Acropolis / Koukaki / Makriyanni a popular athenian neighborhood
The back of the Acropolis Museum among local buildings.
The most historic, certainly the most picturesque, but also a very aristocratic neighborhood in Athens, the quarter of Acropolis takes in Makriyianni and Koukaki, and borders with Thesseion, Petralona, Kallithea, Neos Kosmos and Plaka.
Neoclassical buildings line the streets, and other than the ones used for housing, they host several cultural and archaeological institutions, galleries 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.
Just a few hundred yards from the Acropolis and Herodeon, we recommend Herodionhotel,, offering modern, elegantly decorated A/C rooms, with a satellite TV, safe and soundproof windows. Most of the rooms have private balconies and some have a view of the Acropolis. A beautiful roof garden with lounge chairs and 2 hot bathtubs with spectacular views of Athens. The rooftop restaurant with a decked terrace, serves Mediterranean cuisine with Greek influences, and cocktails. Guests can enjoy snacks and homemade desserts in the semi-outdoor area in the hotel's back garden. An indoor restaurant is also included, where breakfast is served.
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.
Instead of a light lunch, and 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, or canned juice, even Greek local wines and spirits, will keep you light and fresh and recharge you with energy. Ask for my friend Yannis, the owner, fill up a couple of paper bags and just enjoy!
Makriyanni pedestrian Street, Athens.
Dine & Wine
Balcony restaurant & bar For a fine meal, or a drink with a spectacular view of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, try Balcony, on 1 Veikou Street. Modern Greek cuisine of high standards, superb service, wonderful atmosphere, for a special night out.
Dionysosrestaurant, cafe, bar. Probably the best view of the Acropolis, though highly priced.
For one of the best street food establishments in the neighborhood, try Dirty Manh, at 5 Dimitrakopoulou Street, pick-up or delivery, tel.: 210 924 1534.
Mani-Mani restaurant A fine restaurant using gourmet products from the Mani area of the Peloponnese.
Opos PaliaYou 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
Strofirestaurant. Traditional Greek cuisine offering a nice view from the roof garden.
Should you wish to try a traditional Greek dessert, try The Alchemist, a small corner store on Hatzichristou and Metromara Sts. It offers a selection of quality desserts and fine coffee to go!
Athinai Bistrot
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 TreeBooks & Coffee For a cup of coffee, a refreshment and some respite in the quality cultural atmosphere a local would prefer, on 2 Kavalloti Street, right behind the Acropolis Museum.
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!
PolitikoSouvlaki and Kebab on Areopagitou street, lunch hours only.
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.
