Greece - Korina Miller [102]
All-day hang-out Magaze (Map; 210 324 3740; Eolou 33, Monastiraki) has Acropolis views from the pavement tables and becomes a lively bar after sunset.
Athens’ more established gay bars and clubs are located around Makrygianni, including the veteran Granazi (Map; 210 924 4185; Lembesi 20, Makrygianni) and the busy, three-level Lamda Club (Map; 210 942 4202; Lembesi 15, cnr Leoforos Syngrou, Makrygianni).
The cafe-bar-restaurant Mirovolos (Map; 210 522 8806; Giatrakou 12, Metaxourghio) is a popular lesbian haunt.
Limanakia, below the rocky coves near Varkiza, is a popular gay beach. Take the tram or A2/E2 express bus to Glyfada, then take bus 115 or 116 to the Limnakia B stop.
Check out www.athensinfoguide.com/gay or the limited English information at www.gay.gr, or look for a copy of the Greek Gay Guide booklet at periptera (street kiosks) around town.
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SOCCER
Greece’s top teams are Athens-based Panathinaikos and AEK, and Piraeus-based Olympiakos, all three of which are in the European Champions League.
Generally, tickets to major games can be bought on the day at the venue. Big games take place at the Olympic Stadium in Marousi and the Karaiskaki Stadium in Piraeus, the country’s best soccer stadium. Information on Greek soccer and fixtures can be found on club websites or www.greeksoccer.com. Some match tickets can be bought online at www.tickethour.gr.
BASKETBALL
The biggest basketball games in Athens take place at the Peace & Friendship Stadium (Map; 210 489 3000; Ethnarhou Makariou) in Palio Faliro.
Basketball receives little prematch publicity, so you’ll need to ask a local or check the website of the Hellenic Basketball Association (www.esa ke.gr).
ATHLETICS
The annual Athens Marathon (www.athensclassicmarathon.gr) is held on the first Sunday in November and finishes at the historic marble Panathenaic Stadium. More than 3000 runners from around the world tackle the 42km event, following the historic route run by Pheidippides in 490 BC from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens to deliver the news of victory against the Persians (before collapsing and dying from exhaustion).
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SHOPPING
Downtown Athens is one big bustling shopping hub, with an eclectic mix of stores and specialist shopping strips. The main central shopping street is Ermou, the pedestrian mall lined with mainstream fashion stores running from Syntagma to Monastiraki.
Top-brand international designers and jewellers are located around Syntagma, from the Attica department store past pedestrian Voukourestiou to the fashion boutiques of Kolonaki. Plaka and Monastiraki are rife with souvenir stores and streetwear. The big department stores are found on Stadiou, stretching from Syntagma to Omonia. Kifisia and Glyfada also have excellent high-end shopping opportunities.
Flea Markets
Athens’ traditional Monastiraki Flea Market (Map) has a festive atmosphere. The permanent antiques, furniture and collectables stores have plenty to sift through and are open all week, while the streets around the station and Adrianou fill with vendors selling mostly jewellery, handicrafts and bric-a-brac.
The big Sunday Flea Market (Map) takes place at the end of Ermou, towards Gazi, where traders peddle their stuff from the crack of dawn and you can find some bargains, interesting collectables and kitsch delights among the junk. This is the place to test your haggling skills. It winds up around 2pm.
Speciality Foods
You can find a delectable array of food at the colourful central market Click here.
Mesogaia (Map; 210 322 9146; cnr Nikis & Kydathineon, Plaka) This small shop boasts a wonderful array of the finest produce from around the country, including delicious cheeses, herbs, honey, jams, olive oil and wine.
To Pantopoleion (Map; 210 323 4612; Sofokleous 1, Omonia) This expansive store sells traditional food products from all over Greece,