nick_arch

What i consider the best areas to stay are in the Green area and around the Green dots. . . that's more or less around Acropolis Hill and half a mile around.

. . . then you have many other areas a bit longer away for another mile appx., basically on the Blue subway line path for a couple of stops to the East. These are considered good residential areas by the Athenians and are near where the private museums like Benaki Museum are.

I'd stay in the center and avoid the Red area.

As an Athens local i am not allowed here to make specific suggestions ( forum rules ) so i 'll keep it general.

Trip Advisor is indeed a huge resource for questions regarding hotels and your Athens stay.

Moreover, if you go to a large booking site like let's say booking.com, you can put your dates and limit the budget on the column on the left.

You can find great small hotels in more affordable prices and this can be done in mostly all good locations too.

What i 'd try to focus would be to get a hotel in a good area which means: central, safe, close to sites and with good public transportation options.

Having these in mind i 'd pick a hotel in these areas, which basically are: Plaka, Monastiraki, Syndagma, Psirri, Plaka, Acropolis Museum and Ilisia / Kolonaki / Hilton area ( that's an area name for Athens ). Map here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zMpJqIJGegOo.k00_oCBgHhNk&usp=sharing

Please consider NOT using the donkeys.

Besides the potential abuse from owners, there are also safety issues.

http://thewanderbug.com/2013/11/08/three-reasons-i-didnt-ride-a-donkey-in-santorini/

http://mygreecetravelblog.com/2013/04/12/dont-ride-the-donkeys-why-tourists-should-avoid-taking-the-mule-taxis-on-santorini/

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/102837/Santorini-donkeys-still-suffer

Summer opening hours are till 8pm, not 3pm.

Last admission at 7.30pm.

It can be done, but i'd say around 6pm when temperatures start dropping.

The bay area and the Marina towards the South is a pretty nice area. . . walking it from side to side does take time. . . still as you can see at the map it's a pretty straight line walk from docks to this area through Piraeus and along the street where the Museum is actually on.

Having been already at the sites, you may indeed want to explore a bit of Piraeus.

In fact, you could actually combine the two, meaning a short diy-tour in Piraeus and some of the day on board to keep everyone happy.

What i 'd visit in Piraeus would indeed be the Piraeus Arch. Museum and then wlk further to reach other side of the peninsula at Marina Zeas / Pasalimani, wher ei 'd find somewehre to grab a coffee, relax watching the yachts, perhaps dine. Then walk back to the cruise ship.

It's not an extremely long walk. Depending the dock of your ship it's appx. 1 mile each way, so i't spretty doable.

Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/mLNk8UYYSyk

Marina Zeas: https://www.google.com/search?q=marina+zeas&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=994&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwinmJv-xrDKAhVJ1iwKHe2MArwQ_AUIBigB&dpr=1

You 'll find lots of cheap versions around tourist areas. In Athens the main strip to find them is near Acropolis Museum, in Plaka area.

Roadmap here: https://goo.gl/maps/F1xHeVxXo452 and that's basically a walk through the lower parts of Plaka area.

Some museum shops also have certified replicas of higher quality ( and price ). Material, weight and depiction are of higher quality that the cheaper versions sold in tourist shops.

Benaki Museum in Athens is the best source in my opinion.

Their location is here: https://goo.gl/maps/mVm5wohiYtv and their online shop ceramics page, to take a look, here: http://benakishop.gr/en/8-ceramics

It is so dissapointing to read people are thinking of changing a destination based on false information by newspapers. . . not referring to people but the newspapers that play people into believing a different thing that reality. . .

"From January, the cost of visiting the Acropolis in Athens will rise from €12 to €52. A massive increase of 430%. "

Huge laugh. . . The usual bs we get from most UK newspapers lately, especially the Daily Fail.

The ticket proposed for Acropolis is 20 euros per person and 10 euros November to March. Kids under 18 used to enter and enter for free + discounts are available for students and seniors.

20 euros per person on high season is quite reasonable for the specific monument.

Other sites in Europe, examples:

Italy: Leaning Tower of Pisa: 18 euros

Italy: Pompei ticket: 19.50 euros

UK: Stonehenge: 19.70 euros!

( and sincerely: kudos for volunteering for Alanon / Naranon. It's a good thing and i am proud of all the effort made there. . . different countries, similar problems. . . Gosh. . . let's hope it gets better for many people anywhere in the world entangled in this. . . )

Kethea should definitely do a better job although this is not related to this forum's aim to discuss. Anyway, they are doing a good job with addicts, mainly heroine but not at all doing a good job re CM prevention. Not impressed really.

I would not drag this into an irrelevant conversation, still statement in the article "The drug of preference for thousands of homeless Greeks forced on to the streets by poverty and despair" is what i 'd call sensationalism.

Shisha was here around Omonoia from the start of the decade, before all this "crisis". Drugs ARE prevalent part of everyday life in many countries, including the UK, the US of course, many other countries and third world countries too.

To imply this will affect a traveller's experience in Cruise Critic is really far from reality.

Are you sure you are not painting the picture a bit more gray that it is?

I mean, how on Earth this affects a traveller's experience? Sincerely, area around the Acropolis where most visitors from the cruise ships will move today is full of visitors trying to carm in as much as possible, grab an ice cream, take photos and so.

Not underestimating any issues in Athens, it's a 5 million people metropolitan area, it would be naive to imply it's all perfect. . . there are naigbourhoods i would not get in, same as NYC, same as London too. . .

Srsly. . . i think you are conceiving another reality that a visitor's. Personal opinion of course.

As for the Stoupa burglaries, just dont tell me you woke up yesterday.

My room in Hawaii, freaking Hawaii was robbed first day i got there 7 years ago. . . these things happen everywhere, yes in Greece too. It's not paradise really. . . it's a quite close though and much better form other countries.

Still.

I am with you on tax evasion though in the islands.

I do pay my taxes though. Many other people too.

So, let's not generalise. You are generalising fat and flat.

I am really sorry. I don't agree.

First of all, do you have a personal on-ground experience regarding crystal meth use on the mainland, or is it something yo read in a newspaper?

You make it sound as if the mainland is full of tweaking users raiding a Wal-Mart in SoCal.

You know. . . it's not SoCal here. . . lol. . . although SoCal is actually doing far better in this from other US states. . .

Greece does have a narcotic substances issue - as every other Western world country. . . ; i woudn't say though you are in any way accurate. Allow me to know better since i volunteer for a relative NGO regarding prevention of CM use in population groups specifically affected from this. We do have a raising ratio of users, still it is a kindergarden compared to what was and is some US states and most European countries. Really check your numbers and don't paint a silly picture out of nowhere.

Other than that, i 'd also try to keep comments on Greek's honesty outside this forum. Well, i 'd keep it off from anywhere.

Tax evasion is a big issue, still majority of population does pay taxes.

Going so far away from travel related content is not actually what Cruise Critic is about. Epecially when it includes stereotyping of such a magnitude.

It's like saying people are being shot in American schools. . .

Ooops. Sorry. . . actually they are.

plz, do refrain from generalising comments. . .

I just hope OP understands Crete is also a Greek island.

I have visited but i used no guide, so i cannot comment on this one.

Besides a guide, i 'd say the most important thing is to have ample time. Views are simply stunning and the whole thing needs time, so invest as much time as available. . . it's a unique place.

Yeap, rules about knees covered are strict in these monasteries. A long skirt is the best / easiest way to do it. Just wear it over your cloths when you arrive, so no need to change anywhere.

Another rule has to do with shoulders too. Although they may be somewhat flexible on this, women AND men are advised to wear a t-shirt instead of a sleeveless shirt. Outside in the cities or the rural areas is just somehting normal but anything there that would show too much flesh is really somewhat ugh.

When i visit and that's usually summer i wear pants over my summer outfit, or athletic pants. It's not something necessary really but i do it out of respect specifically in monastic environments.

As a Greece local i cannot advise any local guides or businesses, still with a quick search in Google someone can find some options, so, since you have time ahead you can always request a pricing for what you have in mind for the day.

Banks finally opening this Monday July 20th 2015, after three weeks of being closed.

I 'd expect gradually, from Tuesday and on, any issues with atm's being minimised or even zero-ed.

ATM'S - CASH WITHDRAWALS

Again, once more, reminding that even during these three weeks, atm's were operating with no withdrawal limit for internationally issued cards except the limit of the card itself of course.

Issues here and there were reported and observed, mainly with queues of 6 - 20 people at central atm's in bigger towns during shop opening hours and with some atm's running out of money at the end of the day. During these three weeks i fall on 1 atm in Athens having no money, we also had 3 reports in Trip Advisor of people not being able not to get cash from an atm. At the same time we had dozens of reports from people that had no issues at all and got money from atm's, reporting it is business as usual, especially on the islands and the mainland.

CREDIT CARDS

During the same time, credit cards were accepted anywhwere they were accepted before, and the credit cards system was running smoothly. I used my credit card ( or debit card instead of cash pr a prepaid card ) multiple times during these three weeks, i 'g guess it's 4 - 5 times a day, 70 - 80 transactions overall with absolutely no issues.

We had some reports of local establishments preferring cash over credit card even if they had the necessary equipment. We also had some very scarce reports of businesses, i think it was 2 reports in TA during the first days, denying credit card use. About this last one, i remind that if a business does have a functional credit card payments system etc, it is against the local law to deny a credit card payment.

Be reminded that anyway this is a country where many places accept cash only, for a number of reasons, main reason is either indifference or lack of proper equipment, so we are not really talking about a cashLess society here. For example, Acropolis site ( !! ) accepts cash only ( grrrr ).

LIFE AND EVERYDAY CONDITIONS

We have no upcoming information about strikes or any disruptions. During these three weeks we had 1 strike day that affected public sector and a demonstration at Syndagma Square.

Life rolls normally, i doubt anyone will get we are going through some fiscal crisis 7 years now.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVISE

Please take this with a pinch of salt. I am not a travel analyst, nor an official source of information of any kind, nor travel business related, so this is only privately given advise from a volunteer.

Things look normal. During all these weeks i was very hesitant to give the usual advise given even from official authorities to take as much cash as possible. "As much cash as possible" is nonsensical to me. . .

- What i would suggest would be NOT to rely completely to atm's and NOT to rely completely on credit cards or other electronic means of payment.

Greece is a country where someone should rely on a diverse set of ways of payment.

Do take some cash ( in euros ), most preferably from the country of your origin to remove any stress off local atm's system and do take good care of it. Rely on atm's also to get some cash "as you go", still do have some cash in hand before arriving, for your own convenience and ease of mind. There are no issues with local atm's, still i 'll continue giving the same advise for weeks after banks open. So: carry different means to pay things: cash and a credit card and a debit card. Perhaps due to the volatility of the situation some weeks ago is wise to carry some more cash for 3 - 4 days if you are a traveller in the country and not arriving just for some hours as a cruise ship passenger.

- It is common sense to understand that atm and credit card use is more widespread in towns and places where tourists arrive or locals do business.

- it is common sense to understand that a tiny restaurant in a mountainous village, somewhere in there, the perfect spot to have the perfect meal may not ba accepting cards since they may not even have a DSL connection up there.

- Prepaid cards work normally.

- Take good care of your cash if you carry a lot. I am always anxious when i carry cash, i avoid it every day, i have avoided it even during these three weeks. I have been carrying 40 - 60 euros every day and using my credit card the banknotes were stuck in the wallet unused for days ( talking about downtown Athens ). I am Mr. Super Clumsy when it comes to cash, so carrying cash is not my best idea of having fun. So i try to make my life more simple and it is possible even during these days.

- Using cash is the way many people prefer. Take good care of it and spend in the local economy. It helps :) A very good reason to take more cash this year is the extremely good exchange rate from USD or GBP to euros, so take this into consideration. Please do ask for receipts.

- Using credit card is the way many people prefer. Spend also if it is possible :) An electronic payment secures also that the payment will be taxed.

- Regarding some articles around about shortages, especially of food. . . i 'd say that i have never seen shelves in the supermarkets so full with food, from floor to ceiling. It was three weeks of very careful planning for supermarkets and restaurants. Of course no shortages have been observed.

- Last but not least: Plan, plan, plan. Planning is also the best way to juice out the best from every destination, anywhere in the world. And: it is fun. . .

The whole thing slowly goes down to a more functional situation for us locals. It has been 99% functional for tourists too during these three and a half weeks, except perhaps 12 - 24 hours at Day 1, Day 2 and the strike day. Be reminded once more that atm's and credit cards have been and are functional with no limits for travellers.

Peace all and happy planning.

<There are still a few to overcome but all parties seem to have the will, if not the enthusiasm, to see it through.>

. . .oh, i just wish they had the enthusiasm too, all of them together. . .:(

Banks open on Monday at last. Some limitations for locals there but all business can be made on web banking in the country with no limits. . . i 'd expect any atm queues that form in central spots in shop opening hours to get drastically minimised.

I wouldn't very clearly agree. . . Athens and tourism center is a pretty big place and area affected was pretty small. It's the usual problems around Syndagma Sq., taking place 2 - 3 times a year in large demonstrations and way long after a cruise ship passenger has gone.

I walked around the area, up to 20 meters from the issues tonight. . . it was between 6pm - 9pm local time. Yeap, very very messy but area affected was small, a corner of Syndagma Sq. and an area in front of Temple of Zeus. Definitely an issue but in a city of 5 million people most locals and visitors could not get what was going on. Definitely smaller than tv make it look. . .

I have made an update of what was taking place during this time in posts #894 to 898 in Trip Advisor in this thread, including a map of the affected area: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g189398-i192-k8593900-o890-Greek_debt_deal_referendum_plz_start_from_here-Greece.html

After 21 days of updates and many functional issues for users of mobile devices and the TA app we had to move to a new thread which can be found here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g189398-i192-k8657220-Local_updates_about_Greece_plz_start_from_here-Greece.html

We will be there Oct 6 (Tues) from 12:00 to 8:30 but am pretty sure we will have to be back on the ship by 8:00. Walking is not a problem for us as we are a very active family and at times have walked 10+ miles a day.

I'm glad to hear the changing of the guards is every hour instead of just at 11:00.

How much would the metro cost to get into the main area (near the Acropolis and changing of the guards?) Which train and stop should we get off?

For a midday - 8.30pm visit you 'll definitely have to be back at 8pm, which if you do it on public transportation would mean arriving at Piraeus subway station at 7.30pm = leave Athens center at around 6.30pm - 7pm. Definitely leave some buffer time in there. You can always of course take a taxi at 7.15 pm at its latest which will get you down to port at 7.45pm.

For an October visit i 'd start directly from Acropolis site and leave Change of the Guards for the end.

Acropolis site is the top site, it won't be THAT hot in October and crowds will be mostly gone then. . . you 'll definitely meet some of your co passengers, still the big number of visitors arrive earlier that that. You 'll be at Acropolis site at around 1.30pm i 'd guess and you 'll need at least an hour - 90 minutes for a quick round.

Directly after exiting the site do the Mars Hill visit. It's a quick one and will give a good glimpse of the coty from lower height and marvellous views to the Acropolis monument for some extra photos.

So. . . i'd start right from Acropolis site. Top 1 priority and would get some of the tight timed visit pressure off to do it first :) Moreover off season opening times ( starting at Nov1st ) are 8 to 3, they may get some opening times like 8 to 5 in October depending weather and visitors, so starting first thing from it is the best way to cover any unexpected opening time hickups.

What to do next depends on your interests. Acropolis is a higher point, a hill and you can practically go to many places depending your interests and the streets you follow.

You can either head down to Agora and Temple of Hephaestus, you can either head to Acropolis Museum, then either way you go to walk in Plaka and end at Syndagma to see the Change of the Guards and head back to port from there.

Ticket is 1.20 euros per person for 70 minutes. If you are planning to use public transportation all the way to and back, then a day ticket for 4 euros per person is the best option. It covers you for 24hrs unlimited hop on hop off in metro, buses, trams etc in the city, except airport trips. Seaport trips included.

Remember you have to validate ( stamp ) any ticket b4 using it first time.

I echo the word of caution about possibility of overcharging by taxi drivers and also echo the great advise for the ho-ho bus. It's not cheap by any means. . . a taxi should be 20 - 25 euros each way for 4 people, still with a hoho bus you get the bus, double decker, they get you from / to near the cruise ship, you get an open air ( shaded ) area on top, some basic guidance etc.

As for suggestions on how to organise your day. . . you are sailing in at midday?

and departing? what time frame are we talking about? and month?

If it's summer time, Acropolis site remains open till 8pm. . . so i 'd tend to leave later in the day to avoid the extreme heat if we are talking about a summer visit. . .

What i 'd try to cover in a short day visit if i was visiting alone and walking would be Plaka area, perhaps Anafiotika, Acropolis Museum, Acropolis site and Mars of Hill right near to site exit. These if you are walking the thing. . .

Acropolis Musuem to get a quick walk around and escape midday heat / lunch there, Plaka area to walk around some souvie shops. . . Anafiotika here: http://www.diaforetiko.gr/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/43817045.jpg , Acropolis site of course, and Mars Hill ( Areiopagos ) to get some great views of the city.

Other than that it's always a matter of hpw much time are we talking about. . . i am complete sucker for views, so i 'd try to get a taxi to Lycabettus funicular and go up the hill. . . it's right in the center but needs some time and is suitable for somewhat longer days. . . later in the day. . . perhaps sunset time if you have the luxury of time.

Yeap, change of the Guards is also an option. . . every hour on the hour. . . Syndagma area where this is located is the very center. . . a 20 minutes walk fropm where Acropolis Museum area. Syndagma is noisy, Plaka is pedestrian and quiet. I like more pedestrian areas cause they are quieter.

You can also use one of the reputable walking tour companies. As an Athens local i am not allowed from forum guidelines to suggest local companies, still with some digging in perhpas Trip Advisor you can find them. It's 4 - 5 of them. I have my favs but not suggesting anything here.

Athens is a pretty big place. . . mazy, 4 - 5 milliopn people, long distance of seaport to the center where the sites are. . . it has been like this for milleniums. . . with careful organising you can certainly accomplish a lot. . . ( less is more also ) and make this an extremely succesful port of call. Definitely one of the highlights of a Med cruise but also a difficult port of call due to the size of the place and the distances. . . still most points of interest are in the very center and walkable from each other. . .

More here: Athens attractions

Greece and Greeks need to do some serious thinking and some serious work on what is needed to get out of this mess. I live here for 36 years, functionally fully a Greek now.

Most people are thinking in the pattern of "euro or not". The answer is not this. Euro or not, you can't make it if things don't work right.

Greece's fiscal problems are huge but at the same time. . . it's a great country and with some serious work for five, ten years a lot of things could change. For the better.

But it needs some really serious and focused work. It's not that bad as it sounds and it could be fixed with hard work, primarily in mentality.

Other than that it's a fantastic country to visit, yeap food is great, sites are fantastic, energy of the place is undeniable. . . but it's not only this. We need some stability and it's 7 - 8 years already of this saga.

More money and more austerity is what we get again, but srsly, there is only one way to go out of this vicious cycle: very hard work and raising productivity. And focused persistence and consistency.

Peace all.

Change of the Guards at Syndagma Sq. is 24/7, *every hour*, on the hour. 1am, 2am. . .7am, 8am, 9am and so on. . . it goes on every hour.

On Sunday morning you get a bigger ceremony, including a small parade and the ceremonial costumes.

Heading to any of them? Plan being there at :50 to get some photos of the monument. Get a position on the sides, along the marble lines in the monument area. Most people head for the center only to be removed from there when the guards arrive. . . so head for the sides nearer to the trees.

The thing lasts appx. 15 minutes. It's considered the very center of the city and our point fo remebrance for those that are missing.

I haven't found an atm out of money in either Athens or Chios island.

Living in Athens, visited Chios for a week.

Atm's have no issues and daily limit applies only for locals.

Roght now things would look for a traveller, except some atm queues in central shopping areas, mostly where locals move, shop and do business.

I am here, i am here

Back from a beautiful week in Chios island.

. . . all these articles are so silly. . . it is business as usual. . .

Flights on time, fuel ok, supermarkets full, coffee places full.

Atm's get busy at some ctnral spots when shops are open. . . and a response to the nice joke about me quieing in front of an atm. . . lol. . . no. . . i have to use an atm for more than a week. I use my debit card instead. As cash.

( i actually got 60 euros from one of the numerous Athens airport atm's one week ago to have some cash to pay the cab when on Chios and have some cash in hand )

Advise is the same: Situation seems to me much more stable right now. . . i 'd still NOT rely to atm's. They are functional, they give money with no limit to travellers and international cards. . . credit cards work normal where they were accepted.

Have some euro cash in hand when you arrive, more cash if you travel independently in remote areas. . . i 'd not say you desperately need so much cash if you arrive on a cruise ship. Things are quiet, definitely safe, and i ate a lot more than i should during my quick getaway. . .

( oh, and Chios is a wonderful, wonderful wonderful island. Used to be an Azamara port of call some years go, no cruise ship arrivals this year i think, still keep it as an option if you travel independently )

Things look a-ok to me, still i 'd just take some precautions and have some cash in hand du to the volatility of the situation a week ago. Thigns may change in the future, but they certainly look a-ok to me despite the silly articles about lack of food, fuel and starving locals eager to find euros. I start believing we are being brainwashed and i was never a fan of conspiracy theories. . .

doh. . .

Re: capital controls. . . they are here to stay. . . judging from Cyprus's precedent, i 'd expect at least two years.

What we desperately need though is for banks to re-open even if capital controls stay.

Capital controls means you can't go in the bank, request all your money and take them to another bank in another country ( that's just an example ). . . and even if it's shocking, my opinion is that it is a preventive measure. A bank with capital controls is better from a bank that collapses :)

Nevertheless, capital controls or not. . . things will have to go back to somehow normal fast indeed and i agree with the essence of what you write :)

Banks will have to open for a number of practical reasons and financial reasons. My understanding though is that capital controls will have to remain there for some time. They do no other thing than prevent a bank collapse.

Whether they are succesful at the end, only time will show. Currently, as far as i know we have to examples. . . one of Argentina that went awful in financial terms and one of Cyprus that went pretty well.

What matters to travellers and especially cruise ship travellers is that beyond the sour reality in Greek banking system, things work pretty normal for a traveller. I doubt you 'll relaise an issues is going on if you did not read the papers and were strolling in a Greek island, a nice mainland town or even central Athens.

I would be very hesitant to receive as true many of the reports from even Greek sources. Each one is pressing things for his own pocket or political side right now. . .

Regarding medicine shortages. I srsly doubt this is real. Medicine shortages are sometimes observed but this is the case five years now from the time all this "restructure Greek economy" thing started ( lol. . . i guess by restructure they mean "chop off feet first so the patient can stand" ).

Some of it has to do with how medicines are paid for. . . some with poor supply chain that's stuck in the 60's. Basically what happens is that you may have to wait for a couple of hours till you get what you wan. Keep in mind that Greek market desperately needs a lot of reforms. . . for example the same pharmacists complaining right now for medicine shortages fiercely object to online pharmacies.

In other words you cannot get in the web and make a simple search like "yyy medicine in pharmacy in Athens" and find an online place that will get you what yopu want next day in your front door. . . an online pharmacy will have to get all payments through credit card which will create a paper trail of the transaction, which will ensure the payment will be taxed. . . i think you understand where i am getting this.

The article says "food shortages may appear" and is as reliable as "an asteroid may hit NYC downtown in the next 5 minutes". . . and the pity is they don't lie. . . "may" is a very relative thing.

What would matter right now is how real on-ground conditions are. And even if they do have a lot of difficulties for locals, i see no impact right now on travellers schedules. No industrial action, no airport or seaports issues, no issues in fuel or food or medicines trade. . .

And. . . pllzz. . . food shortages in Mykonos. . . lol. . . the only reason for there for problems to start is if champagne supplies end. . . doh. . . so stupid. . . i guess though that a title with "Santorini and Mykonos have no food" on . . . sells. . .

A title of "this small mountanous village in Northern Greece has no teachers" does not sell. Indeed. . .