Affordable Athens > the spots July 23, 2006
Posted by grhomeboy in Greece Athens.trackback
Taverna “O Platanos”
4 Diogenous street, Plaka, Athens
Phone: 210 3220666
Greek Cuisine, 8 to 15 euros
One of the oldest in Plaka. O Platanos remains a welcome sight compared with the many overpriced tourist traps in the area. The waiters are fast and the place is packed with Greeks. The shady courtyard is fine for outdoor dining. Don’t miss the oven-baked potatoes, roasted lamb, fresh green beans in savory olive oil, and the exceptionally cheap but delicious barrel retsina. No credit cards. Closed Sun.
Mt. Lycabettus, Kolonaki, Athens
15-minutes walk northeast of Syntagma Sq.; funicular every 10 mins from corner of Ploutarchou and Aristippou streets (take Minibus 060 from Kanaris street or Kolonaki Square, except Sun.)
Phone: 210 7227065
Myth claims that Athens’s highest hill came into existence when Athena removed a piece of Mt. Pendeli, intending to boost the height of her temple on the Acropolis. While she was en route, a crone brought her bad tidings, and the flustered goddess dropped the rock in the middle of the city. A steeply inclined teleferique (funicular) takes you to the summit, crowned by whitewashed Ayios Georgios chapel with a bell tower donated by Queen Olga. On the side of the hill, near the I Prasini Tenta café, a small shrine to Ayios Isidoros is built into a cave. In 1859 students prayed here for those fighting against the Austrians, French, and Sardinians with whom King Otho had allied.
From Mt. Lycabettus you can watch the sun set and then turn about to watch the moon rise over “violet-crowned” Hymettus as the lights of Athens blink on all over the city. Funicular at Aristippou and Ploutarchou streets (take Bus 060 from Kolonaki Square). Cost: Funicular 4 euro. Open: Funicular daily 9 AM-3 AM.
grhomeboy
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