Athens, Greece

Going there for a week from late June to early July.

Had to use a load of air miles (or whatever they are called now) before they expired, and this is where I chose of the limited options open to me. It makes sense as I also have no money for accomodation so as a lot of their tourist space is currently empty it's pretty affordable. You can get some great deals so long as you're OK with it being non-refundable. I'm staying near the Acropolis Museum.

Questions:

Where to drink?
Where to eat?
What to see?
Can you ride a bike from the airport to Athens, is it safe and has anyone done it?

My research has been near zero, but I've always wanted to go to Greece, and whilst I also wanted to Island hop, see Thessaloniki, and various other things... Athens is a good start.

I'll do a couple of the big tourist things, will spend a good chunk of the week working from my hotel (this isn't a holiday as such), so it's more evening, eating and entertainment that I seek advice on.

And obviously, I found http://athensfixedgear.com/ straight away. But I'm not yet 100% certain I'm taking a bike with me.

anecdotally riding in Athens is 'mental'

ask appolox

Lucky you - Athens is brilliant! I spent 6 weeks there before Christmas as the GF was working out there. I took my Brompton and have to say having a bike was a complete winner - it is bloody hilly though.

One of the good things about the place is how small it is centrally so it's really easy to get around even if you just walk - I found myself just wandering around a lot and there is always something interesting to see. Public transport is great too.

To answer your questions

Where to drink?
There is a massive cafe / bar culture in Athens so this is really easy. Just head to the area of your choice and you will see people / places. Plaka and Monasteraki / the flea market are pretty touristy areas but are definitely worth a wander. I really liked some of the bars in Exarhia which is a bit more rough and ready. Start by wandering down Emmanouelbenaki and then explore the side streets off it. By the way virtually everywhere has free wifi so you may not need to be confined to your hotel to work? I certainly spent most of my time in a cafe nursing a single coffee for hours and no-one minded.

Where to eat?
See above - again food is great on the whole. We found some of the best and cheaper places to eat were to go to Tavernas in our local area (we were staying near the old Panathinaikos stadium in Ambelokipi). Unfortunately I can't remember names but pretty much every taverna we went to was good. Asking the hotel/taxi drivers paid dividends.

Places I do remember:
Sardelles - fantastic fish restaurant in Gazi (on Persefonis). It's cheap too for what you get. The Butcher's Shop is a grill restaurant next door to it which was also pretty good although more expensive. Gazi is also an interesting area with lots of bars although I found it a little hectic on the weekend - it gets very busy.
Capanna - special mention here. We'd just walked up Lykavitos hill (worth doing for the view) and were coming down the other side into Kolonaki. It was raining and we were looking for somewhere to eat and noticed people in here. It turned out they had not opened yet but were testing the menu (of mainly pizza). We got invited in and ended up staying the afternoon being fed free pizza and wine! The pizza is absolutely superb - we went back a couple of times as we got fairly friendly with the owners. It is however quite pricy but if you stay off the wine you can eat cheaply. The owners also have a grill restaurant a couple of doors down which does fantastic souvlaki. Kolonaki itself is a bit on the posh side but still worth a wander round.
Gyros - anywhere. I lived on these bad boys for lunch as they only cost 1-2 euros. The ones from the 1st place on the left as you go up Mitropoleous from Platia Monastirakiou were particularly good.

What to see?
Do all the big tourist stuff. Museum wise the Acropolis museum and National Archeological museum are particularly good.
Slightly more unusual - the fish/meat market walking out of Monastiraki down Athinas are superb. There are also eating places inside serving massive plates of meat which are great. Also worth visiting the bars in Psyrri on the way (on your left).
It worth walking up Filopappou hill to catch the sunset for a great view of the Acropolis and to Piraeus the other way.
If you get chance Pireaus (the port area) is worth a vist. Easy bus/tram ride away. There are some great fish restaurants there although they are a bit pricy.
Finally if you want to get away from it all then the Spa lake at Vougliameni is fantastic (http://www.athensguide.com/vouliagmeni.html) if the waether is good. There are also good restaurants in Vougliameni if you wanted to make a day of it.

I'm very jealous. Athens is a fantastic place - would go back there in a shot. So much to do and the people are extremely hospitable. Tip - don't ever order a desert - you will always be brought one free, usually halva.

I personally wouldn't cycle from the airport to Athens but if you take your bike then take it on the metro.

anecdotally riding in Athens is 'mental'

This is true - but only really as mental as London. There are a lot less cyclists so drivers are not as aware but I never really felt I was in any more danger than in London. The nice thing was that the Brompton was a real talking point. Athenians are very hospitable / friendly anyway but I would regularly get stopped and asked about the bike.

Couple of other things - if you do walk up Filopappou hill there are lots of cafes / bars in Thissio.

I also have a pocket Athens rough guide you are welcome to borrow if you like. I found it really useful. Having said that what I said before stands - it's a superb city to just wander around in and almost impossible to get really lost as you can pretty much always see the Acropolis to orientate yourself. Taxis are also v cheap - most city centre journeys under 5 euros.

I was there when the protesting kicked off in November. It should be an interesting time as well right now. FYI the protests were very much limited to Syntagma / isolated other areas and I never felt in any danger whatsoever.

Awesome overload of info there.

I always ponder at getting a Brompton, and can never quite justify the price tag. Every time I consider something like this though, I just end up kicking myself for not having one. Still can't afford it though.

haha

tl:dr - just wander around. It's awsome!

I have a lonely planet I bought in September. If you want it and can meet, or collect, then you are welcome to have it.

I thought it was pretty good, and the better out of the guide books I looked at.

There is a really great restaurant not far - I think it was this one: Μανημανη / ManiMani
Falirou 19, Athens 11742, Greece

Kind of down from the Acropolis, not exactly "off the beaten track", but not touristy, Not cheap, but well priced and has an interesting take on traditional Greek food. Perfect place if you want a nice meal with a partner.

EDIT:

I'd also just add that Athens is an amazing place. I think it would actually be a wicked place away for a long weekend with mates.

One thing that is a bit harder in Greece tho, is being on your own. You get odd looks and it isn't easy to engage people.

I'd book any Island hoping trips in Athens I used a guy at somewhere I think was called Argonauts Travel - sketchy looking office, but really, really helpful. The port departure system is not obvious so having idiot proof instructions helps... a lot. This is their address I think 48 Amalias Avenue, 105 58 Athens, GREECE. I was advised to go there by the guys at Athens Backpackers - who are also great and have apartments - so it's not all just sharing dorms.

Having independent transport is definitely a good shout. If I went back I'd take a motorbike. But Athens is tiny and you can navigate pretty much all of it on foot.

Shameless bump as Aa heading there soon with bike.... How was your trip, any more advice to add to @goodhead's awesome post)?

Looks like Athens Fixed Gear website is dead. I also wonder if the velodrome is open..