☕ My morning coffee, on the go
In the morning I don't walk far for coffee — I don't need to. A few doors down from us is il dodo, a warm little neighborhood café with specialty coffee and fresh pastries. I go almost every morning, grab my freddo to go, and start my day. It's one of those tiny places where they know your name.
il dodo Coffee
📍 Ioulianou 60, Athens 104 34
Specialty coffee, fresh pastries, friendly atmosphere. Ideal for takeaway or a quick sit-down.
🥐 Where I grab a cheese pie or a koulouri
Two small favorites, one block away. The first, and my favorite, is Imerouli — a small bakery with Georgian roots, with lovely breads and, for me, one of the best cheese pies in the neighborhood. The second is the Koulourades stand at Victoria Square. I pick up a warm Thessaloniki-style koulouri there and, because it's between two coffee spots, it's easy to combine it with a coffee.
Imerouli · Bakery
📍 3is Septemvriou 73, Athens 104 33
Georgian-inspired breads, khachapuri, homemade cheese pies and Caucasus-style baking. Very fresh and carefully made.
Koulourades
📍 3is Septemvriou 94, Athens 104 34
Traditional Thessaloniki-style koulouri in ten flavors — from classic sesame to apple-cinnamon and cream cheese. Right between Coffee Island and the corner kiosk, so it's easy to combine with a coffee.
🛒 Where I shop for the house
When I want to do a proper full grocery run, I go to Sklavenitis — it's the big neighborhood supermarket at Ioulianou 33-35. When I'm in a rush and only need something quick, like milk, bread or a late-night essential, I stop by AB Shop & Go at Aristotelous 72-74, which stays open later, until 23:00.
Sklavenitis
📍 Ioulianou 33-35, Athens 104 34
A large supermarket where you can do the whole shop in one stop. Mon–Fri 08:00–21:00, Sat 08:00–20:00, Sun closed.
AB Shop & Go
📍 Aristotelous 72-74, Athens 104 34
A quick stop for the basics, with long opening hours. Perfect for late-night essentials. Mon–Sat 07:30–23:00, Sun 09:00–22:00.
🍽️ If I want to eat at lunch
I have three regular lunch spots, depending on what I'm in the mood for. When I want home-style, classic Greek food, the kind that reminds me of a family Sunday lunch, I go to Krouskas. When I want something quick, affordable and really tasty, I choose Kyra-Sofia's Souvlaki. And when I feel like a burger, Goody's on Victoria Square is my regular option.
KROUSKAS · Greek Taverna
📍 Aristotelous 88, Athens 104 34
Family-run taverna right on the square — daily-cooked dishes, fresh meat, vegetarian options, fair prices. Mon–Sat 11:00–19:00, Sun closed.
Kyra-Sofia's Souvlaki (Kalamaki)
📍 Cheyden 15, Athens 104 34
Tiny shop with authentic souvlaki — chicken or pork, on a skewer or wrapped in pita. Cheap, delicious, you must try it. Open daily until late.
Goody's Burger House
📍 Pl. Viktorias 4, Athens 104 34
The classic Greek burger chain — my daughter's favorite too. Open daily 12:00–24:00.
🚇 How I get around the city
The most practical way to get around Athens is the metro. From Victoria Square you take Line 1 (Green) and within minutes you're in Monastiraki, Thissio, Plaka or Piraeus. Change once at Monastiraki and Line 3 takes you straight to the airport. Victoria Station is just a short walk from the apartment.
Victoria Metro Station
📍 Pl. Viktorias 4, Athens 104 34
Line 1 (Green). Change at Monastiraki for Line 3 (airport). Single ticket €1.20, day pass €4.10.
🚖 Taxis — cheap, but use the right apps
Taxis in Greece are among the cheapest in Europe. The minimum fare is €5, so a short ride, say from Victoria to Syntagma, usually comes to about €6–7. My advice is to use the apps (Uber, Beat, FreeNow) instead of hailing one on the street. That way you see the fare before the ride starts and avoid unpleasant surprises.
All Athens Taxi Apps
🚕 Uber · Beat · FreeNow
Clear fare in the app before you ride, card payment, fewer surprises. Minimum fare €5.
🛴 Scooters (Lime) — easy, but be careful
I personally don't ride them — I'm not very good with scooters. My husband, though, loves them. They are very practical for short distances around the center and Lime is the most reliable operator in Athens. You do need to be careful: drivers do not always pay much attention to scooters, so stay to the side, wear a helmet if you can, and avoid the big avenues.
All Athens Lime · E-Scooters
🛴 Scan on the street via app
The most reliable scooter operator in Athens. Great for short hops, as long as you ride defensively.
🚗 A car? Usually not
My own car stays parked most of the time. In Athens, it usually does not help much if you're visiting: parking can cost more than taxis, traffic is heavy, the driving is chaotic, and finding a spot is not easy. Metro, taxis and walking are usually the best combination.
💇 Where I take care of myself
For manicures, pedicures and haircuts I go to Eleni Lioni — a tiny neighborhood salon 2 minutes from us. Eleni is excellent, with 4.9/5 reviews, and she also does men's haircuts. My husband goes there too. They work by appointment, so it's best to call before you drop by.
Eleni Lioni · Hair Salon
📍 Ipeirou 14, Athens 104 33 · ☎️ +30 210 883 8090
Manicure, pedicure, color, styling — plus men's haircuts. 4.9/5 reviews. By appointment.
🌳 Where I take an afternoon stroll
I'm lucky to live right next to one of Athens's biggest parks. For me, Pedion tou Areos is one of the nicest and most cared-for parks in the city, and in recent years it has improved a lot. If you've read older comments about litter or neglect, the picture today is much better. It feels cleaner, calmer, and full of life for most of the day.
Pedion tou Areos
📍 Leof. Alexandras & Mavrommateon, Athens 104 34
The city's largest public park, with tree-lined paths, rose gardens, benches and two big playgrounds, one on the north side and one on the south, where my daughter never wants to leave.
Inside the park I often head to Gardenia's Garden Canteen — a historic little kiosk under the plane trees. I get a freddo or a juice, my daughter has her toast or rides her bike or scooter among the trees, and then we make our way to the playgrounds. It's our favorite afternoon ritual.
Gardenia's Garden Canteen
📍 Inside Pedion tou Areos (Evelpidon & Moustoxydi)
Coffee, juices, toasties, ice cream, beer — all at canteen prices, under the plane trees. Open daily 09:30–22:30.
Another favorite for afternoon coffee is the café at the National Archaeological Museum, called O Kipos tou Mouseiou (The Museum Garden). It sits in the museum's restored garden, is sunny and quiet, and serves specialty coffee and light food. If you have time, I also recommend going into the museum, which is one of the city's most important museums. But even if you don't, the garden is free to enter and worth visiting for the coffee alone.
O Kipos tou Mouseiou (The Museum Garden)
📍 Patision 44, Athens 106 82
Specialty coffee, wine, light food in quiet surroundings. Garden entry is free — no museum ticket needed.
🛍️ Where I go shopping
When I want to go shopping or just take a long walk, I don't need the metro. I step out onto Ioulianou and, after about 3 minutes, I'm on Patision Street — one of Athens's major historic shopping streets. Patision runs straight down to Omonoia, and from there Athinas Street takes you to Monastiraki and on to Ermou, the other big shopping street that ends at Syntagma. The whole route is about 3.5 km on foot — a very nice Athens walk.
On Patision you will find everything: jewelry shops, watchmakers, clothing and shoe shops, fabric stores, electronics, small grocers, bakeries and historic arcades full of small shops. If you want shoes or clothes without going straight to the chains, this is where many family-run shops have been operating for decades.
Patision Street
📍 from Victoria to Omonoia, Athens
A major historic shopping street in Athens — dozens of shops, arcades, cafés and neoclassical buildings. Just 3 minutes on foot from the apartment.
🌃 Where I go in the evening
When I want a classic Athens evening walk, I take the metro from Victoria and in 2 stops, about 10 minutes, I'm in Monastiraki. From there starts one of the nicest walks in the city: Monastiraki to Thissio, among ancient sites, little shops, tavernas and the route beside the old electric railway line. I would not usually do it on foot from here. By metro, it's very easy.
In Monastiraki I have two favorite souvlaki places, and I go to them alternately.
O Thanasis · Monastiraki Kebab
📍 Mitropoleos 69, Monastiraki, Athens 105 55
Since 1964 — one of the best-known kebab places in Greece. Charcoal-grilled, served with tomato, pita and onion. Thanasis is right by Monastiraki Square, usually busy, and worth trying if you're in the area.
Bairaktaris · Tavern
📍 Pl. Monastirakiou 2, Athens 105 55
Since 1879 — one of Athens's historic restaurants. Kebab, souvlaki, pork gyros and classic Greek dishes at tables right on the square. Open daily until late.
If you'd rather stay close to us for drinks and a relaxed dinner, without dealing with the metro, there are two very good options right by Pedion tou Areos:
Green Park Athens
📍 Mavrommateon 22, Athens 104 34
All-day café–restaurant–bar in a restored neoclassical at the edge of the park. Mediterranean cuisine, brunch, cocktails until 02:00. A nice option for dinner in a beautiful setting.
Radisson Blu Park · Rooftop
📍 Leof. Alexandras 10, Athens 106 82
Five-star hotel across from the park. Panoramic 360° rooftop pool, café-bar, and three restaurants. Nice for sunset cocktails or an Italian dinner at Gallo Nero.
✨ My Everyday Athens
This is the Athens I live in every day with my family. If you make it to even five of these places during your stay, you'll get a good feel for the side of Athens I know best.
And don't forget: I'm here. If you need a suggestion, help with a reservation, or just a friendly chat about where to go for dinner on a Friday night, message me through your booking platform. I usually reply quickly.
Have a lovely stay, and welcome to our neighborhood. 💛
— Kathy
