Best Arts and Culture Places in Greece

"The new decade finds the National Gallery, with 120 years of uninterrupted operation, renewed in regard to its building and exhibits. As a contemporary art museum, it highlights the physiognomy of the culture of Greece but also the position it deserves in the world culture. The permanent exhibition of the Gallery now unfolds in 1000 paintings - out of the 20,000 kept in the warehouses - proving the great value of its rich collections."

"Here you can find paintings and sculptures by well-known Greek - and not only- painters, like El Greco, Giambattista Tiepolo or G."

"Founded in 2014, Blank Wall Gallery is a small exhibition space that was founded by photographers for photographers. The gallery features both group and solo exhibitions by local and international artists and helps emerging photographers showcase their work in downtown Athens."

"Since its inception, Kalfayan Galleryhas been aiming to develop the contemporary art scene in Greece. But with particular emphasis on the Balkans and the MENASA regions (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia) it acts as a bridge between Western and Eastern conception of art. The profile he has created over the last twenty years is international through a wide range of artists representing a wide variety of media."

"The Athens branch of Kalfayan Galleries opened in 2000 – founders Arsen and Roupen Kalfayan launched their first gallery in Thessaloniki in 1995. The Kalfayan brothers began by representing Greek artists but expanded to feature a more international roster shortly after their arrival in Athens. “There weren’t that many galleries in Europe which were involved in the Middle East,” Arsen Kalfayan says."

"Tuttitalia restaurant is situated on Valaoritou pedestrian street in the center of Athens and offers an authentic experience of Italian cuisine. In this warm, friendly and elegant space, the Italian chef prepares specialty dishes at trattoria prices. The kitchen is a taste laboratory where the most genuine recipes meet the best and most fresh ingredients, creating a high quality gourmet experience."

"You might stop at Capanna in Kolonaki for its pretty interiors—think Instagram-worthy tiled floors and walls, neutral tabletops and backdrops for your food photos, and a colourful produce display—but you will stay for the food. Their menu includes fish and meat dishes, and more than a few antipasti, salads and pastas, but don’t skip their pizzas. They have solid basics like margherita and buffalina."

"Italian taste is always a favorite and Malconis in Kolonaki is an excellent example. Open from morning to night, this ultra chic locale, with minimal, artistic decor, offers an inspired menu based on contemporary Italian cuisine. Enjoy your beloved spaghetti or a wonderfully thin pizza, fresh aromatic salads, classic tagliatta, the avant garde dishes cooked in sous vide, the heavenly coconut mousse for dessert."

"An Italian restaurant in the heart of Kolonaki, the perfect place for brunch, lunch or dinner. (Patriarchou Ioakim 43, Kolonaki)."

"This is a low budget, two-storey bar with alternative music and weekly theme-based events. You can sit downstairs or on the terrace overlooking the Kerameikos district as well as the Acropolis, surrounded by young people and drinking cheap beers (3,5 euros for 500ml), wine (3 euros) or cocktails (7 euros). There is also a happy hour for even lower prices every Friday and Saturday, from 8 until 11 p. m."

"Just behind a small park on Spirou Merkouri Street in Pangrati lies Hippy3. By "lies" we mean exactly that: this all day café-bar oozes a laidback, anything goes vibe that encourages lingering as long as you like over a coffee. But what we think the place is best for is its brunch."

"The ancient cemetery of Athens at the bottom of Ermou past the Monastiraki flea market has a nice little museum. The site itself though off the beaten path is one of my favorites and is one of the best organized and most beautiful archaeological sites in Athens. Lots of pottery and tombstones."