For participants of the Social Affairs Forum please find some useful information regarding your comfortable stay in Athens, for easy moving around and must-see points of interest!
SAF Hotel Selection
A FOR ATHENS HOTEL – 4*
2-4, Miaouli Str., Monastiraki, Athens, Greece | Tel. (+30) 210 32 44 244 | [email protected]
For those staying at the A For Athens, the hotel is located in Monastiraki square, the heart of the old town of Athens with a marvelous roof garden with magnificent views of Acropolis and the old town of Athens.
The nearest metro station is Monastiraki, only a few feet away from the hotel’s entrance.
http://aforathens.com/
FRESH HOTEL
26 Sofokleous Str. 10552 Athens, Greece | T +30 21 0524 8511, F +30 210 5248517 | [email protected]
Situated at the heart of Athens, on Sofokleous street, famous for housing the Athens Stock Exchange and very near Kotzia square and City Hall.
Nearest metro station is Omonoia, approximately 200 meters from the hotel.
Don’t miss: the famous Varvakeios Agora, with products and produce from all over Greece just around the corner.
http://www.freshhotel.gr
PALLAS ATHENA - GRECOTEL BOUTIQUE HOTEL
65, Athinas str. & Likourgou,GR-10551, Kotzia sq., Athens | Tel. + 30 210 3250900 | [email protected]
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Located in the historical centre of Athens at Kotzia square, Pallas Athena hotel is right next to City Hall and at a walking distance from Monastiraki square.
Nearest metro station is Omonoia, approximately 100 meters from the hotel.
http://www.grecotelpallasathena.com
ATHENS TIARE HOTEL
Peiraios 2 str, 10431, Αthens, Greece | tel. 0030 210 5 200 300 | [email protected]
In the heart of Athens, “the European City that never sleeps” the Athens Tiare Hotel is right on Omonia (Concord) Square.
Nearest metro station is Omonoia, approximately 20 meters from the hotel.
http://www.athenstiarehotel.com/
DORIAN INN HOTEL
15-19 Pireos street, 105 52 Athens | Tel: +30 210 5239782, +30 210 5231753, Fax: +30 210 5226196 | [email protected]
The newly refurbished Dorian Inn Hotel is right off Omonoia square from where you can have access to all the famous sights in Athens.
Nearest metro station is Omonoia, approximately 50 meters from the hotel.
www.dorianinnhotel.com
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Arriving at the Airport |Athens Info Point & thisisathens.org
At the arrivals level you will find the ATHENS INFO POINT where our friendly staff are available to answer any questions you have about getting around our City, from sightseeing options and details to transportation choices and routes.
Info point tel. +30 210 3530390,
Hours of operation: daily and on weekends, 8:00-20:00.
You will also find a variety of thematic brochures and will have a chance to use the special information touch-screen that allows you to browse the Athens web site www.thisisathens.org, to find out all that’s happening in Athens, what’s on, what’s trendy and where to go, with all information in English.
Tip: If you’re looking for that cool exhibition, event, or happening while you’re in Athens check out our events calendar!
Transportation
To and from the Airport to the center of Athens
For your comfort we recommend the following three easiest ways:
By Metro: You can take the blue metro line directly to the city center, Syntagma Square. For those continuing on to Omonoia you only need to switch to the red line for two more stops.
Please note: The Suburban Railway also leaves from the same platforms as the Blue metro line, so you need to make sure that you are taking the Blue metro line.
By Taxi: If you do not want to wait in-line for a taxi at the airport or port, you can pre-book a trusted English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up with Welcome Pickups or the Taxiplon cab company.
By car: Take Attiki Odos with a direction toward Athens, following the road signs until you reach Syntagma Square.
Getting around Athens
Athens is a very safe city, nevertheless as in all large cities we encourage you to always look after your belongings, purses and bags especially while travelling in crowded areas.
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Athenians are very proud of their metro system given its newness and excellent service. The Athens underground is one of the cleanest in Europe, with an economical fare, boasting underground stations that are also archaeological “museums”!
Fares start at 1,40 euro for 90min flat fare single tickets , daily tickets are 4,50 euro for the metropolitan area, whereas there are also 3 day tourist tickets that include two airport trips for 22 euro and 5 day tickets excluding airport trips at 9 euro. All information regarding fares can be found at: http://www.stasy.gr/index.php?id=78&L=1#c234.
We strongly encourage all our city guests to sample our wonderful metro system at least once.
Private transport companies we recommend:
Welcome Pick Ups Welcome Pickups is the best way to arrive in Athens! They have recruited Athens’ best English-speaking taxi drivers and trained them to make sure that you as a guest get the best first impression of Athens possible. All drivers meet you inside the airport (and ports) with customizable name signs, give you a complimentary tote bag filled with travel essentials, and provide you with local insights into Athens. Since Welcome Pickups is a pre-booked and pre- paid service, you will never need to have cash on hand.
Tel. +30 211.1980084 | www.welcomepickups.com
Taxiplon Taxiplon Hellas provides taxi services for passengers all over Greece, concluding executive members, employers, partners and visitors of private and public businesses, tourist agencies, conferences, exhibition centers, hotels, shipping companies and of course the ordinary passenger. The company’s drivers have excellent knowledge of the net roads, but they are also experienced professionals providing safe transportation by luxury vehicles.
Tel. +30 210 2719555 | www.taxiplon.gr
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Where to eat in Athens
The city’s gastronomy scene is so vast and multidimensional that even the most demanding foodies will find innumerable options and new discoveries, ranging from traditional Greek flavors to ethnic street food and hybrid offerings. Our recommendations are but a few, so that you can get a feel of the variety, the quality and the joy of being a fool lover in Athens; we also invite you to explore and delight in hidden gems that can be found in the nooks and crannies of central Athens.
Please note! We highly recommend that you make reservations ahead of time, as popular restaurants fill up fast.
Kali sas Orexi!
For Sunday October 16th we recommend:
Kuzina http://www.kuzina.gr/
Adrianou 9, Thisseio | tel.: 210 3240133 & 210 300 1590 to reserve
With a great terrace view of the Acropolis, Kuzina is a gastronomy delight for the senses. One of the most highly rated restaurants in town, on the pedestrian street of Adrianou near the Ancient Agora.
Μelilotos http://www.melilotos.gr/
Kalamiotou 19, Kapnikarea | tel.: 210 3222458 & 498
At the center of Athens, on the street of the fabric shops (called Ifasmatadika) you’ll find this quaint restaurant with exceptional quality Greek inspired dishes and a family’s touch.
Café Avissinia https://www.facebook.com/Cafe-Avissinia-120605708012224/
Kinatou 7, Monastiraki | tel.: 210 321 7047
At the heart of the antique’s market in Monastiraki lies this quaint bistro style café- restaurant with a gorgeous Acropolis view from the terrace.
Noel https://www.facebook.com/theholidaybar/about/?entry_point=page_nav_about_item
Kolokotroni 59B, Athens center | tel.: 2112159534
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Voted one of the trendiest bar-restaurants in Athens, on Kolokotroni street, in the Kourtaki arcade, Noel is a place where Christmas is celebrated all year round in true retro style with an interesting selection of Italian inspired dishes.
For Tuesday 18th of October we recommend:
Karamanlidika tou Fani http://karamanlidika.gr/
Socratous 1 & Evripidou 52, Psyrri | tel.: 210 325 4184
Great mezedes (greek tapas) from Asia Minor in a delicatessen brimming with character & flavors from Poli (Constantinople). Home of the excellent authentic cured meat, pastirma, with delectable products that you can buy to take back home with you.
To Athinaikon http://athinaikon.gr/
34 Mitropoleos str & 9 Petraki str., Syntagma | tel:. 210 3252688, 210 3251598
One of the most traditional restaurants on the pedestrianized street of Themistokleous str. with a new restaurant dedicated to art and taste at 34 Mitropoleos str. Offering a taste of old Athens, with a great variety of dishes.
Mamaroux https://www.facebook.com/Mama-Roux-264571513559218/
48-50 Aiolou str. Near Agia Eirini Square | tel:. 2130048382
Bohemian, relaxed, youthful, casual dining that combines many different experiences and cultures. The cuisine inspired from America and Mexico to France or Syria, with interesting cocktails, regularly organized street parties and live music. Very popular for Sunday brunch – definitely reserve ahead.
Seven food sins http://www.7foodsins.com/
Filomousou Eterias 1, Plaka | tel.: 2107011108
A new gastro pub opened in Plaka, in a uniquely beautiful neoclassical building, 7 Food Sins brings new culinary traditions to the most historic neighborhood of Athens. With emblematic dishes of Greek cuisine and creative takes on some of the best examples of world street food, it’s well worth a visit.
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This is My Athens! Greeters Programme
The “This is My athens!” program is the only official unofficial walking tour of the City of Athens by local volunteers who can give insider insight into the city’s vibe like no one else can.
This is My Athens! greeters program is a free program that matches our visitors with local enthusiasts eager to show you their kind of Athens. Since 2011, This Is My Athens! and Athens Locals have become a valuable addition to the promotion of Athens as an attractive and hospitable destination.
This is my Athens organizes daily walking tours, lasting from to 2 to 4 hours, with up to 6 visitors, geared toward travelers looking for authentic experiences tailored to their specific interests and expectations. And the best part: your tour is totally free of charge.
Please note: our Athens locals are not professional tour guides, they are volunteers; if you are looking for a guided tour by a trained, specialist please contact the Association of Licensed Tourist Guides on: http://www.tourist-guides.gr/en.aspx»
To book your unique This is My Athens! experience now please visit http://myathens.thisisathens.org/im-a-visitor/
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The ultimate guide to Athens in 8 must-see stops!
1. Flanked by 5 km of pedestrian-only pathways, the Acropolis and Parthenon must be seen to be believed while the surrounding ancient ruins, including the stunning Theatre of Dionysus and the Ancient Agora, are made for quiet, contemplative strolls and peripatetic meaningful dialogues. 2. The enchanting and historic neighborhood of Plaka is a treat full of quaint shops, hidden cafes and intriguing corners that transport one to the Aegean islands, all leading to the New Acropolis Museum. 3. Watching the unique changing of the guard in front of the Greek Parliament at the famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier makes for a compelling experience. And the best part, it is right on Syntagma square. 4. The museums on Vassilissis Sofias Avenue are worth exploring if time allows. The Museum of Cycladic Art, the Benaki Museum, the Museum of the City of Athens or the War Museum are all in proximity. 5. Shopping on Ermou Street or Voukourestiou Street offers some light-hearted recreation after intense meetings and workshops. 6. Having dinner on one of the lovely rooftop restaurants at the bohemian Psyrri area or near the city center will give you a bird’s eye view of the city and stunning views of the Acropolis. Bon appétit! 7. Heading for the Athenian Riviera for a quick stroll down Paleo Faliro, where pedestrian promenades along the sea will allow you to unwind and regroup, followed by a dinner or drinks on the boardwalk. Be sure to visit the new Stavros Niarchos Cultural Foundation Center at the end of Syggrou Avenue, soon to house the National Opera House and the new National Library. 8. Athens nightlife is amazing with a dizzying variety of 24/7 bars, clubs and night life happenings near Monastiraki, Gazi, Kerameikos, Psirri and Petralona.
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Useful Emergency Numbers
Police 1033
Emergency 100
Tourist Police 171
Airport Police ( +30) 210 3536919
Fire Emergency 199
Ambulance 166
European Emergency Call Number 112
Poison Control (+30) 210 7793777-8
Hospitals, Pharmacies 14944
SOS Doctors 1016
Road Side Assistance – ELPA 10400
Traffic Police of Athens ( +30) 210 5284000
Athens Staff Numbers
Stelios Diakoulakis +30 6932 615156
Fiona Andrikopoulou + 30 6973 313023
Antigone Kotanidis +30 697 4290441
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