☕ 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 vibe. Perfect for a takeaway breakfast or a quick sit-down.
🥐 Where I grab a cheese pie or a koulouri
Two little treasures, just one block away. My first and favorite stop is Imerouli — a tiny bakery with Georgian roots that makes wonderful breads and, if you ask me, one of the best cheese pies in the neighborhood. The second is the Koulourades stand at Victoria Square, where I pick up a warm Thessaloniki-style koulouri. Since it's right between two coffee spots, it's easy to grab both in one go.
Imerouli · Bakery
📍 3is Septemvriou 73, Athens 104 33
Georgian-inspired breads, khachapuri, homemade cheese pies and Caucasus-style baking. Everything tastes fresh, careful and properly 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 & the corner kiosk, so coffee + koulouri = sorted.
🛒 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 favorite 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 proper family Sunday lunch, I go to Krouskas. When I want something quick, affordable and really good, it's Kyra-Sofia's Souvlaki — probably the best-value souvlaki in the neighborhood. And when I'm craving a burger, Goody's on Victoria Square is my dependable 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
Transparent fare upfront, card in app, zero surprises. Minimum fare €5.
🛴 Scooters (Lime) — easy, but be careful
I personally don't ride them — scooters are just not my thing. My husband, on the other hand, loves them. They really are practical for short hops around the center, and Lime is the most reliable operator in Athens. One important warning: Greek drivers often don't really register 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? Don't — trust me
My own car practically lives in the garage. In Athens it simply doesn't make sense to drive as a visitor: parking often costs more than taxis, traffic is heavy, the driving is chaotic, and finding a spot is a headache. Metro, taxis and walking are by far 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, as a nice bonus, 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 Athens's biggest park. For me, Pedion tou Areos is the most beautiful and best-kept park in the city, and in recent years it has improved enormously. If you've read older comments about trash or a rough atmosphere, forget them. Today it's clean, safe, and full of people 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 and feels sunny, calm and a little tucked away, with specialty coffee and light food. If you have the time, I really recommend you visit the museum itself too, since it's one of the most important in the world. But even if you don't, the garden is free to enter and worth it for the coffee alone.
O Kipos tou Mouseiou (The Museum Garden)
📍 28is Oktovriou 44 (Patision), 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 stroll, I don't even need the metro. I walk out of Ioulianou, 3 minutes later I'm on Patision Street — the longest historic commercial axis of Athens. Patision goes straight down to Omonoia, and from there the historic Athinas Street leads you to Monastiraki and on to Ermou — the other big shopping street, ending at Syntagma. The whole route on foot is about 3.5 km — one of the loveliest Athenian walks.
On Patision you will find everything: jewelers, watchmakers, clothing and shoe shops, fabric stores, electronics, small grocers, bakeries and historic arcades packed with tiny shops. If you want to shop for shoes or clothes without going through chains — this is where the family-run shops have been operating for decades.
Patision Street
📍 from Victoria to Omonoia, Athens
Athens' longest historic commercial axis — 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 the classic Athens evening walk, I take the metro from Victoria and within 2 stops, about 10 minutes, I'm in Monastiraki. From there you get one of the best walks in the city: Monastiraki to Thissio, past ancient ruins, little shops, tavernas and the old train line. Don't bother trying to do it on foot from here. By metro, it's easy.
In Monastiraki I have two beloved, almost legendary souvlaki places, and I rotate between them.
O Thanasis · Monastiraki Kebab
📍 Mitropoleos 69, Monastiraki, Athens 105 55
Since 1964 — the most famous kebab in Greece. Charcoal-grilled, served with tomato, pita and onion. Thanasis is an institution — right by Monastiraki square, always packed, and worth every minute of the wait.
Bairaktaris · Tavern
📍 Pl. Monastirakiou 2, Athens 105 55
Since 1879 — one of Athens's most historic restaurants. Great 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. Ideal 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. Lovely for sunset cocktails or an Italian dinner at Gallo Nero.
✨ Live it like a local
This is my real Athens routine, not the guidebook version, but the one my family and I actually live. If you make it to even five of these spots during your stay, you'll have seen a very real side of the Athens I know.
And don't forget: I'm here. If you need a suggestion, a reservation, or just a friendly chat about where to eat on a Friday night — message me through your booking platform. I usually reply within minutes.
Have a wonderful stay, and welcome to my neighborhood. 💛
— Kathy