Athens up-north

It is true that the capital of lovely Greece is mostly famous for its impressive historical sites, rich culture and iconic Acropolis. Visitors flock to metropolitan Athens every year to savor that all important Greek spirit, wander around the quaint streets of Plaka-one of the very first neighborhoods of Athens- and enjoy a delicious souvlaki filled with plenty of strongly flavored tzatziki and tasty slices of pork, sitting on the benches of Monastiraki square and watching the crowds go by; or listening to some exotic music by the street bands performing free of charge!

 

Monastiraki square
By Dimorsitanos [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Well, for those of you who had already been to Athens, but still want to come back, I reassure you that there are many more places and areas to explore that will thrill you alike, such as the northern suburbs of Athens, including the high-class areas of Kifissia, Maroussi, the up-and-coming Chalandri and many more.

Where to stay

First things first! Get your stay sorted and then organize your trip based on the location of your hotel. One of the best hotels to stay during your getaway to Athens is Holiday Inn Athens situated within the area of Athens International Airport. Holiday Inn offers modern facilities, attentive services and well-appointed rooms with a view to the top-notch airport premises, along with excellent transportation links all around Athens and the northern suburbs via the nearby metro station.

Related Article:   Extreme Travel Activities To Enjoy In Lefkada, Greece

For shopping addicts

One of the oldest classy areas of Attica, Kifissia, was once a residential place with aristocratic mansions, mainly served as the high society’s holiday houses. Nowadays, however, Kifissia has become a city itself, featuring, apart from beautiful new classical buildings, a wealth of shopping options including designer clothes shop and international brands, as well as culinary surprises and night-long entertainment, all surrounded in lush greenery.

Further shopping options include the area of Maroussi, also nested in green, where you will find The Mall Athens, a modern complex boasting three floors lined with shops of every kind, a supermarket on the basement and a large parking space. What’s more entertainment options involve a super-modern multiplex cinema on the top floor and many restaurants and cafes overlooking the magnificent structure of the Olympic Stadium!

For Food & Drink

Although their character is far from traditional and miles away from what is Athens advertised for, the northern suburbs do not lack in culinary delights and traditional Greek cuisine adored by everyone. As Kifissia and Maroussi are famous for their shopping expertise, so is Chalandri for its great selection of places serving exceptional dishes. There are lots of tavernas where you can taste authentic Greek cuisine, as well as restaurants serving creative dishes combining local recipes from mainland Greece and the islands.

Related Article:   The Best Castles in Portugal You Should Visit

Drinking is also an experience once you arrive in Chalandri. Here, wine-lovers can have a glass of wine in any of the cozy wine-bars serving fine local and international wine, rich flavored beer accompanied with hearty side dishes, and weird, yet awesome, cocktail mixtures in trendy cocktail bars.

All in all, Athens up-north is a great choice for travelers seeking a top-notch break in the Greek sunshine. 

About the author

Boris

I love to travel and explore new places around the world. Meeting different people from various intercultural background and spending time with locals is something that makes me feel great. You can connect with me at Google+ or follow me on Twitter.