Kolonaki, one of the oldest districts in Athens, is an exclusive enclave defined by beautiful buildings, tall trees, and outdoor squares.

An aristocratic Athens neighborhood close to the capital’s center, Kolonaki, which means “little column” in Greek, is named for the Plateia Filikis Etaireias, the small ancient landmark in the center of the city’s main square. The neighborhood is set on the slope of Lycabettus, one of the city’s seven hills and home to the 19th-century Chapel of St. George.

“Kolonaki combines modern urban life with a magical aura of the past Athenian life,” says Savvas Savvaidis, president and CEO of Greece Sotheby’s International Realty. Although it’s a cultural and entertainment mecca, Kolonaki tempers its cosmopolitan air with a decidedly down-to-earth feel.

“The anonymous and well-known live side by side,” Savvaidis says. “Owners of the small shops, like grocery stores and bookstores, smile and say ‘good morning.’ Children play in the squares or enjoy movies in open-air summer cinemas. It attracts people of all ages and personalities, styles, and cultures.”

RESIDENCES WITH CHARM AND CHARACTER

The neighborhood’s apartment buildings and condominiums are in many different architectural styles, ranging from classical to modernist, giving Kolonaki an eclectic look that unfolds, street by street, like a mini-history lesson.

Properties are quoted in euros for the international market, and the average sales price for a standard condo, according to Savvaidis, is €3,300 per square meter. He adds that the average sales price for a luxury unit is about €6,500 per square meter.

“Unique properties with architectural and historical interest, such as those in the 1930s or postwar buildings, are likely to be sold for even more,” he says.

WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE

Kolonaki puts the best of Athens all in one neighborhood: It’s known for its hip boutiques and nightclubs, gourmet restaurants and proximity to some of the most important landmarks in Greece, including the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the National Library of Greece, the Old Parliament House, the Acropolis Museum, and the Academy of Athens.

Savvaidis says the neighborhood features “the best places to eat in Athens—classic Greek cuisine, delicious and high-quality modern dishes, ‘farm-to-table’ choices, great brunches, delicious seafood, and classic Greek bakeries.”

Da Capo, which he calls one of the most famous cafés in Kolonaki Square, is an Italian-style coffee shop. “It has chairs facing out for the people passing by,” he says.

Ratka, a classic Athens bistro, is, he says, “a meeting point for both chic and influential Athenians that’s ideal for special occasions.”

For seafood, “Barbounaki is an ideal place,” he says, adding that the port city of Piraeus, which is only 10 kilometers away and is home to the sailing club of the same name, is famous for fish dishes.

“The bars in Kolonaki offer great cocktails and music once the sun goes down,” Savvaidis says.

Rock ’n Roll, which Savvaidis says is “an all-time favorite of Athenians,” features DJ sets and draws a diverse crowd.

“Bars like Minnie The Moocher and T5 offer unique experiences,” he says, “while others, hidden secrets like Jazz In Jazz and Skoufaki, are a great choice for those nights when you want a cozy atmosphere without the crowds and invasive music.”

Luxury brands like Chanel, Hermes, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Dior, and John Galliano are clustered in Kolonaki’s Voukourestiou Street, and in Stadiou Street, which is right beyond the neighborhood’s boundary.

“The Attica department store, which has everything under one roof, is also on the border,” Savvaidis says.

One of the popular local hangouts is Dexameni Square, which Savvaidis calls a “meeting point for writers, poets, and painters but also is a favorite place for young people, students, and families.”