10 Things to Do in Athens in January

The best things to see and do in Athens are those things that have to do with the cultural identity of this beautiful place and not so much with the tourist and commercial approach that many establishments and attractions tend to take.

To help you get to know the best of this 3,000 year old metropolis I have put together an itinerary that will keep you busy throughout your visit and also leave you wanting to come back for more the next chance you get.

Protohronia is the continuation of the feast of St. Basil, the Greek Orthodox Church's Father Christmas. The tradition is that the first person who enters the house of another person breaks a pomegranate or fruit on the door of the one who is inviting them in, and the more seeds they manage to scatter the more luck they are bestowing on the inviting family.

So, if you are in town for the first day of January and someone invites you to spend the day at their house, you can take part in this tradition called Protohronia. But if you don't have that possibility, you can follow the Greek tradition by having a traditional breakfast of bougatsa, prepared with semolina, custard and cheese or, even better, by booking a gastronomic tour of Athens- the perfect plan for food lovers!

The vasilopita is a cake, or rather a cake, which is shared among the whole family or all the guests to participate in a fun traditional game. It is similar to the "roscón de reyes", because inside the cake there is a coin or some similar decorative piece and whoever serves it on their plate wins the luck for the beginning of the year.

It can be a great way to assimilate yourself into the culture of the place you are visiting and to learn new traditions. You can also, if you wish, buy one for the first of January and one for the 6th. This way you can try both versions of the recipe, the one that is a bread and the one that is a sweeter and fluffier cake.

Most bakeries in the city will be selling these vasilopitas, but they are also very likely to be offered at your hotel breakfast if you ask for them in advance.

This tradition is celebrated all over Greece and if you're travelling to Athens for the 6th of January you can't miss it. It consists of the commemoration of Christ's baptism in the waters of the Jordan River and so all participants head to the nearest shores to indulge in this rite of the Greek Orthodox Church.

From Athens you can go to the port of Piraeus or to Kallithea and Moschato, where people congregate to wait for a priest from the nearest church to release a white dove and throw a cross into the water with the intention of blessing the waters and all swimmers who jump in.

Another option is to book a boat trip to Agistri, Aegina and Moni from Athens and enjoy the festivities that take place after the ceremony is over.

For many Athenian foodies, Bairaktarys restaurant in the Monastiraki neighbourhood is a must-visit if you're looking for one of the best Gyros in town - the Greek version of kebab or shawarma.

Visiting this restaurant during January is an excellent idea for the simple fact that you will have a better chance of getting a table without the need to spend hours waiting for the many tourists who want to try what is supposedly the best Gyro in all of Athens.

Also, its location is very favourable, as it is right on the corner of Monasteraki Square, one of the most beautiful squares in the city, and very close to Hadrian's Library and the Agora of Athens, which allows you to include other activities such as taking your food down in a fun way by hiring a bike tour of Athens by bike and touring this beautiful area of the city on two wheels.

You can also try the savoury pies at the Ariston Bakery

The Ariston Bakery is another of the most iconic places when it comes to Greek food that has earned an established place in the Athens street food scene. It is located on Voullis Street in the Syntagma neighbourhood, just a couple of metres from Syntagma Square.

If you visit, you must try the savoury pies, specifically the feta cheese and spinach pies, which have an undisputed place among the best dishes that can be found in the traditional street food joints of the capital.

Ermou Street is a narrow thoroughfare that runs through the central section of Athens from Syntagma Square to the archaeological site of the potters of Ancient Athens. The pedestrianised parts of this street and specifically the one closest to Syntagma Square are lined with all kinds of shops.

January is a very good time to visit, as you can take advantage of the seasonal discounts on most of the internationally renowned clothing brands.

In addition, its mile-long stretch runs through interesting sections of the Monastiraki, Psyri and Thiseo neighbourhoods, which you can explore in comfort and shelter from the cold by booking a seat on the Athens Sightseeing Bus.

Thiseio is another of the many neighbourhoods surrounding the hill on which the Acropolis of Athens is located and other important places such as the Ancient Agora, which you will also pass through if you book your place on the Athens tourist bus.

It is characterised by being one of the most peculiar areas of the city and by having a cultural identity that is closely associated with the history of Ancient Athens. Its streets are full of cafes with a neoclassical aesthetic and therefore it is excellent to visit some of them during the month of January for different reasons.

The first one has to do with comfort, as these closed and air-conditioned environments offer you a safe escape from the cold of January during this month which is characterised by being the coldest of the year. The second reason is logistical, as it is a midway point between the neighbourhoods of Karameikos, Gazi and the rest of the city centre.

The Acropolis is a must-see on your visit to Athens no matter what time of year you are travelling to the Greek capital. It is the city's most important attraction and this 2500 year old architectural complex is home to several temples of worship that have remained standing to this day.

January is the best time of year to visit for a number of reasons:

• The winter cold is more comfortable than the strong Athenian summer sun for touring this monument, which is completely uncovered.

• In January most of the tourists who came for the Christmas holidays have left and there is also a significantly lower number of visitors than in the spring and summer months.

Taking a guided tour of the Acropolis of Athens is the best way to visit and get to know it if you don't want to miss any historical detail of one of the most important constructions in the history of mankind, although you can also buy your tickets for the Acropolis of Athens and visit it on your own.

The Panathinaiko Stadium is the site of the first Olympic Games of the modern age and interestingly is built from the remains of the stadium where these sporting competitions were held in Ancient Greece.

It is located at the southern end of the National Garden of Athens, across Via Ardittou and right next to the Pangrati district. It is notable for its gastronomic offer and also for being another area close to the First Cemetery of Athens.

Visiting this part of the city is a recommended activity during the month of January, even more so if it snows and you have the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful sight. The lack of tourists is another compelling reason to visit if you're looking for quick and entertaining plans in this part of the city during January.

Most of the pottery workshops in Ancient Athens were located in the Kerameikos quarter. At the same time this area was converted into a necropolis which today functions as a museum dedicated to Ancient Greek pottery and the way of life of the people who worked in this art form.

Visiting this place during the month of January is much more favourable than during the rest of the year due to the weather conditions that will allow you to enjoy the tour without sweating under the scorching Athenian sun and also due to the lack of tourists that will be there.

Moreover, its proximity to the Gazi neighbourhood makes it a good idea to go for a drink in this community that revolves around the nightlife and the most modern and conceptual art scene in Athens.

Kolonaki is one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods in all of Athens and its streets are lined with Greek and international designer shops alongside all manner of art galleries, cafes and trendy restaurants among Athenian society.

I recommend you visit during your stay in Athens in January as it is an excellent opportunity to see what life is like in the city beyond the typical tourist areas. Also for the fact that sightseeing and shopping in the area would be much cheaper at this time of the year than in the summer.

Keep in mind that going to some of the bars in the area are a good idea if you are looking for things to do in Athens at night that will allow you to experience the city as an authentic Greek citizen living in the most populated capital of Eastern Europe.

January is a significantly cold month compared to the weather that defines Greece during the rest of the year. During this month you can expect highs of up to 15 degrees Celsius, but there can also be dips down to 5 degrees Celsius and even below freezing precipitating some short morning snowfalls.

In January you won't encounter as many tourists as in the Christmas season and there are definitely not as many visitors as in August or July, the peak months of the summer season for Athenian tourism. This is favourable for you to tour the city on your own terms, at your own pace and without having to elbow your way to buy something or get somewhere.

January is a cheaper month than summer and you can save up to 50% of what you would spend by visiting Athens at the height of the summer season. This is especially true when it comes to accommodation, dining out and access to tourist attractions.

Pack warm clothes that will also allow you to walk comfortably. The city is set up to be walked from end to end by its visitors, wear shoes that are appropriate for these walks and don't forget to pack sunscreen. Remember that winter does not mean that the sun disappears and the incidence of sunshine in Athens is significantly higher than in other European capitals such as Paris or Stockholm.