Xmas in Athens - help me plan!
December 10, 2009 4:28 PM Subscribe
Spending Xmas alone in Athens: help me make the most of my impromptu holiday. Antiquities, contemporary art, laid back cafes, beautiful scenery, itinerary, etc.
In attempt to forget that I'll be alone on Christmas, I booked a spontaneous trip to Athens from Dec 24-28. This is my first trip to the Mediterranean and there’s so much to see and so little time. Can you help me squeeze in as much possible?
My wish list: the ancient sites go without saying, an artsy area with contemporary art galleries, laid back & friendly places to eat/cafes, cool markets to stroll & shop, live outdoor music, pretty view of the sea, nighttime activities that are safe for a solo female traveler, gay/lesbian scene (day or night), scenic views, hidden gems, perhaps a mini cruise to one of the close surrounding islands, or train/bus ride to another must-see site, xmas event? (My hotel is based in Athens, near the National Archaeological Museum.)
I haven’t had much time to research and I’m looking for suggestions, potential itineraries (what to group together for logistic reasons), what I realistically have time for, money saving tips, must-see’s, etc.
Also, any general pointers on the public transportation, being a solo female traveler, not knowing a lick of Greek, and visiting over Christmas would be much appreciated.
Many thanks!
Danah
In attempt to forget that I'll be alone on Christmas, I booked a spontaneous trip to Athens from Dec 24-28. This is my first trip to the Mediterranean and there’s so much to see and so little time. Can you help me squeeze in as much possible?
My wish list: the ancient sites go without saying, an artsy area with contemporary art galleries, laid back & friendly places to eat/cafes, cool markets to stroll & shop, live outdoor music, pretty view of the sea, nighttime activities that are safe for a solo female traveler, gay/lesbian scene (day or night), scenic views, hidden gems, perhaps a mini cruise to one of the close surrounding islands, or train/bus ride to another must-see site, xmas event? (My hotel is based in Athens, near the National Archaeological Museum.)
I haven’t had much time to research and I’m looking for suggestions, potential itineraries (what to group together for logistic reasons), what I realistically have time for, money saving tips, must-see’s, etc.
Also, any general pointers on the public transportation, being a solo female traveler, not knowing a lick of Greek, and visiting over Christmas would be much appreciated.
Many thanks!
Danah
Transportation: except for taking the metro between the airport and our hotel, we walked. EVERYWHERE. And I'd do it again. There's no better way to take in a city and all its little hidden details.
posted by Ryon at 7:44 PM on December 10, 2009
posted by Ryon at 7:44 PM on December 10, 2009
My wish list: the ancient sites go without saying, an artsy area with contemporary art galleries, laid back & friendly places to eat/cafes, cool markets to stroll & shop, live outdoor music, pretty view of the sea, nighttime activities that are safe for a solo female traveler, gay/lesbian scene (day or night), scenic views, hidden gems,
You want to take the metro down to Monastiraki or Kerameikos station and move around in the general area of Monastiraki, Thiseio, Psyri, Gazi and Plaka. This is where the night-time action you sound like you would be interested in is these days. Most of these places are generally safe to move about, at least if you keep to the main streets and exercise standard good safety practice .
Keep in mind that Monastiraki and Plaka in particular are pretty touristy, and attract a certain measure of petty crime, i.e. pickpockets, scam artists and the like.
perhaps a mini cruise to one of the close surrounding islands, or train/bus ride to another must-see site, xmas event?
An island cruise in December is kind of a gamble, it might be doable in good weather but I wouldn't suggest planning for it. If you want to spend some time out of town, the temple of Poseidon at Sounion is easy to visit, but again the weather would be the deciding factor.
(My hotel is based in Athens, near the National Archaeological Museum.)
The Museum itself is worth spending some time in. The surrounding area of Exarheia also has interesting places to visit and alternative nightlife, but some of the areas around your hotel at night might not be the best idea for a lone foreigner safety-wise.
posted by Dr Dracator at 11:22 PM on December 10, 2009
You want to take the metro down to Monastiraki or Kerameikos station and move around in the general area of Monastiraki, Thiseio, Psyri, Gazi and Plaka. This is where the night-time action you sound like you would be interested in is these days. Most of these places are generally safe to move about, at least if you keep to the main streets and exercise standard good safety practice .
Keep in mind that Monastiraki and Plaka in particular are pretty touristy, and attract a certain measure of petty crime, i.e. pickpockets, scam artists and the like.
perhaps a mini cruise to one of the close surrounding islands, or train/bus ride to another must-see site, xmas event?
An island cruise in December is kind of a gamble, it might be doable in good weather but I wouldn't suggest planning for it. If you want to spend some time out of town, the temple of Poseidon at Sounion is easy to visit, but again the weather would be the deciding factor.
(My hotel is based in Athens, near the National Archaeological Museum.)
The Museum itself is worth spending some time in. The surrounding area of Exarheia also has interesting places to visit and alternative nightlife, but some of the areas around your hotel at night might not be the best idea for a lone foreigner safety-wise.
posted by Dr Dracator at 11:22 PM on December 10, 2009
Hey, my friends and I are going to be visiting at that time. Wanna get lunch or dinner and compare notes (in English)? I sent you a message via MetaFilter mail, but I'm not sure if you got it. Please check your MetaFilter Mail!
posted by CCCC at 9:57 AM on December 16, 2009
posted by CCCC at 9:57 AM on December 16, 2009
You might like to look at my blog on Athens and Crete...I just uploaded 3 new items about Athens just for you, particularly if you are interested in the gay/lesbian scene
You will find the blog at http://gaycretegreece.blogspot.com/
Forget about going to nearby islands right now, you will have more than enough to see in the city itself!
If you are interested in the lesbian scene then have a look at this blog, the best parts of it are in Greek so you will need Google translate toolbar installed...
http://cityuncoveredenglish.blogspot.com/
You can also look at the following web site again in Greek http://www.gayworld.gr/
Or you might find a couple of useful links on my web site at http://www.villaralfa.com
Check the weather before you go as Athens can be cold http://www.wunderground.com
You might find the winter sales start while you are there in which case you can go to Ermou Street and pick up designer stuff at 70% off!!!
Enjoy, Athens is a vibrant living city where the nightlife starts LATE. Some of the biggest traffic jams are on Sunday mornings as revellers LEAVE the city to go home!
Safety wise, be sensible, I always feel perfectly safe but some of the areas around Monastiraki and Psirri do not look the best and are not well lit, so follow the normal rules and stay where there are people around!!
posted by gay_crete at 1:31 PM on December 21, 2009
You will find the blog at http://gaycretegreece.blogspot.com/
Forget about going to nearby islands right now, you will have more than enough to see in the city itself!
If you are interested in the lesbian scene then have a look at this blog, the best parts of it are in Greek so you will need Google translate toolbar installed...
http://cityuncoveredenglish.blogspot.com/
You can also look at the following web site again in Greek http://www.gayworld.gr/
Or you might find a couple of useful links on my web site at http://www.villaralfa.com
Check the weather before you go as Athens can be cold http://www.wunderground.com
You might find the winter sales start while you are there in which case you can go to Ermou Street and pick up designer stuff at 70% off!!!
Enjoy, Athens is a vibrant living city where the nightlife starts LATE. Some of the biggest traffic jams are on Sunday mornings as revellers LEAVE the city to go home!
Safety wise, be sensible, I always feel perfectly safe but some of the areas around Monastiraki and Psirri do not look the best and are not well lit, so follow the normal rules and stay where there are people around!!
posted by gay_crete at 1:31 PM on December 21, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
Be aware that while it is the Mediterranean, it won't exactly be warm in December. I went in March and it was mostly jacket weather. Also, I imagine that just about everything will be closed on the holiday.
The official Christmas in Athens tourism site looks like a good place to start re: special holiday festivities.
For food, look for the tiniest, grungiest looking taverna you can find, and buy some delicious, dripping souvlaki or gyros in a pita there. My companions and I found a little place on the corner off some busy pedestrian square in Monastiraki with a playfully cantankerous old proprietor; the gyros pitas were to die for. We went back almost every night. I have no idea what the place was called, sadly.
Don't worry too much about your Greek. Most of the people you need to deal with will speak passable-or-better English. I tried ordering food in mangled Greek once, and the woman responded with an exasperated "for here or to go?"
Two spots I recommend you make the effort to reach: Kerameikos, which is a beautiful partially-excavated site that was all but empty when we visisted; and Philopappos (or Mouseion) Hill, from the top of which you are afforded a wonderful view of the city, especially at sunset.
posted by Ryon at 7:35 PM on December 10, 2009