Glyfada
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Glyfada Γλυφάδα |
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 Glyfada
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Location within the region
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| Coordinates: 37°52′N 23°45′E / 37.867°N 23.750°ECoordinates: 37°52′N 23°45′E / 37.867°N 23.750°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Attica |
| Regional unit | South Athens |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Giorgos Papanikolaou (New Democracy) |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 25.366 km2 (9.794 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 200 m (700 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Municipality | 87,305 |
| • Municipality density | 3,400/km2 (8,900/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal code | 166 xx, 165 xx |
| Area code(s) | 210 |
| Vehicle registration | I |
| Website | Δήμος Γλυφάδας |
Glyfada (Greek: Γλυφάδα, pronounced [ɣliˈfaða]) is a suburb of Athens, situated in the southern parts of the Athens Urban Area. The area, which is home to many of Greece's millionaires, ministers and celebrities, stretches from the foot of the Hymettus mountain to the Saronic Gulf. It is the largest of Athens' southern suburbs. This fashion-conscious suburb is known in Greece for its upmarket cafes, well-known restaurants, boutiques and cosmopolitan summer clubs; Glyfada has also been called "Knightsbridge-on-Sea", "Hellenic Hamptons", or the "Beverly Hills of Greece".
On the quay at Glyfada is a rescue and rehabilitation centre for sea turtles, run by ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece. The staff there provide free educational tours of the facilities and treatments for visitors.
In ancient times, the area was a deme known as Aixone (Αἰξωνή). Today, Glyfada is packed with some of the capital's best-known nightclubs, upscale restaurants and shops. It could be argued to be one of the most "Americanized" of Athenian municipalities, since an American airbase was located nearby until the early 1990s. The base's population contributed in part to Glyfada's character, leading to a unique blend of Greek and American atmosphere and cuisine. Although the base is now gone and the school relocated, Glyfada still retains part of its American flavour while continuing to offer distinctly Greek cuisine, entertainment and nightlife.
Glyfada was established as the heart of Athens' southern suburbs, because of its prime waterfront location, rich commercial centre, and modern business district. It has been described as the headpoint of the 'Athens Riviera' and features some of Europe's most opulent seafront residences, gardens and extensive beachfront property, with a modern marina.
The town hall is located at the center of the municipality; nearby, Glyfada’s shopping district has one of the most vibrant and diversified commercial centres of Athens' neighbourhoods, with a collection ranging across specialist and designer boutiques. Its proximity to a succession of beaches and a concentrated seaside club scene also greatly increases the number of visitors during the summer months. The area’s shopping district runs across Metaxa Avenue and Grigoriou Labraki Street while both the offices of major businesses and shopping areas also dot the Avenues Voyliagmenis, Goynari and Gennimata.
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Wikipedia