Kolonaki Neighborhood of Athens

Kolonaki
An Aristocratic neighborhood

Kolonaki is an aristocratic neighborhood in central Athens situated at an exclusive location, encompassed by Syntagma Square, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and the southwestern slopes of Lycabettus Hill. It was named after the ancient old column (the Greek for small column is kolonaki), found in the center of Kolonaki Square.

Kolonaki is a wealthy, chic and upmarket district, and a fashionable meeting area. Here, one may green spots and attractive buildings, predominantly neoclassical and modernist, lending the area a distinguished character. As the capital's leading shopping area, it includes a number of high-end boutiques from young adult to casual fashion to prestigious haute couture from Greek and international designers. Here one will find the most expensive commercial shops, popular cafes and modern bars, and luxury restaurants. One of its main shopping streets, Voukourestiou, once the home of Galerie Zygos, is now mostly known for its jewelry.

There are a plethora of available options for nightlife, including bars, bistrots, ouzeries, restaurants and tavernas. Trendy coffee shops, bars and premium restaurants can be found around the streets Kanari, Patriarchou Ioakeim, Tsakalof, Anagnostopoulou and Skoufa. Outdoor seating on pedestrian walks is typical, creating a lively atmosphere at night. The Lycabettus Funicular Railway, links Kolonaki to the summit of Lycabettus hill. Kolonaki is serviced by two metro stations, Evangelismos and Megaro Mousikis.

In Kolonaki, the Athens Key recommends three hotels: St. George Lycabettus, situated on Dexameni Square, and an excellent choice to walk all around Athens unless you have a mobility problem, since the hotel is located on a hill. St. George Lycabettus was just voted and have won the Gold Award as the Best Greek Lifestyle City Hotel at the Hospitality Awards 2017. It so happens that the hotel is built where the Mantzavelakis building used to be, where my own father used to live during the dark years of the German occupation.

Another select hotel in the Kolonaki area certainly is Coco-Mat Hotel, a design hotel offering an understated luxury, and offers relaxing sleep, delicious homemade breakfast, and selected services for its guests.

Finally, we recommend Periscope hotel, a boutique city-hotel offering minimally decorated rooms and suites with state-of-the-art facilities. Each comes with free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, CD and DVD library, and pillow menu. The modern bathrooms are stocked with luxurious toiletries, bathrobes and slippers. Complimentary fruit, snacks, and beverages can be enjoyed all day in the lounge.

Kolonaki Square, or Plateia, on an April afternoon.

Kolonaki at leisure.

Lycabettus Hill, looks over the Kolonaki neighborhood.

Museums

Museums and galleries abound in Kolonaki. The Benaki Museum, inside a preserved neoclassical manor house, and the Museum of Cycladic Art are two of the finest private collections in the country. Two smaller museums to be found in Kolonaki are the Museum of the History of Greek Costume and the Theater Museum. Across the street from Vassilissis Sofias Avenue are the Museum of Byzantine and Christian Art, and the War Museum of Athens.

Churches

Aghios Dionyssios

Philikis Etaireias Square

The one and only square of Kolonaki, offering some green respite and a couple of benches to rest, is named in the honor of Philikí Etaireía, the revolutionary secret society founded by Greek merchants in Odessa in 1814 to overthrow Ottoman rule in southeastern Europe and to establish an independent Greek state. Busts and statues of prominent leaders of the society adorn the small park and remind Athenians that freedom did not come so easy!

Shopping

There are literally hundreds of stores within Kolonaki, covering all tastes and budgets. We shall only name Libro bookstore, which this year celebrates 30 years of excellent service to its clientele and wish our friend of the old days Dimitris Panteleskos, here's to 30 more!

Dine & Wine

Filippou taverna
Freud Oriental Oriental restaurant
Il Postino Italian restaurant

Coffee | Pastry | Snacks

Dexameni
Le Pain de Vie bakery
Ratka bistro
Rosebud vegan restaurant
Vivliothiki cafe, bistrot

Slideshow

Athens at your Feet

$26.82

Discover Athens in a small group and with an enthusiastic local guide who will show you the highlights and the hidden gems of this amazing city. Walk past ancient temples and century-old churches, through picturesque neighborhoods and small alleys.

Listen to the the stories about life in ancient and contemporary Athens and get local while enjoying a real Greek coffee with traditional sweets.

Area Map

KolonakiAn Aristocratic neighborhood