AN AMAZING FLAT. I was here for a month, studying Greek at the Lambda Project just 5 mins walk away. This is SO much better than the usual, soulless Airbnb flats. I am an Airbnb host in Wales, so I know when a place has got it perfectly right. As soon as I walked in, I felt at home.
Believe the photos! The views are incredible: from the bedroom balcony, you stare at the Acropolis in the distance; from one terrace, you look out over the posh suburb of Kokonaki up to Mount Lycabettus, and from the main terrace you look at the mountain Tourkouvounia in one direction and the Aegean Sea faraway in the distance in the other. It is magical.
The flat itself has a very cool, retro feel, with the star feature being the huge collection of vinyl LP records to listen to. I spent a month playing things and only just managed to listen to all the classical records. There is also traditional Greek & rock & pop.
There is a desk for working and fast & reliable WiFi for video calls.
Also, don’t believe nervous travel articles talking about Exarchia, the area in which the flat is, as being “very edgy” or “unsafe”. It has an interesting anarchist history, but there are old grannies hobbling along with their bags of shopping; a wonderful farmer’s market on Saturdays; vinyl LP shops and bookshops. It is a very vibrant residential area. My passion is wine, and especially Greek wine, so I loved that there is a great wine shop Oino Typo just round the corner, and Warehouse about 5 mins walk away, which is probably Athens’ best wine bar, with scores of wines by the glass.
Very nearby are also some of Athens’ best restaurants: Okso Nou (regularly mentioned as the best Cretan taverna in the city), Ama Lachei (with a large garden courtyard), and the charming Peinaleon (on Wednesdays & Fridays they have traditional bouzouki music).
Even at night, all the bars & restaurants are packed, so you will feel completely safe wandering around.
I like walking so I walked into the centre all the time. It is 30-40 mins to the Acropolis & the touristy areas. If you are out late somewhere else in the city, and don’t fancy walking back, every taxi driver will know the street.
Finally, Ioannis is very quick & helpful to respond to any questions, and obviously knows the area intimately so can recommend lots of things.
I will be returning for sure for future visits. So I can’t recommend this place highly enough. Just please don’t book it when I want to stay!