Kifisia is a place synonymous with charm and elegance. One of Athens' oldest and most cherished satellite cities, it has served as a summer retreat for philosophers and wealthy Athenians since the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian. Now a well-to-do suburb of Athens lined with sycamore trees and peppered with tavernas, Nea Kifisia is home to historic mansions, art galleries and designer boutiques.
A stroll around Alonia, Kifisia's oldest and most authentic area, will reveal a slew of traditional mansions called "Arhontiko." Meandering streets will reveal bakeries, tavernas, traditional spice shops and rustic cottages. You'll find a farmer's market in Agiou Tryfonos Street on Wednesday mornings, with everything from souvlaki to icons for sale. Here, you can get an idea of the local lifestyle. To the south, you will find Syggrou Forest, the perfect place to stretch your legs and enjoy some fresh air.
Renting a car in N. Kifisia allows for the perfect outing with a young family. For educational family entertainment, head over to Goulandris Natural History Museum. You'll see stuffed giraffes and zebras, fossils, crystals, plants, landscape projections, art galleries and interactive displays. The triceratops is a favorite with little ones, while the kid-friendly garden café, with its lush terrace and fishpond, tends to be the highlight for grown-ups.
For leisurely sightseeing in typical Athenian style, take a stroll down Kolokotroni Street or hire a horse-drawn carriage on Levidou Street on weekends. Take the scenic route through the heart of the commercial hub and then toward the green residential streets of Kifisia and Kefalari, enjoying 20 minutes' worth of rest and relaxation. In Kefalari Square, toss coins to make wishes at the pond, get the little ones a helium balloon or spend a few hours people-watching in the park. There's plenty to see on weekends when the large Greek Orthodox church in the square hosts lavish weddings.
On your way back to N. Kifisia, be sure to stop and smell the roses. Kifisia Grove hosts an annual flower show, but there's plenty of color and fragrance throughout the year. The famous candy store across the street has been the go-to venue for sweets and pastries for decades, both for locals and tourists. Polytechnic Heroes Square further north is another stretch of green space with a playground, lake, fountains, bridges, café and even a fighter plane.
Kifisia is also home to two open-air movie theaters Chloe and the Bomboniera. Both venues showcase evening screenings of blockbusters as well as small independent films. Weather and season permitting, you can watch your favorite film stars in a secret garden under the stars with a refreshing brew in hand. The local Cinemax will also gladly accommodate you, whatever the weather.
Finally, art enthusiasts will feel right at home in Kifisia. Kouvoutsakis Art Institute showcases an extensive and eclectic private collection of 19th and 20th-century sculptures, oils, watercolors and other media. Mamush Gallery boasts a private collection of 500 works by the likes of Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso. Galerie Lefakis is a small, private gallery featuring local artists. Finally, the Tsichritzis Foundation for the Visual Arts is a gem of a gallery in the very heart of Kifisia.
