Sure. We could tell you all about Christmas in Athens and those time-honoured customs that we cherish year after year. But if you’re planning on visiting Athens over the festive season (and we highly recommend that you do), it won’t really help you get under the skin of our party-loving town - or give you an inside eye onto how to experience a true Athens Christmas like a local. From the best places for a Yuletide cocktail, to the prettiest neighbourhood walks and gift hacks, we asked some colourful and creative Athenians to nominate the beloved city hangouts that truly spell what Christmas is all about in Athens.
Eleni Andreadis
Award-winning children’s author and sustainability specialist
It’s not Christmas in Athens until I’ve…
Gone for a cocktail at: Noel Bar. A cosy concept bar on Kolokotroni Street where it's Christmas all year. The music is jazzy and the permanent holiday decor is a tad over-the-top. Just how you want it for Christmas.
Had a festive meal at: GB Roof Garden, with a quick stop by the Christmas tree at the entrance to enjoy the festive piano music. For my family, it's the place to mark the beginning of the holidays. As the season comes to an end, I like to visit a Mikrolimano fish restaurant for a glimpse of the winter sea.
Shopped for gifts at: Living Green in Kifissia. This little gem stocks very original eco gifts. Christmas can be so wasteful and this is the place to go to buy a gift for someone to plant in their garden or a toy that's made from recycled or biodegradable materials.
Enjoyed a performance at: Onassis Stegi. They put on such original and innovative work - you’re guaranteed to leave with lots to think and talk about over the holidays.
Soaked up the atmosphere of: Stunning Stavros Niarchos Park, where there's always something wondrous happening.
Gone for a walk around: The centre of Athens -starting from Syntagma Square to Monastiraki - to admire the lights and music. There's nothing more “Christmas” than a late afternoon walk in the cold December air, with a Christmas Stars tea from Tea Route in my hands.
Listened to: Athens Big Band (a popular swing band) in an open-air Christmas event in downtown Athens. You can't beat the joy of stumbling across fantastic live music as you're walking down the street.
Sustainability scribe Eleni Andreadis
Celebrity chef Akis Petretzikis
Akis Petretzikis
Celebrity Chef
It's not Christmas in Athens until I've ...
Gone for a cocktail at: One of the groovy bars in the neighbourhood of Psirri. It gets very Christmassy there and always has a fantastic vibe, especially in December.
Had a festive meal at: Every year, I bake melomakarona (traditional Greek Christmas biscuits) at my house made with pure ingredients and spices that I buy from the wonderful food shops of Evripidou Street.
Soaked up the atmosphere of: The decorated city centre of Athens, especially the classic Christmas feel of Voukourestiou Street in Kolonaki.
Gone for a walk around: My favourite festive walk has to be down Dionysiou Areopagitou to see the seasonal lights and along the ancient alleys of Plaka with the lit-up Parthenon glowing above, adding to the magic of it all.
Listened to: The Christmas carols that resound from the children of Athens in every neighbourhood of the city as they do the rounds singing the kalanta (Greek Christmas jingles)
What I love most about Christmas: Baking Christmas cakes to give as presents and share with my friends in Athens.
Rebecca Camhi
Gallery owner and art consultant
It’s not Christmas in Athens until I’ve…
Gone for a cocktail at: By the Glass, a classy wine bar near Syntagma Square that’s filled with tiny festive lights every Christmas. People come and go and eat and drink all day - there are over 500 different wines. It’s the kind of place where you completely forget yourself!
Had a festive meal at: Radka in Kolonaki. It’s perfect for lunch during those days of indulgence. The service is super attentive; the food is delicious, ranging from sushi to pecan duck. But what really makes for an amazing atmosphere is their DJ Fotini who plays everything from old songs to dance songs. People often get up and dance.
Shopped for gifts at: Martinos, Athens' nicest (and oldest) antique shop, where the owner has amassed an incredible collection—silver, old embroideries and all sorts of exquisite objets of design from the last century as well as 60s and 70s. At Indigo in Kolonaki, I find wonderful rings and necklaces, pottery and cool original clothes and shawls (the owner Maya has excellent taste).
Enjoyed a performance at: The SNFCC or Onassis Stegi often stage superb festive shows—either ballet or music. Check their calendars!
Gone for a walk around: The Pnyx area - away from the shops! It’s a magical hill next to the Acropolis where you can see the sea and sunset.
Listened to: Nostalgic Greek tunes from Miki Theodorakis with Pablo Neruda lyrics. Alkisti Protopsalti and Stavros Xarhakos also make me feel festive.
What I love most about Christmas: Going to my local bakery for kourabiedes and melomakarona, those two traditional Greek festive staples.
Keramikos gallerist Rebecca Camhi.
Photo: Stathis Mamalakis
Dance curator Ilias Chatzigeorgiou.
Photo: Yiorgos Bakalis
Ilias Chatzigeorgiou
Dance curator, Athens and Epidaurus Festival
It’s not Christmas in Athens until I’ve…
Gone for a cocktail at: Closer bar in Exarchia. Drinking is not my thing, until I start drinking. Around Christmas I enjoy a whiskey (or three!) with my friends to the sound of hard rock music.
Had a festive meal at: The restaurant of the King George Hotel on Syntagma Square and hope someone else offers to pay the bill! Then it’s back to a bar and a festive hot dog at Mavili square.
Shopped for gifts at: Paraphernalia (a cool concept store near the City of Athens Museum) for smart gifts for good friends or Politeia bookshop in Akademia. For my love, only Prigipo and Swarowski will do, and for me, usually Adidas does the job. Capitalism gets the best of me every Christmas.
Gone for a walk around: The neighbourhood I grew up in, Haidari. It moves me and makes me want to cry for reasons I cannot understand.
Listened to: This Greek cover of Last Christmas. It always gives me hope that the mistakes I‘ve made at some point will seem funny.
What I love most about Christmas: The ritual of putting up a “weird” Christmas tree every year with my love. We laugh like criminals and then hug. Calling my older brother who lives in the UK to wish him a merry Christmas.
Alexandra Pascalidou
Journalist, author, TV presenter
It’s not Christmas in Athens until I’ve…
Had a festive meal at: My favourite celebration spot is Dionysos Zonar’s beneath the Acropolis Rock with its magic views of the Parthenon. The food and wine are always excellent.
Shopped for gifts at: Dimitra Goula Boutique Institute in Ambelokipi for their handmade, organic beauty products and greek delicatessen goodies at Degustation in Kolonaki.
Soaked up the atmosphere of: My daughter and I start from the Avissinias Square antique market in Monastiraki and wind our way through the festive streets around Little Kook café (Pittaki Street); then end up at Nancy’s Sweet Home in Platia Iroon in Psirri for a treat.
Gone for a walk around: For a totally different vibe, I take a stroll around Vouliagmeni and Kavouri on the Athens Riviera and end up in Vouliagmeni Lake for a warm winter swim.
Listened to: Antonis Remos, Helena Paparizou, Alkistis Protopsalti.
Media personality Alexandra Pascalidou.
Photo: Thron Ullberg
Stella Panagopoulou (left) & Valisia Gotsi (right) of Athens fashion label 2WO + 1NE = 2
Stella Panagopoulou & Valisia Gotsi
Fashion design duo, 2WO + 1ONE = 2
It’s not Christmas in Athens until I’ve…
Gone for a cocktail at: Bar 56 in Kolonaki so as to get lost in a very "noir" Christmas atmosphere.
Had a festive meal at: For cosiness, we love to hang at Duende in Koukaki to eat the best spaghetti bolognese in Athens. For luxury, we go to the “Winter Garden” of Grande Bretagne Hotel for an afternoon tea between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Shopped for gifts at: Paraphernalia is always our first choice. Every piece in this store is absolutely gorgeous and you know you’ll find a special stylish something.
Enjoyed a performance at: The Megaron. Every Christmas, the Athens Concert Hall joins in the festive spirit with much-loved Christmas classics like The Nutcracker.
Soaked up the atmosphere of: The historical centre of Athens. Heading out of our showroom on Akadimias Street, we stroll down Voukourestiou Street while sipping our cinnamon infused coffees. Next stop is Ergon Athens, the food hotel on Mitropoleos Street to get all the delicacies we need for Christmas dinner, before strolling around Plaka gazing at the magical decorations.
Gone for a walk around: Kifissia, the last Sunday before Christmas. All the shops are open, there are jazz players on street corners, people are happy and smiling. We always have breakfast at Different Beast, and then roam the streets to find the perfect gifts.
Listened to: "Bing Crosby - Merry Christmas". The ultimate Christmas album. Christmas without Bing is like Christmas without a tree.
Chrissianna Andriopoulou
Style blogger, Shoprano
It’s not Christmas in Athens until I’ve…
Gone for a cocktail at: Athénée Athens (formerly Zonars). Since it opened right in the centre of town in the 1930s, this elegant icon has hosted everyone from Melina Mercouri and Sophia Loren to Anthony Quinn and can always be counted on when you’re in the mood for some serious retro glamour.
Had a festive meal at: Brunch or lunch at Brunello restaurant in Kolonaki is another Christmas classic. It has a cool crowd, an amazing food and wine list and such a great atmosphere & music, especially over the party season.
Shopped for gifts at: Cartier and Hermès on Voukourestiou Street in Kolonaki. I love going to this stylish street and visiting all the high-end fashion boutiques and going a little “extra” on Christmas gifts! Only the best for my loved ones.
Enjoyed a performance or concert at: Pallas Theatre, just around the corner from Athénée. It’s such a grand Athenian landmark and always has uplifting productions in the lead up to Christmas.
Soaked up the atmosphere of: Hotel Grande Bretagne at one of their famous high tea sittings in the Winter Garden City Lounge. You can’t beat it for luxury festive ambience and their tree is always the best dressed in town!
Listened to: Classical music on Christmas morning is the best way to start this special day.
What I love most about Christmas: Being with family and loved ones, opening our gifts and spending quality time together! Those moments are so precious and irreplaceable.
Shoprano's Chrissianna Andriopoulou
Painter Ilias Papailiakis
Ilias Papailiakis
Painter
It’s not Christmas in Athens until I’ve…
Gone for a cocktail at: Bios in Keramikos where the music is up to date, there’s a nice view of the Acropolis and the crowd has a positive energy. Or Morgan All Jeans café in Omonia for its alternative urban vibe (plus it’s animal friendly!).
Had a festive meal at: Kanella next to the railway in Gazi (great food, super service) or The Egg of the Rooster, a beautiful space in Keramikos that has a friendly atmosphere and wonderful Greek dishes.
Shopped for gifts at: The Benaki Museum Shop, the first museum shop in Greece, has great high-quality Christmas gifts and is a dynamic cultural organisation; also Damigos Toys downtown where you can pick up traditional wooden toys.
Enjoyed a performance or concert at: Onassis Stegi has many options for music, dance, theatre, contemporary and digital art all year round—it’s one of the best cultural platforms in Europe.
Soaked up the atmosphere of: Home in Metaxourgio! My family, our new cat Hephaestus and our beautiful Christmas tree.
Gone for a walk around: The Acropolis. Somehow it’s even more inspiring at Christmas time.
Listened to: Sofia Labropoulou, a young Greek composer and soloist with a traditional and modern mix.
Argyris Papadimitropoulos
Filmmaker
It’s not Christmas in Athens until I’ve…
Gone for a cocktail at: Every Christmas, I go for a bar stroll downtown that usually includes Noel, S.i.x. Dogs, Seven Jokers and my favourite, Galaxy Bar, an old time Athens classic. When we're done with this stupid virus I'll hug and kiss all my friends in all these places and everywhere else.
Shopped for gifts at: I love going gift-shopping downtown. I will definitely buy something from my favourite clothes boutique Orfanidis in Kolokotroni street and we will usually have a wine or three with the owner Kostas and the amazing clerks.
Enjoyed a screening at: I particularly love going to the movies over the festive period. Danaos, Asty, Astor, Elli, are a few of my favourite classic cinemas in Athens.
Gone for a walk around: I prefer to avoid the downtown Christmas crowds and stay in my neighbourhood (Mets) and visit, sometimes more than once a day, my beloved Odeon. It’s been a Pangrati fixture since the late 80s, long before “vintage” became a thing.
Filmmaker Argyris Papadimitropoulos.
Photo: Pinelopi Gerasimou