Newsletter March 2024
Thomas Gravanis
Athens Swings into High Gear in March
Movable celebrations and feasts, national holidays (and yes, more feasts), long weekends and Cycladic getaways. This March in Athens, you can have it all, because all of it is at your fingertips.
Apokries, our Dionysian version of carnival, is just around the corner. That means three weeks of festivities leading up to the leavening, kite-flying, seafood-nibbling revelry of Clean Monday. Celebrations range from the meat lover's dream of Tsiknopempti to a variety of Greek folk dance performances as well as disco weekends, all part of our city's traditions, both old and new. And if (somehow) after all this you're still hungry for more, give us a few hours and we'll pack your bags for a Greek island break you'll treasure for life.
Amalia Kovaiou
Celebrate Carnival in Athens
Athens carnival isn't known for its parades and floats. It's not a mecca for Mardi Gras celebrations like Rio, New Orleans or Venice. But as with almost every celebration in our part of the world, it's (also) about the basics: sun, fun, good company and good food.
Let's go fly a kite
Thomas Gravanis
Book your Table for Tsiknopempti
Does the smell of fresh meat cooking on an open fire make your mouth water? Then the barbecued meat extravaganza of Tsiknopempti was meant for you. Here's where to eat and what to order.
Let them eat meat
Manos Chatzikonstantis
Join the Locals on an Island Getaway
With two long weekends this March, Athenians are already planning their city escapes. Fairly fashionable and upscale, yet more on the quiet side, Kea (or Tzia) is the nearest of the Cycladic islands and is just as lovely as any other.
Kick back on Kea
Thomas Gravanis
3 Great Things to Do in Athens in March
- Celebrate Greek Independence Day on March 25th by enjoying the spectacle of marching bands and flag-waving crowds, then indulge in the day's traditional dish: delicious bakaliaro-skordalia (battered salt cod with garlic sauce);
- Take the kids to Flisvos Marina in Palio Faliro. Lined with waterfront cafés, restaurants, parks and play areas this glitzy marina is a local family favourite, especially at weekends;
- Check out what the city's artistic crowd is up to this season by calling on the best contemporary art galleries and alternative art spaces in Athens.
What's On in Athens
Athens Half Marathon | 10 March
Ready, set, go! Whether you're aiming for a personal best, taking the family for a run or just want to soak up our city's energetic atmosphere, this is the perfect occasion.
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2nd Independent Film Festival of Athens | Until 10 March
After last year's smash hit event, the IFFA returns with more than 80 films from different corners of the world, which will be screened across four venues in the city.
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Correspondences: Soundwalk Collective & Patti Smith | Until 15 March
Having performed in places like Berghain, the Centre Pompidou and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the contemporary sonic arts platform is now coming to Onassis Stegi.
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Carnival in Athens | Until 18 March
Apokries (our version of carnival) is just around the corner which means that the city is getting ready for a three-week celebration that allows for nothing except good vibes. The City of Athens has planned a jam-packed festive agenda for all types, with all sorts of events spread around every neighbourhood.
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Die Walküre | Until 31 March
It's time to break out those fancy opera glasses. Richard Wagner's Die Walküre is making its debut at the Greek National Opera in a modern-day setting.
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