25.05.2023
In Athens’s Vathis Square district, a new update to the National Archaeological Museum has caused rents to virtually double in the past 5 years. According to data from indomio.gr for 2017 - 2022, property prices in Vathis Square, located just next to the museum, have increased by 99% in this period. (to 1,401 euros per sq.m). In Exarchia, the increase for the same period was 78% (to 1,994 euros per sq.m.). The recent updates are a major renewal of the 150-year-old display at the National Archaeological Museum. Many Athenians have been calling for updates for years.
Rises in property prices in the immediate areas of Exarchia, Vathis Square, Victoria Square, and Kypseli are said to be a result of this expansion. Museum updates not only create a new reason for tourists to visit, but also create a place for locals to gather, and often include extensions with green spaces. For example, the new expansion will include an underground extension to connect the museum with a nearby cultural center known as the “Acropole Across.” The boost in the local real estate market is coined the “Bilbao effect.” In the Spanish city of Bilbao, the founding of the Guggenheim exhibition in 1997 made the primarily industrial city an international attraction for art and luxury almost overnight.
One other area of Athens undergoing change is Akadimia Platonos, in the inner west side of the capital. This area has historically been underdeveloped but will be the new home to Plato’s Academy, an underground museum that will soon house thousands of ancient artifacts. In all, it will span 13,500 square meters and will come complete with an amphitheater, as well as connected parks and picnic areas.
The Greek Ministry of Culture’s “Council of Museums” has recently approved plans for updates and expansions to museums all over Greece. Chios, Trikala, Sparta, Thyrreio, and Ermioni are targeted for new exhibits that will display regional excavations or artifacts in long-term storage that have not been seen by the public. The effects of museums on small island economies are not expected to be as dramatic, given that out of Greece’s 100 Archaeological Museums, some of the more remote museums only get a handful of visitors. Despite this, recent trends are promising and encourage the building of other services in the area, for both tourists and locals to enjoy.
05.10.2026
Leonard Cohen's poem "Days of Kindness", from 1985, describes Greece as being a good place to read by moonlight on the terrace. He knew this from experience. Hydra was his home for much of the 1960s. He arrived in the spring of 1960, aged 25, and bought a house on the island, where he wrote much of his early work. Many places on Hydra still carry traces of him, even now that Hydra has become far better known.
16.04.2026
Greece is often associated with ancient history, island landscapes, and carefully preserved traditions. Less discussed, however, is another layer of its identity: its place names. Across the mainland and the islands, thousands of villages carry names that can sound unexpectedly funny or strikingly literal to a modern Greek speaker. These are not recent inventions or deliberate attempts at humor. Most date back centuries, shaped by geography, daily life, local dialects, and historical circumstances. What makes them stand out today is the shift in language over time. Words that once served as straightforward descriptions of land, resources, or communities can now feel unusually direct or unexpectedly humorous. Looking at these names more closely offers insight into how earlier generations observed their surroundings and chose to define them.
20.03.2026
Greece has long been more than a travel destination. For centuries, writers have been drawn to its history, natural beauty, and authenticity, finding in Greece not just a setting, but a source of inspiration that shapes narratives, characters, and perspectives.
19.02.2026
02.01.2026
In Greece, the holiday season does not end on New Year’s Day. Instead, it culminates in one of the most symbolic celebrations of the year: Epiphany, known in Greek as Theofania. More than a religious holiday, Epiphany in Greece represents the triumph of light over darkness, a spiritual “new beginning” for individuals and communities. For anyone living in Greece, or dreaming of owning a home here, Epiphany offers one of the most authentic snapshots of local culture. From the blessing of the waters to ancient folk rituals, this day reveals the deep connection between the Greek people, nature, and tradition.
30.12.2025
Crete is stepping into the global spotlight once again. According to Airbnb’s latest travel trend insights based on worldwide search data from Q3 2025, the island — and especially the iconic Samaria Gorge National Park — ranks among the most sought-after nature destinations for 2026. This surge reflects a broader shift in how people choose where to travel, live, and invest. Travellers are no longer looking only for beaches or city breaks. Instead, they are drawn to authentic natural environments, outdoor experiences, and destinations that offer both beauty and balance, qualities that Crete delivers effortlessly.
19.12.2025
Greece is known mostly for its pristine beaches and its endless summers. Also, Greek cuisine, with its unique Mediterranean dishes, is widely sought after. What might feel surprising is the magical beauty during Christmas in Greece. The country has a long festive season that runs from Christmas to Epiphany (the “Φώτα” on 6 January), full of local customs, food traditions, and small village rituals that still matter to people today. Winter destinations are also famous in Greece, as according to the latest Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel report (Wave 23) by the European Travel Commission (ETC), Greece ranks among the top 10 most desired European destinations for travel between October 2025 and March 2026, holding a solid 7th place.
19.12.2025
Spending New Year’s Eve on Greek islands is about much more than fireworks, food and champagne. It’s about little family rituals, centuries-old customs and the warm feeling of being part of a close community. For anyone dreaming of a holiday home or a new life in Greece, New Year's Eve is one of the unique moments to experience the soul of island life, when most tourists aren’t there, and you can experience authentic community moments with locals. As we’ve mentioned in an older blog post, cutting the famous Vasilopita, a special bread to honour the Greek Santa Claus, is the most important custom happening in almost every house in Greece at the turn of the year. A lucky coin is baked into the cake, and whoever finds it will have good luck for the next year or may even take a gift. But let’s explore a bit more of Greece’s rich traditions and local communities, from its enchanting islands to the unique customs celebrated on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
