Kolonaki Square (Plateia Filikis Etaireias)

The basics

At Kolonaki Square, sip a cappuccino at a glitzy café, spot Greek celebrities and socialites, and browse designer boutiques located on the adjoining Anagnostopoulou and Patriarchou Ioakim streets. The square is also buzzing with activity in the evening hours, when its many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs fill with Athens’ most glamorous. Sample Kolonaki’s culinary scene on a guided foodie stroll through the city, or discover its top shops with a personalized shopping experience. You may also visit Kolonaki Square as part of an Athens walking or e-bike tour.

Things to know before you go

• Kolonaki Square offers a shady respite from the Athenian heat, ideal for a break from the sun-soaked ancient ruins and modern squares in the city.

• Lovers of fashion and design will want to delve into the shopping scene surrounding the square.

• Set in the heart of Athens’ buzzy dining scene, the square is a great spot for lunch or dinner.

• The paved square and most of its nearby restaurants, bars, and shops are accessible to strollers and wheelchairs.

How to get there

Kolonaki Square—officially called Plateia Filikis Etaireias, which is how you’ll find it marked on many maps—is located in the heart of the Kolonaki neighborhood in Athens, between the National Garden and Mount Lycabettus. You can walk to the square from the city’s main Syntagma Square in about 15 minutes.

When to get there

Shoppers will want to visit the square and surrounding neighborhood in the morning and afternoon to browse the boutiques and markets while they’re open, while foodies should head to the square come dusk to explore its great restaurant scene. Head up to the top of Mount Lycabettus to catch the sunset, then stop at the square at the foot of the hill afterwards for a night out.

Things to do in Kolonaki

One of the most fashionable districts in Athens, Kolonaki is a lush retreat dotted with elegant neoclassical and modernist buildings, trendy restaurants and bars, and some of the top shopping in the city. The peak of Mount Lycabettus looms above, offering unforgettable sunset views over the rooftops. A smattering of excellent museums—including the Benaki Museum, Museum of Cycladic Art, and Byzantine and Christian Museum—will satisfy fans of ancient art and history.