The beautiful European city bizarrely crowned 'the best smelling in the world'

Athens has been named the world's best smelling city, beating Paris, Zurich and Dublin, a survey says.

09:00, Sun, Apr 28, 2024

A couple looking at the famous Parthenon temple on the Acropolis, Athens, Greece, Europe

Athens has been named the world's best smelling city (Image: Getty)

Athens has been named the best-smelling city in the world. The Greek capital beat Paris, Zurich and Dublin to the top spot in the study by HAYPP.

It analysed 30 cities in Europe and beyond, putting Athens ahead of the rest with its scents of fresh produce from street markets, the sweet scent of Tiropita from bakeries and the aroma of flowers from the city's florists.

Other cities making the top 10 best-smelling cities in the world list are, in descending order: Luxembourg, Nicosia, Copenhagen, Bucharest, Valletta and Amsterdam.

Athens boasts a variety of eateries to add to the city's smells, including traditional Greek tavernas and fresh seafood restaurants.

For fine dining in the city, Time Out recommends CTC Urban Gastronomy, where Greek cuisine and French technique combine. The venue's 11 course, blind tasting menu is identified as a particular highlight.

People in a sidewalk café in Plaka, next to the Roman Agora (Forum), in Athens, Greece.

Athens is a feast for the senses (Image: Getty)

A Street Stall Selling Nuts in Athens

The scent of produce from Athens' street stalls adds to the city's aroma (Image: Getty)

Family-run To Kati Allo is down a side street near the Acropolis Museum and serves simple, home-cooked Greek food.

Ta Karamanlidika Tou Fani is a tavern and deli in one spot set in a neoclassical house where diners can expect an array of Greek cheeses and cold cuts.

Athens has a few Michelin-rated restaurants to choose from too, including contemporary eatery, The Zillers, and cosy Oikeîo in Ploutarchou Street.

The city is a treasure chest of ancient historical sites too, with the citadel, Acropolis, dominating Athens' skyline. The Agora and Stoa of Attalos as well as the Panathenaic Stadium are also must-sees.

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Tsoureki, Traditional Greek Easter Bread, greek freshly baked cake in Athens, Greece, with almond, mastiha, mahleb and cinnamon, orthodox Easter in Gr

Traditional Greek Tsoureki bread is one of the scents of Easter in the city (Image: Getty)

Traditional Greek Town Streets of Anafiotika in Plaka district, Athens, Greece

Athens also benefits from the scent of flowers emanating from the city's florists (Image: Getty)

Attractions also include the National Archaeological Museum, Athens Olympic Museum and Technopolis.

April, May, September and October are the best times to visit, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds compared with the peak summer months.

British Airways, American Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Japan Airlines, easyJet, Air Canada, Ryanair and SKY Express all fly direct to Athens International. The cheapest month to fly to Athens International is usually June, according to Skyscanner.

It found the best price for a return flight to Athens International, at the time of writing, was £60. The average flight time is three hours and 45 minutes