An off-the-beaten-tourist-track Athens hotspot made a surprise entry at NYT’s tribute to the hidden gems of Europe: the "booming bar scene" of Kalamiotou Street in the heart of Athens. This nightlife hotspot is well-known to most Athenians, but has up to now been rarely frequented by tourists, who usually opt for the nearby, postcard favourites Plaka and Thission. But they shouldn’t, writes NYT’s Europe correspondent, Liz Alderman.
 
According to her, Kalamiotou’s "crackling night life animates a maze of streets, [a few] steps from the Acropolis and the Greek Parliament." Be it for a grab of Greek cuisine, a top-notch cocktail at beautiful St. Eirini Square or an all-night dancing at one of the street’s nondescript bars, Kalamiotou has it all. Greeks economise on vacation and gas, but they won’t sit home and mope, says the NYT journalist, so don’t miss on the chance to join them.