Cities without a car are still a vision for many, with the international community honoring them every year on September 22, on World without a car. Athens, as a big city, is actively involved in the events, organizing its own festival this weekend (September 20-21), with the aim of promoting it. viable mobility and raising citizens’ awareness of alternative forms of movement. For a 24 -hour period, Athena Street, one of the most central streets of the capital, is transformed into a living space of culture, sports and creation, without cars and motorbikes. The Municipality of Athens is organizing the “Athena without a car” festival for the second consecutive year, on the section from Euripidou Street to Monastiraki, from Saturday night to Sunday night. The two -day program includes a party, overnight film screenings, educational workshops, theatrical events, comics, as well as a concert with Panos Vlachos, offering an open space for all ages.

“World -to -car without a car is an opportunity to confirm that sustainable mobility is possible in our city.”emphasizes the Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas. Mr Doukas referred to the great response of last year’s festival, and presented the plans of the Municipal Authority for pedestrian traffic and mild traffic, after consulting citizens and specialized traffic studies.

Rich program of actions and events

The festival begins on Saturday September 20th with a disco roller party (20: 30-23: 00) under the sounds of DJ Nicola Lavacca, transferring the public to the era of authentic disco. Following are films under the stars, with Akis Capranu’s “Midnight Express” and the films “The Love Bug”, “Christine” and “Blade Runner”. On Sunday, September 21, Athena Street is transformed into an outdoor exercise area with yoga and fitness lessons. Numerous workshops are aimed at children and families, such as “The Breathing City” for 5-7-year-old children, creative painting and recycling activities, cycling activities, theatrical games and comics workshops with award-winning cartoonists. There are actions such as “Cool Crips”, which highlights disability and accessibility issues through experiential laboratory, interactive quiz, as well as appearances such as dinosaur Ross for small visitors. The program is completed by DJ sets by radio producers and the concert of Panos Vlachos.

Highlighting sustainable travel and bicycle

As part of the European Week of Sustainable Mobility, the Municipality of Athens is organizing the Sunday Open Cycling Route that follows the drawing of the new bike path to Patisia, Kypseli and Sepolia, accompanied by Municipal Police Bicycles. At the end of the route, there will be an open discussion on Athena Street, and an interactive workshop is planned on September 25 in Sephartio. The new network of bike lanes is part of the Athens Climate Pact and promotes the use of the bike, sustainable mobility and climate neutrality, with the aim of upgrading quality of life, reducing the use of IX and developing safe, accessible travel. The Municipality of Athens is actively involved in European programs for the development of a municipal network of bicycle routes, parking/charging electric bicycles and the interconnection with the European European Network. The public consultation on the plan is completed by the end of 2025, with the implementation being launched by 2026.