After you visit the Acropolis Area, I suggest you explore a bit the Koukaki district. It’s really close: take a walk on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street and go west when you exit from the Acropolis of Athens. You will be heading in its direction! There are several things to in the Athens in the Koukaki district, as it is one of the oldest parts of the Greek capital. Read below to discover them.
Discovering the Koukaki district
Here, you can admire 19th and 20th century buildings. The oldest ones were the homes of important Greek personalities. The others were small family houses or apartment buildings, hotels, and museums. In-between, you will come across taverns with beautiful terraces, intimate cafes, and traditional bakeries with heavenly smells just inviting you in!
Have a taste of what to expect on your visit in the Koukaki district:
I do hope it will be warmer than in the video when you decide to visit!
Hike up Philopappos Hill
Philoppapos Hill is not only a beautiful green area in the city of Athens. And it’s not just a good place to hike to get a great view of Acropolis and the entire Greek Capital.
Philopappos Hill is also worth a visit to see the prison of Socrates and to visit the Philopappos Monument. The Monument is the beautiful construction at the top of the Hill, which can be seen from all over the city of Athens.
Here’s a video covering all the things to do in Athens on Philopappos Hill:
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Go out in the Koukaki district
You can find a good choice of bars, restaurants, and traditional cafes in the two pedestrian areas of the Koukaki district: Geogaki Olympiou Street and Drakou Street.
Things to do in Athens near the Koukaki district
The Koukaki district is right next to Syngrou Avenue. This is one of largest boulevards of the city of Athens. It gives you some good options of what to do after your visit to Koukaki: explore Sygrou-Fix or leave the city center and visit Piraeus and the coast of Athens.
If you choose to head out to Piraeus, you can take a tram from the Kosamouli station in the Koukaki district. In 27 minutes and for under
€2.00, you’ll be in Piraeus, one of the most important harbor areas in all of history!
Things to do in Athens in the Koukaki district: Try going on a food tour!
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Athens is also my dream destination and to totally complete my obsession with Greek mythology! I want to visit this city with my boyfriend 😀
It’s a really lovely destination for couples, Blair. I recommend you guys spend a romantic afternoon walking on the streets of Anafiotika, in Plaka. You’ll also find some terraces with flowers in bloom which offer wonderful views of the city of Athens. They’re perfect to take a break and enjoy some good Greek coffee or you could try some refreshments to feel cool on warm days.
I have been wanting to go to Athens for a few years now! So Happy I am probably going this summer! Some great tips and I will check it out!
I’m so happy for you, Caitlyn! I’m here for you if you have any questions or need more information for your planning. I also suggest subscribing to the newsletter: I am currently working on a free Athens travel guide and I will provide early access to my subscribers.
I can’t seem to remember if I had been to the Koukaki district when I was in Athens. I did know about the Philopappos (?) Hill, but it was so incredibly hot in June when I visited that I skipped it. I would have loved to see the Socrates’ prison.
Hey, Arunima! It’s totally understandable to not want to go hiking when it’s hot outside. Did you go up on Lycabettus Hill, though? It has a funicular to go up and down, which is very useful in summer!
We are hoping to visit Greece soon as neither of us have been yet, which we need to put right! We’re big on hiking so it’s great to hear about trails we can try. Philopappos Hill sounds right up our street. Thank you!
Hey, Alex! I’m happy you found something you want to try with Lisa when you get to Athens! 🙂 Have lots of fun!
Greece is one of the top countries on my bucket list! Athens looks beautiful and I would love to explore all of the historical landmarks.
I hope you get to visit soon, Sydney! Try aiming for an early spring or autumn trip. For us it was so hot in the first days of May!
I have been to Athens several times but never tried to hike the Philippapos Hill. It looks an enchanting adventure with a view over the ancient ruins of the Acropolis. I will add to my list insiders’ tips to try!
Thank you for adding it to the list, Federica! Let me know how your hike went after you go up Philopappos Hill in Athens 😉
I think I’m the only one who hasn’t done Greece yet but getting there lol. It’s interesting how you can be in a city but only explore certain neighbourhoods. I love the old parts of cities that are still untouched by gentrification and modernity and this is definitely it.
You’re not the only one, Kemi, don’t worry. That’s exactly why I am writing this series on Athens and then some other places in Greece. Greece is a beautiful and affordable destination, even without taking the cultural side into account. Everywhere should try to get there sometime. (I feel the same about Italy, too!)
I really loved how you integrated YouTube videos to really bring the feeling and ambiance of Koukaki to your readers! Greece has always been so beautiful to me, I was glad to hear your suggestions for what to ensure I visit! Cheers!
Thank you! I’m really glad you found my suggestions useful and I wish you happy travels! If you need any more advice on traveling to Greece, please get in touch with me 🙂
I didn’t have a chance to visit Athens on my recent trip to Greece. I will have to return!
You really must, Diana! And this is coming from someone who only visited Athens after going to Greece every summer for several years only to enjoy the beaches!
Greece- especially Athens- are on the top of our family’s bucket list. Our boys LOVE Greek mythology and Greek history- I can’t wait until we can get them there someday!!!
I hope you visit soon, Elizabeth! They’ll definitely love it. You’ll probably need a few more days that we had, though, because your boys will definitely want to visit more museums 🙂
I went to Greece on a school trip when I was in grade 10. I remember going to the Parthenon (sp?), but little else. I desperately want to go back to do it properly. I didn’t even know this district existed!
I get that, Nina. I feel the same about some countries I visited when I was a kid or a teen and while I do know I enjoyed the trips, I can’t remember much!
I always tell the story of how my last name is Greek and I am absolutely distanced to roam throughout Greece. I love this post because it made me Fantasize.
Anything to make people get a bit of wanderlust, Diana!
Greece is a dream destination for most of us, and I am no exception 🙂 And I do love visiting places virtually, thats the biggest advantage of blogging 😀
I totally understand, but I hope you do visit Athens firsthand, Jayashree!
Lovely post! I went to Athens for a short visit several years ago, but this really makes me want to start planning another trip:)
Thank you, Julie, I’m happy you liked it! Get in touch with me if you need any help with the planning 😉
I am planning to re-visit Greece again, thank you for sharing such an informative post. I have bookmarked.