The first houses in Kolonaki were built in the middle of the 19th century. At that time the area was called “Katsikadika”, since for many centuries the area was a large pasture. Its current name is owed to a marble Roman column that once stood in the Dexameni Square and was later moved to the Filikis Etaireias Square, the one we all call Kolonaki Square.
It is no coincidence that Kolonaki is still considered the most aristocratic district of Athens. Its location near the Palace, the current building of the Parliament, ensured that it would be one of the first neighbourhoods of the capital of the new Greek state to acquire permanent (and wealthy) residents and a unique character. Today thousands of people live and work here and can be proud to be part of a neighbourhood where many beautiful things happen every day. We did what millions of Athenians have done, still do and will continue to do in the future – we walked, ate, shopped and had fun in the area which combines aristocratic flair, elegance and bustle (in a good sense) with greenery, culture and above all a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Shopping
Welcome to the district that is home to major luxury clothing and footwear brands. There is no need to go into which brands you can find here, as almost all of them are located on the main shopping streets. Patience and time is all that is required of you until you find what you are looking for.
The Museum Neighbourhood
Hosting the Benaki Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology, the Gennadius Library, the Museum of the History of the Greek Costume of the Lyceum Club of Greek Women and the War Museum, in the neighbourhood of Kolonaki, one can learn a great deal of Greek history (and more) without going too far into the city, just by visiting all these fantastic museums. Apart from their outstanding exhibits, these museums are also famous for the architecture of the buildings in which they are housed.
Who hasn’t stood in awe outside the Benaki Museum or the Museum of Cycladic Art, for example? The latter is currently hosting the exhibition “Kallos. The Absolute Beauty”, an unmissable exhibition for those who love ancient Greek art. Three hundred emblematic antiquities are exhibited – the vast majority of them – for the first time outside their home museums and are brought together here to reflect various aspects of the concept of beauty.
At La Pasteria on Valaoritou Street
A timeless haunt of politicians, artists and journalists, La Pasteria – the best way to enjoy Italian cuisine- is located in one of the most beautiful pedestrian streets of Athens. The interior of the restaurant rivals the area in elegance. But we basically came here to eat. Whether you’re looking for classic Italian comfort food or something more sophisticated, this is the place to be. For those who prefer the former, La Pasteria’s carbonara is an all-time favourite; for those who want something fancier, there are plenty of delicious options.
We tried Ravioli alla Fiorentina, ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach, dipped in a luscious cream with unique truffle flavour and aroma. We also shared one of the numerous mouth-watering pizzas on La Pasteria’s menu with their excellent new dough. The latter is left to rest for 72 hours before baking. Those who don’t want to eat pasta or pizza can choose one of the meat or fish dishes served with a fresh salad.
For those who are even more indecisive and can’t choose between a classic Italian burger and perfectly cooked pasta, there is a solution and it’s called Macinata Pomodoro. Don’t leave before trying one of the dolci on the menu. After all, La Pasteria’s tiramisu has been an Athenian favourite for many years.
Among the bitter orange trees
The symbol tree of Athens is the bitter orange tree. It is estimated that there are about 30,000 such trees in the Municipality of Athens. Although in the past an attempt was made to replace them with other trees, the residents of the area reacted and so a good percentage of them can be still found in Kolonaki. The trees blend harmoniously with the historic buildings or the stairs leading to Lycabettus. And they often fool tourists who admire “the agricultural production of Athens”. For instance, a CNN journalist recently wrote about her travel experience in Athens noting that “in the Greek capital they grow oranges on the city’s sidewalks”.
Lycabettus
At an altitude of 277 metres, Lycabettus is not the highest hill in Athens -Tourkovounia is a few dozen metres higher actually- but it is preferred by thousands of tourists and residents who want to enjoy the beauty of the capital without the unbearable noise pollution. We started early in the morning from the now historic everest on Tsakalof street. We got coffees (we tried three very different from each other blends), hot puff pastries, sandwiches with fillings of our choice and slowly made our way up the hill.
After the tiring uphill walk, the lush green landscape will reward you – offering a stark contrast to the concrete jungle below. In addition to the many pine trees, there are also eucalyptus, cypress and olive trees. Fatigue is automatically forgotten once you get a 360° view of Athens. The hilltop is dominated by the church of Agios Georgios, one of the most famous symbols of Athens since the late 18th century. We cannot wait for the theatre to reopen so that the hill can regain its familiar vibrancy during the summer months.
Celebrity spotting
Kolonaki is an area where one can meet local celebrities, actors, singers, TV presenters. We suggest you play a game. If you are in the area with friends, get coffee from everest on Tsakalof Street, split up in different directions and make an appointment at the same place half an hour or an hour later. Whoever has run into the greatest number of “celebrities” (what you consider famous is up to you) wins. The winner will be treated to a meal by their friends a little further down Solonos street at Goody’s. Here, both winners and losers get to choose from three different types of juicy beef burgers, fresh salads, hearty club sandwiches and numerous other delicious options.
Party until dawn
Even if you’re not a big nightlife fan, you might change your mind here. Kolonaki was, is and always will be one of the most popular nightlife hubs in Athens.
Whether you find yourself in the bars of Skoufa Street, the bars of Haritos Street or in a club, old and historic or new, one thing is for sure: you will have a good time. And of course the best way to end a great night out is a DIY hot hoagie from everest on Tsakalof Street – the perfect spot for socialising.
