Makriyianni

A quiet neighborhood on the foothills of the Acropolis, Makriyianni was really put on the map by the opening of the nearby Acropolis Museum, which contains thousands of artifacts unearthed during the lengthy excavations on the Sacred Rock. This is "old Athens" at its best, so take a relaxing stroll along the pedestrianized Stratigou Makriyianni street (by the Acropolis metro station) and its side streets to discover—behind the leafy plane trees—some beautiful neoclassical houses that have survived the passage of time and the violent urbanization and demolition wave of the 1960s. One of them has been transformed into the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum. Many Makriyianni restaurants attract both locals and visitors. Strofi is a popular choice as it enjoys spectacular Acropolis views (especially from the rooftop), while ManiMani offers delicious regional cuisine from Mani, in the Pelopponese.