Things you should know about Greece

Language

The native language is Greek. However, many Greeks speak rather fluent English therefore you will not face difficulties in communication.

Currency (approximately)

1US DOLLAR=0,80 EURO

1 GBP=1,24 EURO

How to get to/from the airport

Taxi/Cab

A taxi from the airport to the city center costs a flat rate of €35 from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, and €50 from midnight to 5:00 a.m.

There is a taxi-stop area just outside the arrivals terminal (exit 3)

Metro/Subway

The fastest and easier way to get to the airport is via the Metro which connects the Athens airport with the city center.

Trains run every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The trip from/to the Airport to Syntagma station (Athens center) lasts 40 minutes.

It is needed a special ticket which costs 5 euros but it is valid for every means of public transpor for one and a half hour

Bus

24-hour express buses: All buses leave passengers at the Departures Level and depart from the Arrivals Level, between Exits 4 and 5. There are four routes:

Χ93 : Kifissos KTEL (long-distance buses) Station – Airport

Χ95 : Syntagma – Airport

Χ96 : Port of Piraeus – Airport

Χ97 : Dafni Metro Station – Airport

One-way travel time estimates: X93 (65 min), X95 (70 min), X96 (90 min), X97 (70 min).

It is needed a special ticket which costs 5 euros but it is valid for every means of public transpor for one and a half hour.

Getting to the Caravel hotel

Both with the busses and the metro you have to get off at the Eyangelismos metro station, from there you exit

from the “Rizari” exit of the metro or you cross the street towards the park.

Then head east on Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias toward Leoforo Vasileos Konstantinou

Continue onto Leoforos Vasileos Alexandrou

Slight right onto Iofontos

Destination will be on the right

The overall distance is about 200 meters

Easier to follow google map

View Larger Map

How to get around in Athens

Subway

The easiest way is the subway. The central station is called “Syntagma” and the station closest to the venue is called

“Eyangelismos”.

Tickets are universal for all public transport and cost 1.40 euros, they also last for 1 and a half hour. So for 1,5 hour from the ticket purchase you can travel with every public transport you want.

You can find all the tickets valid for the public transport here http://www.amel.gr/index.php?id=374&L=1

Bus

Buses are not the fastest way to get around but they are still a cheap and convenient one.

You will need a bus to get from the Eyangelismos metro station to the venue.

You can use the same ticket as in the subway if less than an hour has passed since you validated it.

Taxi/Cab

Taxis are relatively expensive but the easiest way to move around.

In the city you always go by meter.

You can notify your hotel reception to call a taxi for you.

For extended info on athens transport you can visit this page: http://athenstransport.com/english/

Getting By Bus 250 To The Venue

Apart from walking and taking a taxi the only public transport to the venue is the bus.

The 250 bus (a blue one usually, in rare cases they employ green ones)

is the only bus that makes the route through the university campus and the one that stops nearest the venue.

You can board 250 from Eyangelismos, the bus stop is called “Stathmos Eyangelismos”

(in Greek you may see the following: ΣΤΑΘΜΟΣ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ).

The stop for the venue is called “2i Panepistimioupoli”.

Its the 3rd stop once you enter the campus(6th stop overall) and you will see two tennis courts on the side of the road.

The Venue is across the street.

If you stay at the Caravel hotel you should board the bus at the stop labeled “Karavel” roughly 10 meters once you leave the hotel and head towards Eyangelismos, the bus stop is in front of a small park.

Walking/Driving Directions

The shortest path for walking as long as the shortest route for driving and the route the bus takes is the following

Προβολή μεγαλύτερου χάρτη

Enjoying your self in Athens

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: These are personal recommendations from our committee members,

some of which off the beaten track.

No food sponsors which means no discount coupons for you but quality guaranteed

Athens is a beatufiul and lively city suited for party nightlife as well as for families and relaxed vacation.

It is most lively the weeks between the 1st of July and the 7th of August where its bustling with tourists and most Athenians are still in the city.

Sightseeing

For the hungry eye (and camera) there are many things to see and capture.

Athens is build on twelve hills, the seven historical are: Acropolis, Areopagus, Hill of Philopappus, Observatory Hill (Muses Hill), Pnyx, Lycabettus, Tourkovounia (Anchesmus), each one has something interesting to see apart from the view.

You should definately visit Acropolis, but be prepared for an uphill walk so either pack sunscreen and water,

or do it late in the afternoon (archaeological sites are usually open until sunset).

Hill of Philopappus is more of a park overseeing Acropolis, you can visit it on the same day as Acropolis.

Observatory Hill (Muses) is near the ancient market and it is nice for a relaxed walk.

Lycabettus features a lift which can take you to the top (its taller than Acropolis hill and slightly more tiring to walk), it features a very nice view and one of the luxurious restaurants of the city Orizontes, the ideal place for a romantic dinner.

Aeropagus is by far the best, it doesnt feature anything except from the view, but its quiet and you can sit on the rocks and have a -kiosk bought- beer.

Pnyx is of archaelogical interest since it’s the ancient parliament.

For all of you who prefer flat ground you can:

-Visit Monastiraki, Plaka,Psyri

- Watch a concert/play at the Herodeion (under the acropolis)

- Drink, eat and party at Gazi district (Kerameikos metro Station)

- Visit Kolonaki district for a more VIP experience (and its close to the Venue and the Hotel)

- Visit the Panormou area where there are many good bars.

- Visit Zografou area (its more of a residential area but its very close to the Venue and its the place where most students live and go out)

Specifically

Coffee places

• L’ Arret Du Temps, and the I-miss-the-name Italian place. Both located accross the street from the Karavel Bus stop,

  nothing very special but a good place to relax on a hot afternoon

• Kolonaki square is the place where there are various very good coffee places
• Zepellin. Located at Attico Alsos Galatsiou. Amazing view. We recommend you go there for a coffee especially in the afternoon. To get there you will need either a car or a taxi. You can also take the bus but you will have to walk.
• Menta. At Kifissia city-north suburbs of Athens. You can get there via the Metro line 1 (Piraeus-Kifissia) and walk for about 15 minutes from Kifissia station. (Be advised last train on metro line 1 is at midnight )
• Brazil cafe. On Voukourestiou street- centre of Athens
• 42. Kolokotroni street, next to Stadiou Street. Access via the Metro: Panepistimio or Syntagma Station
• Waffle house. Vouligameni city- south suburbs of Athens. To get there you will need tram and bus or a taxi.
• Floral. Located at Eksarchia square-centre of Athens
• Balux cafe. Asteras Glyfadas- south suburbs of Athens. To get there you will need tram and bus or a taxi.

Bars

In Athens you can find expensive drinks, mid-price drinks, cheap drinks and ridiculously cheap drinks.

Generally the rule is as everywhere in the world, the most expensive the drink the better your head will be the next day.

For expensive drinks visit the expensive hotel bars, like Grand Bretagne, Hilton, Lecabetus hotel and of course Caravel (which has a roof-pool) you get what you pay for.

For mid-price and/or cheap drinks you can visit the bars around syntagma square and near Kerameikos metro station (Gazi District/Area), you can find a bar suited to your tastes.

For ridiculously cheap drinks grab a beers from one of the many kiosks around the city or remember the following: Retsina Malamatina and Ouzo they cost 3-6 eyros and a bottle of these is enough.

Recommended Bars

• A for Athens. One of the best roof bars in town. Enjoy your cocktail overlooking Parthenon. Next to the Metro: Monastiraki Station. Exit from the exit on the square and look at the hotel roof just accross the square
• Gin joint. A fairly new bar in Karitsi Square with a very special concept…Jazz, Swing and other sounds of the 20′s & 30′s in America and over 65 varieties of Gin. Access via the Metro: Panepistimio or Syntagma Stations
• Roof garden Bios. Gazi. Access via the Metro: Kerameikos
• Jazz in Jazz. Kolonaki
• 42 bar. One of the best cocktail bars in the heart of Athens. Here you can enjoy any cocktail you have ever imagined at its best version. Access via the Metro: Panepistimio or Syntagma Station
• Bar -Roof garden in Grande Bretagne. (Hotel in Syntagma square)
• Marabu- Panormou area. Access via the Metro: Panormou
• Zepellin – Lofos Galatsiou
• T.A.F- Monastiraki
• A Liar Man. A place in the heart of Athens, Gazi.

  For food or drink within the sounds of jazz, ethnic, blues, funk and rock. Access via the Metro: Kerameikos Station

• Vrettos. A historic place right beneath the Acropolis. The oldest bar in Athens with authentic liqueurs and traditional Greek drinks.

  Access via the Metro: Monastiraki or Acropolis Station

Recommended Clubs

• Aqua club. St Andreas Beach-north-east suburbs of Athens
• La Costa. Nea Makri Beach-north/east suburbs of Athens
• Island club- Varkiza (more luxurious club)
• Acanthus bar/club. Located at Asteras Glyfadas Beach-south suburbs of Athens
• Balux cafe. Located at Asteras Glyfadas Beach-south suburbs of Athens

Food

You can find pretty much everything to eat, its not NY where the chinese restaurant is around the corner but fast foods and restaurants are everywhere.

Some recommendations:

• Vlassis
• Cucina Povera
• Kozi’s. Burgers’ place in Melissia city- north suburbs of Athens
• Feticcio. Crepes in Glyfada City-south suburbs of Athens.Access via Tram
• Crete. Tavern in Kaningos Square for drinking and eating traditional greek food.
• Kotopoulades. One of the best places for sandwiches filled with huge ammounts of chicken,potatoes etc. You can find it in the western suburbs of Athens (Peristeri, Egaleo, Nikea, Ilion) and in Kerameikos/Gazi square
• George’s steak house Biftekoupoli. Steak house in Glyfada. (a little expensive though)
• Vromiko In Gazi/Kerameikos its more of a fast food but its the best medicine for the uneasy head and stomach

  

• Last but not least

  Souvlaki, the world-famous greek fast food based on pitta, gyros, kebab, etc.

  is everywhere and usually quality is above average.

  Savvas is a popular souvlaki-chain of above quality standard.

  Stay away from Bairaktaris at Monastirakis (Thanassis is a few meters up the street and one of the best in the city).