Autumn in Athens

So, if you are planning to visit Athens this autumn, here are some delights you can definitely look forward to:

Athenians are back in town, engaging in their favorite way of spending time with friends: outdoors – for as long as the weather permits it. Their tendency to go out and enjoy drinks at cafes or bars on the streets or on rooftops is obvious and contagious.

Try out the small but lovely Ipitou St. and its three bars, flooded by people until late at night. The buzz is urbane and the spirit quite cultured. Great for early drinks or a calm night out, it’s amazingly trendy and cool, with a great city vibe.

Some of the same stuff goes on down at Thiseos St. where the music is louder and the crowds larger. Don’t miss the area’s signature spot: the Drunk Sinatra bar.

Also, through Kolokotroni Street you can wander in the warren of small pedestrianized passageways and join the hundreds of Athenians enjoying a drink in the open.

Further west, your footsteps will bring you to Monastiraki Square, where big crowds make sure this place is always full of life. This chaotic, colorful central spot in Athens is a magnet for photographers – amateurs and professionals alike. Sit back, relax and take a picture from your table at the A for Athens rooftop cocktail bar. If you prefer trendy hipster vibes and good music, then look no further than the Six d.o.g.s bar; its multi-space layout can accommodate simultaneously many different happenings like live concerts or art exhibitions, while the music in the garden space is kept deliberately low in order to facilitate the fervent discussions taking place in this open-air social lounge.

As fall gently – but decisively – reappears, so does the Athenians’ leaning towards all things music! Athens is a big metropolis so whether you’re looking for rock, jazz, blues or traditional Greek music, there is always a bar or pub hosting a live performance.

Notably, on weekend nights, Café Avissinia – located in the heart of the flea market close to Monastiraki – turns into a live music space where countless musicians have played over the years. Live jazz acts are being hosted at Louis Kafeneio in Kerameikos, inviting you to get ready to groove!

The area where you should literally lose yourself in its beautiful and narrow labyrinth streets is Plaka, an area of Athens still seemingly untouched by time. Anafiotika emerge as the most amazing walk one can have in Athens these days! With beautiful old small houses and colorful gardens it really gives the feeling that you travel back in time.

Cover Photo Credit: Jaume Escofet