Wikimedia Hackathon 2023/Local area information

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19–21 May 2023 | Athens, Greece

Overview

Local area information

Venue

Travel

Accommodation

This page is a work in progress

The Hackathon coordination team is still actively working on this page to update and add content. Please be aware that the information on this page could change or evolve in the upcoming days.

Useful information and tips

Emergency phone numbers

100	Police
166	Ambulance service
199	Fire
112	National emergency number

Weather

You can check the weather in Athens here. The temperatures will be pretty nice during the day (25°C) but chilly in the evening and night, and there's a risk of rain (make sure to bring a jacket). The event venue does not have AC.

Language

Greek, in its modern form, is the official language of Greece, where it is spoken by almost the entire population. English is most commonly spoken in Greece. If you get lost, you should be able to find someone with at least basic knowledge of English very quickly. Almost all signs are written in Greek and English.

Useful phrases in Greek

English	Greek	Phonetic
Good morning	Καλημέρα	ka-li-me-ra
Good night	Καληνύχτα	ka-li-ni-hta
Yes	Ναι	ne
No	Όχι	o-hi
Thank you	Ευχαριστώ	ef-ha-ri-stoh
Sorry / Excuse me	Συγγνώμη	sig-no-mii
Please / You' re welcome	Παρακαλώ	pa-ra-ka-loh
I don’t understand	Δεν καταλαβαίνω	then ka-ta-la-ve-noh
Water	Νερό	ne-ró
Come	Έλα	é-la
Ok	Εντάξει	En-dá-xi
Pharmacy	Φαρμακείο	far-má-cio
Hospital	Νοσοκομείο	no-so-ko-meío

Health

Pharmacies close to the venue

Address	Phone number	Cordinates	Map link
Dekeleon st. 48 Athens	(30) 21 0346 4443	37.96486848866614,23.705091406176766	map
Ippothontidon st.36 Athens	(30) 21 0347 7664	37.98476753169131,23.73072251127279	map

Emergency pharmacies close to the hotel

Date	Time	Address	Phone number	Cordinates	Map link
Friday, 19 May 2023	08:00 am - 14:00 pm & 17:00 pm - 08:00 am	Eleftheriou Venizelou (Panepistimiou) st 41, Athens center	(30) 2103257388	37.9806855,23.7326220	map
Saturday, 20 May 2023	08:00 am - 14:00 pm & 17:00 pm - 08:00 am	Eleftheriou Venizelou (Panepistimiou) st 16, Athens center	(30) 210363650	37.9782787,23.7349684	map
Sunday, 21 May 2023	08:00 am - 14:00 pm & 17:00 pm - 08:00 am	Solonos st. 60, Athens center	(30) 2103600060	37.9806788,23.7366585	map

Safety

Map of the area (click items to view labels)

Generally, Athens is considered safe. Like most major cities, petty and opportunistic crime, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching, remains the primary concern for travelers, so use good judgment. We recommend leaving valuables at home, and never leaving your belongings unattended.

Please exercise additional caution at night. Avoid the neighborhoods west (on Menandrou, Deligiorgi, and Agiou Konstantinou streets) and northeast (e.g., Exarcheia) of the hotel, and opt for public transit or taxi/uber (rather than walking) between the venue and hotel after dark. We recommend traveling in groups of two or more.

If you do not feel comfortable exploring the city on your own, you can find other people to move with you (ask on the Hackathon Telegram group).

Tips:

ATM-skimming is a risk and travelers are advised to use ATMs at more secure locations, such as the airport, or inside banks or hotels.
Take special care of items containing personal information (e.g. passport, laptops etc)
Despite a crackdown on taxi fraud, travelers should note that taxi drivers may attempt to exaggerate costs; members should ensure that a meter is properly used before accepting a ride or agree on the fare in advance, and politely decline if a driver seeks to pick up an additional passenger.
Petty and opportunistic crime, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching, remains the primary concern for travelers, with thieves often operating in groups to target and distract individuals on public transport or in tourist areas. Violent crime is low, though members should avoid isolated areas at night.
Strikes and protests are common. The most popular rallying points are outside the parliament building in Syntagma Square and the adjacent Panepistimiou Avenue. Please note that Greece will be holding its parliamentary election on Sunday, May 21st, so we advise you to stay away from these areas, as police brutality has increased rapidly the last few years.
Violent groups operating in the Exarcheia neighborhood may find opportunity (e.g. during rallies or other random reasons) to target police with Molotov cocktails outside the Athens Polytechnic Building on 28 October Street (also known as Patission Street). Members should exercise caution when traveling through the Exarcheia district and Exarchion Square, particularly after dark.
While not very common, in recent years there have been attacks involving improvised explosives, incendiary devices or arson, most often directed against government or police buildings and vehicles, as well as diplomatic missions, multinational companies, and financial or foreign institutions, and to a lesser extent, political figures. Such attacks pose a low risk to foreign visitors as they are generally minor, take place at night and are intended to cause damage and gain publicity rather than cause injury.