Part of enjoying your visit to any Greek town or city is to do as the Greeks do and sit with a coffee to watch the world go by. In the town square or by the harbour you’ll find the most popular cafés where both tourists and the trendy Greeks like to hang out. These will probably be the most expensive place to take your coffee, but what’s that against the opportunity to see and be seen. If you want to blend in, leave the shorts and vest tops for the beach and dress up a little with your chicest top, trendy jeans, gold jewellery and lip gloss like the Greek girls do. You’ll often find comfortable sofa or rattan style chairs that encourage you to relax in the early evening while you decide where to head next for dinner.

The authentic Greek coffee is served very strong, black and sweet in a small cup with a glass of water to clear your palate. Don’t knock back every drop or you’ll get a mouthful of the fine grounds at the bottom of the cup. If this isn’t your taste then try a foaming iced café frappé instead.

Away from the main squares and down the side streets, you’ll find a different kind of café which may have just a few tables in front of a narrow bar or pastry shop. These are the kind of bars where you’ll find the older locals hanging out, or where you’d go to buy your pastries or ice creams. Personally I like this kind of non-touristy place better, as you watch the bustle of everyday life down the side streets.

You may find a shop specialising in glika, those super sweet pastries made with flaky pastry and nuts, dripping with honey or syrup. These are the natural accompaniment to that super-strong Greek coffee which will offset the sweetness. Baklava is the one everyone knows about, but you should be able to choose from a selection under the counter. Sometimes, this sort of shop will also sell the traditional cheese pies or Tiropita made of puff pastry and local soft cheese, if you’re looking for a savoury snack on the move. You’ll also find the cake shops with a few tables selling all those colourful creamy cakes, and often ice creams too. Again you can sit at one of their tables inside or out and enjoy one of their cakes with a coffee.

The Greeks are not great pudding makers at home, and they would normally buy these creamy cakes or the sweet glika to take home and serve in the afternoon, when guests come to call. On saints’ days and name days, a Greek family will keep open house for friends and family who drop by. A name day is the feast day of the saint who shares your name and tends to be like a communal birthday, as many people will share the same name, and be celebrating on the same day.

There’s always so much to do on holiday, but sometimes you see more by sitting still. What’s your favourite way to enjoy a coffee when travelling?

All photos by Heatheronhertravels on Flickr