{"id":59150,"date":"2020-04-13T10:24:04","date_gmt":"2020-04-13T15:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sobarnes.com\/?p=59150"},"modified":"2021-05-17T06:45:53","modified_gmt":"2021-05-17T11:45:53","slug":"discover-capital-athens-greek-islands-mediterranean-shoreline-luxurious-properties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sobarnes.com\/en\/all-destinations\/discover-capital-athens-greek-islands-mediterranean-shoreline-luxurious-properties\/","title":{"rendered":"Discover Athens, a modern city of antiquity"},"content":{"rendered":"
G<\/span>uilty of immortality? Not quite. However, as one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens<\/strong>\u00a0is<\/em> guilty of stealing the hearts of its residents and visitors for 3,400 years and counting.<\/h5>\n

#StayHome with SoBarnes<\/strong><\/p>\n

\r\n <\/i>\u00a0Welcome to ancient Athens in 3D <\/a>\r\n<\/p>\n

The largest and capital city of Greece<\/a><\/strong>, Athens<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0offers something very unique: antiquity in an urban landscape, bordered by the extraordinary natural panoramas afforded by the Mediterranean<\/strong>\u00a0coastline. To live in Athens is to live amid history and modernity at once, and to share in the wealth and wisdom of yesterday and today.<\/p>\n

No need to dive headfirst into the Aegean Sea<\/strong>\u00a0to conquer the Cyclades<\/strong>\u00a0and 6,000 Greek islands, which would occupy an entire vacation. You can enjoy the turquoise waters and beautiful beaches while staying in the city.<\/p>\n

Living in Athens<\/strong>\u00a0is a dream and one that can easily come true. The city is surrounded by residential neighborhoods that offer high qualities of life and the Greek art de vivre.<\/p>\n

Journey through history: The Acropolis to Pl\u00e1ka<\/h2>\n

Life in the center of this ancient city revolves around its sacred grounds, the foremost being the Acropolis of Athens<\/strong>. Under the protection of the goddess Athena, this 2,500-year-old citadel watches over the city from a rocky plateau and hosts the imposing Parthenon<\/strong>, a landmark of Classical architecture. It comes as no surprise that it is one of the most visited sites in the world and, of course, a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Below the ancient site, a picturesque neighborhood called Pl\u00e0ka<\/strong>\u00a0is comprised of a lively labyrinth of cobbled streets and authentic restaurants to the delight of Mediterranean-cuisine enthusiasts. Both touristic and residential, this traditional Athenian neighborhood marries the old low buildings and warm-colored houses to the new, modernizing the scape with beautiful balconies and wrought-iron cornices. Stroll along the pedestrian streets of Kydathineon<\/strong>\u00a0and Adrianou<\/strong>\u00a0to experience Pl\u00e1ka\u2019s unique ambiance and beautiful architecture in full.<\/p>\n

The flight is booked, you\u2019ll be visiting Athens, if \u2026<\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. You think \u201cBack to the Past\u201d would have been a better hit<\/li>\n
  2. You happened to be fluent in Greek<\/li>\n
  3. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are the friends you've always wished you had<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    A temple of elegance: Kolonaki<\/h2>\n

    Kolonaki<\/strong>\u00a0is not one of, it is the <\/em>chicest neighborhood in Athens, located just under the great limestone mount of Lycabettus<\/strong>. As the capital\u2019s wealthiest corner, it boasts neoclassical architecture<\/strong>\u00a0and old buildings in sublime condition, like the old Royal Palace<\/strong>, parliament and international embassies.<\/p>\n

    Athens is a city sprinkled with many temples, like that of Zeus, Aphrodite, and Athena. But the temple of shopping? That\u2019s Kolonaki<\/strong>. Its avenues are lined with trees, local and international luxury boutiques, fine jewelers, all the great haute-couture houses, and the prestigious Attica Department Store<\/strong>. It may not be the most economical choice, nevertheless, you can find us slipping in and out of the shops on the streets of Kifissias, Vasilissis Sofias, and Voukourestiou<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    In Athens<\/strong><\/a>, we dine at fashionable restaurants<\/strong>\u00a0and al fresco<\/em>, on the terraces of the popular cafes. Although there are many to choose from, making reservations is still advised.<\/p>\n

    Kolon\u00e1k<\/strong>i is also a business district. Its residents exude an air of elegance; men, women, even puppies are well-dressed. They live in high-end buildings<\/strong>\u00a0and luxury apartments<\/strong>\u00a0that are heavily sought after by both an Athenian and international clientele.<\/p>\n

    You\u2019ve decided to live in Athens full-time, if \u2026<\/h4>\n
      \n
    1. You are as serious about shopping as you are about real estate<\/li>\n
    2. You can Sirtaki in heels and\/or a suit<\/li>\n
    3. Any excuse to walk around with a laurel wreath on is a good excuse<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Life on the edge \u2026<\/h2>\n

      \u2026 of the city, it\u2019s not bad, not bad at all. South of the capital is the ultra-chic Athenian Riviera<\/strong>, the suburbs by the sea. Here you\u2019ll come across idyllic beaches on Apollo Coast<\/strong>, fresh seafood restaurants, and\u00a0luxury villas<\/strong>\u00a0hidden in the vegetation. You'll also second-guess that Odyssean\u00a0adventure you\u2019ve been planning since childhood. In this greater Athens area, you'll also find\u00a0Glyfada <\/strong>and Vouliagmeni<\/strong>,\u00a0two very chic neighborhoods known as the \u201cHellenic Hamptons,\u201d \u201cBeverly Hills of Greece\u201d and, for our British readers, \u201cKnightsbridge on Sea.\u201d The area is home to Greece's wealthiest and most influential personalities who like to live under the radar, with their yachts docked in the marina.<\/p>\n