Acropolis / Koukaki / Makriyanni
a popular athenian neighborhood

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The most historic, certainly the most picturesque, but also an aristocratic neighborhood in Athens, the quarter of Acropolis takes in Makriyianni and Koukaki, and borders with Thesseion, Petralona, Kallithea, Neos Kosmos and Plaka. 

Several neoclassical buildings line the streets, and other than the ones used for housing, they host several cultural and archaeological institutions, and embassies. The area is also home to the New Acropolis Museum a jewel of Athens. Makriyianni and the first part of Areopagitou pedestrian streets are lined with jewelry, artifact and gift shops, some small art galleries, and several coffee and pastry shops, frozen yogurt and ice-cream parlors, restaurants, bakeries and sandwich outlets can also be found here.

It comes as no surprise to us who live here, that this is the most desired Athenian neighborhood for users of AirBnB and other accommodation-booking websites. As a result, rent in rental properties have skyrocketed, pushing locals away from their neighborhood.

Serviced by the Acropolis Metro station, it is a popular spot for meeting friends or starting a pleasant walk that may take you to the lower perimeter of the Acropolis and most sites of historic significance of Athens.
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Where to Stay
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Landmarks | Sightseeing

• Acropolis
  
• Areos Pagos
  
• Dionyssos Theater
  
• Herodeon
  
• Philopappos Hill
  
• Temple of Olympian Zeus
  
• Hadrian's Arch
  

Museums

• Acropolis Museum
• Lalaounis Jewelry Museum 

Churches

• Agios Demetrios Loumbardiaris
• Agios Georgios Makriyianni
• Agia Sophia Areopagitou
• Agios Ioannis Gargarettas
• Evangelical Church

Shopping

• Art Shop Stoa handmade jewelry
• For the most world-famous sandals of Athens, visit Melissinos -The Poet- Sandal Maker, at 16 Tzireon & Diakou Sts., a few steps away from the Acropolis Museum. ​
• Micropolis Jewelry & Art​

Yannis at Fruitopia on Hatzichristou Street.

​In order to refill on vitamins and enjoy fresh fruit, we suggest a visit to Fruitopia, on 8 Hatzichristou Street, the back street of the Acropolis Museum. A small greengrocer store filled with the best fresh fruit, local and exotic vegetables and greens, nuts and natural snacks, fruit and/or vegetable juice freshly squeezed juice, even Greek local wines and spirits, will keep you light and fresh and recharge you with energy. Fill up a couple of paper bags and just enjoy!

Dine & Wine

• Balcony restaurant & bar  For a fine meal, or a drink with a nice view of the Acropolis Museum, try Balcony,  on 1 Veikou Street. Modern Greek cuisine. Res.: 211 4118437
• Dionysos restaurant, cafe, bar. Probably the best view of the Acropolis, though highly priced.
• Gargatetta all-day bistrot, 1 Rovertou Galli St., Res. 210 922 8713
• Mani-Mani A fine restaurant using gourmet products from the Mani area of the Peloponnese.
• Opos Palia You may want to try our neighborhood favorite tavern/restaurant offering a wide variety of local dishes, cooked like a Greek grandma would do, in generous portions and modest prices. "Opos Palia" (like in the old days) is located at 2, Veikou Street, very close to the intersection with Makriyanni pedestrian street, close to the Acropolis Museum. tel.: 210 923 9718​
• Strofi restaurant. Traditional Greek cuisine offering a nice view from the roof garden.
• Winepoint, 2 Porinou & Ath. Diakou Sts. in the Acropolis Museum area, tel.: 210 922 7050. Our favorite, oldest and best wine bar of Athens, in the Acropolis Museum area, with friendly and very knowledgeable hosts, and a wisely selected list of Greek wines and superb delicacies of cold cuts and cheese to accompany them

Winepoint. Our favorite, oldest and best wine bar of Athens.

Coffee | Pastry | Snacks 

• ​For delicious, innovative and nutritious sub sandwiches and freshly-squeezed fruit juice to go, and at very reasonable prices, stop by Guarantee, at 41 Veikou Street, corner with Parthenonos St., open daily except Sunday 10:00-17:00. ​Try #27, my personal favorite, at 6.60 euro!
• If you are anything like us, Django at 15 Veikou Street, right on the 3-way intersection of Veikou, Dimitrakopoulou and Missaralioutou streets, has the very best ice-cream in Athens! All natural, premium gelatos and sorbets handmade daily in their open gelato kitchen!
• Little Tree Books & Coffee​ ​For a cup of coffee, a refreshment and some respite in the low-key quality cultural atmosphere a local would prefer, on 2 Kavalloti Street, right behind the Acropolis Museum.
• Lotte a popular cafe-bistrot
• Neratzia, for a quaint cafe-bistro in Koukaki which also offers a small number of rooms upstairs, visit  and enjoy your stay like a local!​​​

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Noteworthy

The statue of General Ioannis Makriyiannis (1797–1864), hero of the Greek War of Independence, stands guard, on the crossroads of Areopagitou, Makriyianni and Vyronos streets. Following Greek independence, Makriyiannis had a tumultuous public career, playing a prominent part in the granting of the first Constitution of the then Kingdom of Greece to be sentenced to death and later pardoned. The neighborhood close to Acropolis is named in his honor.

The statue of 1821 General Ioannis Makriyiannis.