Rooted in a rich heritage yet with an eye on global trends, Athens is no longer just a quick stopover en route to the islands. The birthplace of democracy has reinvented itself as a world-class destination, worthy of an extended stay.
The city’s trump cards? Awe-inspiring monuments, the enviable coastal strip dubbed the ‘Athenian Riviera,’ and historic neighborhoods reclaiming their former glory. Add to this ambitious redevelopment projects like the Ellinikon, and you’ve got a metropolis on the move.
Athens is upping its game with constantly improving infrastructure. Think metro expansions, chic high-end hotels, and character-filled boutique accommodations that ooze style. The culinary scene is no slouch either, with talented chefs elevating it to new heights.
But what really sets Athens apart is its irresistible combo of top-notch hospitality and a perpetual zest for life. It’s a city that knows how to have a good time, making it the perfect year-round urban getaway.
Visitors don’t just leave with stunning snapshots and unique experiences; they depart with an authentic ‘feel-good’ vibe that lingers long after they’ve returned home. In Athens, every day feels like a celebration of life itself.
Why You Should Visit in September
For Athenians, returning to the capital after summer vacation is always a chance to rediscover their city, especially during one of its most charming seasons. Visitors from all over Greece and the world also enjoy the city’s most outgoing face, which is bustling during the day and has packed squares, outdoor cinemas, and rooftop bars at night.
At the same time, iconic performance venues showcase artistic events for all interests. The historic Lycabettus Theatre, a landmark of Athens’ cultural scene, combines a stunning view of the lit-up city below with a rich program of concerts and theatrical performances. Events as part of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival 2024, as well as independent shows, invite us for an evening stroll in the shadow of the Acropolis and to the always captivating Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
At the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the Park’s Clearing continues its successful and popular series of free outdoor movie screenings. Every Friday and Saturday until mid-September, it turns into a huge outdoor cinema for Athens’ movie-loving crowd, with special screenings for kids as part of Park your Cinema Kids. In terms of temporary exhibitions, the excellent Basil & Eliza Goulandris Foundation, which is home to modern art, beyond its permanent collection of rare works by great artists who left their mark on the 19th and 20th centuries, presents a special exhibition dedicated to the renowned photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson. Many of his photographs come from his travels in Greece and uniquely capture the Greek spirit.
What to Do
Sunny days without excessive heat are ideal for leisurely strolls downtown, walks in Anafiotika of Plaka reminiscent of the islands we recently visited, museum visits with kids at the start of the new school year to spark new interests, and also for dips and relaxation – because who’s had enough vacation? – at the wonderful beaches of Attica, from the well-organized Vouliagmeni beaches to Sounio and from Porto Rafti to the lush green Schinias.
Try to combine the above activities and experiences that September offers with outings to the corresponding areas and neighborhoods of Athens, to places with outdoor seating that extend the summer mood. Before or after shows at the Lycabettus Theater, you can visit timeless or newer spots in Kolonaki – coffee and delicious sweets at Portatif, aperitivo with a Milanese flair at Brunello, drinks at Mousa Bar or a glass of wine at Feelin’ Tipsy wine bar on the beautiful and always crowded pedestrian street of Haritos, meze and people-watching at the Dexameni cafe, a Kolonaki institution since 1905. Alternatively, in Exarcheia, street food is thriving with cheeseburgers from Guerrilla Chef Burgers, while for more homestyle, familiar flavors there’s always Lonza tis Geitonias with its daily changing home-cooked meals.
For an outing combined with a night at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus or as the end of a downtown stroll, whether you move around Thiseio or towards Syntagma, the noteworthy options are constantly increasing and spoiling us in the most enjoyable way. The pedestrian street of Melanthiou in Monastiraki maintains its summer feel thanks to Linou Soubasis & Co., where the cuisine, based on fresh ingredients, reminds us of dishes we tasted at our summer destinations. A little further up, on Aeolou Street, the restaurant and delicatessen Ateno Cook & Deli presents Greek cuisine with a modern approach, while Ella by beloved Nena Ismirnoglou gives lessons in traditional Greek cuisine, attracting both Greeks and international visitors. Wine evenings are offered by Wine is Fine, Heteroclito, and Oinoscent, accompanied by snacks or a full menu. If you end up in Koukaki for the same reason, don’t forget to try the excellent handmade ice cream at Django Gelato.
An excellent choice for fine dining is the Delta restaurant at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, which stands out not only for its refined style but also for its two Michelin stars earned thanks to its innovative menu of contemporary Greek haute cuisine.
Finally, Pangrati, home to the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation, is now one of the liveliest and most beloved areas of Athens, a large neighborhood with a friendly atmosphere that is constantly enriched with new spots. A morning visit to the museum can be accompanied by coffee and brunch at Veniamin, which serves classic and signature cocktails in the evening. Continue with galaktoboureko at Triantafyllou or handmade ice cream from Maraboo. If you stay here until late, enjoy a movie at the open-air Cine Oasis, taste delicacies and recipes from all over Greece at Amen, or try some of the over 500 wine labels at the Materia Prima wine bar in Mesolongiou Square.
Where to Stay
In the shadow of the Acropolis’s grandeur, where the city’s heart beats and history defines modern Greece’s pulse, an iconic building has found new life. The Dolli, Grecotel’s new boutique hotel, is so impressive you’ve likely seen it somewhere already. A neoclassical mansion has been transformed into a refined 46-room paradise. It exudes warmth, the intimacy of a real home, and quiet luxury at every turn.
It’s all about pedigree. The Dolli isn’t just a stunning hotel; it’s a piece of living Athens history. In 1925, shipowner, merchant, and politician Dimitrios Kallimasiotis commissioned the era’s starchitect, Andreas Kriezis, to design his private residence at 49 Mitropoleos Street.
Kriezis, who later converted the Athens Palace into today’s Greek Parliament building, created a masterpiece of symmetry, mastery, and rich sculptural decoration. From the mid-1930s, the building became a luxury fabric store, housing Bazaar d’Orient (until 1960), Tsantilis (until 1978), and Chitiroglu (until 2015). In 2023, after five years of restoration, Grecotel added it to their collection. This transformation breathed new life into an architectural gem that had long captivated passersby, both Greek and foreign.
The hotel’s interiors are characterized by eclecticism. The lobby impresses with its blend of classic and modern elements: comfortable sofas, crystal sculptures, ancient Greek ceramics (pick one up to learn its origin), and artwork by artists like Alexander Calder and Jean Cocteau. The library, just behind, with wooden furniture and large windows overlooking Mitropoleos Street, offers a serene space for reading, relaxation, or those final emails that needed answering.
The rooms and suites, ranging from doubles to full apartments, welcome you with soft, serene tones and high ceilings. Each essentially represents the downtown apartment we’d all love to have. Marble spaces, generous showers, clever minibars, and jars of candy add an extra touch of comfort to your stay. Many rooms boast Acropolis views, while others entertain with scenes of lively Mitropoleos Street.
The Dolli’s undisputed highlight is its stunning rooftop pool, voted one of the world’s best by the most discerning critics. Here, you’ll feel like you’re floating above our ancient city. For wellness enthusiasts, the hotel’s gym and upcoming sauna promise moments of relaxation and rejuvenation.
Dining options at The Dolli are equally impressive. At Dolli’s Rooftop Restaurant on the fifth floor, you’ll enjoy a gastronomic experience with views of the Acropolis and Athens’ skyline at its best. The restaurant serves refined dishes rivaling the neighborhood’s top eateries (for which the concierges are always at your disposal). On the ground floor, Le Salon offers a charming art-filled environment for coffee, tea, wines, and exquisite desserts. For more private moments, Le Bar Secret is a gem: a library-bar with rare books and an excellent drink collection. Wisely, all require reservations.
Unsurprisingly, The Dolli’s location is ideal for exploring Athens. Within minutes on foot, you’ll find yourself in Plaka, Monastiraki, Ermou Street, even Kolonaki, while the most famous sights are just a breath away. Here, you’ll experience Athens not just as visitors, but as privileged residents of a city that breathes history and culture, yet keeps its gaze fixed on today and never ceases to surprise with its energy.
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