Athens center, GreeceVilla Cariatida

It features two comfortable seating areas in two levels, a fully equipped kitchen, 2 bathrooms, one WC, two large bedrooms and a smaller one with sofa bed. But its treasure are the two balconies with the hot tub and the outdoor sitting area exactly opposite of the Acropolis and the Odeum of Herodes Atticus. Cariatida makes an excellent starting point to explore all major archaeological sites and museums.

The little neighbourhood of Koukaki, where the house is situated, has been enjoying rave reviews since it was included in a ‘Hot Districts’ list a couple of years ago, and for good reason. This residential area, located at the foot of the Acropolis and the Filopappou Hill, is a combination of authenticity, convenience and entertainment. One of Koukaki’s highlights is the blend of architectural styles it contains. With its mismatch of neoclassical houses, low-rise buildings dating from the 1930s and post-1970s apartment blocks, Koukaki includes small shops, traditional restaurants, art galleries, museums and colourful bars and cafes. Koukaki has a few architectural gems, including the show-stopper house of artist, Margarita Theodorakis, daughter of composer Mikis Theodorakis (that’s right, the one who composed the soundtrack for Zorba The Greek and who also lives in the area) on Tsami Karatasou Street, a scenic street at the foot of the Filopappou Hill. Covered with colourful tiles, mosaics and porcelain plates, her house is simply a gem. Further down towards Sygrou Fix metro station and the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST), the pedestrian streets of Georgaki Olympiou and Drakou, lined with cafes, bars and restaurants as well as the busy Veikou and Dimitrakopoulou are open for exploration. You can always opt for climbing your way to the Filopappou Monument, which should give you the perfect vantage point to plan your expedition into the lively district. 

The wide, pedestrian streets of Dionysiou Areopagitou and Makriyianni are almost always filled with life. People walking leisurely, or bicycling or enjoying their beverage or meal at the tables set along the way.

The area is dominated by the beautiful and impressive modern building of the Acropolis museum, set right on top of the remains of a part of Roman and Byzantine Athens, which are fully visible through a glass floor. The museum was built right next to the historical building of Makriyianni military hospital, later on used as Gendarmerie headquarters and bind to the modern history with a violent battle that took place there during 1944.

At the junction of the streets Makriyianni and Dionysiou Areopagitou, stands the statue of the general Ioannis Makriyiannis, Greek general of the Greek War of Independence in 1821. The entire area was named after him.

Α pretty, little, shady, square, next to the statue of Makriyiannis, hides the Entrance to the south slope of the Acropolis and to the most ancient theater in Greece and the whole of Europe and the western civilization; the Theatre of Dionysus. The bust of Melina Mercouri (a world-famous actress, politician,  Minister of Culture for eight and a half years) is placed right at the beginning of the pedestrian street, as if to guard the Acropolis and its wonderful findings, part of which, she fought hard to gain back from the British museum during her career at the Ministry of Culture. A wonderful house in a wonderful neighborhood.

Registration number: 00502712622