Escape from Athens in a place no tourists go (1 hour away) – Kelsos summer
Not Spyros
LONG TIME AGO
Once upon a time I was 21 years old. That year, 1997, I met Spyros.
A YOUNG BOY IN THE BIG CITY
I had come to Athens to study photography at the famous E.M.E.F. and was looking for a job to supplement my expenses.
A mutual acquaintance, Anna, introduced me to Spyros and suggested me to work in his bar, which I did. We worked together for a few years and today, after all these years, Spyros and his wife Doris are two of my favourite people.
KELSOS, THE ORIGINAL
“Kelsos”* was one of the most beautiful bars that existed in Athens.
It was located on the ground floor of a neoclassical building of 1936 and was a stone jewel, which even had a tiny garden, in the centre of Athens!
Unfortunately it no longer exists, the owners sold it and in its place stands today another ugly apartment building.
KELSOS SUMMER
Many years later, Spyros opened his new cafe-bar (I somewhat helped him too), on the beach of Alepochori, about an hour away from Athens, in West Attica. It is a seaside all day cafe-bar and is located right on a nice beach of the Corinthian Gulf.
Honouring the old beautiful bar he owned, Spyros named this equally beautiful place “Kelsos summer”. History is a line.
“Summer means happy times and good sunshine”
This place also has Spyros' taste stamped all over it and is beautiful.
The view is eerie and the sunsets are some of the greatest you’ve ever seen.
Here you can come for your coffee, have a light meal, play backgammon and table games, relax and enjoy your swim. Very close to Athens, but so far away at the same time. Spyros and his team will take care of you and spoil you.
Tip: Never play backgammon with Spyros!
*The name was inspired by the street’s name (still holds) and is referred to Celsus (or Kelsos, Kélsos). He was a 2nd-century Greek philosopher, opponent of early Christianity. His literary work, The True Word (AD 170-180) is the earliest known comprehensive criticism of Christianity.
