An Idyllic Athens Itinerary: Experience The City In Style
Long overlooked as a vacation destination thanks to its Greek-island counterparts, Athens is finally stepping into the spotlight and being lauded for its culinary and creative delights, as well as its ancient wonders and Riviera glamour. Here’s where to stay, dine and stroll – plus, one tastemaker’s take on the city’s magnetism. By KATIE BERRINGTON
Where to stay
In the city: in the low-key, highly creative Psyrri neighborhood, Monument Hotel Athens is a stunning Neoclassic mansion that has been beautifully reimagined into a nine-bedroom hotel. The design is understatedly exquisite, featuring original details such as frescoed ceilings and carved marble balconies, alongside eye-catching tiling, light fittings and sculptural furnishings. Opt for a room with a terrace (the biggest boasts an outdoor jacuzzi with a view of the Acropolis) to soak up the sounds of the city.
Monument Hotel Athens is well positioned to explore the most famous historical sites and café-filled backstreets, as well as the slightly further-away districts of Pangrati and Keramikos, favored by locals for their nightlife. Not sure where to head first? Fear not: the 24-hour concierge team is always on hand to assist with recommendations and reservations.
Better yet… Head downstairs to the candlelit wellness space, where the sauna, steam and treatment rooms are ideal for unwinding after a day spent walking the city’s sites.
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By the sea: set on the Athenian Riviera, One&Only Aesthesis infuses golden-age glamour (think the glittering Glyfada shore in the ’70s – a hotspot for Hollywood legends) with contemporary, coastal luxury. Beautifully appointed bungalows – each with a private pool, fire pit, and many descending straight into the sea – have a contrasting outlook from their stylish terraces, with the buzzing city skyline to one side, azure waters and hazy islands to the other. The resort is set within a protected forest reserve, too, and the Guerlain Spa is a herb-filled haven of tranquility, with an exceptional menu of customizable treatments. What’s more, a centerpiece swimming pool, enveloped by white-and-blue loungers and immersed daybeds, is fast becoming the place to be seen on this dazzling coast.
Better yet… From this summer, guests can board the resort’s private speedboat to set sail for the glorious new One&Only Kéa Island to make the vacation a two-part Greek odyssey.
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“A stroll through the National Garden, which sits adjacent to the columned Hellenic Parliament building, uncovers a lush oasis lined with palm trees and pools (complete with bathing tortoises)
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Where to explore
The history and culture: it is impossible (and absurd) to visit Athens without taking in its ancient archaeological wonders. The Acropolis is worth braving the throngs for, but best explored early morning (and out of high season) for the least-crowded experience of the skyline-defining Parthenon. Also good: the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture for an enthralling deep-dive into a storied past; the marble feat of the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first modern Olympic Games were hosted in 1896); and the beautifully preserved Temple of Hephaestus in the sprawling Ancient Agora. The Greek National Opera and National Library also reside in the astounding architecture of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.
The walks: a stroll through the National Garden, which sits adjacent to the columned Hellenic Parliament building, uncovers a lush oasis lined with palm trees and pools (complete with bathing tortoises). A hike up Mount Lycabettus, the tallest of the city’s seven hills, offers astounding views (particularly as the sun goes down), while the brightly hued, paved streets of Plaka deliver a vibrant dining and shopping scene.
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Where to eat and drink
The seafront spot: Papaioannou Piraeus, for fine fish in a charming port setting.
The Michelin-star venues: Soil, for a tasting menu with an ‘earthy philosophy’ in a low-key courtyard. Or Spondi, for a contemporary twist on Greek cuisine beneath brick arches.
The long lunch: Lsandsia, for fresh, zingy seafood on the cobbles of Psyrri.
The intimate dinner: Akra, for sumptuous, open-fire dining and delectable pastries.
The evening haunt: Pharaoh, for wood-fire cooking and an all-natural wine list, plus vinyl vibes and DJ sets.
The arty hangout: Line Athens, for an art gallery turned bar, with a perfectly curated cocktail and snack menu.
The scenic drink: Hotel Grande Bretagne, for refined rooftop drinks with stunning views.
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The tastemaker’s take
Artemis Baltoyanni, an art advisor and Athens insider, says: “People tend to visit Athens during the warmer summer months, but I like beach strolls and lunch by the sea during the winter season, too. As for the night creatures, they should know that Athens is a city that never sleeps.”
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