{"id":7279,"date":"2016-10-13T14:12:53","date_gmt":"2016-10-13T11:12:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travelstoriesfromyworld.com\/?p=7279"},"modified":"2017-03-16T18:23:25","modified_gmt":"2017-03-16T15:23:25","slug":"my-athens-eng-version","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tstories.gr\/en\/my-athens-eng-version\/","title":{"rendered":"My Athens: a 24 hour – guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Four years ago, one of my first ever blog posts ended like this:<\/p>\n

“No matter how many trains I ride, how many undiscovered destinations I explore, the road will be always leading me back… A stroll downtown Athens, a coffee break at Plaka district, a walk around Acropolis with a Greek souvlaki, reading a newspaper at Panteion University, window-shopping at my neighborhood in Nea Ionia, a beer at Nea Filadelfia, breathing the salty air near the sea in Faliro… All those little things that go unnoticed sometimes \u2013 yet I feel the urge to schedule them in order not to miss anything. And somewhere at this point, I leave the rainy and gloomy Milan for the warm embrace of Athens…and my mom’s home-cooked dishes!”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"my<\/p>\n

So, I had just moved in Italy, had just settled into my new apartment and just started looking for a job when I suddenly felt the urge to return to Athens<\/strong> and take a stroll around the city centre. I used to love exploring the city like a tourist, experiencing it through the eyes of a foreigner. I had even promised myself that whether I came back to Greece or not, I would always explore and experience Athens like a city I visit for the first time \u2013 and I would walk as much as I could around its many alleys and streets.<\/p>\n

Three years<\/strong> and a moth later, I’ve moved back to Athens<\/strong> and I just came back from a long stroll around the city for a whole hour. As temperature falls, the weather is ideal for a walk around town. For me, my walk began from Psirri district,<\/strong> all the way up to Michalakopoulou street for a second day in a row. I love this particular route since the city lights and busy avenues remind me of any other European city.<\/p>\n

\"my<\/p>\n

Since the day I came back, I had decided that I would live in my city like it was the first time I visited it. And I kept my promise. How I managed to do that?<\/p>\n

I started walking around the city centre a lot more, even exploring small alleys I had never seen before. I started looking around and asking for information like a tourist would do a lot more.<\/p>\n

\"my<\/p>\n

But most importantly, I opened my house to fellow travel bloggers, inviting them to experience Athens through my eyes and the things I love to do. As a result, I set a standard route for them which I often change or enrich with new places.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"my<\/p>\n

Which is that route? Let me tell you about it!<\/strong><\/p>\n

My starting point is at Omonia square<\/strong>. Since I spent a lot of my younger years around in the area, I lOve this part of the city. So, we begin walking from Omonia towards Panepistimiou street<\/strong> \u2013 to admire the plethora of beautiful buildings featured on both sides of the street \u2013 and finally end up at Syntagma square<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A stop at Syntagma<\/strong> is mandatory, to watch the Evzoni \u2013 the men of the Presidential Guard \u2013 and the Parliament building. Afterwards, grab your koulouri<\/strong> \u2013 a traditional Greek sesame bread ring \u2013 and your coffee and take a walk around the National Garden<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

After taking a break from the city buzz, we shall continue by walking down Ermou street<\/strong> and end up at Monastiraki square<\/strong>. We’ll skip visiting Plaka district for now, in order to explore more of the Psirri area.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some of the most incredible graffitis decorate the once gray and old buildings of the area, reminding you of Berlin \u2013 only to be constantly reminded that you are in Athens by the sight of the Acropolis in the distance.<\/p>\n

\"my<\/p>\n

Every alley around Psirri district is a colorful canvas, full of different shapes and images that never seizes to amaze me, no matter how ofte I visit the area. My sole advice when there is to look for those unique pieces of art \u2013 they’re everywhere from the walls and doors in the ground, all the way up to the highest building and each one of those represents a different story created by different, very talented artists!<\/p>\n

\"my<\/p>\n

You should re-visit the area at night.<\/strong> I always bring my foreign friends there to have a traditional ouzo or rakomelo at one of the restaurants I used to visit since my academic years.<\/p>\n\n\t\t