Greece - Korina Miller [88]
Special KTEL buses to Epidavros (return €20) depart from bus terminal A Click here on Friday and Saturday, returning after the show. Τickets can be bought a day ahead at the ticket booth in the forecourt of the church of Agiou Konstantinou (Map).
You can also take a dinner cruise (adult/concession from €55/30) to a show at Ancient Epidavros Little Theatre or Epidavros. Coaches leave from Syntagma and Plateia Klafthmonos around 5pm. Ancient Epidavros Little Theatre is a short walk from the port, while the Epidavros ancient theatre is a 15-minute bus ride away. Supper is served on the return leg. Book through the festival box office.
Rockwave Festival
The annual international Rockwave Festival ( 210 882 0426; www.rockwavefestival.gr) has been growing in stature and popularity, and rock fans can expect to see some of the world’s top acts – the 2009 line-up ranged from Moby, Placebo and Mötley Crüe to local artist Konstantino Bita. Rockwave is held at Terra Vibe, a huge parkland venue on the outskirts of Athens in Malakassa, at the 37th kilometre on the Athens–Lamia Hwy. Tickets are available online from www.ticketpro.gr or from Ticket House (Map; 210 360 8366; www.tickethouse.gr; Panepistimiou 42, Syntagma). Special buses are organised and there is also a cheap camp site for ticketholders.
August Moon Festival
Every August on the night of the full moon, musical performances are held at key historic venues, including the Acropolis, the Roman Agora and other sites around Greece. Details are normally announced at the last minute.
Other Festivals & Events
A range of festivals and cultural events take place during summer at the Technopolis (Map; 210 346 7322; Gazi), the former gasworks complex turned cultural centre.
The six-day European Jazz Festival at the end of May/early June and the two-week International Dance Festival in July come under the auspices of the City of Athens ( 195; www.cityofathens.gr), which also organises free concerts and music and dance performances across the city.
The three-day international Synch Electronic Music & Digital Arts Festival ( 210 628 6287; www.synch.gr) is held in July at Technopolis and other venues around town. In June, European Music Day (www.musicday.gr) is a five-day affair with free concerts and events in various squares around town.
Greece’s leading artists and international acts can be seen during two summer festivals held at stunning venues in former quarries: the Vyronas Festival ( 210 760 9340; www.festival byrona.gr, in Greek) held at the Theatro Vrahon in the suburb of Vyronas; and the Petras Festival ( 210 506 5400; Petroupoli) in western Athens. Programs and tickets for both are available from Metropolis Music stores Click here, Public and ticket agencies (boxed text).
Summer concerts are also held at the Lykavittos Theatre and the Panathenaic Stadium.
The annual Athens International Film Festival ( 210 606 1413; www.aiff.gr) is held in September.
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SLEEPING
The standard of accommodation in Athens has continued to improve markedly since the 2004 Olympics. Prices have skyrocketed accordingly, but the level of service is not always in line with what you might expect.
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WHAT’S ON IN ATHENS
For comprehensive events listings in English, with links to online ticket sales points, try the following:
www.elculture.gr (arts and culture listings)
www.breathtakingathens.gr (Athens Tourism site)
www.tickethouse.gr (Rockwave and other festivals)
www.tickethour.com (also has sports matches)
www.ticketservices.gr (range of events)
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Athens is a noisy city that sleeps late, so we’ve mostly selected hotels in quiet areas, pedestrian precincts or side streets. Prices quoted here are for the high season, but most places offer considerable discounts, especially in the low season and online.
Most of the top city hotels are around Syntagma. Plaka is the most popular place for travellers and has a choice of accommodation across the price spectrum. There are also some good