Newsletter March 2023

This is normally the part where you would read something like "as we leave the frosty winter weather behind us." But this is Athens, so we don't really do difficult. Come March, outdoor life returns to the city for good and you'll notice Athenians basking in the sun at every chance they get. Join in, by all means, but follow our example and put on some sunscreen, as the playful March sun can often be deceitful. We even have tons of sayings about that.

Spring also calls for nurturing, and in our parts this always means both body and mind. Discover the city's best third-wave bakeries run by a new generation of bakers and pastry chefs who are set on making Athens great in bread. Nourish your soul with a visit to the National Gallery without stressing about whether you'll manage to take it all in with a curated walk we’ve planned out just for you. Or, take part in the weekend celebrations for Independence Day and get a side of history with your bakaliaro skordalia. Best of all, you get to do everything on a budget.

From Italian know-how, to buttery French love affairs and environmentally conscious pastry shops, all of which use the finest of Greek ingredients, this is where you can track down some of the best new age bakeries in Athens.
We're great in bread

Finding the time to go through the full collection of the National Gallery during your visit is not an easy task. Follow us for a crash course in modern Greek art and stop to admire some of the highlights of the country's most important collection, all done in the company of the gallery’s curator.
Making it meaningful

You don't have to break the bank to have a lavish time in Athens. From free entrance days to the city's (and the world's) greatest monuments to outdoor street parties, vintage shopping and take-away cocktails, here's how to make the most of your visit on a shoestring.
Athens at a bargain

• Re-caffeinate with a side-order of culture at Athens’ prettiest museum cafés;
• Head out with the family down to the glitzy marina of Palio Faliro, dotted with waterfront cafés, restaurants, parks and play areas for your young ones;
• Get on two wheels and cycle past scenic and historic sights on an exhilarating Athens bike ride.

4th Athens Fashion Film Festival | 14-16 March
Is it art-istic or art-ificial? The genre-bending festival returns to the state-of-the-art venue of the Athens Conservatory and asks the big questions around AI and creativity.
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The Wall of Sound | 18 March
The world famous techno event lands in Athens for the first time in a brand new industrial giga-space in the area of Egaleo. Oldschool rules apply: no cellphones allowed.
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Athens Half Marathon | 19 March
The favourite spring sporting event returns to the heart of the city. Ideal for both seasoned and novice runners, it includes for the first time a Family Run (more like a fun stroll, but still!)
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Jazz Chronicles at the SNFCC | 19 March
Combine your visit to Athens' magnificent cultural landmark with a ticket to an intimate contemporary jazz gig with a panoramic view of the city.
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Greek Independence Day | 25 March
Join the flag-waving crowds in the Historic Centre as hundreds of Athenian families turn out to commemorate the Greek War of Independence. Watch the grand military parade that starts at Syntagma Square and ends at Omonia Square and afterwards make sure to follow the unmistakable aroma of frying fish for a delicious traditional serving of bakaliaro skordalia.
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