Recommended Guide Book Lonely Planet Athens (Condensed) very handy size and full of good information.
Since everyone says taxis are a rip off get the bus from the Airport E95 to Syntagma Square very central metro near or you may be able to walk. Public Transport maps are readily available at the Airport.
Great Web Site to look at before is www.athensguide.com by an American called Matt Barrett great info well produced. We found great places using it.
Hotel Attalos Athinas Street nr Monistariki Metro Station rooms are fine all facilities ask for a balcony and get a view of the Acropolis also available from its roof top bar. The site above has a link to book rooms €€
Restaurants
The Old Tavern of Psara’s 15 Erehtheos & Erotokritou Streets in the Plaka area fairly high up it is one of the top streets excellent very busy lovely setting.
Taverna Byzantino 18 Kidathineion Street in the Plaka at ground level looks very touristy but it is very good and is apparently used by the locals.
Ouzeri Kouklis 14 Thripodon Street Plaka area this does Mezzes which they bring out on a tray and you choose however many you want very cheap and the wine was drinkable the Matt Barrett site seemed to indicate it was undrinkable perhaps they have changed their supplier !
To Kafeneon Just below Kouklis on Epiharmou Street very nice bar and ouzerie although we didn’t eat there the food looked good and it was a nice setting
Bars
Brettos 41 Kidathineion Street Great place owned by the Brettos Spirits Company beautifully lit bar with dozens of shots to try, all cheap also they have wine and beer open every day.
The area of Psirri five minutes walk from Monistariki is a fabulous area very local Friday & Saturday nights it keeps going till at least 3 o’clock. There are dozens of mainly Mezze type eating places a lot with Live Greek Music Plateia (Square) Iroon is one of the main areas but go further into the area around street like Sarri & Lepeniotou and there are dozens of other places.
The Kolonaki area is like the Knightsbridge of Athens very smart places to eat and to shop we went to one called Kolinaki Tops reasonable prices and good food.
Places to visit the obvious sites of the Acropolis & Ancient Agora try and go early they get very crowded. Go up Lykavittos Hill by funicular for a fabulous view.
The Flea market on a Sunday at Monistariki is worth a visit as are the Central Markets on Athinas Street.
