Boho neighbourhoods, rooftop pool bars and an exciting spirit of reinvention make Athens an excellent weekender. A winter visit means you’ll swerve the crowds, too

Athens stands as a city where the legacy of Antiquity is woven into its modern and vibrant urban landscape. World-renowned landmarks of Ancient Greece like the Acropolis and the Parthenon stand as enduring symbols of classical architecture and the city’s storied past. These structures reflect the foundational principles of symmetry and balance that have influenced generations of architects and continue to attract scholars from around the world. Yet, Athens is also a thriving metropolis where contemporary architecture coexists with its historical counterparts. 

In this city centred on ancient landmarks, standout neighbourhoods pair exceptional places to stay with their own distinct vibe.
Athens is a surprisingly modern city, but its centre of gravity is still the oldest landmark of all: the Acropolis...

The third annual Owl Screenwriting Workshop and the inaugural Owl Industry Days 2024 will unfold from October 1 - 4, supported by the Athens Film Office and the City of Athens.

The Workshop looks for writers with international ambitions who have enjoyed early-career success, and scripts that explore escapist storytelling and themes that can draw filmmakers to Greece to shoot and collaborate with Greek partners.   

Eleven international film and television writers are gearing up to take part in the 2024 edition.

The Athens Film Office (AFO), under the city’s growth agency Develop Athens, has once again brought together the Greek and international audiovisual sectors through its flagship screenwriting workshop, The Owl. Held from 1-4 October, this year’s iteration marked the third consecutive edition of the workshop, solidifying Athens’ growing role in global film and television production.

A major highlight of this year's event was the debut of The Owl Industry Days (3-4 October), an initiative that included presentations, discussions and panels focused on Greek fiction productions. Held at the St George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel, The Owl facilitated over 200 networking meetings between producers, screenwriters and industry professionals from Greece and abroad. This exchange of ideas and potential collaborations further underscored Athens' expanding reputation as an international production hub.

Ancient relics have been given a fresh lease of life in the Greek capital, where they’ve been reimagined and reworked to coexist with the 21st-century city, from fashion stores to classical-music venues.

In-the-know visitors make time for the spicy neighbourhoods where modern-day Athenians thrive.
I used to think of Athens as a big ugly city with obligatory ancient sights, fine museums, the Plaka (the extremely touristy old centre), and not much else. “The joy of Greece is outside of Athens,” I wrote. “See Athens’ museums and scram.”
But with each return visit I enjoy the city more than ever before, having realized that it’s a many-faceted city that’s getting its act together, still building on the infrastructure improvements it’s enjoyed since hosting the 2004 Olympics.

From ancient temples to beachside bars, here are our top tips.