An unassuming neighborhood in Athens, Pagrati is not your first choice when it comes to busy nightlife, however, this residential yet vibrant area still offers a variety of things to do and to see. Bordering with trendy Kolonaki and boasting the ancient marble Panathenaic Stadium as one of its landmarks, Pagrati is an unmistakably Athenian-looking neighborhood and has some local gems just waiting to be discovered. Here is our roundup of what to do in Pagrati.
Go Back in Time
If you grew up playing Sega and Nintendo games, watching your favorite Disney movies on VHS tapes and reading comic book magazines, then Superfly Café will be a treat for you. With its retro vibe and funky décor, Superfly is a humble café where you can play old-school computer games while sipping on a coffee, beer or cocktail. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed and cool with a great music selection. But beware, you will quickly feel at home at Superfly!
Surprisingly enough, Pagrati is home to one of the best gourmet restaurants in Athens, housed in a charming neoclassical mansion. Two Michelin-starred Spondi is an excellent dinner destination. Offering top-notch Mediterranean haute cuisine, this world-class restaurant is definitely worth every cent. With an unrivaled wine list, quality food and fresh, seasonal ingredients (the foie gras baton and the crab in her jelly feature among the favorites), a dinner at Spondi should be on your to-do list for a night to remember.
Among Athenian escape rooms, Loopers must be one of the best. With intelligent riddles and puzzles to solve, a friendly atmosphere and a helpful and friendly staff, you and your friends are bound to have a good time. With six themed rooms and plenty of mysteries to solve, your time in Loopers will be well spent.
Pagrati is home to the Panathenaic Stadium, or Kallimarmaro (the marble stadium), the only stadium in the world build entirely of marble. It was originally built in the 6th century BC and was renovated in 1896 for the first modern Olympic Games. For a few years now, the stadium has actually been open to the public and you can learn all about its history and facilities with an audio guide. Even better, go for a morning jogging session inside. Otherwise, the upper exterior ramp is always available for running addicts all day long.
This pocket-size café-bar, located on a corner, is one of the places to be in Athens. From the day of its opening, Hotel Chelsea (or Chelsea for the locals) became the talk of the town as the new spot to hang out. Whether you are here for a coffee or drinks at night (though it will be better for you to come early to score some seats), Chelsea is a hot hangout spot in the neighborhood, ideal for people-watching.
A stroll around the First Cemetery of Athens is a nice way to escape the hustle of Athens. This place is a peaceful spot, ideal for an afternoon stroll, where you can find some of the finest sculptures and mausoleums. Look for the resting place of archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, the beautiful Sleeping Female Figure at Sofia Afentaki’s tomb, carved by famous Greek sculptor Yannoulis Chalepas, or the grave of actress, singer, activist and minister of culture Melina Mercouri, near the entrance of the cemetery.
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Listen to Some Jazz Tunes
For jazz aficionados, Half Note Jazz Club is the place where you can enjoy some of the best live gigs; covering jazz, blues, soul and funk music. Come enjoy local and international artists (Gary Bartz, Aleka Kanellidou, Arthur Blythe and Steve Lacy have been performing there for years). A staple among local jazz fans for bringing well-established jazz names from all over the world, Half Note Jazz Club’s friendly and warm atmosphere make it one of the best venues for intimate concerts.
