Offbeat Athens with a Local, Athens, Greece (B)

One of the oldest cities on Earth and the birthplace of western civilization, Athens could easily rely on its glorious past and multi millennium-old ruins and fall into grogginess. For years it has been only a sneak peak into Ancient Greece or a gateway to the islands with many tourists making it to the famous Acropolis before heading to the Piraeus to catch a boat. However, the Greek capital has a lot more to offer with vibrant neighborhoods and a true urban culture.

And this is precisely what Constantina wants us to experience. The passionate Athenian does plenty of walking tours and as an archeologist she knows the ins and outs of the historical sites of the Ancient Athens. Yet, her favorite tour is a bit different. It plunges into the various neighborhoods and gives an insiders’ feel to her guests.

No need to wander very far from the busy and bustling compact touristic center to experience authentic Athens. Only a few streets away from the Acropolis, smells of the islands and the mountains emanate from traditional shops selling herbs and nuts to locals. Along its southern slopes, the Koukaki neighborhood with its scents of freshly brewed coffee from many of the excellent coffee shops draws more locals than tourists – even though Airbnb has been turning the neighborhood into a favorite location for traveler to explore Athens for good reasons. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).