ATHENS

M18 is located right at the edge of Plaka, the picturesque neighborhood built on the eastern slope of the Acropolis. It’s a place where time stops, full of traditional old houses and narrow alleys paved with stone. While walking around Plaka, one could easily think they’re on a Greek island, if it weren’t for the breathtaking views of the Athenian urban landscape in the distance. Explore this area for a trip in the past, to discover unique souvenirs and taste local delicacies. The staff at M18 can also recommend or book you at restaurants in the area.

Head northwest from Plaka and you’ll land in Monastiraki, the buzzing epicentre of Athenian social life. Here you’ll come across countless tourist shops of course, but also some of Athens’ most important cultural landmarks, such as the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, the Tower of the Winds and the vast Ancient Agora archaeological site. The area is right in the shade of the Acropolis, making it a great place for a stroll day or night. Climb up to one of the local roof bars for a refreshment or snack with a view.

If you walk west from M18, you’ll soon come across the Filopappou Hill, crowned with the remains of a monument built in 116 AD in the memory of Philopappus, a Roman prince who became a notable Athenian citizen. The hill offers amazing views to the south, all the way to the coast, the Saronic Gulf and the islands beyond. It’s also the ideal place to take a photo of the Acropolis and fit all of its architectural wonders into one frame. Explore the winding paths that meander through the hill’s olive groves, and discover all the different city views they reveal. The paved paths themselves are a cultural monument, designed by modernist architect Dimitris Pikionis in the 1950s.

A set of three neoclassical marvels are lined side-by-side on Panepistimiou Avenue, right in the centre of modern Athens. These were built in the early 19th century, at a time when Athens was being transformed into the capital of the then Kingdom of Greece. The three buildings of the Library, the University and the Academy were designed by two Danish architects, the Hansen brothers. Fun fact: the Academy is a smaller copy of the Austrian Parliament in Vienna. Walking east along any of the large boulevards that run around the Trilogy will bring you back to Syntagma Square and the Greek Parliament.