Massimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, podcaster, as well as the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His new book is Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers (with Greg Lopez and Meredith Kunz, The Experiment). More here.
What is a good life?
And how can we create that life in a world filled with uncertainty?
We invite you to find your own answers to these big questions with help from thirteen of the most prominent Greco-Roman philosophers. By taking cues from the lives and ideas of the Cynics, Epicureans, and others, you’ll learn to:
- Seek pleasure with Aristippus
- Strike the right balance with Aristotle
- Focus on what’s up to you with Epictetus
- Be a rebel like Hipparchia
- Embrace uncertainty with Carneades
- Question everything with Socrates
- Work toward a just society with Plato
Times have changed, but the quest for eudaimonia—a life worth living—stays the same: We still seek pleasure and crave love, avoid pain and fear death. That’s why all these ancient sages can continue to guide us today.
This event is sponsored by the Stoa Nova school for a new Stoicism, and will be facilitated by two of its faculty.
Suggested readings
Books by the faculty
- Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers, by M. Pigliucci, G. Lopez, and M. Alexander Kunz, The Experiment.
- UK version: Live Like a Philosopher—What the Ancient Greeks and Romans Can Teach Us About Living a Happy Life.
About the facilitators
Meredith Alexander Kunz is a writer who created The Stoic Mom blog in 2016 to explore how parents and kids can benefit from practicing Stoic philosophy (now on Substack).
She is a communications leader in Silicon Valley and a personal and professional development coach. Meredith earned a bachelor’s degree in history and literature from Harvard College and a master’s degree in history from Stanford University.
Her writing has appeared in Newsweek, The San Francisco Daily Journal, The Industry Standard, The Stanford Report, The STOIC magazine, the Stoicism Today blog, and more. With Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez, she co-authored the new book Beyond Stoicism (in UK: Live Like a Philosopher).
Seminar programme
(tentative programme, subject to change, please check back)
Thursday, 26 June 2025
Session times displayed in CEST
1
3:00-6:00 p.m.
(4:00 p.m. ☕)
The three ports—pleasure, character, and doubt
Faculty
2
8:00-10:00 p.m.
🍽️ Dinner in small groups
Philosophy chats
Friday, 27 June 2025
Session times displayed in CEST
1
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
(10:00 a.m. ☕)
Exploring the port of pleasure—Aristippus and Epicurus
Faculty
2
12:00-3:00 p.m.
🍽️ Lunch break, eateries nearby
Open groups
3
3:00-6:00 p.m.
(4:00 p.m. ☕)
Exploring the port of character—Aristotle, Epictetus, Hipparchia, and Plato
Faculty
4
9:15 p.m. -...🌙
🍽️ 🍷 Social dinner at Point A (rooftop of the Herodion Hotel, adjacent to Philippos)
Philosophy chats with a view
Saturday, 28 June 2025
Session times displayed in CEST
1
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
(10:00 a.m. ☕
Exploring the port of doubt—Socrates, Protagoras, Carneades, and Pyrrho
Faculty
2
12:00-3:00 p.m.
🍽️ Lunch break, eateries nearby
Open groups
3
3:00-6:00 p.m.
(4:00 p.m. ☕)
Here be dragons—Pythagoras, Stilpo, and Hypatia
Faculty
4
8:00-10:00 p.m.
🍽️ Dinner in small groups
Philosophy chats
Sunday, 29 June 2025
Session times displayed in CEST
1
~8:30 a.m./TBA
Meeting point (tentative)
Half-day excursion to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, where the Ionian and Aegean seas meet...
Faculty & group
Social dinner
Friday, 27 June at 9:15 p.m. at Point A (rooftop of the Herodion Hotel, adjacent to Philippos)
For those who are attending: orders must be comminicated to the restaurant 24 hours in advance, thank you for filling the form below!
I am ready!
Sounion excursion-lunch break
Sunday, 29 June, at ~1.30p.m at Acroyiali
Please take a look at the restaurant menu below; we will need to submit our lunch orders by Saturday 28 June.
Tips & FAQs
A few things to keep in mind while preparing for your trip...
I am landing in Athens (AIA) 🛬 How do I reach Philippos hotel (city centre)?
1. By taxi
Fixed price from Athens International Airport.
Arrivals level, exit 3.
Arrivals level, exit 3.
Day time (05:00-24:00) Athens Airport to City Centre inner ring: €40
Night time (24:00-05:00) Athens Airport to City Centre inner ring: 55 €
Note: ALL applicable surcharges are included; luggage fee, toll cost, VAT, meter start, airport charge. Price stated always per vehicle and not per person.
2. By metro
Metro Line 3 (blue) connects the airport to the city centre Syntagma Square.
The journey time is approximately 40 minutes.
(You will then need to change for line 2 (red) direction "Elliniko" and get off after 2 stops at Acropolis station. Both hotels are situated within a 5'-walk.)
The journey time is approximately 40 minutes.
(You will then need to change for line 2 (red) direction "Elliniko" and get off after 2 stops at Acropolis station. Both hotels are situated within a 5'-walk.)
Your journey looks like this:
Metro 🚇 3 > 🚇 2 > 👣
Metro 🚇 3 > 🚇 2 > 👣
Trains run every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm.
One way tickets cost €9 (€4.50 for children, teenagers, over 65), return tickets cost €16.
One way tickets cost €9 (€4.50 for children, teenagers, over 65), return tickets cost €16.
3. By suburban railway
The suburban railway (Proastiakos) connects Athens Airport with Larissis Station, the central Athens railway station in approx. 45 minutes.
Trains depart from Athens airport every 15-25 minutes to Doukissis Plakentias station, where you can transfer to the Athens Metro network, using the same ticket.
Trains depart from Athens airport every 15-25 minutes to Doukissis Plakentias station, where you can transfer to the Athens Metro network, using the same ticket.
4. By bus
24-hour express buses connect Athens International Airport with the port of Piraeus and the Intercity Bus Terminal (KTEL Kifissos). These non-stop services operate daily, including public holidays. All buses drop off passengers at the Departures Level and depart from the Arrivals Level.
Bus tickets are sold at the ticket booth outside the Arrivals hall (between Exits 4 and 5).
One way tickets cost €5.50 (€2.70 for children, teenagers, over 65).
New! Tap2Ride, contactless payments with bank cards directly on validation machines.
Airport Express bus tickets are valid only for one ride on an airport express bus, and no other transfer.
Bus tickets are sold at the ticket booth outside the Arrivals hall (between Exits 4 and 5).
One way tickets cost €5.50 (€2.70 for children, teenagers, over 65).
New! Tap2Ride, contactless payments with bank cards directly on validation machines.
Airport Express bus tickets are valid only for one ride on an airport express bus, and no other transfer.
Take line X95: Airport - Syntagma Square (Estimated journey time ~60 minutes)
From Syntagma Square, take metro line 2 (red) direction "Elliniko" and get off after 2 stops at Acropolis station. (Remember, you will need to get a metro ticket!)
Urban transport; ticket options & fares
Planning to use the Athens metro/bus/tramway network? Click here!
New! Tap2Ride
Contactless payments with bank cards directly on validation machines.
Available for your public transport rides on metro, trams, trolleys and buses under OASA network.
Simply use your bank card —either physical or digital via mobile or smartwatch (Apple Pay, Google Pay) —for instant and secure contactless fare payment, eliminating the need for additional cards or tickets (Athena Ticket or Athena Card).
View supported fare products for contactless payments.
Available for your public transport rides on metro, trams, trolleys and buses under OASA network.
Simply use your bank card —either physical or digital via mobile or smartwatch (Apple Pay, Google Pay) —for instant and secure contactless fare payment, eliminating the need for additional cards or tickets (Athena Ticket or Athena Card).
View supported fare products for contactless payments.
Info on taxis 🚕
All licensed taxis in Athens are equipped with metres. The fare is charged per kilometre and per hour. Make sure the metre is switched on as soon as you set off.
Free Now (formerly Beat) is an app-based yellow taxi service which finds your location and offers the options of paying in cash, by card, or using a Paypal account.
Uber is also available in Athens with the UberTaxi product—you can call an Uber via your app and a yellow taxi will pick you up.
Acropolis Museum opening hours & e-tickets
Opening hours
Monday: 9 am - 5 pm (last entrance: 4:30 pm)
Tuesday - Sunday: 9 am - 8 pm (last entrance: 7:30 pm)
Friday: 9 am - 10 pm (last entrance: 9:30 pm)
Tuesday - Sunday: 9 am - 8 pm (last entrance: 7:30 pm)
Friday: 9 am - 10 pm (last entrance: 9:30 pm)
Acropolis opening hours & e-tickets
Opening hours
8 am - 7:30 pm
The last entrance to the Acropolis is half an hour before closing time.
The last entrance to the Acropolis is half an hour before closing time.
Currency & credit cards
Currency
The euro (€) has been the official currency of Greece since 2001.
Check live exchange rates.
Check live exchange rates.
Credit cards
All major credit cards are widely accepted in Greece, though some establishments do not accept American Express and Diners.
Exchange
Foreign currency can be exchanged at most Greek and foreign banks and at exchange bureaus located at Athens International Airport and around the city centre.
You will need your passport to exchange money. Travellers checks are also widely accepted.
Banks will have the best exchange rates and are open from around 8am-2pm.
You will need your passport to exchange money. Travellers checks are also widely accepted.
Banks will have the best exchange rates and are open from around 8am-2pm.
Idieally, use your debit card via ATMs that can disperse cash from your accounts at home and are located everywhere throughout the city.
Keep in mind that they will charge you €2-3 per transaction.
Keep in mind that they will charge you €2-3 per transaction.
Tipping
Tipping in Greece is by no means a requirement, however, it is greatly appreciated.
As there are no standard rates, a good evaluation indicator would be to consider the tipping standards in your home country. Anywhere between 5% to 15% would be satisfactory according to the service provided.
As there are no standard rates, a good evaluation indicator would be to consider the tipping standards in your home country. Anywhere between 5% to 15% would be satisfactory according to the service provided.
Is tap water safe to drink in Athens?
Yes, tap water is safe to drink in Athens and most places in Greece.
You can always buy bottled water; 500ml costs €0.50 at kiosks (this is a fixed price by law that applies EVERYWHERE for 500ml-bottles) and next to nothing at supermarkets in Athens (€0.15-0.30).
You can always buy bottled water; 500ml costs €0.50 at kiosks (this is a fixed price by law that applies EVERYWHERE for 500ml-bottles) and next to nothing at supermarkets in Athens (€0.15-0.30).
"This is Athens", an interesting visitors' guide portal...
Athens. One City. Never Ending Stories.
"This is Athens" is part of This is Athens + Partners, a consortium of key stakeholders in the Athens tourism and travel industry, whose mission is to enhance and promote Athens as a great place to visit, work, live, and invest.
You can even hook up with an Athenian insider through our This is Athens With a Local programme—free, themed walks led by a community of locals who love to share their city secrets with travellers.
Find them here.
Credit: thisisathens.org
Speak their (body) language
Don't
Don’t think that you need to learn some Greek before you get here. While a “hello” (yia sas) or “thank you” (efharisto) are welcome, most Athenians speak English. They often speak several other languages, too.
Do
Be aware that Greeks love to talk. So don’t be surprised if asking a stranger for directions turns into a heart to heart or an invitation to their grandma’s for lunch.
Don't
Don’t be frightened by how loudly they speak, and don’t duck as they wave their arms around as they do so. They’re not trying to hit you. They love to speak with gestures. They created drama, they will keep it alive.
Pick your restaurant wisely
Don't
Don't be lured by the waiters standing outside restaurants in touristy areas, trying to persuade you to sit down. No matter how hungry you are. Even if they’ve almost convinced you that this place has the best grilled octopus in the country, the world, the universe. With few exceptions, these places are not the best example of what Athens has to offer food-wise.
Do
Do your research about where to eat in Athens. You’ll be grateful. Just don’t show up for dinner at 6, 7, or even 8 pm. Athenians like to eat late, and many restaurant kitchens stay open until well after midnight.
Haggling is not cool
Don't
Don’t assume that every vendor is out to overcharge you just because you’re not a local. While bargaining used to be acceptable, it’s a lot less so today. Unless you’re clean sweeping a store, you’re not really expected to shoot numbers back and forth. Obviously, if the price seems ridiculous, do speak out. Loudly. With gestures.
Tread carefully
Do
Do be careful on the streets. In many cities, drivers slam on the breaks the second a pedestrian sets their toe on a pedestrian crossing. This does not happen in Athens. But don’t fear for your life. Just be on high alert for random motorcycles riding along the pavement or cars jumping red lights.
Avoid the clichés
Don't
Don’t assume that all Athenians do is drink frappé, eat souvlaki, wash it down with retsina, and ride around on donkeys in chitons. Or that you should do the same. Frappe is strong, instant coffee, and it may give you the shakes. Souvlaki is an occasional treat, not a staple food. Retsina, or too much of it, is a guaranteed headache. And donkeys can be found at the city’s zoo.
Spot the crooked cabbie
Don't
Don’t fall into the eternal tourist trap. Wrongly or not, cab drivers worldwide are notorious for ripping off tourists. Athenian ones are no exception. Make sure the taxi metre is turned on the second you sit down. Some routes - such as from Athens airport to the city centre have a flat fare. If your cab feels like an open oven and ash is flying through the back windows, feel free to remind your driver that it’s no longer 1960.
When in Athens...
A few pinned spots to facilitate your stay; meet your neighbourhood! (open map in a new tab)
↓ TIP: Click on the tab icon to open the legend of the map.
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