With its countless fine archaeological sites, Athens is the sort of city you need to peruse from a high perch. And if you can drink some delicious Greek coffee while taking in the view, even better. Here are the Greek capital’s best coffee spots with outlooks worth sitting down for.
Café Lycabettus
Arguably boasting the best views, Café Lycabettus – a white-washed structure on Lycabettus Hill – is not a spot to swill down your Greek coffee if you suffer from vertigo. Climb up on foot to earn a well-deserved baklava.
Museum of Islamic Art
In the historic Keramikos district, the seemingly low-key Museum of Islamic Art hides a colourful secret on its top floor: a café with pink palm-tree mural walls leading out to Athens’ least-crowded roof terrace, and a killer view of the Acropolis.
Public Cafe
An evergreen favourite with locals, this swanky modern rooftop café situated on top of a bookshop has a knockout view of the Greek parliamentary building in Syntagma Square – from here you can watch the changing of the tsoliades (guards).
New Hotel
Rise above the lively, noisy city centre to this rooftop spot at New Hotel with great views of the Athens skyline and dinky cups of heartpumping espresso. It’s in an ultra-modern oasis of chic design near Plaka and Syntagma Square, bristling with smart but low-key luxury touches.
Café Paraskinio
Less for the view pers se, more for the people watching, Café Paraskinio in edgy Exarchia is one to visit on a Saturday morning when the neighbourhood’s weekly farmers’ market takes place. For the best position, grab your coffee and perch on the steps of the hill.
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