Greece
Interview with Dimitris Parthenopoulos
After seeing photos from friends traveling to Greece this summer, I thought it was time to interview someone who knows Greece best: my friend Dimitris! (@dimitris_parthenopoulos).
In the words of Dimitris, Greece has something for everyone. Mountains, sea, lakes, forests, cities, nightlife. He focuses his recommendations for a traveler visiting Greece between late May and early September. P.S… if you’re thinking of visiting Mykonos or Santorini, read more for better options!
photos provided by Dimitris Parthenopoulos
what’s your relationship to Greece?
It’s a place where I was born and raised - it’s home. Since I’ve moved to the US, the relationship has become more complicated due to political developments and economic unrest. It’s forced us to move and find jobs somewhere else. But I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t a place I was proud to be from. I feel immense love for it.
what kind of traveler are you?
I like to mix tourist sites and local recommendations. I definitely like to check things off the bucket list to make sure I see it all, and I love walking around the entire place. But I also prefer traveling with people who know local recommendations, like where to experience a proper night out or restaurant as a local.
Athens
You cannot go to Greece and not see Athens. With a population of 4.5M people, the capital city is home to some of the most important artifacts in the world. Spend 1-2 days there before taking a boat to an island. It works best geographically because Athens is one of the southernmost cities off the mainland.
where to stroll & stay
Kolonaki - For fine dining, upscale shopping and trendy bars
Exarcheia - For youth culture, rich political history, and a fun going out scene
Petralona - Peaceful neighborhood with beautiful parks and amazing food/drink spots
what to see
The Acropolis - Spend a day exploring this hill in the center of Athens with temples from 450 B.C, including the Parthenon. I saw a tourist place their hat on an Acropolis pillar– that was a big no no. The entire hill basically turned on them. Don’t touch the ancients.
The Acropolis Museum - Surrounding neighborhood is very vibrant and tourist friendly.
Philopappos Hill - Nice park that’s close by
The Benaki Museum - Greek heritage museum but not a must-see.
where to eat
Try any traditional tavern. General rule: call and make a reservation in advance!
Mr Who - very nice, known for brunch
Krasopoulio tou Kokkora
Karamanlidika
where to go out
Bios - Love this one rooftop bar with a view of the Acropolis. If you’re traveling with your partner, this is the spot.
If you want to dance, go to Exarcheia and find any club like Capone, Blue Bear, or Dynamite.
Paros & Antiparos
If you want to do something that’s not super touristic but don’t feel comfortable going to an all-locals spot, these islands are perfect for you.
They’re twin islands because you get two for the price of one. Antiparos is a seven minute ferry away, about 1.5 euros. Incredible beaches and great nightlife. You won’t get bored!
where to stroll & stay
Parikia - Main town with access to Lividia Beach or Krios Beach.
Naousa - Nightlife, great restaurants. I would recommend staying in Parikia or Naousa if you don’t have a car. Or I’d book a villa for a large group in the south, which I did recently.
Villages like Lefkés, Marpissa, and Prodomos (visit in that order) - Classic 100 people villages. Traditional architecture with local stores and good food.
what to see
Golden Beach Paros - I would give all Paros beaches 4 out of 5. At some beaches, you’ll find jewelry makers that sell products made of stones from the island.
Punda Beach - Stay for the beach bar
Santa Maria - Gorgeous, also has a beach bar
Kolympethres - A complex of smaller beaches where you can travel by foot from one to another. However, it’s the most touristic one. July or August might be busy.
where to eat
My go-to order at any restaurant: pita, tzatziki, horiatiki salad, fried calamari, grilled octopus, fried zucchini, saganaki cheese, and grilled feta cheese. Share family style!
When you’re eating dinner, try the local white wine. If you’re interested in something different, try Tsipouro, a liquor that tastes like licorice.
Taverna Glafkos - Best meal I had in Paros by far. In Naousa.
Barbarossa - Go there for dinner and dress up in your best Mamma Mia outfit. At 10:30PM, they’ll start having a party. They give you white napkins, play hype music, and you get on the tables. I went there with a couple of friends recently. At first, my Greek friends and I were saying “this is so tacky and touristy.” By the end, we were loving it.
Stilvi - in Naousa
Go eat anywhere in Lefkés - it’ll be really nice!
where to eat - beach bars
Go to the beach during the day, sit somewhere, and start drinking. After a certain point, there will be a party. So much fun. It’s not a touristy thing to do– it’s a classic Greek thing to do as well.
Punda Beach Bar is the best one in my opinion after Santa Maria.
Rebel Beach Bar
Cabana Beach Bar Restaurant
where to go out
Pirate Bar and Evinos - Go to these bars to start your night in Parikia
The Dubliner - Club that opens at 2, where all the fun is. Go out in Parikia to a cute bar. At 2AM, go down to Dubliner and have a rager.
Barbarossa or Agosta - in Naousa
Linardo - Good for staying up through the morning
Come Back Bar - Open through six am
Medusa Cocktail Bar
where else to go
Like Paros, these recommended islands are big enough so non Greek speakers will enjoy them. Each has a unique identity. Any other island you choose yourself would be a vibe if you avoid Mykonos.
Amorgos - More refined, less touristy island. Beautiful beaches, village, food, and classic island nightlife. You need an experienced driver because it’s mountainous. Check out the Shipwreck Beach.
Crete - Next to Africa, the biggest island in Greece. Due to how far away it is from the mainland, the island has preserved its authenticity and isn’t as westernized. In villages, you’ll see people wearing traditional outfits and can stop by fairs to watch traditional dances/try regional cuisine.
any other tips?
June is the best time to go to Greece – May to September. To get from Athens to the islands, it’s cheaper and more fun to take a boat versus a plane.
When booking, don’t just use Airbnb because it’s targeted to American tourists. Use Booking.com as there are better, cheaper places.
Finally, I highly recommend getting a car. Make sure you have a confident driver because some of the roads on the islands can be tough to navigate. You can circle the smaller islands in 40 minutes or so!
XX Thank You Dimitris!
