If you are in Athens and looking for some cool events to attend, you are in the right place, as we’ve rounded up the best of what’s on this weekend in the Greek capital.
Jimmy Carr | Terribly Funny 2.0
One of the most successful and distinguished stand-up comedians in the world, Jimmy Carr returns to Athens with his dark humor and outrageous jokes for a unique show. The award-winning comedian will present his latest stand-up comedy tour, “Terribly Funny 2.0,” with jokes about all kinds of “terrible” things that may have happened to you or people you know!
Le Presbyter | Ballet for Life Bejart Ballet Lausanne
Created in 1997 by the late great Maurice Béjart, this contemporary ballet is one of his most famous pieces that’s been performed. Paying tribute to three people who died too young – Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, composer Mozart and former Béjart Ballet principal dancer Jorge Donn – it’s set to the music of Queen and Mozart and features talented dancers in a ballet designed to express optimism and the hope that, as Mercury sang, the show must go on.
Entry: €25-€95
Date & Time: Saturday 25 November, 9 am, Sunday 26 November 5 am
Address: ATHENS MUSIC HALL – Vas. Sofias & Kokkali 1, Athens
Australian producer Mall Grab, one of the modern titans of the electronic music scene and the world’s most sought-after DJs, arrives in Athens and promises to rock the Greek capital, as only he knows how, as part of the EDEN parties at the Athens Conservatory. The party will kick off with high-energy producer I.Jordan, self-proclaimed “rising global nightlife queer icon” Chloe Caillet and Eden favourite Jay Jay.
Entry: €17-25
Date & Time: Sunday 26 November 2023, 4 pm-midnight
Constantinopoliad | Sister Sylvester – Nadah El Shazly
This unique presentation features a handmade book, read collectively by the audience inside a sound installation. A response to the archive of the poet Constantine Cavafy, the work is inspired by the blank and torn-out pages in “Constantinopoliad, an epic”, a journal that the teenage Cavafy began when he and his family fled Alexandria.
Entry: Free with entrance tickets
Date & Time: 25-26 November | Wednesday-Sunday 8.30pm
“The usefulness of the painter lies in the composition and formulation of the generally accepted mythology of his time,” was a key phrase in the life of Spyros Koukoulomatis. The famous painter with his strong vision influenced by expressionism and surrealism infused his creations with symbols from Greek mythology to underline contemporary social issues with a deep interest in human nature. “Retrospective” is the first exhibition organised in Athens, since the painter’s death in 1995, and it presents around a hundred works from his oeuvre. It’s a rare opportunity to admire his creations and to dive into his imaginary world.
Entry: Free
Date & Time: 25-26 November 2023, Tuesday-Friday 11 am-7 pm, Weekend 10 am-3 pm
Address: Melina Mercouri Cultural Center, 66 Heraklidon, Athens
From opera and baroque to ballet and string quartets- there are so many fabulous performances to catch this week in Athens, and we’ve rounded up a selection of the best ones that are not to be missed.
Les Éclairs – Philippe Hersant
The contemporary opera “Les Éclairs” is the Greek National Opera’s second co-production with the Opéra Comique (Paris), one of Europe’s most important opera houses. At this national premiere, and for three performances only –inside the Stavros Niarchos Hall at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center– Greek audiences will get the chance to discover the third opera to be written by the multi-award winning French composer Philippe Hersant, with a libretto by the internationally acclaimed French author Jean Echenoz. The opera is a musical journey through New York during the Industrial Revolution that traces the turbulent life of the ethnic Serb cosmopolitan dandy and “mad” scientist Nikola Tesla.
Entry: Ticket prices €10- €60
Date & Time: 16,19,21 November, 7.30 pm (Sunday 6.30 pm)
Αddress: Stavros Niarchos Hall of the Greek National Opera
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center Syggrou Avenue 364, Kallithea
With their fresh approach to tradition and open engagement with new forms, the renowned French string quartet Quatuor Ébène has successfully reached a wide audience of young listeners and conveyed their talent in regular master classes at the Paris Conservatoire. Their global tour is now coming to Athens where guests can enjoy jazz improvisation, Bartók, and Haydn. The foursome is a hit with both young and old audiences because of the energy in their performances and the spirit of tradition renewal that sets them apart.
Entry: €12 – €30
Date & Time: 16 November 2023, 8.30 pm
Address: The Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), 115 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens
Anthony Davis’ ground-breaking opera “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X” will be presented at the Met and broadcast as part of the MET HD LIVE program, live at the Concert Hall Athens. The new staging of Davis’ play, which premiered in 1986, is directed by the famous Tony nominee director Robert O’Hara. In this production, Malcolm ‒ one of the most important figures of the African-American civil rights movement, is presented as an everyday man whose story transcends space and time. In the lead role is baritone Will Liverman.
Entry: €8-€25
Date & Time: 18 November 2023, 7:55 pm
Address: The Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), 115 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens
The Baroque Music Festival returns to the GNO Alternative Stage and the historical hall of the Parnassos Literary Society – and is set to take audiences on a journey through the enchanting world of Baroque music. This year’s festival, curated by the prolific cellist Dimos Goudaroulis, includes four singular concerts revolving around the year 1723. It will feature concerts by distinguished artists (Lucile Boulanger, Dimos Gourdaroulis) who will enrich the colourful palette of baroque music with sonatas for violin, cello, basso, and gamba choosing sonatas by famous composers such as Tartini, Bach, and Caporale.
Entry: Ticket prices: €10-€15
Date & Time: 13,15,18, November, 8.30 at Parnassos Philological Association & 19 November, 7.30 pm at Alternative Stage of the National Opera – SNFCC
Address: Parnassos Philological Association (8 Agios Georgios Karytsis Square, Athens) & Alternative Stage of the National Opera – SNFCC, Syggrou Avenue 364, Kallithea
Swedish singer and producer, Molly Nillson is known for her magical melodies and touchingly clever lyrics that bring nostalgic pop, on a journey through life and death, with love and trouble. And now her stately approach to synth pop is coming to Athens where audiences can enjoy her swooping synth melodies and the grace of her vocals.
The Greek National Opera Ballet presents the modern dance triptych titled Colors – choreographed by Diego Tortelli, Eva Georgitsopoulou and Konstantinos Rigos. The performancefollows the successful presentation of the triptychs Human Behaviour and HumanNature on the GNO Alternative Stage and brings the ensemble’s dancers face to face with modern dance forms, mixed with the musical sensualism of late Romanticism.
Tucked into a gritty alley in the downtown Athens neighbourhood of Psyrri, sits Mona Athens boutique hotel: a sanctuary for the senses just moments away from buzzing Monastiraki Square.
The lowdown
Housed in a building from the 1950s that has been preserved with great love and creativity, Mona Athens is the ideal spot for those who seek a unique stay and want to be among the bustle of downtown Athens.
Details
The delicate details throughout Mona Athens are in contrast to the underground feel of its street-level surrounds. The plush yet industrial touches you see in the rooms and common spaces are custom, hand-made, or recycled from found materials and made by the hotel’s design studio House of Shila. Many of the items on display are also available for purchase.
Rooms
The hotel has 20 rooms of different sizes that each embody a raw sense of luxury in their own way. The openness of the rooms reflects the hotel’s philosophy of surrender and freedom. The bath area in particular, which includes a large bathtub, has an open design with sheer draping (heavy velvet curtains make for room separators when privacy is needed). Boasting comforts like raw cotton sheets and ultra-comfortable low, natural mattresses treated with olive oil, there’s also fresh coffee beans, loose-leaf tea and a minibar filled with gourmet Greek products making guests feel right at home. Room types include the Intimate, Velvet, Floret, Amour, Penthouse and Mona suites, sleeping 2-4 people.
Food + Drinks
The breakfast room on the ground level is a peaceful communal space that resembles an industrial living room surrounded by exquisite design pieces. The Levantine-inspired breakfast includes savoury and sweet options, such as eggs, a selection of mouthwatering spreads served with sourdough bread, yogurt bowl and pancakes. Your morning coffee and choice of food can also be enjoyed in the comfort of the rooms or on the rooftop. Also good to note, room service is available throughout the day.
Extrastouches
When Mona’s rooftop isn’t playing host to art and book launches or supper club events, it makes for a stylish spot to unwind while serving yourself from the Honest Bar which runs on an honour system. A selection of hand-picked natural wines is a highlight.
Mona’s reception and concierge services are accessed via a tablet placed in each room. Here, you can also find information about additional services that can be arranged for guests like personal training sessions, massage treatments and laundry services.
What’s close-by
Almost everything! Being a few minutes walk from Monastiraki Square means that you’ll be moments from the Monastiraki Flea Market, the historical district of Plaka and walking distance to the Acropolis, along with great bars, cafes and restaurants just a stone’s throw away. Also worth mentioning is the close proximity to the metro line that takes you to both the Airport and Piraeus port.
Highlight of stay
While there’s no shortage of accommodation options in downtown Athens, it’s the cool, considered details that make Mona Athens stand out from the pack.
Perfect for…
Trendy couples and 30 to 40-something travellers who want to indulge in a feeling of sensuality and comfort while in the heart of downtown Athens.
In the heart of the capital, but far from the hustle and bustle of urban living, you’ll find Benaki, one of Athens’ finest museums. Housed in a stunning neoclassical mansion, it’s located in the chic neighbourhood of Kolonaki.
On the second floor, is the recently renovated restaurant with an impeccable terrace overlooking the National Garden and the Panathenaic Stadium. A well-kept secret of the Greek capital, it combines modern and classic elements and is a wonderful place to visit all year round.
The renovated space offers a modern aesthetic, as well as a special touch – thanks to its collaboration with the Akrithakis Archive, which is behind the popular Fofi’s restaurant in Berlin. At Benaki Restaurant, you will now find unique works by legendary artist Alexis Akrithakis, alongside creative dishes that are influenced by local seasonal produce.
Signature dishes
The cuisine of Deipnosofistirion, with Executive Chef Dimitris Skarmoutsos at the helm, offers a fine culinary experience that includes zucchini julienne with shrimps marinated in mint and lemon thyme sauce, bites of dolmades accompanied by yogurt sauce, delicious homemade meatballs, and a mouthwatering lentils salad with Florina peppers, sun-dried tomato, fresh basil and aged vinegar.
My fave dishes
The risotto with truffle oil, fresh asparagus, lemon thyme, and mushrooms sprinkled with pieces of graviera cheese, the pappardelle with chicken, and the pastitsio with San Michalis Syros cheese, veal ragu and skioufihta (Cretan pasta).
Leave room for dessert?
Profiteroles filled with vanilla ice cream and bitter chocolate sauce, pavlova surrounded by strawberries and red fruit sauce, delicious lemon mousse with white cream chocolate, or otherwise a delicate namelaka flavoured with basil and fresh blueberries – are enough reasons to try something sweet from the menu.
Something to drink…
Savor an Adonis cocktail- a blend of fino sherry, aged sweet vermouth, orange bitters and a soft touch of wild lavender. The Hemingway is a twist on a classic daiquiri with Barbados aged rum, homemade grapefruit sherbet, and aromas from maraschino and fresh lime, while the Fiore di Ciliegio, is a French gin with aromas of sweet spices, lime essence, bitter almond and ginger topped with cherry blossom tonic.
Why I’d come back…
For the spectacular terrace (especially during sunset) overlooking the National Garden.
Perfect for…
A great spot to dine at any night of the week – whether it be for a date night, catching up with a group of friends, or after-work drinks.
Price range: About €25 per person
Opening hours: Open everyday apart from Tuesday | 10 am – 1 am
November keeps getting better and better thanks to some amazing cultural events taking place around Athens.
From the cool Athens’ Bar Week to the popular Authentic Marathon- there’s such a great variety- and we’ve rounded up some of our favourites right here for you.
Αthens’ Bar Week 2023
Some of the world’s best bars are taking over the city of Athens this week- with unique parties, events, and fine entertainment experiences for everyone over 18. It’s thanks to The Athens Bar Show, an annual educational expo for bar and hospitality professionals, which will take place on November 7 and 8 at the Technopolis of Athens. And from Monday, November 6th to Thursday, November 9th, the world’s best bars are teaming up with the Athenian bar scene to transform the city into a cocktail lovers’ paradise! Bar take-overs, pop-up bars, fine-dining tours, and masterclasses, are some events that will be held as part of Athens Bar Week. Taking place all over the city, this includes The Great Tuesday Club takeover at Avra FS Athens, which promises 16 cocktails that will travel you to 6 cities!
Canadian cellist and composer Julia Kent and composer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Telemachos Mousas join forces for a one-off performance at the Athens Conservatory. Kent, a member of Anthony & the Johnsons, creates magical sounds using live looping and real-time sound processing on cello and electronics. Her compositions have also graced films, television, dance and theater performances, and has released six personal albums. At this unforgettable music night, she will be accompanied by Telemachos Mousas, known for his award-winning compositions that are a combination of speech, poetry, classical music, jazz, and electro-acoustic techniques.
Address: Ioannis Despotopoulos Amphitheater, Athens Conservatory, Rigillis & Vasileos Georgiou II 17-19, Αthens
Spyros Louis Cup Tour
Α truly unique opportunity to admire and learn the story about one of the most important items in the history of world sport. Designed by Michel Bréal for the champion of the first Marathon race – the Greek runner Spyros Louis – the Silver Cup was awarded at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. Give yourself the chance to learn more about the first Marathon race and the Cup’s historical significance in a free tour offered by the SNFCC (with tours offered in English).
The amazing performance tribute to the great Leonard Cohen is finally coming to Athens! Dance Me – Music by Leonard Cohen is an exclusive creation inspired by the rich and profound work of Montréal-based poet, artist and songwriter, Leonard Cohen. Approved by Cohen while still alive, this amazing homage to the famed artist evokes the grand cycles of existence, as described in Cohen’s deeply reflective music and poems. Three internationally renowned choreographers were entrusted with putting movement to Cohen’s legendary songs: Andonis Foniadakis, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Ihsan Rustem. Their powerful and profound choreographic world reflective of Cohen’s singular work is brought to life by Ballets Jazz Montréal’s 14 artists and the strong, bold dramaturgy of Eric Jean.
Athens hosts its 40th Classic Marathon this weekend. A popular event recognised as the world’s original modern marathon, it attracts thousands of participants and spectators from around the globe. According to the organisers, the Athens Marathon allows runners the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Greek soldier Pheidippides who first ran the 42 km route from the battlefield of Marathon Beach to Athens in 490 BC. Tip: for the non-runners, you may still enjoy this popular event by going to the Panathenaic Stadium and catching the atmosphere. Pro tip: bring something soft to sit on.
We are officially in the heart of autumn and the first week of November is bringing with it some exciting events taking place throughout different venues – including musical stages, galleries and theatres all across Athens- and we’ve rounded up the ones you don’t want to miss.
Modern Love Exhibition
How does flirting in the age of social media and online dating apps work? Can love blossom in the “mind” of a robot or the wreckage of a lost life? Are intimacy and tenderness measurable quantities? The exhibition of the National Museum of Contemporary Art entitled “Modern Love: The Love in the Years of Cold Intimacy” raises all these questions and more. This popular project is the result of a fruitful collaboration between 24 artists and the artistic director of the museum, Katerina Gregou.
Entry: €8
Date & Time: 1-5 November, Tuesday-Sunday 11 am-7 pm
Address: Kallirois Ave. & Amvr. Frantzi Street, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens
T: +30 211 101 9000
“Witches of Salem”
Arthur Miller’s fascinating theatrical allegory will be broadcast at Athens Concert Hall, straight from the Olivier Stage of London’s National Theater. Lindsey Turner directs the new, contemporary production of the great American author’s masterpiece, with Erin Doherty and Brendan Cowell in the leading roles. Miller’s play “The Salem Witches” is based on true events that occurred in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, which resulted in the hanging of twenty innocent people.
Entry: Ticket prices: €8 – €15
Date & Time: 2 November, 8 pm
Address: The Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), 115 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens,
Νo need to head to the far East to discover the next generation of Hong Kong artistic talents, as the Phoenix Athens Gallery is presenting them in its latest exhibition, right in the heart of Athens. “Some Shreds: Happening at the Edge” is a cool group exhibition showcasing artworks of several artistic media including visual art, video installations, choreography, and live music performances.
Entry: Free
Date & Time: 1-3 November, Monday-Friday 7-11 pm, weekends by appointment
Sotiropoulos Art Gallery opens the autumn artistic season with the group exhibition of paintings entitled “Morfes” (forms). Curated by Fotis Sotiropoulos (gallery manager), it’s part of the gallery’s new initiative “NEW EYES | Contemporary, young creators”, which aims to promote a range of new artists. The focus of this exhibition is the human form through the conversation of five contemporary visual artists. Realism, expressionist writing and the abstract mood coexist fruitfully in this project, allowing the audience to appreciate the varied approaches each artist has taken to representing the human form.
The Athens English Comedy Club is back and better than ever! Founded in 2019, this club is the only place in Athens where performances are all in English. Whether you’re a seasoned comedian or just looking for a good laugh, you can join if you are looking for a night of live comedy- just make sure to bring your best punch line!
Entry: €10- €17
Date & Time: 1-5 November, 8:40 pm
Address: Eliart Theater, 127 Konstantinopoleos, Gazi
Samara Joy’s career took off when she won the Sarah Vaughn International Jazz Singing Competition in 2019. Since then, the international press has idolized the American diva for her rich voice and velvet vocal timbre. Being named a worthy successor to Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, Samara was also awarded two Grammys in 2023, in the categories of Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album. This is a concert you don’t want to miss if you love jazz music!
Entry: €14- €35
Date & Time: 5 November, 8:30 pm
Address: The Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), 115 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens,
We’ve compiled a list of the best street food in Athens – perfect for when you just want a quick bite!
With so much to see and experience, Athens is a great city for walking and exploring on-the-go. Avoid falling into a calorie deficit by sampling some of the capital’s finest street food in and around the centre of the city.
Kostas
Souvlaki for the super fans: Here you’ll get downtown Athens’ tastiest souvlaki and a piece of history, as Kostas has been part of the city’s street food story since 1946. Pork souvlakia are grilled in front of you and their famed beef patties are fermented every morning and shaped to order. Served with their signature tomato-based sauce and topped with onion, parsley and tomato cut fresh on the spot to secure its juices.
A: Agia Irini 2, Monastiraki
Elvis
Iconic Kalamakia: At this legendary souvlaki spot, pork kalamakia are grilled on the coals while customers patiently wait because they know they won’t be disappointed. Usually accompanied by thinly sliced potatoes and baked bread.
A: 29 Plataion, Kerameikos
Feyrouz
Heartwarming Levantine fare: Established in 2014,Feyrouz is family-owned and operated and serves beautifully prepared Levantine street food. Their Lahmajoun, Peinirli and soups of the day (including plenty of vegetarian options) have made them a staple in the Athenian street food scene.
A: Agathonos 2 & Karori 23, Monastiraki
Borghese
Deli-style sandwiches: An Italian deli in the heart of Pangrati, Borghese focuses on sandwiches with sourdough bread and selected cheeses and cold cuts. We love the classic combinations like mortadella with peanuts, rocket, pecorino Romano and mayonnaise, as well as originals like the sandwich with fennel salami, ricotta, pickled onion and figs.
A: Archelaou 19, Pangrati
Achilleas
Possibly the best gyros in Athens: 8 out of 10 Athenians will probably tell you that this is the best gyro in Athens, and we like those odds. Achilleas has been serving up fresh and hot souvlaki with juicy and peppery pork gyro since 1987. The Gyros is made every day in the shop’s workshop and served wrapped in fresh oiled pita with onion-parsley, tomato and their own tzatziki. Open Monday-Friday and closes when sold out, usually by 8 or 9 in the evening.
A: 18 Spintharou, Neos Kosmos
Ktistakis
Loukoumades since 1912: These Loukoumades have stood the test of time and still remain a favourite among Athenians. The loukoumades here are crunchy, bite-sized and release syrup into your mouth when you bite into them. Best topped with a little sesame.
A: Sokratous 59, Omonia
Choureal
Dreamy profiterol: If you’re a fan of the profiterol dessert served in a bowl, this is the place for you. Freshly baked choux pastry is enveloped in velvety Madagascar vanilla cream patisserie and toppings of your choice. The perfect sugar hit while shopping with the masses on Ermou Street.
A: Diomeias 2 & Ermou 18, Syntagma
Crust
Pizza by the slice: Good, American-style pizza by the slice for those late nights in the Athenian inner-city precinct of Psyrri. Hint: ask them if there are any upcoming events on in their underground basement club.
A: Protogenous 13, Monastiraki
Hoocut
Souvlaki with a gourmet touch: A fabulous twist on the common souvlaki, made with pita bread that is opened on the spot from fresh, homemade dough, carefully prepared meat cooked briefly over the fire for maximum juiciness. Don’t forget to order the hand-cut potatoes.
A: Agias Irinis 9, Athens
Django
Divinely Greek gelato with a view: Bypass the tourist traps and follow your stroll through the Acropolis with a stop at Django in the Koukaki neighbourhood. Originally from the island of Syros, the team at Django lovingly makes natural ice cream, without preservatives and additives. Made and consumed daily.
A: Veikou 15, Koukaki
Marketta
Fresh sandwiches and salads: Simple ingredients thoughtfully combined to make amazingly fresh and tasty salads and sandwiches. Try the Chicken Salad with grapefruit and grated pecorino or the Guilty Pleasure with chicken schnitzel fried in clarified butter, spicy endive and ground caper mayonnaise, on a handmade focaccia. All homemade, all delicious.
A: Lekka 10, Syntagma
Tyco
Cocktails in-hand: If one good thing came out of the quarantine of 2020 (and 2021) it was the concept of takeaway cocktails. Located in the center of Athens, Tyco is continuing its tradition, offering refreshing cocktails served in plastic cups to add some extra fun to your Athenian strolls. Sample their signature cocktails like Meloncholia and Peach Don’t Kill My Vibe.
On the lookout for the best things to do in Athens this week, with the perfect autumn weather behind you? The capital has heaps of amazing events, exhibitions, films, and live music for you to add to this week’s calendar and we’ve rounded up some of our favourites right here for you!
Yilian Cañizares Concert
The impressive Cuban violinist, singer, and composer who has gained worldwide fame over the last decade thanks to her unique talent, will be making her debut performance for the first time in Greece! Cañizares’ music, with its Cuban identity, combines jazz, classical, and Afro-Cuban rhythms always has her audience up and dancing. And over the next few days, she will be performing live at Mets, behind the Panathenaic stadium.
For four days, the Technopolis will become a networking hub for international artistic groups, while also giving Athens’ art-loving public an opportunity to get up close to the freshest contemporary artistic creations from around the world. This year’s independent art fair includes 56 artistic platforms from 24 countries – and more than 900 artists in total! For the first time, the exhibition will also include other artistic forms such as theatre, music, architecture, and design.
Entry: Free
Date & Time: 26-28 October 2023, Thursday 6 pm-10 pm, Friday-Sunday 12 pm-9 pm
Address: Peiraios 100, Athens, cultural venue of “Technopolis”
Known for her magical voice, Imany, whose hits include “Don’t Be So Shy” and “You Will Never Know,” will be on stage at the Christmas Theater on October 25. Performing “Voodoo Cello”, which is based on her latest album with the same title- audiences will be able to experience Imany’s earthy vocals, as well as 8 cellos accompanying her, while they perform a series of pop-jazz music hits ranging from Nina Simone to Radiohead, Cat Stevens, and Donna Summer.
The “Save The Water” photography exhibition taking place at TAF in Monastiraki this week, aims to communicate the danger posed by the effects of climate change. With concerns about the sustainability of the planet multiplying and the threat of dehydration, as well as water pollution, in general, being a vital issue – the organisers underline that “Art has a duty to transmit messages that awaken actions in order to save the planet”.
Curated by Irini Solomonidi, the Gennadius Library is bringing to light a selection of rare materials from the 300 editions of Homer. Unique treasures including the first edition of the Iliad and the Odyssey in 1488 Florence by the famous Greek scholar Dimitrios Chalkokondylis, as well as the earliest paraphrase of the Iliad in modern Greek by Nikolaos Loucanis printed in Venice in 1526, will be displayed next to English, French, Italian and Spanish translations – showcasing the wide reinterpretation of the Homeric text.
Entry: Free
Date & Time: 23-23 October 2023, Monday-Wednesday 5 pm
Address: 61 Souidias, Athens
Cinema Fest Day
Cinema Fest Day is back for a second consecutive year! On October 26th, all cinemas nationwide will offer a reduced € 2 admittance for both matinees and evening shows. This event is organised by film distributors and is sure to be a day full of movie marathons, popcorn, and soda. Mark your calendars and head to your nearest theatre to catch the latest flicks, while also showing support for the film industry.
October may be coming to an end, but the fabulous events taking place this month keep coming. We’ve rounded up the best festivals and concerts taking place in Athens this week that you shouldn’t miss!
Jordi Savall Concert
Jordi Savall and his orchestra are bringing back the magic of viols, the lesser-known relative of the violin family, with their upcoming performance at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), Savall’s orchestra. They will be joined by the women’s section of the National Choir of Catalonia and the program features two important symphonic compositions by Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A major, Opus 90, known as the “Italian,” and Ein Sommernachstraum (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Don’t miss the chance to experience the beauty of viols and enjoy a night of exquisite music.
Entry: €12-65
Date & Time: 16 October 2023, 8.30 pm
Address: The Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), 115 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens
Don’t miss the chance to witness a musical genius in action! Lubomyr Melnyk, the Ukrainian pianist and creator of “continuous music,” will showcase his incredible ability to play up to 19 notes per second with each hand, at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron). With over 120 solo and double piano compositions, Melnyk’s music is transcendent and captures his audience with every note.
For the first time, an exhibition will be held on the premises of the most famous textile industry in Greece, named Petalouda (butterfly). A project curated by Kostas Prapoglou, here forty-one visual artists (such as Eozen Agopian, Klitsa Antoniou, Orit Ben Shitrit, Robert Cahen, Irene Carvajal, Susan Daboll, Lydia Dabassina, Maria Loizidou, Despina Meimaroglou, Nikos Tranos) rise though their work with social issues related to Greek industrial history and the role of women, the meditative dimension of manual labor and the interconnectedness of events- via installations, videos, sculptures, soundscapes, and paintings.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of this popular event that will take place in the area extending from Karaiskaki and Vathi Squares to Larissa Station- where several streets are named after 19th-century French dignitaries. A beloved celebration of Athenian culture, visitors will be able to see more than 500 artists, creatives and intellectuals participate, throughout selected venues (theatres, music stages, galleries, squares, pedestrian streets, conservatories, schools, neoclassical-historical buildings, hotels and other alternative spaces) in events ranging from music concerts to art galleries. This year’s theme “Love in the arts”, will see all works inspired by amour.
Pink Floyd Tribute band, Echoes, is one of the best tribute bands worldwide and continue to carry with it the rich legacy of a band known as one of the greatest of all time. Echoes have collaborated so far with famous musicians such as Michael Sadler, Midge Ure and Geoff Tate and in this live performance they will take their audience on a big emotional journey with classic tracks from the “Best of Pink Floyd” and a setlist that also includes some of their almost unknown works.
Passenger, the performer, and composer of “Let Her Go”, one of the biggest hit singles of the 21st century, will be in Athens for his first concert in Greece. The memorable British singer/songwriter whose song has made YouTube history, with over 3.3 billion views – continues to enjoy worldwide appeal. In total, Passenger has released 14 albums, with 8 of them entering the top 40 of the UK charts. And in his first appearance in Athens, Passenger promises an unforgettable performance with his folk-rock melodies.
The largest wine and art festival in Greece returns this weekend, at the School of Fine Arts in Athens, with an impressive list of wineries and artworks from Athens School of Fine Arts. You will have the opportunity to taste more than 500 wines from 65 Boutique Wineries as well as take part in a range of workshops, and seminars and enjoy performances and music played by local DJs.
Entry:€12
Date: 21 October 2023 – 22 October 2023
Address: Athens School of Fine Arts, 256 Pireos, Agios Ioannis Rentis
The first tree leaves may be falling and the weather may be getting colder – but Athens’ cultural scene is on fire! The first week of October finds the capital with plenty of great events taking place and we’ve rounded them all up for you.
Book as Art
Exciting news for art lovers in Athens! The Gramma Epsilon Gallery is hosting the Books as Art exhibition, curated by Paolo Cortese and supported by the Italian Institute of Culture. Featuring works by over 30 international artists, this group exhibition challenges our perception of what a “book” can be. Don’t miss the chance to see works dating back to the 1960s alongside contemporary pieces- from conceptual to fibre art, the three-dimensional pieces on display explore the diverse possibilities of books as a means of artistic expression.
This radical VR installation by Loukia Alavanou, who represented Greece at the 59th Venice Art Biennale, will be shown for the first time at Onassis Stegi. A 15-minute film, shot with 360° VR technology and members of the Roma community from Nea Zoi in Aspropyrgos of Western Attica, in the roles of a cast of actors who follow in the traces of Oedipus. As the creator underlines, this installation aims to evoke questions around the themes of aging and death, human dignity and universal freedom, immigration, displacement, minorities, racism, and human rights.
Entry: 8 €
Date & Time: 11-30 October 2023, Wednesday-Sunday 6 pm-11 pm
“Pytheas Travels” is a staged audiovisual simulation highlighting the experience of being on a passenger ship, travelling from the Mediterranean to the seas of Scandinavia. It is a maritime story, a fictional journey and a critical look at the mass tourism industry and its effects on environmental, cultural and social structures. Accompanied by music from pioneering Norwegian composer and performer Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje, it’s inspired by the historical journey of Pytheas, who in 325 BC sailed north from Marseilles to a place he called Ultima Thule, the mythical island, to reach the “frozen seas.”
Entry: 5-24 €
Date & Time: 13-15 October 2023, Friday-Sunday 8.30 pm
This year’s 100th anniversary of the birth of the greatest Greek soprano of all time is just one more reason to fill Athens with dedicated events in her honour. At the Olympia Municipal Theater- where Maria Callas started her career back in 1944 – the famous opera “I Puritani”, a performance that marked her rise to stardom will be performed this week. The special event is presented by the City of Athens Choir, the Athens State Orchestra, and the stunning soprano Christina Poulitsi and American tenor John Osborn are found in the leading roles.
Αddress: Olympia Municipal Music Theater Maria Callas, 59 Akadimias Historic Center
Meet Market
If you love searching for special items to decorate your home, or love accessories for yourself or as special gifts – we’ve found a great place for you to visit during your stay in Athens. The Meet Market is a nomadic spot filled with innovation and creativity- featuring locally made clothes, jewelry, accessories, care & wellness products, art & decor, baby items, delicious treats, vintage collectibles, street food – plus a bunch of interactive games, DJ sets & good vibes.
Entry: Free
Date & Time: 14-15 October 2023, 12 am to 12 pm
Address: Peiraios 100, Athens, cultural venue of “Technopolis”
If you would like to taste some of the finest cocktails – created by Athens’ leading mixologists from some of the best bars in the Greek capital – head to Kypseli Municipal Market this weekend. The cool event is the brainchild of George Apergis, founder of local electronic music collective Modular Expansion, so you can rest assured there will be plenty of great tunes to listen to as you sip on your favourite drink.
Tickets:Free admission
Date: 14 October 2023
Time:3 pm – 11.30 pm
Address: Kypseli Municipal Market, 42 Fokionos Negri, Kypseli
Discover the best events taking place in Athens during the month of October.
As autumn sets in, Athens comes alive with a variety of cultural events to relish. From open-air music concerts under the starry sky to marvelous art exhibitions and festivals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Embrace the season and immerse yourself in the cultural richness with our top picks for this month.
Vegan Life Festival Athens 2023
Europe’s most popular vegan festival is back! Since 2016, Vegan Life Festival has been drawing crowds from all over the continent. With two days packed with exciting stuff- you’ll have the opportunity to attend hands-on cooking workshops, insightful panels, a vegan products bazaar, live music, and even a speed dating event for a chance to make some new pals who share your passion for cruelty-free eats. But Vegan Life Festival isn’t just about having a good time – the organisation also has a strong focus on animal rights and initiatives that collect food for those in need.
Entry: Free
Date & Time: 1 October, 11 am- 11pm
Αddress: Peiraios 100, Athens, cultural venue of “Technopolis”
“Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead”
This theatrical play is part crime, part thriller and part comedy. The new production of the iconic Complicité theatre group is based on the multi-translated novel by Nobel Prize for Literature laureate Olga Tokarczuk. Created and directed by Simon McBurney, it questions why is the killing of animals a sport and a hobby and that of humans a murder. A thought-provoking, wry, and otherworldly murder mystery tale about the cosmos, poetry, and the limitations and possibilities of activism has audiences captivated. The performance is in English with Greek surtitles.
For the talented Seong-Jin Cho, winning the XVII International Chopin Piano Competition most important piano competition in the world – was just the springboard to begin his brilliant career, gaining global fame and becoming the first pianist from his country to do so. The South Korean classical pianist begins another new season at the Athens Concert Hall for a highly acclaimed solo recital that is dominated by two benchmark works of the piano repertoire: Ravel’s imposing Miroirs and Liszt’s explosive Dante Fantasia.
The Greek National Opera is bringing back one of the most outstanding productions to have graced its stage in recent years. Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, an iconic opera of the 20th century and a breathtaking Dmitri Shostakovich masterpiece– is returning to the Stavros Niarchos Hall this month. Conducting is Fabrizio Ventura, while the production’s staging is by Fanny Ardant, working with an all-star international creative team. This timeless masterpiece distinctly sets itself apart as it tackles the place of women within pre-revolutionary rural Russia and captures the audience from start to finish.
Homecoming | Cycladic treasures on their return journey
The highly anticipated exhibition “Homecoming. Cycladic treasures on their return journey” will include a display of 15 antiquities for the first time worldwide. Presented by the Museum of Cycladic Art in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports and this is the first step of the historic agreement between the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Museum of Cycladic Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (The Met), that foresees the gradual return to Greece of 161 Early Cycladic antiquities of the unique archaeological value of the American collector Leonard Stern. Following this, the entire collection will be exhibited at The Met, before the final return of the entirety of these antiquities to Greece.
Cleo Anderson, a luxury travel expert, and the Principal and Founder of multi-award-winning PR agency The Anderson Group, recently landed her own travel show with LUXE.TV.
In less than a year since its premiere, the talented media personality has already won ‘Broadcast Media Host and Producer of the Year 2023’ for ‘Wanderluxe with Cleo Anderson’ at the Influential Businesswoman Awards.
From carefully sourcing the finest stays in the world – to place inside each impressive Oscar nominee gift bag, to finding unique ways to launch new products for high-end brands – no two days are the same for Cleo, who loves travelling the world and sharing her 5-star experiences.
We recently had a chat with Cleo about luxury travel, her time filming LUXE.TV in Athens, as well as her favourite getaways. Read on to discover more.
What have been some of your career highlights so far?
I feel that anyone who builds something of their own and sustains that over some time has managed to do something that many do not, so for me that is an overarching accomplishment. Lately, there have also been some really exciting highlights, including being hailed a luxury travel expert in Forbes in 2020, which was fantastic. Early on in my PR career, landing the UK contract to do the PR for Monte Carlo SBM’s 150th Anniversary was a career highlight, as they are such a revered brand in the hotel world. Being crowned the Luxury Travel Curator for The Oscar Nominee gift bag has been great, too, but landing my travel show with LUXE.TV – ‘Wanderluxe with Cleo Anderson’ – has been the pinnacle of my career to date and is a dream job – it’s something I have wanted to do for a while.
As owner of an award-winning luxury PR agency, what do you enjoy most about your work?
I love the variety in terms of the types of clients we work with; working with luxury hotels, I will often visit and stay to get a feel for what they have to offer. I have visited a myriad of places like Cambodia, Bali, Turkey, Vietnam, and Monaco on client visits, which has been great. We also work with some gorgeous luxury products; recently we worked with a standout luxury olive oil made in Greece, which we did a fantastic global PR campaign for. Whether it be working on a campaign for gourmet vegan chocolates or a boutique hotel in some remote place, no two days are the same, so it’s never boring.
When did your passion for travel begin?
In the early days, it was a trip I did with a group of friends and my sister – we went to Miami’s South Beach. That was my first transatlantic girl’s trip and that piqued my interest in world travel. Shortly after that, I went to Thailand with another group of friends, and it became a habit to visit new places when I was able. Once I started, I realised that I was born to travel the world.
In the year 2023, how would you define “Luxury Travel”?
People are travelling more than ever after being grounded for so long, and I believe that luxury travel is about the individualised, bespoke travel itinerary. For me, that’s what 2023 travel is all about following the pandemic.
What type of travel experiences do you think people are currently searching for?
I feel that it has given people a new perspective on life, and I think that people are looking to tick off their big bucket list trips. People want to live their lives more fully than before.
What have been a few standout hotels you’ve recently visited?
We work with a company in Germany that converts lighthouses into luxury boutique hotels – one such hotel in the Canary Islands, Spain is Faro Cumplida. That stay was fantastic, and the location is great. Al Sahel by Anantara in Abu Dhabi was also an enjoyable stay; Anantara is one of my favourite hotel brands, and Al Sahel, in particular, is a nature lover’s dream. The dwellings have a ‘glamping’ feel – luxury on the inside, with a gorgeous setting and a much-needed plunge pool for the heat. I have memories of sitting on the patio with my morning coffee and watching the wildlife -deer, peacocks, and more – stroll past me completely unfazed. It was beautiful.
On the Athenian Riviera, Dolce by Wyndham in Vravrona was a pleasant find. It’s a delightful family resort, but many people don’t know that it also has a handful of private villas with your own private butler, private pool and stunning sea views. I stayed there during filming, and we feature the villa on the show. It was a gorgeous stay. I also love the Four Seasons Astir Palace.
One of your most memorable getaways?
I remember a stay at a hotel called Argos in Cappadocia; the location is like nowhere else on earth. The terrain is out of this world, and the landscape is incredible. In the mornings you can watch scores of hot air balloons rise into the sky and I loved going up in a hot air balloon myself one morning, with a champagne and strawberries breakfast laid out once we landed. It is a unique place and a must-see for anyone who loves travel.
Tell us more about your new travel series ‘Wanderluxe With Cleo Anderson’.
It’s a brand-new luxury travel show that premiered on LUXE.TV earlier this year, with 462 million subscribers in 65 countries. Each episode features different ways to enjoy luxury, from exclusive hotels and resorts to unique experiences in each location. The show is available to watch in Greece on Cosmote TV and Vodafone, as well as other channels. The cinematography is beautiful, and it’s a dream to film.
Your first series is based in Athens. Can you share some of your favourite experiences filming in the Greek capital?
We feature several gorgeous places, including a penthouse with Acropolis views. It was beautiful to wake up to that historical view in the morning after filming – I never get tired of it. Walking around Plaka and filming there was stunning; the Greek people were really hospitable and interested in what we were doing, so it was fun. We also enjoyed going out to sea – we wanted to highlight the things that people don’t seem to know about both Greece and Athens; being in Greece is not just about visiting the islands – the Athens Riviera also has a lot to offer and it’s so close to the city centre.
What are a few of your favourite Greek islands?
Visually, Santorini for me is the most elegant and beautiful island. I also enjoyed Mykonos – walks around the island are just lovely. In my teen years, I would visit Skiathos and Rhodes with my sister each year, so I’ve been coming to Greece for some time and know it pretty well. There are always more places to explore, which is what I love about Greece.
What do you always pack with you when travelling?
I always have my laptop so that I can keep up with work – it’s my portable office. A good face and body moisturiser is a must and is always in my bag. My portable speaker by Bose goes everywhere with me, especially if I’m going to be poolside. Vaseline for my lips is essential – the small tins with cocoa butter are perfect. I also switched from sugar to Stevia last year, so I always keep liquid Stevia in my bag for my coffee in the morning. When travelling I also make sure I have a chic bathing suit or two with me – in Athens, I really enjoyed swimming in the sea.
Finally, if you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
St Barth’s had been on my bucket list for so long and that’s where one of the next episodes was filmed. As I’m half Caribbean, I feel right at home there!
