I am currently in Athens on business and enjoying myself despite the winter weather. Even in the rain and snow, the view of the Acropolis lit up at night is still an enchanting sight. If you have never been here, the city has its unique rhythm as all major cities do, and I'd like to share a few tips you may find helpful if planning a first time visit.
1. Be Mindful While Crossing Streets
This is one of the most important pieces of advice to offer any new tourist to Athens, as I was almost run down by a car on a street corner during my first trip. Basically, pedestrians do not have the right of way here, and cars even seem to speed up when they see people in the crosswalks. It is very critical that you stop on every corner and look both ways two or three times before even thinking of crossing. You will be glad you did.
2. Eat at Off-Peak Hours
During winter (not as much in summer) tourists and locals are competing for seats at popular restaurants and cafes, especially on weekends. As a consequence, it is wise to consider dining in-between the customary Greek dining hours, which is 1–3 p.m for lunch and 8-10 p.m. for dinner. Using this strategy, my colleagues and I were able to get four seats at 6 p.m. with no reservation at a popular bistro/steak house called Vezene by promising to vacate our table by 10 p.m.
