Monastik Living in Athina

Worth getting out of bed for

Monastik Living’s lesser-known locale tells a tale of two cities, putting you within equal walking distance of Athens’ flourishing centre and its quieter, locally adored Mets neighbourhood. All the city’s museums are in easy reach, including the ancient Acropolis, architecture-focused Alexandros Soutsos Museum and cultural Byzantine and Christian Museum. Contemporary options like the Benaki Museum’s flagship exhibition space and the Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts and Music both sit a scenic potter away through the Athens National Garden. There’s more to marvel at the marble-clad Panathenaic Stadium, and views to be soaked up atop Ardittos Hill, too.

For shopping, make the 30-minute venture across to the city’s main drag, Ermou Street, for big names. For smaller boutique finds, the hotel’s abutting neighbourhoods of Pangrati and Koukaki are your go-to. And once a week, the surrounding streets’ farmers’ markets fill with local vendors and the sweet scent of Athenian bakes and street food.

Local restaurants

There’re no frills to fare at To Trikyklo — which is just the way you want a trad Greek taverna. Instead, feta-focused salads, tzatziki spreads, grilled fish, fried saganaki and meat-heavy mezes are dished in a familial, laidback spot by Lambrakis Hill. Mani Mani in Koukaki takes similar staples and gives them a slightly more elevated spin. For a change of flavour, Soil serves its fine-dining vegetarian menu in a striking neoclassical setting near the Panathenaic Stadium.

Local cafés

Brunch buffs can find their eggs-and-avo-fix at Joshua Tree, and there’s always activity at Odeon café — a locally loved, all-day eatery on Mark Mousourou.

Local bars

Mets hotspot and storied jazz bar Half Note has been hosting local legends since 1979, and over on Anapafseos, Kain is a café-bar with liquor-lined walls and an artsy ambience.