Photo courtesy of Kaymaria Daskarolis

After a night of dancing in Psiri, leaving the clubs at 4.30 a.m. or later, most folks are hun-gry. Fortunately for all Kostas, a friendly, hard-working man with exquisite crepe-making skills, keeps his shop Picasso di Crepa (Taki Street 19 in Psiri, +30-210-324-7686) open until around 7 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and until about 11 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Oh the crepes, the crepes. They are the perfect post-club delight. Our current favorite is a savory crepe stuffed with cheese, tomatoes, and olives. Savory crepes cost between €4 and €6.50 depending on the filling, and judging by the ones we’ve tried so far they are worth every cent. Sweet crepes can be yours for between €3 and €5.50. Expect company at Picasso di Crepa no matter what time you find yourself there—Kosta’s divine crepes are no secret to locals.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Photo by atomh

Thank goodness DJ Cam did not pursue business studies as a young buck. If he had, a club packed with Greek trip-hop fans would not be getting their groove on this Friday, June 1 (2007) in Athens’s own One Happy Cloud (Aristofanous 12, Psiri, +30-210-3222-256).

Yes, that’s right, you jazz-hip-hop-abstract-trip-hop-acoustic-electronica-instrumental-beat-loving music fans: thanks to Noiz Productions, French maestro DJ Cam will be performing live at Psiri’s intimate hot spot, One Happy Cloud. If you attend, you’ll expect to be shoulder-to-shoulder with about 200 Greek folks, but no more than that. One Happy Cloud is a small joint, perfect for hearing some of the world’s greatest DJs perform live. If you don’t get there early (we suggest by 11 p.m., although he may not hit the decks until midnight), you’ll surely miss your chance.

And trust us, One Happy Cloud is the perfect venue to check out DJ Cam if you want to be close enough to him to feel the steam evaporating from his skin and hear his remixes and original rhythms deep into your sleep hours later. Yes indeed, Greece-trodding international music lovers, the bar is appropriately named: while you’re there and long after you leave, you’ll be happy.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Photo by HowieHunger

Sometimes Athens in the summertime can get so gosh darn hot that even walking at a leisurely pace can sound like a bad idea. If, due to the heat or you’re simply feeling lazy and you want to check out the sights without walking or driving, consider the “Happy Train.” People riding it usually do look pretty happy.

The folks who run Happy Train must have some kind of hook-up with the city government. You’ll be sitting at a café in Thisseio marveling at the view of the Ancient Agora, Temple of Hephaestus, and Acropolis, when chug-a-chug-a-chug, along comes the Happy Train, rolling right in front of you in the five feet of space usually reserved for pedestrians.

The Happy Train takes passengers on a 40-minute ride through the heart of Athens, beginning at Plateia Monastiraki and rolling past the aforementioned and other ancient sites. If you decide to ride, you’ll pay €3 per child and €5 per adult for the convenience.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Photo by djmadison41

Now, you can fly direct from the land of Homer to the land of Joyce—and on a budget no less.

Beginning on June 5, 2007, Aer Lingus will be running a new service between Athens and Dublin. Flights can be booked on the Aer Lingus site for travel up through October 27 of this year (2007).

Flights are currently available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The price range, however, is large. We recommend booking as far in advance as possible for the best rates. We found one-way flights starting at €29 and topping out at €195, before taxes.

Prior to the establishment of this route, travelers had to transfer when flying between Athens and Dublin, wasting precious travel time in layovers.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Photo by Kaymaria Daskarolis

One of the best ways to see great art for free in Athens is to do a gallery walk. You can walk from gallery to gallery checking out some of the best Greek and international art without paying an entrance fee.

One of our faves is Titanium, the Yiayiannos Gallery (Vasilissis Konstantinou Street 44, phone: +30-210-7297-644, fax: +30-210-7251-063), located opposite the infamous Truman Statue. It is open Tuesday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Titanium Yiayiannos Gallery exhibits incredibly innovative art (of various media) by both local and international artists. Recently, the gallery hosted an exhibit of the Swiss artist Sandy Kopitopoulos (see above) that left us in awe.

Through June 2, 2007, the thought-provoking paintings of Haralampos Katsatsidis will be on display.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Photo by Aviojets

Aegean Airlines, one of Greece’s main carriers, is having a massive sale on 230,000 flights.

One-way domestic flights begin at €39, all taxes included, departing from Athens International Airport. For one-way domestic flights departing from other Greek airports, you’ll pay just €26. Make sure you read this twice. For the price of a dinner out, you can fly from one part of Greece to another.

If you want to fly internationally within the European Union from Athens, you can purchase a one-way ticket for only €59, all taxes included; from other Greek airports, you’ll pay just €43 one-way.

The best part of the sale is that you can book tickets at these fares for travel any time before December 31, 2007. There’s no “travel must be completed by the end of May” clause.

No changes to tickets are permitted once they’re booked, and no refunds are allowed—but at these fares, your budget won’t be shattered if you end up canceling a leg or two.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Photo by Kaymaria Daskarolis

Nafplio, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Athens, is hands-down one of Greece’s most charming towns. It is also home to Karonis Wine Shop (Amalias Street 5, Nafplio, +30-27520-24446.) The shop was established in 1882, although Karonis has actually been producing ouzo, brandy, wine, and other spirits since 1869. Recently, the family-owned company has taken a lead in developing innovative wine-tasting experiences for connoisseurs and amateurs alike.

Open Monday through Saturday from 8.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. through 9:30 p.m., Karonis also happens to produce our favorite ouzo, which even ouzo-skeptical visitors tend to find palatable. A .70 ml bottle of 80-proof ouzo goes for €5.75, while the .70 ml bottle of 88-proof “Special” ouzo costs €7. Souvenir-size .20 ml bottles can be had for as little as €1.95.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Photo by YanivL

Unless you are a die-hard Euroleague basketball fan, you probably won’t want to shell out the €497 to €1247 (ouch!) for tickets to the playoffs in Athens this weekend, but you can still enjoy all the hoopla surrounding the event.

The biggest indoor sporting event to take place in Athens since the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, the Euroleague Final Four has got the whole city abuzz with excitement, especially as Athens’ own Panathinaikos is competing for the top spot.

In Syntagma Square, the public is invited to play hoops with Nerf-style nets and balls. Bars all around the city are planning to broadcast the games. If you crave more frenzied action, just go to OAKA and listen to the games with other fans outside the arena!

The semi-finals will tip off tonight (May 4, 2007) at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. CET. The finals will be played at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Photo by Dimitris Nikolsky

Sometimes you just need to splurge. And where better to splurge than at a sweet shop like no other? Τα Σερμπέτια Στου Ψυρρή, or The Serbetia of Psiri, is in its own league.

Serbetia is located at Aischilou 3 in blisteringly hip Psiri (tel: +30-210-32-45-862.) The shop emanates the scent of cinnamon, honey, and sugar. Pastries are enormous, as well, which makes the €5.50-€6.50 pricing seem reasonable.

From baklava to ekmek, peach pie to chocolate and orange giouzel, the offerings are extremely sweet. Serbetia also sells glyko tou koutaliou (fruit and sugar combined into diabetic poison) and yogurt with honey, two traditional and slightly lighter Greek desserts. Serbetia also serves up a range of coffees, tea, hot cocoa, and even rakomelo—see above—a scrumptious blend of warmed raki with honey.

Our all-time favorite is the baklava-like treat hazan dipi, with dark chocolate in the center and milk chocolate syrup dripping from every piece of filo.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Photo by Kaymaria Daskarolis

For years, we’ve only heard ex-pats and English-speaking tourists raving about Mike’s Irish Bar in Athens. Consequently, we’d avoided the place, always seeking out haunts recommended by locals instead.

A recent visit from a karaoke-loving friend, however, prompted us to visit the bar for the first time. Our verdict? Mike’s Irish Bar is actually quite delightful.

First off, it was packed with Greeks. We only heard two other people in the entire place speaking English. Almost everyone who got up on stage was Greek, and they alternated between singing Greek, British, and American songs. The atmosphere was decidedly a blend of Irish and Greek.

Most of all, it is simply a fun place to be. Many people danced—something which is unfortunately rare in Greek bars and clubs—and if there was one face without a smile on it we didn’t see it.

Mike’s Irish Bar hosts karaoke nights Sunday through Wednesday nights, beginning at 8 p.m. Other nights, you will hear live bands or DJ Limbo playing rock, Latin, reggae, hip-hop, funk, pop, and/or blues. Mike’s is located at 6 Sinopis in Ambelokipi, and can be reached by telephone at +30 210 777 67 97.

Popularity: 7% [?]