Keeping up with our new habit, being a tourist in our own city, we searched for some of the best neighborhoods of Athens. Taking a stroll in their streets, admiring the architecture or a taking a sip of coffee in a local café, is what we call an authentic urban experience.

Plaka-Anafiotika

Just under the shadow of the Acropolis hill, lies the most picturesque neighborhood of Athens. Plaka is one of the oldest and most prestigious areas of central Athens, with its narrow streets and its neo-classical buildings. Although it is almost always packed with tourists and souvenir shops, in the post-Covid era Plaka is empty of massive crowds. So, it is the ideal time for a nice stroll down between its pastel houses.

Included the area of Plaka, Anafotika is an exceptional case of a different neighborhood. This is where islanders of the Cycladic Anafi came and residented, creating their neighborhood identical to blue-white Cycladic architecture.

Koukaki – Makrygianni

Getting to the other side of Acropolis, we find the neighborhood of Makrygianni Street and Koukaki. There you will find the museum of Acropolis, alongside the pedestrian street of Dionysiou Areopagitou. You can find yourself there either after a visit from the museum, or under the current circumstances, after a walk from Thisseion or Petralona.

From the Dion. Areopagitou Street take the turn into Makrygianni street and explore this much more urban district. Its name is Koukaki, and this is where many artists love to live or visit, because of its cool vibes.

Kifissia

Moving to the northern suburbs of Athens, we reach out to Kifissia. Kifissia used to be the district where wealthy Athenians had their villas in order to spend hot summers. Today, there are still the old aristocratic buildings, while the whole area has developed into a vivid suburb.

Beginning from the train lines, you can discover the old aristocratic glory walking downside. On the other hand, you can cross the park of Kifissia and reach to its center. This is where families, teenagers and romantic couples choose to spend their evenings. Either in open-air restaurants, or strolling towards Politeia and its parks.

Kifissia definitely gives a sense of freshness and luxury to every visitor.

Glyfada

From the north of Athens we end up to its south, and the district of Glyfada. Many consider Glyfada as the rival of beauty and luxury of Kifissia, and not without a reason. Glyfada combines great bars and restaurants, fashionable residents and visitors and the sea.

You can either choose to spend the day strolling alongside Glyfada’s marina, or opt in for swimming in one of the nearby beaches.

Bonus: The old town of Hydra

Although it is not considered a district of Athens, it is within the borders of Attica and certainly one of the most beautiful neighborhoods you can visit.

The architectonic structure of Hydra’s old town is amphitheatric, inside a close cove, under bare cliffs. Hydra is unique since it has banned the usage of vehicles and accredited the donkeys as the only means of transport. This decision has kept the atmosphere and the vibe of the island pure, while it let it flourish with artistic activities.

You can stroll in the old town of Hydra, among its cobblestone narrow streets, admiring the old, aristocratic mansions. These go back to the times when Hydra was a naval and commercial centre. Climbing up the stairs of the old town, you will find yourself in front of the medieval fortress town of Kiafa. There, you can admire the colourful houses and the amazing view towards Peloponnese and the Saronic Gulf. Or you can always choose the Walking Tour of Hydra with Athens Day Cruise.

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Although getting back to normal everyday life may take a while, there are still some things we want get them first.

So let’s sort out our priorities in our after-lockdown bucket list

Take a really long walk

Even though walking wasn’t prohibited, strict regulations and technicalities made our efforts seem limited. With the loosening of the lockdown measures, it feels like a psychological burden is also relieved. From May 4^th, we will be able to take long walks, rediscover Athens and “reclaim” our city.

Have a drink with friends

Speaking of limitations, the necessary social distancing rules deprived us from our friends and family. Despite of our understanding of their necessity, we still missed spending quality time with them. What we crave right now most, is a couple of laid-back moments with our beloved. Why not with a refreshing drink in a summer roof bar?

Live a collective experience

Missing our friends and family members was one part of our social distancing measures. Avoiding large gatherings and collective experiences was the other one. And God, what a misery it was.

Do you remember the old days of massive concerts? Or the thrill while watching a final match? What about the serenity of religious gatherings?

But considering the upcoming summer, we definitely pick our favorite experience; watching an all-time classic film in one of the open-air, Athenian cinemas. Open-air cinemas are the cultural hotspots that send out the signal that summer has arrived in Athens. And we can’t wait to purchase a ticket for them!

Take a trip

With it being the final step of the restrictions’ loosening, vacation and holidays trips may still seem a dream. Uncertainty on the covid-19 course among countries and borders situation don’t allow us to make plans for big trips.

But we are still allowed to dream the small ones, those close to Athens, in the geographic region of Attica. Like a trip in the Saronic islands!

Whether it be domestic visitors from Athens or new foreign travelers in the middle and the end of summer, Athens Day Cruise is waiting for officials’ signal to begin again its one-day cruises.

Until then, we will be filling our bucket list!

The post What is in our bucket list for…after quarantine? appeared first on Athens Day Cruise.

In Athens Day Cruise, we have suspended our services more than 10 days ago, acting in full responsibility towards our passengers, our crew and our employees. Moreover we have disinfected every surface and room of our one-day cruise vessels, being ready for the upcoming trips.

No matter how hard this period is for everyone, we are positive that any harsh measure is critical in order to flatten the epidemic curve and win the fight with the new virus, with as few victims as possible. Spring and summer may seem too far right now, as well as our favorite cruises and tours in the Saronic Gulf and the Saronic islands, but we know that our collective efforts are able to bring them closer.

For that reason we will continue to keep you updated on our beloved Saronic islands and their treasures, alongside with unique tips for travellers in Athens. Make sure to read them, lighten your spirit, and bookmark them for your next getaway in Greece.

We hope everyone reading this announcement is safe and sound.

Let us not leave our hopes abandon us. We are sure that this crisis will be over soon, letting us to sail across the Saronic Gulf again.

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