http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34286 This white washed village which was carved out of the rocks is reminiscent of a village in Santorini. It was dug out of the rocks by stonemasons from the island of Anafi (near Santorini) who were working on King Otto's Athens palace in the early 19th century. To remind them of home, they tried to recreate their homes of the islands. Anafiotika unsurprisingly means 'Anafi style'.
Just be aware that these are people's homes though the inhabitants (many descendants of the original stone masons) are used to tourists now.
As a matter of interest, there is a plaque dedicated to Konstantinos Koukidis who fell from the Acropolis wrapped in the Greek flag during the German occupation of Greece. The plaque is by the church of St George of the rock.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34286 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27163 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27163 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24432 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24432 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23754 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23754 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23561 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23561 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22328
Instead, there are two brilliant places to pick up local and traditional Greek handicrafts.

Oikotexnia is run by the Institute of Social Protection, so you will be helping to preserve and promote traditional Greek handicrafts as well as scoring some top quality souvenirs. Best buys include knotted carpets, fluffy Flokatis rugs, embroidered cushions and tablecloths.

The Centre of Hellenic Traditions is a haven from Plaka's mass-produced tat and sells Greek art, icons, pottery, wood carvings, embroideries, and prints. Best of all, there's a charming cafe on-site for enjoying a view of the Acropolis]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22328 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22327
A maze of paths winds lazily to the top and is well-shaded - ideal for coping with the blistering August heat. Most people come here for the views of the Acropolis opposite and southern Athens stretching to the sea, but you'll come across many more historic sights on your travels.

Highlights include the cave where Socrates was imprisoned, the Pnyx, a limestone theatre carved into the hillside, and the birthplace of Athenian democracy, and the Neo-Classical Old Observatory.

If you have time, make sure you catch a performance of traditional Greek dance at the Dora Stratou Dance Theatre, and a enjoy a coffee at the Loumbardiaris cafe.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22327 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19769 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19769 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19767 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19767 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13468 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13468 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13216
Best time to enjoy Plaka is early spring and late October when the tourist wave has gone. There are many places and museums to visit in Plaka among them the museums of Greek folk art, the Children's Museum, the Frissiras Museum of Greek painting and the Greek music instruments museum. In Plaka you can see also the Roman bath of the Winds and the Lysicrates monument, next to it was the Capuchin Monastery where Lord Byron stayed. Across the Adrianou street and on the steps of Plaka you will find many shops, cafes and restaurants.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13216 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12798 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12798 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5705
As it is tucked away on a pine-clad hill, the temple attracts only a few travellers so it’s definitely a place to escape the crowds. I went at the height of season last summer and was joined by just two or three others.

Also once you've visited the temple, you can relax on some of the lovely beaches (either in Aghios Marina, or the ones within walking distance of Aegina Town) and still make it back to Athens before evening.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5705 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5637
And if you have a European student card you get in for free at other times. I have a rather dodgy looking student card from five years ago for a language school I worked at in Spain, and that was good enough for every place I went to in Greece (Mycenae, Corinth, etc...).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5637 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5570 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5570 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5569 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5569 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/268 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/268 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/265 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/265 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/262 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/262 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5662 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5662