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A new boutique art-hotel in a belle epoque listed building, which, unlike others, can justify its ‘art’ signifier.
The Greek-American artist Philip Tsiaras, based in New York, has curated a selection of his paintings – copies of a limited number of five – and allocated them to specific rooms, turning each one into a work of art.
Art lovers can enjoy the ubiquitous works of art and relax on its terrace, which boasts wonderful views of the Acropolis – while sipping a glass from their excellent wine cellar.
This is a chic Athens address, convenient for the Benaki Islamic Art Museum and Kerameikos, and the perfect choice for hipsters, art-lovers and those who value excellent coffee, good wine and one of the best views in town.
In modern times, this was a mixed lower middle class/Jewish area – the marble-hewn principal Athens synagogue of Beth Shalom is a stone’s throw away – until the 1980s when a slew of preservation orders drove residents away.
Renewed interest after the Olympics, as well as a metro extension, has resulted in a tourist-led regeneration with hotels, museums and nightlife returning.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.9 miles]
This dazzling ancient citadel, perched on a hilltop rising above the city, houses some of the most impressive ancient buildings in the world. The jewel in the crown is the Pantheon, a 2,500-year-old temple dating back to 438 BC.
Best for ages: 7+ | £9
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.9 miles]
A unique and extraordinary 3km pedestrian promenade peppered with world-class antiquities – triumphant arches, ancient amphitheatres, Greek temples, and ‘Socrates’ Prison’.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 3 kilometres
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[1.1 miles]
The heart of old Athens, Plaka has an authentic charm with winding lanes, shady squares and atmospheric Byzantine churches.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[1.3 miles]
A jaw-dropping array of antiquities – all the Acropolis’ treasures – in one very modern museum designed by starchitect Bernard Tschumi.
Best for ages: 15+ | £4
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0 miles]
One of the best places in the city to experience a proper Turkish hammam, with the baths housed in an elegant neoclassical mansion opposite the Islamic Museum.
Best for ages: 13+ | £2
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.1 miles]
The best collection of Islamic Art outside the Muslim world, exhibiting a vast range of artefacts from intricately decorated prayer books to the reconstruction of a Cairo mansion reception room.
Best for ages: 13+ | £8
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.3 miles]
Housed in the restored Stoa (covered walkway) of Attalos, this is probably the second most interesting museum after the Archaeological one; the most intriguing displays are the clay voting tablets with carved names, a reminder of Athenian democracy.
Best for ages: 18+ | £9
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.3 miles]
One of the best-preserved temples in Greece, mainly because it was converted to a Christian church early in its history, it was erected in the 5th century as a temple to the god Hephaestus.
Best for ages: 13+ | £7
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Central Greece, Greece
Antiquities galore, contemporary culture, scintillating nightlife and fantastic food: there’s something for everyone in Greece’s cosmopolitan capital that’s continuously reinventing itself.
