Kolonaki has the charm of these hillside neighborhoods with its streets that climb and its many staircases lined with orange trees and oleanders that offer beautiful views towards Lycabettus Hill and even higher towards the sky.
You have to get lost to discover here and there small pockets of greenery, a square, a lively pedestrian street, some beautiful mansions that house museums or embassies.
With the play of sloping streets, the stores, shops, bars and restaurants seem to sink into the ground or, on the contrary, perch high up. In this chic district of Athens, one can discover small treasures, of the boutiques cossues to the design often avant-gardist, magnificent pastry shops, stores of fur, concept-stores, bars and restaurants with the licked decoration.
You will probably come across politicians or artists, who are often only recognized by the insistent looks of other passers-by. It is indeed a place that the Athenians like to go out and show themselves.
Here is what I suggest to you in order to spend a nice day in Kolonaki.
Visiting Kolonaki starts with a visit to one of the four museums
Depending on your taste, you can start your walk in Kolonaki by visiting one of the famous museums that are located in this area. To do this, you can either, take a fascinating lesson of Hellenic history with the
Benaki Museum.
You can choose to enjoy a poetic moment in the Cycladic Art museum, to have a change of scenery in the Byzantine and Christian museum or in the more military Museum of the war.
Cafés: enjoy the terraces of Kolonaki
Afterwards, you can take a break in one of the countless cafés in the area. Among my favorites:
- The café of the Benaki Museum, which has a superb view from the terrace.
- Dexameni café (Δεξαμενή), in a small pedestrian street, near a square, on the way up to the cable car near the cinema in the open air. Ideal for the freshness of the place and to let the children run around without fear.
- Da Capo coffee which is a bit of an institution in Kolonaki. Very well located in Kolonakiou Square, it offers what you would expect from a coffee shop: a good espresso, appetizing cookies and orange juice… fresh of course.
Shopping in Kolonaki: the pleasure of the eyes and the taste buds
Take a walk through the sloping streets of the neighborhood. And let yourself be tempted by the small chic clothing stores, pastry shops, stalls, souvenir stores and flea markets. For design lovers, it’s also an opportunity to stroll through the concept stores and art galleries. Here are some of the good addresses tested for you:
- Era: when you enter, you will be overwhelmed by the smell of spices. It’s as pretty to the eye as it is to the taste buds. Dried fruits, jams, cookies, chocolates…
- Sweet Alchemy: cakes under a bell, colors and cream, a treat
- Oikos: a concept store that will make you want everything
Get a good view of Lycabettus Hill
Take a lunch break on the go or on the terrace. Either in the pedestrian streets of Miloni and Tsakalof which abound in restaurants. Or, if the weather is nice and you like “greenery”, on the shady slopes of Lycabettus. In the latter case, you will have purchased a snack beforehand in one of the many bakeries or vendors of gyros (Greek sandwiches) of the neighborhood.
From there, you can climb to the top. For the more athletic, continue on one of the countless paths that crisscross the mountain. For the others you can opt for the cable car. From the top, admire the view of Athens. The sea in the background, the mountains and hills surrounding the city. If you are in the right timing, you will even get to see the sunset… romantic!
NightLife in Kolonaki
Kolonaki changes atmosphere in the evening, the sidewalks come alive. The nightlife, without being hectic, is animated thanks to the numerous cafés and bars of the district. In the streets Miliono, Skoufa and Tsalaka you will take a bath of crowd. You can also find many clubs, from the most classic (Rock n’ Roll) to the most avant-garde.
Sophie B.
Updated April 19, 2024
