Anya Hindmarch's Athens Guide
Discover how Anya Hindmarch spent a weekend in Athens, from browsing antiques and ateliers to visiting museums, galleries and much-loved local restaurants.
SHOPS & ANTIQUES
Martinos Antiques
Pandrossou 50, Athina 105 55, Greece
In Monastiraki, this antique shop is considered one of the city’s finest. The collection ranges from classical sculptures to decorative objects and rare furniture, each piece chosen with an eye for craftsmanship and history.
Monastiraki Flea Market
A lively maze of stalls, vintage objects and unexpected treasures. Browsing through the antique dealers and small shops around Monastiraki is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend an afternoon in Athens.
Mo Vintage
Veikou 9, Athina 117 42, Greece
Located close to the Acropolis Museum, this boutique is one of Athens’ best destinations for designer vintage. The racks often include remarkable archival pieces, including exceptional Yves Saint Laurent finds.
Christakis Athens
Kriezotou 5, Athina 106 71, Greece
A highlight for anyone who appreciates craftsmanship. This traditional Athenian shirtmaker produces beautifully tailored shirts and is like the Greek Charvet!
Mouki Mou
Diogenous 15, Athina 105 56, Greece
Founded by Maria Lemos, this fabulous boutique in Plaka blends fashion, design objects and art. Beneath the shop is a small gallery space, making it a lovely cultural stop as well as a place to browse.
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
Benaki Museum – The Ghika Gallery
Kriezotou 3, Athina 106 71, Greece
This beautifully preserved studio once belonged to the modernist painter Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika. Open only on Fridays and Saturdays, it offers an intimate glimpse into the life and work of one of Greece’s most important artists.
Benaki Museum
Koumpari 1, Athina 106 74, Greece
One of Athens’ most beloved museums, the Benaki traces Greek history through centuries of artefacts, textiles and artworks housed in a graceful neoclassical building in Kolonaki.
Acropolis Museum
Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athina 117 42, Greece
Set at the foot of the Acropolis hill, this striking contemporary museum houses the sculptures and treasures of the ancient citadel. The top-floor Parthenon Gallery offers remarkable views back towards the temple itself.
Museum of Cycladic Art
Neofitou Douka 4, Athina 106 74, Greece
Renowned for its serene displays of Cycladic marble figurines, this museum presents some of the most elegant works of prehistoric art in Greece. Its café is also a favourite spot for a quiet pause.
Piraeus galleries
Athens’ contemporary art scene continues to expand in the port district of Piraeus. Notable spaces include Carwan Gallery, known for collectible design and craft, and Rodeo Gallery, which hosts ambitious contemporary exhibitions.
HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Linou Soumpasis
Kalamida 9, Athina 105 54, Greece
A standout address for modern Greek cooking. The restaurant serves inventive seasonal dishes that balance contemporary technique with traditional flavours, and is widely loved by Athenians.
Hotel Grande Bretagne
1 Vasileos Georgiou A, Syntagma Square Str, Athina 105 64, Greece
Athens’ grand historic hotel overlooking Syntagma Square. The ground-floor bar is known for an excellent martini, while the rooftop restaurant offers spectacular views of the Acropolis.
Athénée
Voukourestiou 9, Athina 106 71, Greece
A classic Kolonaki meeting place, perfect for a light lunch or iced coffee. Elegant but relaxed, it remains a favourite gathering spot for locals.
A HIDDEN CHURCH
Holy Church of Agia Dynami
Mitropoleos 15-17, Athina 105 57, Greece
One of the smallest churches in Athens, yet one of the most fascinating. Inside are delicate murals, while beneath the church lies a cave connected to the Greek War of Independence. During the uprising, resistance fighters reportedly built a tunnel from this cave to the Acropolis to transport ammunition and supplies.
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