If you who have visited Athens before you have probably walked around in the touristy, older parts of the city – Plaka and Monastiraki – that are located just below the Acropolis cliff. But did you know that just a couple of steps from Acropolis there is also another area called Koukaki, which is becoming more and more popular for each year passing?
Koukaki begins where Acropolis ends and has the big and noisy Syggrou boulevard as its natural border. You can say that the area is located between the two metro stations of Acropolis and Syggrou FIX on the red line. This area has gone from a common student area – because of the Panteion University that is located here – with many older and slightly boring high-rise buildings, to one of the most trendy, artistic and “up and coming” areas of Athens.
Koukaki has a certain charm to it with its mix of tall, square 60s’ buildings and much older neoclassical buildings. The area is also bilt upon the base of the Filopappou Hill so many roads are steep uphill or have stairs climbing up to the hill which is famous for its beautiful views of the city. Koukaki also has become famous for its special aura and family friendly nature. There are many cafes, tavernas, hotels and small shops here, but at the same time Koukaki maintains a certain “small town feel” where people are seen drinking coffee at the neighborhood cafe in their slippers. Everybody knows everyone here and sometimes you forget that you are actually in a 5 million city.
In addition to all this, or perhaps because of all this, Koukaki has been listed as number 5 on the list of the most chosen places around the world where people rent an Air-bnb while traveling. From here you can walk almost everywhere and see all the important attractions in the center of Athens. At the same time, the bus, the train, the metro as well as the tram all go to these parts of town, which makes it very conveniant. Many tourists are looking for something “a little less touristy” these days and want to live “as the locals do”. And Koukaki gives you just that with its bohemian and “full of life” aura.
The Koukaki area shares borders with other areas that also have received a small lifting in recent years, and are worth a visit. These places include Petralona, Kallithea, Neos Kosmos and, of course, the Acropolis area. Koukaki, which got its name from a large bed factory that was found here, has been tightly inhabited since the 60’s and 70’s. Close to Koukaki you will also find the Filopappou Hill which, as said, is a great spot to watch the Agreat thens view or to enjoy a cozy walk or picnic on the warmer days of the year that are many here in Greece.
We recommend you come here and take a walk through Koukaki’s lively and colorful streets and smaller alleys. It’s great if you visit the Acropolis cliff and the Acropolis Museum on the same day as it is just a few steps away. Make sure to walk through all the smaller streets as they are home for small but incredibly good jewelry and apparel stores with unique designs.
If you come here, please visit “Η ΑΥΛΗ” [i avli] – a wonderful cafe/bar on the pedstrian street Georgiou Olympiou that gathers people of all ages – but also the “fish & chips” place “FISH CAFE” on the central road Veikou that runs through the entire area. And if you want some good cocktails after your meal and coffee, visit the well-known bar “Hitchcocktales” on Porinou 10.
