Acropolis / Koukaki / Makriyanni a popular athenian neighborhood
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.
In the vicinity of the Areopagus, on Parthenonos Street, you may find Divani Palace Acropolis hotel. Situated a few steps away from Dionysiou Areopagitou street, the cobblestone pedestrian road, the 5=star hotel is a perfect start-point for every visitor to savor Athens' fascinating history. Facilities like 24-hour front desk, express check-in/check-out, luggage storage, WiFi in public areas, room service are readily available for you to enjoy. Guestrooms are fitted with all the amenities you need for a good night's sleep. In some of the rooms, guests can find television LCD/plasma screen, complimentary internet access – wireless, non smoking rooms, air conditioning, heating. Access to the hotel's outdoor pool will further enhance your satisfying stay.
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.
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, 1 Veikou St., Res.: 211 411 8437 restaurant & bar For a fine meal of modern Greek cuisine, or a drink with a nice view of the Acropolis Museum
Dionysos Zonars, 43 Rovertou Galli, Philopappos Hill, tel.: 210 923 3182restaurant, cafe, bar. Probably the best view of the Acropolis, though highly priced. Modern Greek fare in a stylish glass-fronted 1960s venue with a terrace for Acropolis views.
Gargatetta, 1 Rovertou Galli St., Right across Herodion Hotel. Res. 210 922 8713 Tuesday and Wednesday closed. All-day street bistrot.
Mani-Mani, 10 Falirou 10 St., tel.: 210 921 8180 In a two-floor neoclassical building MANI-MANI shares tastes that bring back memories and lead on to new delicious paths, with inspiration from the cuisine of Lakonian Mani of the Peloponnese and the traditional tastes of Greece through a modern glance and implementation.
Opos Palia,2, Veikou Street, tel.: 210 923 9718. 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 very close to the intersection with Makriyanni pedestrian street, close to the Acropolis Museum.
Strofi, 25 Rovertou Galli St., Res.: 210 921 4130 Traditional Greek cuisine offering authentic tastes, excellent service and 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, 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, with ciabatta bread, roast beef, goat cheese, roasted mushrooms, chives pesto, sweet pepper pesto, at 7.10 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 seasonal fruit sorbets handmade daily in their open gelato kitchen!
Little Tree Books & Coffee, 2 Kavalloti Street, right behind the Acropolis Museum. For a cup of coffee, a refreshment and some respite in a laid-back setting with sidewalk seating in the low-key quality a local would prefer, on Try their home-style lemonade with ginger and sparkling water and ask for their sandwiches & desserts .
Lotte, 2 Tsami Karatassou St., tel.: 21 1 407 8639 Snacks, cakes & cocktails served in a charming cafe that has nostalgic decor & outside seating. Ask for the pie or quiche of the day.
Neratzia, 6 Zan Moreas St., tel.: 210 924 3025for a quaint cafe-bistro in Koukaki which also offers a small number of rooms upstairs, visit and enjoy your stay like a local!
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.
