Guide to Punting in Greece

Greece offers many and varied punting opportunities, including some of the lowest rates in Europe. The two main concentrations of paid sex are in Athens and Thessalonika.

General

SOURCES: The major internet resource(s) are in Greek, but can usefully be followed using the Chrome browser with automatic translation. Bourdela.com includes details and ratings for hundreds of brothels and paid sex opportunities. It can be slow on a mobile phone due to the large amount of advertising.

GETTING AROUND: For punting in Greece, it is also helpful to have a map (eg Athens) that shows both Greek and English, and at least the Metro stations. The Metro is considered mostly safe apart from pickpockets, easy to use and very cheap. (Buy a single trip bus or Metro ticket from the airport then get a 5-day city pass once in town — covers metro, train, tram and buses and only costs 9 Euros. Technically-minded punters may wish to make a kml (private google map) to navigate locations easily.

COSTS: Greece is thoroughly European but also quite chaotic. Some things are the same price as at home whereas others are ridiculously cheap. Short-time sex is easily among the cheapest in Europe, starting at 10 Euros. Three cambios next to each other (eg next to Omonia station, Athens) can give massively different exchange rates. Taxis are mostly honest and cheap to use just around town. There are express airport buses at Athens' Syntagma Square (6 Euros), or a Metro from the airport (10 Euros), or the standard taxi fare is about 44 Euros (it is quite a long journey from the airport.) Most things, even in shops, are price-negotiable.

LANGUAGE: A lot of signs and street names are in Greek and English, but it will be helpful to know or get an idea of the Greek alphabet, quite straightforward, so you can understand place names in Greek. In restaurants, ask for an English menu. Many people speak at least a few words of English.

WEATHER: It can be ridiculously hot in summer and ridiculously cold in winter. Plan accordingly.

A quick guide to using bourdela.com, especially for studios

1. Fire up the website using Chrome. That gives you instant translation. 2. Select the category you want from the top of the page menu, for instance, studio 3. Scroll down to the map. It might not work perfectly on some updates but still usable. You can ignore studios that are a great travelling distance. Click on the others one by one. 4. Copy and paste the details at the top left before translating the page. Copy the website link if listed. Then do the same with translate on. The reason for this is that googlemaps might not find the street in the English translation but will find it when you copy-paste the Greek name. You also need the entrance buzzer number in many cases. For instance, the 3rd September 119 (massage) says 'Heather on English translate but the actual buzzer has the Greek letters for 'Reiki' A studio near Victoria had changed their buzzer to 'xeiromasaz' (in Greek) but common sense should tell you that the second part of that, 'masaz' is just Greek for 'massage' (as in the bourdela menu). 5. Open a page with googlemaps and find the place. It may help to add a marker (which googlemaps will remember for you), such as the "want to visit" flag. You can also add a label with an easy name or just 'studio' to help you find it again. You can go back to googlemaps later to find the quickest metro connections. 6. If the place has a website, check it out and bookmark it. Some will show rates and indicate times they are open. A current website helps to confirm they are still in business at that location. You can also check for reviews back on bourdela using translate (some slang won't translate well, but usually enough to give you an idea). 7. The Greek alphabet isn't hard -- take a cheat sheet. Remember you can also download google-translate for a specific language in case you don't have an internet connection, and also the googlemaps for the area (although you migt need a connection to see markrs you've added).

ATHENS

=== Orientation === On most maps of Athens you can see a shape like an upturned "V" which is Omonia. From there, you have the Filis area (20 Euro) some way to the north (Metro stop, Victoria), and the 10 Euro area a short walk to the south-west. Omonia Square has many very cheap shops and restaurants (as well hooks and crooks on the look out for tourists). Omonia, the area just north of Omonia, and the 10 Euro area, also have some of the cheapest central hotels. The other main useful point of reference is Syntagma. Airport connections by bus or metro run from Syntagma and many tourist destinations (such as the Acropolis) are walking distance. Punting options are further to walk from Syntagma. Between and around Syntagma and Omonia are many central interesting places to walk, including Plaka, Thisseo, Antifioka, or the more boisterous Monastiraki. North of Omonia, easier walking distance to the Filis area is Exarchia, which has a late-night, hippified anarchic feel to it. For an upmarket late-night meal, head to Gazi (Metro, Keramikis, near Technopolis) or check it out during the day as it's an easy walk from some good studios and the 10 Euro pump-n-dump places.

Brothels

The easiest and most numerous paid sex venues are what they call brothels (as distinct from studios) and easy to find. They are a bit similar to German Eros Centres or Soho walkups, but without the fanfare, without the walking and stairs (most are on or near ground level and very close to each other), and frequently better service (though they are independent and there is no necessary consistency). They tend to be very relaxed, so the ambience is more like Singapore's Geylang district than Soho. Some of the streets are not so clean, but facilities inside (with rare exceptions) are usually good. Standard prices are ten or twenty Euros (each price level has a well defined geographic area). They are "pump-and-dump" -- officially ten minutes but can stretch to twenty in quieter times or if the girl likes you. Most seem to have at least one spare bedroom, even if only one girl is working. Once the punter makes a decision and a choice, he's shown into a bedroom and the mamasan takes the money. He can then relax and warm up and the prossie joins him a little after. Most are very friendly though without much English. Many are Eastern Europeans, some Greek.

Only about 200 of the hundreds and hundreds of brothels are officially designated by law and that means there are hundreds that are not. They are designated by a characteristic white lantern or white safety light over the doorway. If the brothel is open, the light will be on even during the daytime (daytime sometimes offers better, unrushed deals rather than late at night when there may even be queues inside). The occasional officially designated one will have a red lantern outside instead of white.

The door from the street is not locked so you just walk in. There might be a cloth wrapped round the handle to stop it banging and reassure people they can walk in. Standard service (formally introduced in the brothels as "normal sex") is covered blow-job plus sex with condom. Occasionally BBBJ, DATY/RO, fingering may be offered. Anal, when available, is extra. They mostly give quite good service probably a) as the competition is strong, and b) the white light ones don't want any complaints seeing as they're not registered. Quality of rooms varies, mostly perhaps from the condition of the building, but are generally very clean inside. Many are in scruffy areas but not dangerous. Some of the best-looking girls work in these 10 and 20 Euro places as turnover is good. The buildings in the main 10 Euro area are much older. (There has been much publicity about 'sex for the price of a sandwich' but a good sandwich can cost 10 Euros in a nice area and is a meal in itself. That's still less than ten quid.) It's not a big barrier if you can't speak Greek. The mamasan will nearly always be able to to say, in English, "Normal sex: 20 Euros" (or 10, as the case may be).

There is rarely any pressure. Walk in, wait for the girl or girls to be introduced, take your pick, or say no thank you and try the next one. They tend to be clustered so it is easy to visit several or many brothels before making a selection.

20 EURO DISTRICT: White light brothels in the biggest category can be found in many areas, but 'brothel central' is located around Filis Street. On your map, follow the Green Line Metro slightly north of the city centre to Viktoria (Βικτώρια) Metro station. Filis (or 'Fylis') is two very short blocks (less than five minutes walk) west from Viktoria, parallel to the Metro line. Many brothels will be open from around midday or sometimes even earlier until very late at night. From Filis, explore the streets and many side streets going West (away from the Metro station).

10 EURO DISTRICT: You can walk SSW from the 20 Euro area brothels to the 10 Euro area. It is centred around the area that includes Kolonou Street, and the small parallel street, Iasonos. On your map, find Metaxourghio (Μεταξουργείο) Metro Station and cross over the main road, Achilleos. Explore the side streets heading south (direction of Kermeikos station). These brothels are especially popular late at night as this is only a short walk from trendy upmarket nightlife districts. The streets are sometimes less crowded with foreigners and often much cleaner and safer-looking than the Filis area. As with Filis, the better times seem to be early in the day.

Often there will be a sink to wash, very occasionally a shower. You may find yourself quite literally wiping off on the curtains though. If you are looking for something classier, go for the studios.

Studios

The next category is what are referred to as studios. These are a big leap up from the brothels. You can expect a more plush reception, description of the (usually luxurious) rooms and facilities, maybe a tour in some places, and a more sophisticated sales pitch (but without any pressure). Studios (eg Konstantinoupoleos 92a) are less numerous and less obvious than brothels, usually quite discreet although they may have the word 'Studio' near the front door. The cheapest ones are little different from brothels, but most will give you more of a luxury feel, a skilful prossie, often very good looking and with a sexy or even GFE attitude. Think of 40 Euros as a base price. Some are cheaper and at some you can pay quite a bit more. Everything is negotiable, including services, rates and time spent, so less cut-and-dried than the 'typical' AW experience but in a similar vein. Some of the girls may have regular jobs in nightclubs and bars. (Procedure is same as the brothels but more upmarket: just walk in, wait for the girl(s) to be introduced, decide, yes or no. With a few exceptions, opening hours of studios tend to be strictly daytime.

As with other types of venue, Bourdela.com is the best source of information and it allows you to check if it is up to date and read reviews. It's in Greek, but you can use Chrome browser or M$ web translate plugin or similar for instant English (though the Greek forum slang can be weird). You can also try http://www.athenssexstudios.gr/ . Many studios tend to change address, so try to check the website before going out of your way,

Massage

The next category is massage. Not all massage places give punting services, just most of them. Massage spas, like the studios, have a plusher reception, but are usually decked out like a spa and description of services is non-specific (maintaining the 'spa' image) unless you ask. Prices vary from 50 Euros to over 100. 'Peiki', for instance, at 3rd September No.119, 4th Floor is €60 for '1hr'.

Many offer incredibly good service though the masseuses are often not as young as in the brothels or studios. Unlike the brothels, which are multiplying, many studios and massage parlours are closing down, probably due to the economic climate. It may be well to check if they have a current website linked from bourdela.com and then look for a shift rota that is current. Whereas many brothels tend to be grouped in the same street, studios and massage joints may be isolated geographically except for those near the brothels.

Strip clubs

Athens has a number of strip clubs, but many with a poor reputation due to overcharging or fleecing customers. Even the better ones, such as X-Bar (which these details are based on for simplicity), are not great value, but a pleasant way to spend some time if you have money to spend. When you go in, the bar may be crowded with women, some of whom will probably flirt outrageously with you. If you buy a beer, make it last as you won't have much change from 10 Euros for a standard bottle of beer. The girls will try to persuade you to buy then a lady drink (a tiny glass of fruit juice costing another 10 Euros) to extend the flirting. An occasional strip show will go down to panties. The main action is taking any girl you fancy to a back room or upstairs. Expect to pay about 100 Euros. Most open at around 11pm. X-Bar is at Siggrou 144, between Fragkoudi & Aristotelous/Leontiou, about 15mins walk from Suggrou Fx subway (but at 11pm it's easier just to take a taxi.

Sex cinemas

(eg Karalou 8). Admission gives you an entrance ticket and a condom. Quality porn on big screen. Areas upstairs or to a side room for sex. May have a heavy gay clientele though.

Escorts

Escort services and independents are also available, but bear in mind that although English is a second language in Greece, many people will not speak any English at all. It is quite common for Escorts to list all their services on their webpages (again, use Chrome to translate). Prices are not that much different from the UK, though a little cheaper, and starting at about 100 Euro for outcalls, though 120 to 140 seems more common. Some well-regarded agencies at time of writing:

• Golden Diamond Escorts, http://golden-diamond-escort.com/ +30 6989.912.628 goldendiamondescort@gmail.com
• YourEscorts, http://yourescorts.gr/ +30 6988 069 804
• AthensDiva, http://athensdiva.gr/ +30 69 828 584 00 info@athensdiva.gr

Sex hotels

From seedy places that charge by the hour (especially to prossies) to more palatial rooms clearly designed for sexual encounters (including non-paid liaisons).

Freebies

Some girls speak enough English for a conversation but otherwise you need Greek, or else stick to English-speaking tourists. Trendy areas attracting talent include Thissou (especially tourists) and Gazi (trendy Athenians). Badoo is a very popular social dating app in Greece. If you are there just for a short period it's best to set up meets in advance or as soon as you get there.

SOME OTHER PLACES IN GREECE

• Thessalonika: try the Kamara district (historic area).
  
• Rhodes: about three blocks from Athanasiou Gate.
• elsewhere: Outside of Athens and Thessalonika, punting opportunities can be sparse or non-existent. The one exception is Crete.

CRETE

Crete has good facilities though on a much smaller scale than Athens. It is also a beautiful destination with clean streets, attractive beaches, good buses and good, less expensive accommodation. The prime location for punting is Chania which has cheap, direct flights, whether from Athens or the UK. Heraklion, the capital, is perhaps an exception, being much like any other main city.

Outline: Chania

Unlike Athens, where brothels are indicated with a white (or occasionally red) light over the door, white lights here don't indicate a brothel, only red ones. Minoos Lane is U-shaped, leading back onto the main road. The name of the girl on duty is usually displayed outside. Go in and have a look and, if you don't like, no offence is caused by saying thank you, no, and walking out to look at another one. Price is €30 (if they ask €40, just say no, it's €30, and they will normally accept immediately). You get about 15 minutes.

Between the main part of the old town and Minoos are two strip clubs. The main north-south street running through the old town us called Chalidon. Take the narrow pedestrianised street next to Pandora jewellery on Chalidon and keep going in a straight line. It soon gets much wider with bigger shops. At a crossroads, there's a big store lit up with bright red letters. If you turn right here, Medusa is a few yards along on your left. If you keep straight on towards Minoos, you pass Acarma Show on your right. The strip clubs open about 10pm, and Minoos shuts around midnight, so you have to be quick if you want a hot lap dance followed by a bargain fuck.

When you come out of Minoos, there are late night bars if you continue round the corner from the north end of the street. There is plenty of accommodation here as well if you don't want so far to walk, for instance Daskalogianni St has several budget options, and right up to designer boutique places that are advertised online.

Orientation: Chania

Chania is one of the nicer places to stay, especially the old town area. Very clean, masses of bars and restaurants some of which are open all night, picturesque settings, and very safe.

From the airport, a public bus takes you to the bus station. The old town is 10 minutes walk due north by the harbour. Exit the bus station from the side of the car park, turn right, then immediately left at the traffic lights (this takes you along a wide esplanade with trees in the centre and coffee shops on your left). Walk in a straight line for 10 minutes as the street crosses to a paved area with tourists stalls. There are many, many places to stay here and in adjacent streets, some with a private entrance so no worries to take someone back without going past a reception. (Alternatively, to go direct to Minoos RLD, turn right at Pandora jewellery and keep going.) The red light area is about ten minutes from the old town or from or the bus station. See maps here, here, here and here.

Brothels are located in a small lane off Minoos, a long north-south street on the eastern edge of the old town. Minoos lane ("para Minoos") is at the northern (far) end, so take a left and look out for the red lights in a side street before the end, clearly indicated in the last of the four maps above.

Unlike Athens, where brothels are indicated with a white (or occasionally red) light over the door, white lights here don't indicate a brothel, only red ones. Minoos Lane is U-shaped, leading back onto the main road. The name of the girl on duty is usually displayed outside. Go in and have a look and, if you don't like, no offence is caused by saying thank you, no, and walking out to look at another one. Price is €30 (if they ask €40, just say no, it's €30, and they will normally accept immediately). You get about 15 minutes.

Between the main part of the old town and Minoos are two strip clubs. The main north-south street running through the old town us called Chalidon. Take the narrow pedestrianised street next to Pandora jewellery on Chalidon and keep going in a straight line. It soon gets much wider with bigger shops. At a crossroads, there's a big store lit up with bright red letters. If you turn right here, Medusa is a few yards along on your left. If you keep straight on towards Minoos, you pass Acarma Show on your right.

The strip clubs open about 10pm, and Minoos shuts around midnight, so you have to be quick if you want a hot lap dance followed by a bargain fuck. When you come out of Minoos, there are late night bars if you continue round the corner from the north end of the street. There is plenty of accommodation here as well if you don't want so far to walk, for instance Daskalogianni St has several budget options, and right up to designer boutique places that are advertised online.

Chania, quick tour

(Punts by the author of this wiki section) All €30

Rea (No.14, mid-evening) good looking blonde, works hard enough but very mechanical and impersonal. Bossy too. Claimed to be Greek but attitude seemed Romanian. Found the attitude a turn off so watched the video while she sucked. Then pumped her a bit trying to imagine something other than an inflatable doll. A bit boring so left after about 10 minutes.

Went to Acarma Show. About 10pm. €10 entrance included vouchers for two drinks. Big place, dimly lit. Long dance floor with three poles. Strip shows finish with the girl topless. Girls not pushy. Private dances €25 for two songs, curtained off booths. First one was Ukrainian, Viktoria. Hands allowed everywhere. Nice suck of her tits. Second one, Sylvia from Slovakia, gets my shirt off and full-on snog with DFK. Gave her a good finger-fuck. Wanted to lick her cunt but she said only in VIP suite which is more private. Fuck that for a laugh at 150 an hour (150 with no explicit inclusion of sex). Both girls were slim, attractive, my preference. Gave polite knock-backs to the heftier ones. Went back to Minoos feeling slightly more enthusiastic about fucking there. Nice smell of the lap dancer on my fingers as I walked through the streets. Alexia's was shut (first time I had gone there was a queue). Tried No.19. Some ugly cow demanded through the grating: "Give me €50 and I'll open the door."

Instead, went in to Anna's, No.19. Romanian, average looks but seemed to have a genuine enough attitude so paid up €30. She walked into the room and I saw she was about to do a well-rehearsed routine so I said, hey, let's just relax and have some fun. Gave her back rub, licked her clit and finger fucked her a bit. Got into 69 and fingers in each other's arses. She did that shivery thing and and I think she probably had a small orgasm. She was in no mood to rush after that. Gave her a nice warm shag, must have gone well over time.

Popped into Medusa on way back, though not expecting much. €10 entrance including one drink. Small semi-triangular dance floor. About half the size of Acarma Show. Strip shows finish at topless. Some banter and take a €25 private dance (5 minutes). Full touching, but the girl didn't slow down her dancing long enough for proper fondling, so not that exciting.

Might be luck of the draw but Acarma seems better (though a less discreet entrance).

Next night tried Acarma Show again, private dance with Sylvia. Same routine except she's not wet enough for fingers inside. At Minoos, tried Emanoyolah, a 20y old, with no English at all, upstairs at No.11). Fairly shite. Too many funny faces and no-no's.

Following day went to see Alexia at No.5. A petite 24yr-old Moldavian, she has a well-deserved reputation for good service.

With such a small number of doors in Minoos, it is easy enough to keep track of them by name. It is still a bit pot-luck, but on the whole the better ones seemed to offer a better more personal service than the @0 euro places in Athens.

Minoos

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