Small hotels and Guesthouses

Shila, Athens - An elegant 1920s townhouse with six suites, situated in Athens' cultured Kolanaki quarter.

Monsieur Didot (pictured) - A home away from home in an Athenian neoclassical house, also in the Kolanaki quarter.

The Foundry - Twelve luxurious industrial-style lofts in the city's historic Psyrri neighborhood.  

Larger Hotels

Perianth Hotel - Sleek design on one of Athens' liveliest squares.

Astir Palace - For serious Four Seasons luxury by the sea. 

Milos Hotel - A stylish hotel with a really excellent restaurant.

Breakfast and Brunch

Wild Souls - A concept and coffee store, a great place to buy homemade spreads and marmalades.

Kora Bakery - For great sourdough and excellent pastries.

Philos - For a relaxed stylish brunch. Phone: +30 21 0361 9163.

Lunch and Dinner

Ratka - A local's favorite in Kolonaki; great for dinner. Saturday lunch to late evening becomes very fun. Phone: +30 21 0729 0746

Papadakis - A fine restaurant in Kolonaki, headed by Greek star chef, Argiro Barbarigou. Great for fish and quality ingredients.

Kanaria - A small family-owned place in Moschato (about 20 minutes by car from the city center) serving the best tomato salad, fish and fried shrimp. It's beautifully simple, it feels like time has stood still since 1950 when it opened. It's a good place to combine with a visit to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, which is next door. Phone:+30 21 0942 2119.

Kostas - Only open for lunch, Kostas on Pentelis Street is an Athens street-food institution serving the best Souvlaki in the city. Be sure to arrive early. Phone: +30 21 0322 8502.

Hasapika - For terrific seafood and sushi, Hasapika is a fun experience situated inside the Central Market of Athens, a classic Athenian fish and meat market. Phone: +30 21 6070 7026

Sweets and Treats

Epik Gelato - It's all in the name, go here for epic ice cream.

Anana - A great place for coffee and snacks.

Mariboo - Fresh artisanal ice cream. Phone: +30 21 0724 7037

Museums

Benaki Museum - Comprising five museums, covering Greek civilization, culture, ceramics, Islamic Art and more, the Benaki Museum is world-renowned and not to be missed.

Byzantine & Christian Museum - With over 25,000 artefacts dating from between the 3rd and 20th century AD, this is a real treasure trove of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art and culture. It's also worth visiting for the beautiful building - the Villa Ilisia, built by the Duchess of Plaisance in 1840.

Museum of Cycladic Art - A great museum of ancient Greek Art and Cycladic and Cypriot culture with a large permanent collection of antiquities and hosting contemporary art exhibitions too, often mixing with the ancient objects. 

The National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST) - This newly reopened national museum exhibits works by many modern and contemporary Greek artists in a modernist building, designed by architect Takis Zenetos. 

Yannis Pappas Studio (pictured), Benaki Museum - The workspace of Greek artist, Yannis Pappas (1913-2005), housed in his family's home in the Zographou district. The property, full of Pappas' paintings and sculptures was donated to the Benaki Museum by his son, and is a fascinating place.

Goulandris Foundation - A short walk from the Panathenaic Stadium, this museum houses the exceptional art collection of collectors, Basil and Elise Goulandris, and includes works by Picasso, Rodin, Degas, van Gogh, Miró and Giacometti.

Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Center - An arts hub and exhibition space in a warehouse, with a good book shop, showing Greek and International artists in a range of media.

Shops and Galleries

Martinos Art - A wonderful emporium of fine art and antiques in Monastiraki, Athens’ ancient commercial center, where you’ll find carpets and kilims, Islamic art, fine furniture, rare ceramics, paintings and 20th century decorative objects.

Antiqua - Right by the Museum of Cycladic Art (see 'What to See and Do'), Antiqua trades in quality 20th century design.

Ileana Makri - For fine jewelry by Ileana Makri and a selection of designers in her flagship store in the heart of Athens.

Enny di Monaco - For high-end designer clothing.

Markets and Thrift Stores

I love exploring the fabric shops on Aiolou and Kalamiotou Streets, and you shouldn't miss Plateia Avissinia, the city's oldest bazaar, which is open all week but busiest on Sundays.

With a bit of luck and rummaging, you might find something special from the old antiques market there; last week I found two miniature milleflori murano vases for a bargain price.

When Lilly Pulitzer launched her classic shift dresses in the ’60s, few knew their playful nature-inspired prints were the vision of Florida-based artist Suzie Zuzek. The striking collection mixed Zuzek’s imagination and masterful drawing with Pulitzer’s eye for vivid color. The striking collection mixed Zuzek’s imagination and masterful drawing with Pulitzer’s eye for vivid color. launched her classic shift dresses in the ’60s, few knew their playful nature-inspired prints were the vision of Florida-based artist Suzie Zuzek. The striking collection mixed Zuzek’s imagination and masterful drawing with Pulitzer’s eye for vivid color. The striking collection mixed Zuzek’s imagination and masterful drawing with Pulitzer’s eye for vivid color.