ATHENS IN STYLE: Rooftop Views, Riviera Breezes, and a City That Glows
The Acropolis of Athens, aglow under a velvet sunset—where golden columns meet the crimson sky and 2,500 years of history watch the city come alive below.
If Mykonos is a martini at sunset, Athens is the espresso shot the morning after. It’s loud. It’s layered. It’s lived-in. And it’s glorious.
Often dismissed as a pit stop between the islands and the international terminal, Athens rewards those who linger. Step beyond the Acropolis selfie and the gyros-to-go, and you’ll find a city in thrilling contrast: ancient and anarchic, chaotic and cultured, crumbling and impossibly cool.
Ruins and Revelations
Let’s get it out of the way. Yes, you should see the Parthenon. Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, it’s worth it. But the real magic of Athens is what happens when you descend. Beneath the sacred rock, life pulses in the shadow of columns: lovers sipping frappé on café steps in Plaka, street artists turning Monastiraki alleys into open-air galleries, and tiny Byzantine churches wedged like secrets into the cityscape.
Wander the Ancient Agora, where Socrates once sassed the Athenian elite. Or slip into the National Archaeological Museum, where statues stare back across millennia. Athens has history etched into every surface, but it never feels like a museum.
Food for the Soul and the Feed
A peek inside Nolan, Athens’ minimalist gem where modern Greek-Asian fusion meets clean lines, curated wines, and effortless elegance—proof that great taste starts with design.
Greek food in Athens isn’t a cliché, it’s a revelation. While tavernas still serve tzatziki and moussaka that will ruin you for life, the city’s culinary scene has evolved into a mashup of tradition and invention.
✦ Nolan: Where Athens Eats Now
At the crossroads of Greek and Japanese flavors, Nolan is a tiny, no-fuss spot in the heart of Athens that somehow redefines casual fine dining. Run by chef Sotiris Kontizas, Nolan’s minimalist space belies its bold creativity, think soba noodles with smoked mackerel, or crispy fried chicken with kimchi mayo and Greek herbs. It’s hip, humble, and often packed, so plan ahead or come early. It’s the perfect snapshot of the city’s current culinary confidence: fearless, flavor-forward, and delightfully hard to categorize.
After Dark, Athens Shines
Athens after dark, where the Plaka’s candlelit stairways come alive with music, mezze, and the soft glow of string lights—proof that the city’s most magical nights are found between ancient stones and a good bottle of wine.
The Athenian night doesn’t start until 10 pm and doesn’t consider winding down until well past 3. Rooftop bars like A for Athens, 360 Cocktail Bar, and Bios offer front-row views of the Acropolis glowing golden against the inky sky, best paired with a Negroni or a spicy margarita.
Prefer something less curated? Head to Exarchia, the neighborhood of rebels, punks, poets, and students. It’s graffiti-soaked, politically charged, and full of underground music joints where the spirit of resistance still thrums.
A Riviera State of Mind
Seaside serenity at its most stylish—The Margi Hotel delivers Athenian Riviera luxury with barefoot ease, where every table comes with a view and every breeze carries the scent of salt, sun, and slow living.
What most first-timers miss is that Athens isn’t just ancient, it’s coastal. The city spills out to the Aegean, where the Athenian Riviera stretches like a sun-drenched sigh of relief.
✦ The Margi: A Mediterranean Dream
Nestled in the chic seaside suburb of Vouliagmeni, The Margi is a boutique hotel where urban buzz fades into breezy indulgence. Picture it: lush courtyards, a secluded pool, candlelit dining, and the scent of citrus and pine drifting in from the nearby hills. It’s understated luxury with a distinctly Greek soul. While it’s only 30 minutes from the Acropolis, it feels worlds away, especially when you’re sipping local rosé by the pool or watching yachts drift by from a nearby beach.
Final Thoughts Over Ouzo
Athens isn’t an easy city. It’s not trying to be. It’s messy and magnificent, and its rewards go to those willing to explore beyond the itinerary. From rooftop cocktails to revolutionary graffiti, from ancient temples to neon-lit basement bars, this city doesn’t perform for tourists; it invites you to join the chaos.
And once you do?
You’ll realize Athens isn’t just a destination. It’s a state of mind.
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IF YOU GO:
Best Time to Visit: April–June and September–October. Avoid the August heat (and crowds).
Stay: The Margi for Riviera calm, Ergon House for food-loving travelers, or The Foundry Suites in Psiri for artsy industrial chic.
Eat: Nolan for modern mastery, Oineas for comfort classics, and Feyrouz for the best street-food surprise.
Pack: Sturdy shoes, a taste for adventure, and your camera’s night mode. Athens looks best after dark.
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Jeremy Rill is a Denver-based travel writer, photographer, and habitual seeker of rooftops with a view.
