open until late
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Τα Αγραφα
50-52 ValtetsiouTraditional Greek souvlaki and grill, great prices, very fast service (and even faster home delivery), open until late
One of the best places for souvlaki in Athens, must try kontosouvli or bifteki, open only until 5pm
Ψητοπωλείον Γιώργος - Μάνος
39 ThemistokleousOne of the best places for souvlaki in Athens, must try kontosouvli or bifteki, open only until 5pm
The most popular spot for late-night munchies, tasty crepes, cheap pizza by the slice and sandwiches
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Crêpexarchia, Crêperie & Pizzeria
63 ThemistokleousThe most popular spot for late-night munchies, tasty crepes, cheap pizza by the slice and sandwiches
Ta Stachia
12 Σπυρίδωνος ΤρικούπηWide variety of Greek pies and puff pastry, good coffee
The trendiest spot at the moment, excellent bread, sandwiches and coffee, but a bit pricey
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The Black Salami Microbakery
71 Zoodochou PigisThe trendiest spot at the moment, excellent bread, sandwiches and coffee, but a bit pricey
Talking Breads
11 Spirou TrikoupiGood value for money burgers, nice fries, open until late
All-day breakfast and brunch, delicious Ukrainian specialities, very good prices, must try Medivnik cake
Cafe Bar 67
67 Emmanouil BenakiAll-day breakfast and brunch, delicious Ukrainian specialities, very good prices, must try Medivnik cake
Folia
9 Andrea MetaxaTasty Afghan food, very good value for money
To Revithaki
84 ThemistokleousDelicious authentic falafel, very cheap, open until late
Εξωστρεφής
AnexartisiasGreat location, good value for money
Mangal
Extremely tasty Kurdish cuisine at great prices. The service is very polite and fast as well.
Sightseeing
By far the best museum in Athens for those who are interested in history. Allow plenty of hours to fully explore!
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National Archaeological Museum
44 28is OktovriouBy far the best museum in Athens for those who are interested in history. Allow plenty of hours to fully explore!
A place of great historical significance (1973 Athens Polytechnic Uprising against the military junta), not a tourist attraction but definitely worth visiting (it is situated right next to the National Archaeological Museum, but use one of the side entrances on Tositsa or Stournari Street)
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Politechnio
A place of great historical significance (1973 Athens Polytechnic Uprising against the military junta), not a tourist attraction but definitely worth visiting (it is situated right next to the National Archaeological Museum, but use one of the side entrances on Tositsa or Stournari Street)
A moving memorial to the 15-year-old boy who was murdered by Greek police in 2008, leading to widespread demonstrations and rioting across the country
Μνημείο Αλέξανδρου Γρηγορόπουλου
A moving memorial to the 15-year-old boy who was murdered by Greek police in 2008, leading to widespread demonstrations and rioting across the country
Located in the former residence of Greece's most prominent architect, Ernst Ziller, the museum houses an impressive collection of post-Byzantine religious art.
Loverdos Museum - Ziller Mansion
6 MavromichaliLocated in the former residence of Greece's most prominent architect, Ernst Ziller, the museum houses an impressive collection of post-Byzantine religious art.
Athens' largest park, which has become very popular post-pandemic, and now often hosts special exhibitions and events.
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Pedion tou Areos
Athens' largest park, which has become very popular post-pandemic, and now often hosts special exhibitions and events.
The best views of the city, very popular with youths at night. You can drive, walk or take the cable car to the top of the hill.
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Λόφος Λυκαβηττού
LikavittouThe best views of the city, very popular with youths at night. You can drive, walk or take the cable car to the top of the hill.
Λόφος Στρέφη
134 Emmanouil BenakiExarcheia's own beautiful hill, but not safe late at night.
The locals' favourite park, built by them where a car park used to be. Often hosts day and night events.
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Self-managed Park Navarinou
26 Zoodochou PigisThe locals' favourite park, built by them where a car park used to be. Often hosts day and night events.
One of the oldest apartment buildings in Athens, the Blue Apartment Building (as the name translates) is famous for its pioneering architecture, its role in a number of historical events and for being the home of various famous Greeks throughout the years. The blue colour has faded over the years, but some apartments have been renovated and painted back to the original colour.
The Blue Condominium of Exarcheia
One of the oldest apartment buildings in Athens, the Blue Apartment Building (as the name translates) is famous for its pioneering architecture, its role in a number of historical events and for being the home of various famous Greeks throughout the years. The blue colour has faded over the years, but some apartments have been renovated and painted back to the original colour.
Things you MUST do
The most urban open-air cinema of Athens, always offering great movies (in their original language, with Greek subtitles)
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Vox Open Air Cinema
82 ThemistokleousThe most urban open-air cinema of Athens, always offering great movies (in their original language, with Greek subtitles)
One of the most popular open-air cinemas in Athens, located in a nice garden, with good quality of movies (in their original language, with Greek subtitles)
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Cinema Riviera
46 ValtetsiouOne of the most popular open-air cinemas in Athens, located in a nice garden, with good quality of movies (in their original language, with Greek subtitles)
Athens' hot spot on Saturdays, Kallidromiou Farmers' Market is packed with stalls offering fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, flowers, and even clothes. Not the cheapest farmers' market in the city, but definitely the nicest one.
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Laiki Farmer's Market
KallidromiouAthens' hot spot on Saturdays, Kallidromiou Farmers' Market is packed with stalls offering fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, flowers, and even clothes. Not the cheapest farmers' market in the city, but definitely the nicest one.
Coffee / Breakfast / Brunch
HBBH coffee bar
2 StournariGood and cheap coffee, the best spot to enjoy some sun in the morning
Blue Bear
80 ThemistokleousGreat coffee and tea, good breakfast, loved by locals
Hunny Bunny
8 TositsaVery good coffee, nice ambience, also open at night for drinks
Drinks
The most stylish bistro-bar in the area, ideal for winter, but there are a few tables outside as well. Good cocktails and music, average prices.
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Alexandrinó
69a Emmanouil BenakiThe most stylish bistro-bar in the area, ideal for winter, but there are a few tables outside as well. Good cocktails and music, average prices.
Very popular with local artists and actors, good quality of alcoholic drinks and cocktails at reasonable prices (keep an eye for special offers)
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Luxus Bar Bistro
27 ValtetsiouVery popular with local artists and actors, good quality of alcoholic drinks and cocktails at reasonable prices (keep an eye for special offers)
Classic bar with a lot of space both inside and out, very popular both during the day and the night
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Μαύρος Γάτος
KolettiClassic bar with a lot of space both inside and out, very popular both during the day and the night
Situated in Exarcheia but more reminiscent of the nearby posh Kolonaki area. Excellent variety of wine, very good coffee and food, definitely not cheap but still affordable.
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Warehouse
21 ValtetsiouSituated in Exarcheia but more reminiscent of the nearby posh Kolonaki area. Excellent variety of wine, very good coffee and food, definitely not cheap but still affordable.
City/town information
Everyone visits the Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon, but the most breathtaking temple is actually that of Poseidon on Cape Sounio, overlooking the sea and offering the best sunset views in the region. If you don't have a car, there is a KTEL bus that leaves from outside Pedion Areos park, on the corner of Alexandras Avenue and Patission Street (a 10-minute walk from the apartment) every morning at 10.30 (check the timetables online to be sure).
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Sounion
Everyone visits the Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon, but the most breathtaking temple is actually that of Poseidon on Cape Sounio, overlooking the sea and offering the best sunset views in the region. If you don't have a car, there is a KTEL bus that leaves from outside Pedion Areos park, on the corner of Alexandras Avenue and Patission Street (a 10-minute walk from the apartment) every morning at 10.30 (check the timetables online to be sure).