Kolonaki climbs the southern slopes of Lycabettus, between Syntagma Square and Vasilissis Sofias Avenue. The name comes from a small ancient column (kolonaki) in the main square, officially Filikis Etaireias Square. Since the late 19th century it has been the district of the Athenian bourgeoisie and aristocracy, embassies, publishers and professional offices: tree-lined streets, neoclassical and modern buildings with large balconies, and a calm, polished atmosphere.
Shopping and cafés
Kolonaki is the district of luxury and fashion. Voukourestiou Street has the big international labels and Greek jewellers; Skoufa, Tsakalof, Anagnostopoulou and Patriarchou Ioakim streets have boutiques of Greek designers, design shops, bookshops and pastry shops. The cafés around the square are an institution: people sit here over a freddo espresso or freddo cappuccino and watch the city go by. In the evening the bars of Haritos Street and nearby fill with young professionals.
Museums
Kolonaki and nearby Vasilissis Sofias Avenue are home to some of Athens' best museums:
| Museum | What to see |
|---|---|
| Benaki Museum | The history of Greek culture from prehistory to the 20th century |
| Museum of Cycladic Art | Cycladic marble figurines and ancient Greek art |
| Byzantine and Christian Museum | Icons, mosaics and frescoes |
| War Museum | Greek military history, with aircraft and vehicles outdoors |
| Ghika House | The studio of painter Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika |
See all Athens museums.
Lycabettus and Dexameni
Climbing the stepped streets you reach Dexameni Square, named after the reservoir built by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD and used until recent times; in summer it hosts an open-air cinema and a quiet café. Higher up, on Aristippou Street, the funicular leaves for the top of Lycabettus, with the best view over all Athens.
Tips
- Kolonaki is one of the safest and most pleasant districts of Athens to stay in, at mid-to-high prices.
- The slopes are steep: the upper streets are stairways.
- From here you reach the National Garden and Syntagma in a few minutes; the nearest metro is Evangelismos.
See also Syntagma, Athens neighbourhoods and where to stay.