Explore Kypseli, one of the most vibrant and multicultural neighborhoods in Athens, with this complete travel guide. The best things to do, see, and experience.
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When you visit Athens, if you really want a strong taste of the city’s multiculturalism, you should definitely explore and experience the Kypseli neighborhood, just a couple of kilometers from Omonoia Square.
Kypseli (meaning “hive”), one of the densest and most buzzing areas of Athens, was a separate village at first, before being incorporated into the city of Athens almost one hundred years ago.
After the annexation, it was first inhabited by upper and upper-middle class residents, some of them being prominent political and intellectual figures.
During the 1960s the area had become a hub of nightlife and entertainment, as its many theaters, cinemas, nightclubs and restaurants attracted crowds from all over the city.
However, during the 1980s, most of the original residents started moving to the northern newer suburbs, making room for lower classes and immigrants from Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe who found affordable living opportunities.
Today, Kypseli, like many areas of Athens currently in the process of being gentrified, is a bustling area with something for everyone and our handy travel guide will help you discover its charms.
Kypseli Highlights
Kypseli Square
The traditional center of Kypseli is Kypseli Square, or Kanari Square as it is officially named, after Konstantinos Kanaris, a navy admiral and a hero of the Greek Revolution of 1821 (and one of the early prime ministers of liberated Greece).
Kanaris lived for years in the area, in 56 Kypselis Street specifically, where there is a memorial plaque today.
Unfortunately, the square is currently closed off due to the construction of the new metro station, so there is not a lot you can do there.
Fokionos Negri
Fokionos Negri is a famous pedestrian street of the area with heavy history, built on an old creek that used to run there.
It starts from Kypseli Square and extends for more than 600 meters, all the way down to Drosopoulou street, thus becoming a perfect opportunity for a nice walk in this densely populated area.
It is filled with high trees offering shade, nice shrubberies, fountains, gazebos and many enclosures with benches where you can relax and enjoy the ambiance.
On its sides there are a lot of cafés, bars and eating places, some of them still operating on the same spot since the 1950s and 1960s, when Fokionos Negri was a celebrated cosmopolitan hotspot of Athenian nightlife.
Pedion tou Areos
On the southern border of Kypseli you can find Pedion tou Areos, the largest public park of the city of Athens.
It was designed in 1934 with the purpose to honor the heroes of the Greek Revolution of 1821, hence the central alleyway with the 21 busts of prominent figures of the Revolution.
Having been renovated in 2010, and at a current size of 28 hectares, it is an excellent choice for a nice walk (or a jog, if you’re into that sort of thing), especially if you want to cool off during the hot summer months.
Platia Agiou Georgiou (St. George’s Square)
Tucked away in the southwestern side of Kypseli, this cute little square is so perfectly… round that even the front sides of the buildings circling it are curved!
It takes its name from the church of Agios Georgios located on one side and it is a favorite local meeting point, bustling with life.
In recent years, it has become an all-day hotspot for all sorts of hipsters who enjoy the cafés, the restaurants and the bakeries, or they just chill on the steps of the church.
Things To Do And See In Kypseli
Kypseli, An Open-Air Architecture Museum
This is true for many areas of the center of Athens, as any travel guide will tell you, but it becomes a true architectural hunt in Kypseli.
The best way to get a true sense of the glorious past of this area is to let yourself go, meander through the streets, spot and admire some true architectural gems.
Although the first residencies built in the 1930s were mainly of Neoclassical or Eclectic style, the buzz for the area in the following decades attracted sophisticated owners.
These new residents commissioned famous architects of the era to design apartment buildings in Art Deco, Bauhaus and Mid-Century Modernist styles.
Dimotiki Agora (Municipal Market)
While enjoying the Fokionos Negri pedestrian street, don’t forget to make a stop at Dimotiki Agora (Municipal Market), a certified historical monument.
It was built in 1935 in Modernist style, although later there were some neoclassical additions to the initial design.
Today, it is a lively community space. It operates as a hub of pop-up alternative stores, exhibitions, fairs and occasional all-day parties with live music, djs and cool drinks.
Elikonas Hill
North of Kypseli Square and at a close distance (10 minute walk) there is a small hill called Elikonas Hill, also known as Alepotrypa (Foxhole).
It is an excellent opportunity for a nice afternoon walk that will lead you to the top in order to admire the scenic cityscape below, especially towards the west side of the city, thus making it another amazing spot to watch the Athenian sunset.
It also has some football fields (being the home of several local teams), where you can quench your sporting thirst, or even enjoy a local match!
Coffeeshops!
From the traditional cafeterias of yesteryear to the most contemporary roasters, and everything in between, Kypseli has everything when it comes to coffee.
Naturally, you will start your exploration at Fokionos Negri, which is brimming with choices for everyone seeking to relax with good coffee and some snacks while enjoying people walking by.
A special historical mention should be made for Select which has operated since 1945, at first as a café-pastry shop and today as a café-snack-bar, and it was the hangout place for movie actors and other celebrities of the golden era.
Moving away from Fokionos Negri, you can try the cosy atmosphere of Williwaw, discover the secret back yard of Cultivos, find a quiet space to work on your laptop at KICK, or enjoy Platia Agiou Georgiou at It’s A Vilatz, just to name a few of the available choices.
Kypseli Athens Travel Guide: Places To Eat
Fokionos Negri
For fresh fish and delicious seafood dishes, Vlasis has been a staple of the area for many years, while Bakalogatos offers excellent greek mezedes and traditional recipes from the island of Kasos (where the owner was born).
Alternatively, you can try the grillhouse Kypseli Kalamaki, where they bring most of the orders on paper and not on plates, or visit Lisa for top quality pizza suggestions from an experienced chef.
Agias Zonis
Agias Zonis is another paved pedestrian street flourishing in recent years, which branches off from Fokionos all the way to the small Platanos Square.
Right under the great platanos (plane) tree in the eponymous square you will find Platanos, another local staple with a broad menu of greek and mediterranean dishes.
On the flip side, if you’re in the mood for a quick Athenian brunch combined with your love for design, you can visit the hip new arrival of Santo Belto.
As another option, if you’re really on the go, drop by the georgian bakery Marili to grab some khachapuri and other traditional georgian delicacies.
Platia Agiou Georgiou
Oi Nostimies Tis Mairis offers excellent traditional greek dishes and the opportunity to sit next to actors from the many theatrical stages of the area who frequent the place after the curtain fall.
For a totally laid back and super friendly mood, on top of excellent mezedes and tasty dishes, To Scholarchio Tis Kypselis is the spot for you.
For a delicious vegan experience, including vegan wines, try the new arrival GNOU, or if your appetite is screaming for meat, Dionysos has been serving amazing gyros and souvlaki for a few generations now.
Ethnic Cuisine Highlights
This wouldn’t be a complete travel guide about Kypseli if it didn’t include some of the best and most authentic ethnic restaurants in Athens, would it?
When you’re in the mood for Ethiopian cuisine, you should head towards Lalibela (one of the oldest African restaurants in Athens) or Habesha for a very tasty choice of authentic dishes.
If on the other hand you feel the middle eastern vibes, Gefseis Tis Damaskou (Tastes of Damascus) offers a lot more than the typical falafel wrap and it’s vegan as well!
Kypseli Athens Travel Guide: Nightlife
Although Kypseli has lost its glamorous and cosmopolitan flair of the past, it never stopped having a very active nightlife through the years with a lot of bars and live music stages.
On the ‘classics’ side, Au Revoir has been a top destination since 1958 and sort of a time capsule, with its exquisite interior designed by world renown architect Aristomenis Proveleggios, while the fabled Orfeas in Fokionos Negri has been hosting live jazz gigs (with free entrance).
On the ‘new arrivals’ side, Iznogood & Nephew (run by a legendary athenian dj… and his nephew) holds an amazing vinyl collection, Black Hole is a Berlin-style tap-room with cool urban vibes, and Sklires Indies welcomes the best alternative underground dj lineup.
Where To Stay In Kypseli
Surprisingly, Kypseli has very few hotels to show for and they are not worth mentioning. Hey, nobody is perfect, right?
However, as you can imagine, there are about a gazillion airbnb’s for every taste and wallet size.
So what we can do is point you to a few streets we think are nice, and you can start your research from there:
- Evelpidon street can reward you with a nice view to Pedion tou Areos park.
- Drosopoulou street will give you a strong sense of the local history and aesthetics.
- Kerkiras street will relax you with its beautiful light and cosy vibes.
Final Tips Before You Go
There you go! This was our travel guide for Kypseli, one of the most intriguing neighborhoods of Athens.
So, go forth and explore to discover its true spirit!
And if you’re wondering how to get to and from the airport, our Athens International Airport Guide has all the info you might need.
Finally, check out our Are Athens Tours Worth the Cost? article. Ιt’s an honest guide to help you decide if tours like the Acropolis one are really worth it.
Make Your Trip Easier
Airport Transfer
If you want to get to and from Athens Airport with peace of mind, I recommend pre-booking your taxi with Welcome Pickups. Their flat rate is a few euros more expensive than random taxis, but it is totally worth it. They use local, English-speaking drivers, who will wait for you even if your flight is delayed and introduce you to the city during your ride.
Accommodation
I always book my accommodation through Tripadvisor. It compares prices from multiple booking platforms, like Booking.com, Agoda, Trip.com, etc., so you can easily find the best deal. It’s the simplest way to make sure you’re not overpaying.
Activities
From day trips to Greek islands to Acropolis Guided Tours, GetYourGuide will help you find some unique ideas for your trip.
Car Rental
If you decide to rent a car while in Athens, check Discovercars. It compares the most reliable companies and returns the best prices with free cancellation.
Free Athens Tours
If you have limited time or want a local guide to introduce you to the city, check GuruWalk. They offer free tours, and at the end, you give them the amount you think is fair.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you if you get sick or injured while abroad, or if you lose your luggage or your flight is delayed. On my trips, I use SafetyWing as it’s affordable and has a simple claims process.
