The Athens Coffee Festival is a large celebration of coffee and its surrounding culture, addressed equally to industry professionals, home baristas and the general public!

From its very first iteration, in May 2016, the Athens Coffee Festival managed to become one of the world’s finest coffee festivals! The potential of its dynamic is also confirmed by the impressive number of visitors, the statements of satisfaction by participating companies, as well as the positive comments by sector professionals from Greece and abroad. At a time when the coffee market is at the height of its growth, going through its most mature phase, the Athens Coffee Festival is now a reference point for professionals, but also for the general public, interested in learning about all the innovations and market developments, from flagship espresso houses and distinguished Greek and international specialty coffee roasters.

In order to meet the needs of coffee businesses more effectively, the Athens Coffee Festival takes place every year at the end of September, in view of the winter season. This year, Technopolis-Athens, in Gazi, will host the 5th Athens Coffee Festival in September 2021. The aim is to attract as many sector professionals as possible, from every corner of Greece, along with a selection of major international visitors. At the same time, the festival continues to appeal to the dynamic audience of consumers who are coffee aficionados and are interested in the latest trends and developments in the field of coffee.

This is the established annual appointment of book lovers that this year started on September 3. With the exception of last year’s postponement due to the pandemic, the Zappeion Book Festival is the first autumn cultural festival for the capital. This year, it will last until September 19, 2021.

This year’s Festival tribute will focus on the 200 years since the Greek Revolution and will include related discussions, speeches, round tables and other events, in addition to the thousands of books that will be available to visitors. In fact, an interesting fact is that the poster and the cover of the catalog of the 49th event adorn one of the works of the important Greek painter Christos Antonaropoulos.

Monday-Thursday: 18: 00-22: 30

Friday & Saturday: 18: 00-23: 00

Who hasn’t been asking themselves the big questions about the lives we’re leading these days? Prestige publishing powerhouse Monocle has. And it reckons its global subscriber community of movers and shakers is doing it too.

Monocle founder Tyler Brule (the former Wallpaper magazine chief) is bringing a core team of his editors to Athens in late September to host a three-day symposium that’s pitched as a life audit to help us learn how to hone our quality of life: whether on a personal level; as a company - or entire home town.

The 6th Quality of Life Conference will bring together more than 25 speakers (from newspaper editors and comedians to neurosurgeons and fashion entrepreneurs) for an in-depth probe into the projects, people and best practices that are helping to create dynamic cities around the globe. The roving programme covers everything from cancel culture and how to dress well, to weightier themes such as rebuilding Beirut and the future of flight.

Being tapped to stage this exclusive think tank is a real feather in Athens’ cap. The Greek capital was chosen over other European destinations due to its emerging regional influence as a “city on the rise” and going places.

“New businesses are flourishing, the art scene is thriving and these factors are compelling a generation of diaspora talent to return home, as well as luring ambitious global entrepreneurs who are investing in hospitality, design, technology and manufacturing,” says Monocle.

Monocle subscribers can snap up tickets for 10 percent less than the general public. Sign up for this past-paced rota of panels, interviews and power networking and you’ll also be treated to behind the scenes tours of culture hubs including the Benaki Museum Pireos site and Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as meals at urban hotspots like S.I.X. dogs and a curated trawl of Monocle-worthy shops, ateliers and Greek concept stores.

Delegates will also benefit from special rates of up to 25% off at some of Athens’ most premium hotels: choose from glamorous Athens Riviera resorts, downtown 5-star classics or hip urban hideaways.

Up until recently, first-time visitors to Athens could have been forgiven for assuming that Athenians existed solely on souvlaki, freddo iced coffees (in single-use cups) and exhaust fumes.

 

True, Athens still has some catching up to do with its more environmentally-conscious European cousins. But as entrepreneurs, activists and local government join forces to develop big and small ways of becoming more sustainable, the Greek capital is making great strides towards its goal of evolving into a green and global metropolis.

 

From where to enjoy the best vegan souvlaki in town to eco-friendly hotels and up-cycled shopping, here’s our guide to making your stay in Athens as green as can be. 

Where to go for green bites
In short, everywhere. Greeks will always love their meat, but sticking to a plant-based diet in Athens is surprisingly simple. Most tavernas serve hearty vegetarian staples such as pites (pies with fillings like spinach, horta wild greens or mushroom, and ladera (veggies cooked in fresh tomato sauce and olive oil).

Go for delicious classics like fasolakia (green beans and potatoes) or yemista (stuffed tomatoes and green peppers) and throw in a horiatiki (Greek salad), along with zucchini fritters (kolokithokeftedes), and some traditional dips. Melitzanosalata (eggplant); tirokafteri (spicy whipped feta); and tzatziki (cucumber, garlic and yoghurt) are popular picks.

Menus are greening up all over Athens with an ever-increasing number of terrific vegan and vegetarian options, for all budgets (click on the links to read our drilled-down guides). Worth an extra shout out for their excellent mushroom souvlaki wraps and sustainable ethos (i.e. ecological suppliers and biodegradable/recyclable packaging) is Cookoomela Grill in Gizi, Athens’ first vegan steakhouse.

For a light and healthy feed, Peas Vegan cafe in Koukaki has a tasty range of pretty vegan dishes, accompanied by locally-sourced ingredients and a zero-waste policy. Are you a vegan sweet tooth? Run (don’t walk) to Cats & Monsters in Exarchia for next-level homemade vegan ice cream with soy, oat or rice milk.

Great news for the self-catering crowd. Most Athenian supermarkets now stock plant-based milks, vegan cheeses and meat substitutes like tofu. Shopping for more than just the basics? Stock up at Bamboo Vegan in Exarchia, a pioneering mini-market and café with a wide range of locally-sourced and imported vegan produce. There’s everything from meat substitutes such as tofu, seitan and tempeh to organic cereals, pulses and other health foods, as well as vegan cosmetics, detergents and cleaners (and a handy café to get your fair trade brew).

To source ingredients for a plant-based meal with zero compromise on flavour, the impressive Varvakios Agora (Athens Central Market) in the historic centre is your one-stop shop for the freshest of seasonal produce. Fruit and veggies sorted? Now walk around the corner to the aromatic spice markets of Evripidou Street, and choose from some of Greece’s finest herbs and spices to ramp up your cooking.

Unlike many European cities, where overpriced farmer’s markets attempt to roll back the dominance of supermarkets, Greeks have never lost their connection with where their food comes from. The laiki agora (people’s market) remains the best place to pick up fruits, vegetables and herbs, usually sourced from farms around Athens or across Greece, at incredibly reasonable prices (though you’ll need to push back against the tendency of stall owners to put everything into plastic bags).

Every Athenian neighbourhood has a weekly laiki, so just ask a local when and where. For a buzzy atmosphere with street musicians, venture to the Kallidromiou Street laiki (every Saturday morning in Exarchia).

Naturally, cycling is another top eco-friendly way to experience Athens—especially if you’re not afraid of a few hills. Cycling infrastructure still lags behind other major European cities but new bikeways are popping up everywhere and there some great traffic-free cycling routes where you can sightsee on the fly. To stay on message, start from the historic neighbourhood of Thissio and glide down the coastline to check out Renzo Piano’s cutting-edge beacon to sustainability, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, in Faliro. Check out our in-depth guide to cycling in Athens for more suggested scenic routes and tips on your best bike rental options in Athens.

Want to amp up the challenge? Embark on a thrilling two-wheel conquest of the spectacular Mount Parnitha National Park—the closest national park to a capital city anywhere in Europe—with GR Cycling, who offer kick-ass road, mountain and e-bike rentals and experiences.

But, of course, the most sustainable mode of transport will always be your own two feet. Central Athens is compact, easily-walkable and much has been done in recent years to make the city more appealing to walkers. Large areas have been pedestrianised, such as the Commercial Triangle and the Great Athens Walk, while the ‘pocket parks’ initiative is reclaiming formerly neglected corners of the city to create new green spaces. Overall, Athens is gunning for a less car-centric future with more greenery and plant life, to improve the air quality and city experience for all.

The ultimate Olympic experience, the “Olympic Day Run”, returns for the 4th year in a row on Sunday, September 26, 2021, in Thessaloniki.
The sole Olympic Road Running Race in the country, which is promoting the Olympic spirit and “fair play”, is expected to take place with Olympians, Paralympians, other distinguished athletes and coaches, sports clubs and associations from all over the country, as well as with active citizens, In the context of this year’s “Olympic Day Run”, a press conference was held at the amphitheater of the Hellenic Olympic Committee wherein the collaboration with “The Smile of the Child” was officially announced.

Dr. Kyriaki Oudatzi, Director of the Olympic Museum and “Olympic Day Run” General Director highlighted the special features of this unique Olympic Road Running Race, which have turned it into a landmark event contributing decisively to the cultural and tourist development of the country.

The press conference opened the President of the Race’s Organizing Committee and Thessaloniki’s Mayor, Mr. Konstantinos Zervas, while the welcoming speeches of the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. Spyros Kapralos, and of the Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis, placed emphasis on the race’s great significance and potential for the world and the Olympic family.

Specifically, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis noted:
“The Olympic Day Run is a unique event in our country commemorating the International Olympic Day. It is an important running event that communicates Greece internationally as the birthplace of the Olympic Games and Thessaloniki as a world Olympic center. According to the International Olympic Day, the Olympic Games are not just about racing and making performances, they are a timeless idea, originating from antiquity, being passed from generation to generation, and continuing undistracted through time. The Olympic Games teach the value of the harmonious and peaceful coexistence of athletes from different socio-cultural backgrounds. Olympism demonstrates that peace, ‘fair play, and sportsmanship are essential components of the society we wish to have. It is a great opportunity to join forces and build on the solid values ​​of the Olympic ideal”.

Mr. Spyros Kapralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, President of the European Olympic Committees, and member of the International Olympic Committee stated:
“With great pleasure, the Hellenic Olympic Committee and the Olympic Museum decided to dedicate this year’s Olympic Day Run to the important cause supported by the organization ‘The Smile of the Child’. The Olympic Day Run is a running race with a social character that actively communicates the Olympic values, highlighting sportsmanship, the importance of fair play and solidarity, one of the main values behind the continuous effort of ‘The Smile of the Child’. This year, through this collaboration, we wish to share smiles with these children who represent the future of our country, and show them that the Olympic Family stands by their side, supporting them in their struggle, thus connecting the essence of solidarity with the Olympic Ideal”.

Mr. Konstantinos Zervas, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Day Run Greece and Mayor of Thessaloniki highlighted: “It is important to keep the Olympic spirit alive through sports events, especially in Greece. It is a special honor and joy to host for the 4th consecutive year in Thessaloniki this global event, that was established by the International Olympic Committee to celebrate the revival of the Olympic Games and honor their birthplace. A special feature of this year’s race is that it supports the cause of ‘The Smile of the Child’, sending an important and symbolic message of social sensitivity. From the position of the Mayor of Thessaloniki, but, also, from that of the Organizing Committee’s Chairman, I am expressing my satisfaction for the achievement of our goals”.

Moreover, Mr. Stelios Angeloudis, Vice President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Vice President of the Olympic Museum, stressed that: “The Olympic Day Run Greece, the most important race of the Olympic family, focuses on humanity. Human solidarity and social sensitivity are at the core of Olympic values. We serve them in the Olympic Committee, we highlight them with our activities in the Olympic Museum. These are the reasons why we want the basic Olympic action of our Museum to be dedicated to what makes a child’s smile more beautiful”.

Subsequently, the President of the Board of Directors of the Organization “The Smile of the Child”, Mr. Konstantinos Giannopoulos stated: "The Smile of the Child" in its 25 years of operation, honors, defends, and faithfully follows its founding principles, values ​​, and ideals, such as equality, respect, dignity. Values ​​that are inextricably linked to sports and the spirit of the Olympic idea, as sports education contributes substantially to social and moral education. It is our great pleasure and honor to participate in the 4 th " Olympic Day Run " Greece and in the dissemination of the Olympic idea, following the kind and moving initiative of the Olympic Museum of Thessaloniki. We warmly thank the organizers and participants, who actively support the daily ‘struggle’ of our Organization and wish to be by the side of every child and family who is in need or danger”.

The Olympian in rowing, Mrs. Chryssa Biskitzi, while representing the Hellenic Olympians Association she conveyed the message of the association’s President, Ms. Voula Kozompoli: “The Olympic Day Run is the only running race that is held aiming at disseminating the Olympic Values in the context of the International Olympic Day celebration. As ‘transmitters’ of the Olympic Values, we; the Greek Olympians, have active participation in the organization of this race, through our collective body. As it was announced during the signing of our Cooperation Agreement with the Olympic Museum some time ago, from this year the Hellenic Olympians Association joins forces with the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Olympic Museum, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the International Olympic Academy, and the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), so that we altogether announce the start of the 4th Olympic Day Run Greece on Sunday, September 26, in Thessaloniki”.

Mr. Manolis Kolympadis, the General Secretary of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Ms. Xenia Argeitaki, Assistant Professor at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, a former champion in athletics, member of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Academy while representing the President of SEGAS, Ms. Sofia Sakorafa, and Ms. Voula Zygouri, Olympian wrestler and board member of the Hellenic Olympic Academy while representing Ms. Evi Moraitidou, President of the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association, underlined that the 4th “Olympic Day Run“ Greece is the landmark race of the Olympic family. 125 years after the First Olympic Games of 1896, the event marks the restart of sports through a majestic Olympic occasion honoring universal Olympic values.

The press conference was attended by Olympians and other distinguished athletes - including the Maria Polyzou, the Marathon Runner, Maria Alevizou, Mr. Giorgos Liveris, founding member of the Hellenic Olympians Association, Mr. Ioannis Stathopoulos, Head of Communication in the Hellenic Olympians Association, as well as a number of media representatives who renewed their appointment for the starting line of the 4th “Olympic Day Run” Greece.

Run for a good cause
The “Olympic Day Run” GREECE has joined forces with "The Smile of the Child" wishing to make children smile. You may now support “The Smile of the Child” by registering in the 2km race and selecting here one of the social contribution packages. With your registration, you offer 3 euros to the Organization’s mission.

Register now
The event includes a 10km race for adults, a 5km race for adults and teenagers, and a 2km for all ages. Register now here until 10/09.

The Olympic Museum and Olympic Day Run Gold Sponsor, PROTERGIA, the Grand Sponsor, Ethniki Asfalistiki, the Race’s Silver Sponsor, Thessaloniki Transport Authority (OSETH), the Supply Sponsors, Athos and Dole, the hospitality sponsor Grand Hotel Palace, and the event’s Tourist Support Agency, Greece on the Go, they all serve the vision of Olympism and offer their kind assistance for the implementation of the project. Moreover, they contribute to the country’s promotion on the Olympic world map, as well as in the dissemination of the Olympic values ​​to a better future.

The 4th Olympic Day Run GREECE is organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Academy, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Olympic Museum, the Hellenic Olympians Association, SEGAS and EAS SEGAS Thessaloniki and DKO OLYMPiA with the participation of Olympians, Paralympians, Distinguished Athletes, Sports Clubs and Institutional Bodies from all over the country, with the support of the Hellenic Olympic Academy, the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association, the Greek Paralympians Association, the Region of Central Macedonia and Thessaloniki International Fair-HELEXPO. The event is held under the auspices of the Hellenic National Commission for Unesco, the Ministry of Interior of the Macedonia- Thrace Sector, the General Secretariat of Sports, and the Municipalities of Ampelokipi- Menemeni, Thermi, Kalamaria, Kordelio-Evosmos, Neapoli-Sykies, Pavlos Melas, Pylaia-Chortiatis, Volvi, Delta, Thermaikos, Lagadas, Chalkidona, Oreokastro, Almopia, Aristotelis, Dion-Olympos, Emmanuel Pappas, Iraklia, Kavala, Kassandra, Kilkis, Naoussa, Polygyros, Serres and Skydra.

For more information:
The Olympic Day Run GREECE is the only Olympic Road Running Race in Greece and the official global event for the celebration of the International Olympic Day. Established by the International Olympic Committee, the organizing authority of the Olympic Games, it aims in spreading the Olympic idea. The worldwide celebration for the establishment of the International Olympic Committee and its decision of organizing the first Modern Olympic Games (ATHENS 1896), sheds the light on Greece, while it raises the country’s position in the Olympic and tourism world map.

The wonderful weather, the unique Messinian landscape, the 2 signature golf courses and the 17 maritime teams, composed the impressive scenery of the Greek Maritime Golf Event 2021. The top maritime golf tournament was held with utmost safety for the 7 th year on September 3 - 5 2021, at Costa Navarino , Messinia.

Golfing action with the Messinian background scenery
The golf action started on Saturday, September 4, with the shotgun scramble that was held at The Dunes Course, in a stunning natural landscape full of centuries-old olive trees. Moreover, non-golfers had the opportunity to attend the golf clinic and take part in the putting competition.

The event was completed on Sunday, September 5, as golfers had the option of participating in the two (2) ball better ball (3/4 hcp), at The Bay Course, with a magnificent view of the historic Bay of Navarino, and the picturesque port of Pylos.

The shipping community supported KARKINAKI
On Saturday night, the awards ceremony was glamorous and full of surprises and gifts for the tournament’s participants. The event was be presented by the Euroleague legend, Joe Arlauckas and Ioanna Papadimitriou.

A silent auction was held for the first time and auctioned 32 items of golf legends such as Gary Player, Tiger Woods, Roy Mcllroy and world-class athletes, including NBA Finals Champion & MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, NFL player Tom Brady and tennis player Serena Williams. The activity was implemented in collaboration with the unique agency in Europe, dealing with trading cards and memorabilia, Trace ‘n Chase and the assistance of Ideas Print.

The shipping community “embraced” and actively supported the event’s good cause, as during the ceremony participants contributed with their desired amount, bidding on their favorite items. The total amount collected exceeded the 5,000 euros and was given to the Non-Profit Organization KARKINAKI, which claims intervention in the effort of stopping Childhood and adolescent cancer being a taboo issue, but also finding as many allies as possible so that every child who suffers from cancer has equal access to high- quality hospitalization, effective treatment and, ultimately, the right to life.

At the same time, a lottery was held with rich prizes that were drawn to the participants and offered by the following donors: Qatar Airways, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, The Margi, Arifakis, Domotel Kastri, Dinner in the Sky and Blue Shades of Greece.

In the context of this year’s event, the recognized Greek PGA golfer and organizer of the Greek Maritime Golf Event, Mr. Thanos Karantzias highlighted: “I feel very proud that the Greek Maritime Golf Event exceeded all expectations for the 7th year. We managed to 2 showcase the golf tourism of Messinia while organizing a highly demanding tournament with utmost safety and with a strict health protocol. I would like to thank the sponsors and all members of the maritime community who participated and supported the top maritime golf tournament with their presence. We are now renewing our appointment for December 4, at the Golf Course of Glyfada”.

During the tournament, participants and visitors had the opportunity to drive and meet the new Porsche models and admire, the impressive Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.

The event was held under the auspices of the Hellenic Golf Federation. Greek Maritime Golf Event, was organized by Birdie Events, through an initiative of the recognized Greek PGA golfer, Mr. Thanos Karantzias. The tournament was addressed exclusively to distinguished executives of the Greek shipping community.

In the overall team standings, the team of Papadopoulos, Harvey, Hutton, Ventouris won the 1 st place. Second place went to the team of Oikonomou, Karabatsos, Patiniotis, Sorotos, while the team of Syomin, Boetius, Garulin, Androulidakis took the third place. In the other categories, William Karnazes won “Closest to the Pin” award and Frank Monteiro claimed the “Longest Drive”.

Dynamic support of the sponsors
Greek Maritime Golf Event was attended by some of the leading shipping companies
from Greece and Cyprus as well as great Greek companies that supported the event.
Maritime Sponsors:
The Marshall Islands Registry IRI was the event’s Platinum Sponsor.
Mainline Shipping Company, Onego Shipping Company, Jotun Hellas and Swift
Marine were Golden Sponsors.
Arrow Hellas, DNV and Drew Marine were Silver Sponsors.
Marine Tours was the event’s Official Travel Partner.
IYC was the Official Sponsor.
Tototheo Maritime and Standard Club were the Official Supporters.
Non-Maritime Sponsors:
MOTODYNAMICS SA was the Signature Sponsor.
Qatar Airways was the Official Airline.
Poseidonia was the Official Supporter.
Avance was the Official Rental Partner.
Messinian Spa was the Official Beauty Partner
Under Armour was the Official Clothing Partner.
Pilia Express was the Official Carrier.
Minoa Water was the Official Water.
Trace ‘n Chase was the Silent Auction Partner.
Pylos Poems, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, The Margi, Arifakis, Domotel
Kastri, Karalis Beach Hotel, ΜΕΤΑΧΑ, UWC SAMOS, Luc Belaire, Veroni, Kayak,
Lakonia, Ideas Print, Dinner in the Sky, Blue Shades of Greece, Athi Rodi and
Unique Flowers Creations are the event’s Partners.
Boo Productions was the Audio Visual Partner.
The award-winning sports marketing agency of ActiveMedia Group undertook the event’s
Golf Production.
Tournament with safety
The Greek Maritime Golf Event brought together distinguished executives of the Greek
shipping community who competed in the completely safe destination of Costa
Navarino, under a strict health and safety protocol established by the event’s production staff and approved by the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports.

Photo Credit: Mike Tsolis

FokiaNou Art Space is pleased to present “Unfolding”, a two-person exhibition by Anastasia Denos and Grigoria Vryttia. The two artists present works that focus on bodies, spirits and materiality. Through different mediums and approaches they conjure both the universal forces and hyperpersonal narratives that flow through the body. Between Denos’ drawings, video/performance, and installation and Vryttia’s textile and found-object sculpture, they jointly evoke the realm between intuition and physicality.

Anastasia Denos is a Los Angeles based multi-media artist. She graduated from Hampshire College, Massachusetts in 2018 where she worked closely under Sara Greenberger Rafferty. Since then she’s been throwing her head against the wall of her Los Angeles studio. Using video performance, dance choreography, sculpture, drawing, and poetry, Denos is interested in the subconcious and the impressions it leaves on objects, architecture, and flesh. She has shown her work at Herter Gallery, Amherst; Non Plus Ultra and Beta Level, Los Angeles; and was chosen to participate in Hauser and Wirth’s online exhibition ‘Homegrown.’

Grigoria Vryttia is an interdisciplinary artist, currently based in Athens. She studied sculpture in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, School of Fine Arts, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki and subsequently got an M.F.A. at Wimbledon College of Art, London with a scholarship from the Michelis Foundation. Her work focuses on personal narratives, universality and subjectivity, with strong feminist references. With intuitive processes and fabric and found objects as the main mediums, she creates sculptures that balance between figuration and abstraction, concept and form. They often refer to ideas of childhood, loss, sexuality and death with cryptic references to lived experiences. Works of hers are in private collections internationally.

FokiaNou Art Space is an artist-run project space in the intimacy of a small apartment in an old building in the center of Athens. The space encourages collaborative creative efforts between Greek and foreign artists, thereby promoting and supporting the local art community. The space hosts exhibitions, workshops and projects under the direction of two artists, Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris. www.fokianou247.gr

Opening: Saturday 11 September, 18.00
Duration: 11-25 September 2021
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 17.00-20.00

Greece’s pioneering smart mobility project on the island of Astypalea has moved into high gear, with the first Volkswagen electric vehicles undergoing test drives, a special subsidy program being in place, and leading Greek banks rolling out special lending programs to support the project.

The Smart Astypalea Project, announced late last year, is a groundbreaking joint initiative of the Greek state and Volkswagen Group. Serving as a model of sustainable development for other islands, the project aims to replace the existing 1,500 conventionally fueled vehicles on Astypalea with e-vehicles, introduce innovative on-demand mobility services, and promote the use of renewable energy sources.

The first electric vehicles arrived on the island in early June, which also marked the official inauguration of the project, for use by the police, coastguard and at the local airport. More recently, island residents were invited to test drive Volkswagen’s e-up!, ID.3 and ID.4 models of electric vehicles during a three-day event, which drew enthusiastic participation.

The Hellenic Republic has developed “e astypalea” – a special subsidy program for locals, promoting the purchase of electric cars, bicycles, motorcycles, vans and private charging points. In addition to this, two of Greece’s leading banks – National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank – announced that they would make loans available for Astypalea residents transitioning to e-vehicles. The loans are part of a broader lending initiative by Greek banks to provide financing for Greece’s ambitious Green Deal program.

Originally published on EnterpriseGreece

Craving vegetarian food in Athens? You’ve got plenty of choices, from custom-made salads to exotic Middle Eastern dishes.

Note, as of September 13th, indoor dining spaces are accessible only to individuals who are fully vaccinated or have proof of recovery. Read more here.

Not so long ago, if you told a Greek you were vegetarian they’d say: “But you do eat chicken, right?” Lately, Athens has caught up with the global trend for green-and-clean cuisine. From cold-pressed juice bars to beachfront dining and vegetarian-friendly street food joints, here’s where to refuel in the Greek capital.

It


@it_restaurant 

Casually stylish, It offers an imaginative selection of meat-free, low-calorie temptations. Stand-out dishes include mushrooms with asparagus, sweet potato, tahini cream, and linseed, and steamed greens with tomato vinaigrette, pistachios, and mizithra cheese. All served in a funky, split-level space made out of chipboard and upcycled wooden crates.

Location: 29 Skoufa, Kolonaki
Telephone: 21 0363 5773

Baba Ghanoush 


Credit: Baba Ghanoush

There are only a few stools at the counter and a handful of tables outside teeny Baba Ghanoush, just off Pangrati’s lovely Varnava Square. But it’s worth waiting for fresh falafel wraps with house-made harissa, pickles, tahini sauce, and smoky aubergine puree, alongside superb salads (try the roast beets with hummus, mint, and sumac or the carrot, ginger, and sesame). Delicious, welcoming, and amazingly good value.

Location: 25-27 Empedokleous, Pangrati
Telephone: 212 105 0351

Mama Tierra


@mamatierra_restaurant

Close to Panepistimio metro station, Mama Tierra is a bright and basic vegetarian canteen. The eclectic menu is a journey across continents, taking in sweet potato hummus, vegan moussaka, Pad Thai, burritos, and mushroom burgers, washed down with kombucha or green juice. The chocolate, avocado, and date smoothies are a meal in a glass.

Location: 84 Akadimias, Omonia
Telephone: 211 411 4420

Nice n Easy Seaside


Credit: Nice n Easy 

Nice n Easy helped to introduce the notion of “food with a conscience” to Athenians when it launched its first organic restaurant in Kolonaki in the Noughties. Now you can enjoy their fair trade menu on the sandy shores of Astir Beach in Vouliagmeni at Nice n Easy Seaside. Load up on root vegetable wedges with hummus, coriander dressing, pumpkin seeds, and pollen, or sweet potato gnocchi with crispy kale, wild mushrooms, and red wine. Our tip? Visit outside peak summer season and save up to two-thirds on your entry ticket to Astir Beach, Athens’ most exclusive summer playground.

Location: 40 Apollonos, Vouliagmeni
Telephone: 210 890 1619

To Vazaki


Credit: To Vazaki

Among the many bars in the studenty suburb of Halandri, To Vazaki is a paradise for health nuts (or hangovers). Alongside a mind-boggling menu of organic superfood smoothies, cold-pressed detox blends, and turmeric almond-milk lattes, you’ll find salads and sourdough sandwiches (try the spinach, avocado, and homemade pesto). This cheerful café decked in rainbow colors is also a lovely spot for a health-conscious breakfast or brunch: options include an acai bowl, chia pudding, and avocado toast.

Location: 33 Aristotelous, Halandri
Telephone: 210 680 0067

To read this article in full, please visit: thisisathens.org

Whether you've just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share!