Kolonaki Athens is the city’s most chic neighborhood and home to much of the country’s aristocracy. Kolonaki shopping should be atop the list of things to do in Athens for those who have a taste for the finer things in life. Along the streets of Kolonaki, posh designer shops from both international and Greek designers offer the latest fashions and styles. If you get a hankering for sushi, or would like to try a classic Greek dish, Kolonaki’s beautiful streets are lined with one of the best selections for upscale restaurants in Greece. Cafes and bars are commonplace as well in Kolonaki, should you need just a brief respite in-between snatching up something at Versace and heading over to Tsakalof street for some designer shoes.
Kolonaki is a pretty easy find in Athens being located
just on the southwest of Lykavittos
Hill. Lykavittos Hill rises above the center
of Athens, and in Kolonaki you can catch a funicular up
to the top of the hill for unparalleled views of the city.
Kolonaki is also within walking distance of the Parliament
Building at Syntagma Square. Syntagma
Square is the main plaza in the city, and some of
the best attractions in Athens can be found near Kolonaki
and Syntagma Square.
Kolonaki Athens is named after a lone pillar once located
at the edge of the neighborhood but now found in the center
of Kolonaki Square. Kolonaki Square is a good starting
spot for your Kolonaki shopping adventure. Cafés
in the square are good places to people watch, and to
fuel up with some caffeine before you hit as many shops
as possible, even if it’s just to browse.
When you have had your fill of Kolonaki shopping, or
perusal of stores anyway, you might be tempted to make
another stop at one of the neighborhood cafes before heading
to a museum. Some of the best museums in Athens
can be found in Kolonaki, including the Benaki
Museuem, the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art, the
Byzantine Museum, and the Athens War Museum. Many
of the museums and art galleries found in Kolonaki Athens
are housed in impressive neo-classical buildings.
The History Museum of Greek Costume and the Theater Museum
are two smaller Kolonaki Athens museums that will satisfy
theatre buffs looking for a nice diversion.
Being the posh and upscale neighborhood that it is,
Kolonaki not only attracts a number of high-class restaurants
and stores, but great options as well for luxury Kolonaki
hotels. Options for both 5-star and 4-star Kolonaki
hotels found in Kolonaki have you sitting in the lap of
luxury with the best of the city at your door. Enjoy
world-class amenities and comfort while being in reach
of some of the best shopping, dining
and monuments in all of Athens. Typical views from
the window at various Kolonaki hotels can often involve
the Acropolis or Lykavittos
Hill. If you are looking for a more affordable option
in lodging, but want to stay in Kolonaki to enjoy everything
that the area has to offer, then you can investigate renting
a studio or apartment in the neighborhood. Often,
these options are fairly priced and have enough in the
way of comfort and amenities to make your stay agreeable.
If you find that after hitting the stores in Kolonaki
you want a new shopping experience, the Plaka
flea market at Monastariki is a place where both Athenians
and foreigners search for hidden treasures and discounts.
The Plaka neighborhood is relatively close to Kolonaki,
and shopping or just hanging out in both locales could
easily fill a couple of activity-filled days.