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There is no other time of the year as eagerly and wholeheartedly embraced as Christmas. The year is crawling to its end and cities put on their merriest holiday outfit as the streets are shining with shimmering lights and beautiful displays of decorations. For those looking for a short break this year in Athens, we’ve rounded up the 10 best things to do in the city during the Christmas season.
See the Christmas-decorated Syntagma Square
There will be numerous events organized by the municipality of Athens all the way through to New Year’s Eve and beyond so chances are you will catch some really cool Christmas treat while strolling downtown! To capture the feeling of excitement of the holiday season, the best idea is to start from Syntagma square and be dazzled by the Christmas tree at the heart of the city’s Christmas scene. There is no better way to get into the festive mood of the city.
Get a cup of coffee in Psirri
Want to get an overdose of festive extravaganza? The Little Kook, the wacky-themed cafe in the Psiri area, celebrates Christmas with a dizzying amount of garlands, wreaths and all sorts of decorations, serving mouth-watering sweets and cakes. Get yourself a cup of warm chocolate and fill your day with childlike wonder.
Visit the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre
The thing about Christmas is that it has this magical, almost twisted, power to transform us all into this bubbly and bright version of ourselves. We’ve seen it happen every year; this Ebenezer-Scrooge kind of metamorphosis takes place in mysterious ways and things that you would, otherwise, detest, such as a visit to a bustling with crowds and noise theme park, become your ultimate favorites. The Christmas World at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre unravels all its enchanted beauty throughout the whole month of December, culminating on New Year’s Eve. Don’t miss the dazzling, interactive luminous installations, the brightly shining Christmas trees, the live concerts to futuristic light parks and the numerous activities, workshops and events that are hosted in this most spectacular setting.
Go ice-skating in Athens
Do you go ice-skating during Christmas every year? If not, I recommend that you do! The ice rink at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre is probably the coolest spot in town. Located at the Canal, in front of the holiday-decorated Agora, it invites us to put on our skates and stroll on the ice. It opens daily from 10.00 to 22.00 until 2 February 2020.
Taste the local Christmas delicacies
In Greece, we love to eat, on any occasion, and Christmas is no exception. There are tons of scrumptious things to try during your stay here. From the all-time classic mouth-watering melomakarona and the oh so sugary kourabiedes cookies to our most favorite Diples, Christmas is the time to indulge your sweet tooth. The good news are that the city is brimming with bakeries offering our favorite Christmas delicacies!
Catch an event at the Acropolis Museum
Fuel up your holiday mood with a nice festive treat at the Acropolis Museum, where a series of events will be hosted every weekend at the museum and the restaurant. Classical music buffs and serious jazz lovers will love it all, they will.
Duration: 4h 30min-
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Watch a performance at the Christmas Theatre in Galatsi Olympic Hall
The Christmas Theatre in Galatsi Olympic Hall is another holiday must. From the all-time classic festive ballet shows and concerts to spectacular Christmas theatre for all the family, it resounds with seasonal cheer. Don’t miss the yearly Christmas favorite, the Nutcracker, which is presented by The Bolshoi Ballet Academy from the 23rd to the 29th of December.
Go shopping
Are you ready for some Christmas shopping? The Meet Market Christmas edition is the place to be! Visit the Athens Conservatoire during the December weekends, 14-15/12 & 21-22/12 and get in the mood of the most wonderful time of the year. Festive treats, funky music, 150 brands, original gifts and activities for the kids are waiting for you!
Spend New Year’s Eve in the scenic Thission
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, New Year’s Eve in Thission is the perfect spot to bid farewell to 2019 and welcome the New Year in a street party, which will transform Athens into a city of angels and magic with a wide variety of festivities organized by the municipality of Athens
- Duration: 7h 20min
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Savor the Hilton New Year’s day hangover breakfast
On the 1st of January, the Hilton New Year’s day hangover breakfast is a seasonal ritual. Welcome, 2020 in style and breakfast like a king!
If you want to let the Christmas spirit ring and have festive Athens unveiled, check out our holiday season combo. Two fascinating self-guided tours to accompany you on your visit to the two most illustrious ancient sites of Athens, the world-famous Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, along with a full Festive Guide with the most helpful information about things to get you into the Christmas mood in Athens!