Explore Greece’s storied capital with footwear label, Ancient Greek Sandals. Dress code: mythological mules.
16 July, 2019
Grecian
footwear label, Ancient Greek Sandals, headed by
Christina Martini and Nikolas Minoglou, takes its inspiration from
the bygone aesthetics of Greece
and Greek mythology.
“Everything you hear is true – Athens
is dirty, taxi drivers might rip you off, there’s too much
pollution and lots of traffic – but people are very hospitable and
charming and there is certain buzz at the moment. The city is
booming with energy,” they say.
Donned in flat sandals bearing wings, we stepped out with the
brand’s creative director Christina to explore the storied
capital.
Sunday – there is no traffic.
On foot, taxi (which is cheap) or by subway. Many of the
stations contain unique, archaeological mini-museums and modern-art
installations – so it’s worth opting for the latter at least
once.
The Grande Bretagne has an
amazing view of the Acropolis and the city.
Around Agia Irini Square, Anafiotika and Psiri. Walk Dionysiou
Areopagitou, a pedestrianised street, from the Acropolis Museum
towards Thiseio.
The taverna on Plateia Dexamenis in Kolonaki serves really good
mezze plates.
Ama Lachei in Exarchia is an
elementary-school-turned-restaurant. Grab a table under the trees
in the expansive yard. Diporto is an old-school,
hole-in-the-wall taverna located near the main vegetable market
(which is also worth a visit). Its serves fried fish, chickpea stew
and hearty salads. For something a bit more upscale, try Nolan, a
Greek-Japanese restaurant renowned for its cod burger.
Gavros marinatos (marinated whitebait with garlic), horta (wild
greens with olive oil) and the seasonal speciality of courgette
flowers stuffed with rice.
Romantso hosts big parties with Greek and
international DJs.
Grab a souvlaki and head to the top of Lycabettus Hill for a
view across the city by night.
Heteroclito, a small wine bar right in the centre of town
specialising in Greek wine. Alternatively, get an old-school
cocktail in the tiny Galaxy bar – it’s always open and frequented
by Athenian nightcrawlers.
I Kriti, an amazing Cretan taverna in Plateia Kaniggos. You can
sample a great selection of the island’s popular dishes here and
wash the food down with a shot of raki.
It depends where you go. There are different kinds of people
following different trends and lifestyles in Athens. Anything goes,
but nothing too extreme.
Athens is full of archaeological sites, temples and museums.
It’s a highly inspirational city – especially now that I design
sandals.
A maxi-print dress, denim shorts and t-shirts or tops, a little
black dress and sandals.
The Parthenon, the Museum of Cycladic Art, Benaki Museum, the Acropolis Museum, Ilias Lalaounis Jewellery Museum and walk around the
old part of Athens.
Go to an open-air cinema, watch a movie and have a hot dog and
beer. Alternatively, you could visit the Lake Vouliagmeni and swim
in warm therapeutic waters 20km south from the centre of
Athens.
The temple of Cape of Sounion, a magical place where you can
also swim and have lunch. If you want to totally relax, visit Astir
Beach or the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel
in Vouliagmeni.
Eurydice Street: A Place in Athens by Sofka Zinovieff, or Circe
by Madeline Miller.
Leather Ancient Greek Sandals, olive oil and olive oil soap.
