Temperatures in Athens often soar well above 35ºC during July and August, which means many of its beaches are crowded during the summer months as locals and tourists try to beat the heat. Want to avoid the masses in favour of a hidden stretch of sand? Your best bet is to head further out – as a general rule of thumb, the further from the city centre you’re willing to travel the more deserted the sands you’ll discover.

In a recent decision by the City Council of Athens, Develop Athens S.A., the development agency of the City of Athens, has been officially designated as the Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) for the city. This development marks a key milestone for the city’s efforts in sustainable tourism management and paves the way for the advancement of the Sustainable Tourism Observatory.

Following a year of intensive work, the City of Athens has presented the findings of its Tourism Carrying Capacity Study. The study was carried out by Develop Athens S.A., in collaboration with the Department of Tourism Studies at the University of Piraeus and the technical office Gimisis + Associates.

Athens, a city celebrated for its ancient history and cultural significance, is poised to undergo a monumental transformation with its £4.8 billion plan to upgrade its metro system. Known for its bustling streets and iconic attractions, the Greek capital often faces severe traffic congestion, particularly on Sundays when residents return from weekend getaways. 

Solo existe una localidad en todo el mundo que ha sido testigo del nacimiento de la democracia como forma de gobierno, escenario de la Guerra del Peloponeso y sede de las míticas Olimpiadas en dos ocasiones. A menudo llamada la cuna de la cultura occidental, Atenas también ha visto sus calles llenarse de visitantes sorprendidos por su ecléctico paisaje urbano, compuesto por un fantástico patrimonio histórico, bares, restaurantes modernos, y cómodos hospedajes. 

It’s no secret that Athens is in the midst of a significant post-recession transformation, with new hotels, restaurants and even train routes popping up every year. So instead of treating it as a quick stop for ancient ruins and gyros before you head off to the islands, let the capital city and its burgeoning culinary and art scenes convince you to stay a while.

Athens has been named “World’s Leading Cultural City Destination 2024” at the World Travel Awards.

The award was presented during a glittering ceremony in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, on Sunday, 24 November.

The recognition highlights Athens’ growing prominence as a global cultural hub, reflecting its dynamic combination of ancient heritage and modern vibrancy. 

Chris Kontos has opened a natural wine bar in Athens. This is big news in the Greek capital, because whatever project Kontos undertakes is apparently a measure of where the city is heading, culturally speaking. His photography is partly responsible for shaping the image of “New Athens”: confusing, chaotic, magical. He is also the founder of Kennedy Magazine, a biannual journal sold from Tokyo to New York, a DJ and, as of October, the owner of Kennedy Vins, a wine and listening bar in the downtown area.