Day and Night in Athens

Athens is a city where ancient history blends seamlessly with modern life, from lively markets to hidden cafés and from traditional tavernas to rooftop bars with breathtaking views.

Find the best spots to taste classic Greek dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, grilled seafood, and fresh mezze, as well as sweet treats such as loukoumades and baklava.  Discover where to enjoy iconic Greek drinks, from strong coffee and chilled ouzo to aromatic tsipouro.

Whether it’s day or night, Athens offers a culinary journey full of flavors, culture, and unforgettable experiences.

Monastiraki and Agia Irini Square

Often coined the ‘new heart of Athens’ by Greek press, this picturesque square located in Monastiraki has taken on many faces for more than a century including as a business district, a fabric business area and flower market.  Today, it’s full of traffic thanks to a resurgence of trendy bars, cafés and restaurants as the country reels itself out of an economic crisis. Cafés on Aiolou street have a distant view of the Acropolis, while all of the square’s businesses have a view of the historic St Irene Church, the first Greek Orthodox church built after Greece’s independence.

Places to Go:

Cafes – Lukumades is a dessert café known for its fun, modern take on the traditional poor man’s dessert of fried dough balls called loukoumades.  Go beyond the traditional honey topped versions and try them stuffed with praline, lemon cream or a la mode with a scoop of homemade ice cream. Tailor Made and its neighbor Thorubi gather a young Athenian coffee crowd.  In Monastiraki Square, behold the best up-close views of the Acropolis at Athens 360 and A for Athens rooftop café-bars.

Restaurants- Mana’s Kouzina-Kouzina has a name that means mother’s kitchen and goes beyond the famous Greek favorites of moussaka and Greek salad by offering a revolving lunch and dinner menu of magirefta traditional Greek dishes, slow-cooked recipes hailing from all over Greece. The local go-to places for souvlaki include Thanasis, off Monastiraki Square, and Kostas in Agia Irini Square.

Nightlife – Bouzoukia – Experience the vibrant nightlife of Athens with a night at the city’s iconic bouzoukia. These lively music venues bring together live Greek singers, musicians, and dancers for an unforgettable evening of entertainment.

Plaka

Plaka is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the world. Its tiny streets are clustered around the rocky slopes of the Acropolis where neoclassical homes stand. Be sure to walk through the Anafiotika neighborhood which is known for its whitewashed Cycladic architecture offering visitors the feel of Greek islands in the heart of a big city.

Places to Go:

Restaurants – For a genuine taste of Athens’ historic neighborhood, some of the top dining options include Platanos Taverna, Psaras Tavern, and Daphne’s.

Cafes and Bars – Cafe Plaka, Klepsydra Café, Melina Café and Yiasemi are ideal for a coffee or a drink.

Psirri

Squeezed between Monastiraki, Plaka and Omonia, Psirri can attract quite a crowd at night. The area hosts an array of venues with Greek food and live music. It is the “go-to” place for groups of Greeks to go out and share Greek spirits like ouzo and rakomelo.

Places to Go:

Cafes – Ta Serbetia Tou Psirri on Aisxylou is famous for the outstanding desserts.   The Art Foundation known as TAF is a unique exhibition space/café all-in-one.

Restaurants – Oinopoleion, Krasopoulio tou Kokkora on Aisopou street are both great for Greek food.

Bars – Nightlife is vibrant and bohemian, with hip, friendly bars like Tranzistor and Cantina Social.

Gazi

Once upon a time, Gazi was a worn-down immigrant quarter with a defunct gasworks factory looming as part of its skyline. Then the metro was built and the potential was seen by artistic minds that rebuilt the area paying homage to its industrial roots. The area is now lined with restaurants, bars and clubs. It is difficult to walk around without bumping into someone in the thick of summer. In the surrounding streets, traditional music stages open late and gather well-heeled crowds who book tables to watch popular local singers.

Places to Go:

Dining – Sardelles, Athiri and the Butcher Shop are a few popular restaurants to try out.

Rooftop Bars – Along with other bars lining the square, Hipster and Gazarte both boast a great rooftop area where you can enjoy a drink, a good crowd and a view of the Acropolis and Gazi’s landmarks.

Kolonaki

Kolonaki is one of the capital’s most upscale neighborhoods. It has its share of authentic tavernas, trendy bars, chic clubs, gourmet restaurants and atmospheric outdoor cafés.

Places to Go:

Coffee – Right off Kolonaki Square, locals love to people watch while nursing their Greek coffees at Alouf and Da Capo. 

Restaurants – In Kolonaki, top dining spots include Meat N Roses for premium grills, Taverna Fillipou for genuine greek cuisine, Nice n Easy for fresh Mediterranean dishes, Malconi’s for Italian cuisine, and the Michelin-starred Spondi for an elegant fine-dining experience.

Nightlife –   During the day, Skoufa Street in Kolonaki is a nice place to grab a coffee. After 11 p.m., many of the same spots fill with a stylish crowd. For a quieter night out, Charitos Street becomes especially charming, with little bars nestled on that pedestrian stretch between Spefsippou and Ploutarchou, perfect for a relaxed drink. Just off Kolonaki Square, spots like Minnie The Moocher attract a steady crowd with their cocktail‑bar vibe. And when the weather cools down, Rock n’ Roll remains one of Kolonaki’s go‑to clubs, beloved for its lively music and late‑night parties.

Exarchia

Known as the city’s alternative district, Exarchia attracts artistic, college student and bohemian crowds.  The street art and graffiti riddled buildings house various punk-like bars and clubs, many of which play rock music.

Places to Go:

Coffee – Sit in Exarchia Square where you can have a coffee among the hip, trendy, bohemian and student crowd.

Nightlife –Alexandrino Café Bistro, which brings a bit of Paris‑style bistro charm to Exarchia: jazz vibes, good cocktails, and a great atmosphere.

Restaurants – Try Pharaoh, where traditional Greek cuisine meets a modern, creative vibe, ideal for a relaxed meal or evening out and Ouzeri I Lesvos, an old‑style ouzeri offering fresh seafood and meze in a cozy, authentic atmosphere.

The Right Helicopters Based in Greece

Chartering a private flight to and from Athens, Greece is something that we can easily organise being a locally based company. We specialize in providing international air charter services to Athens and other Greek destinations. Especially during the summer months, some of our most popular private flight routes are from Athens to Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Costa Navarino, Porto Heli and many more. We offer exclusive private air charter services to the most remote islands and destinations in Greece.

Whether you are flying in from a European city or connecting from a Greek island, contact us to arrange your private jet or helicopter transfer and make the most of your time in the capital. Be sure to check our latest empty leg offers for exceptional rates on select routes.

T: +30 210 996 7870 (24 HRS)  F: +30 210 996 7872   E: info@helicopter4you.com