Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Kallithea, Greece

One of the largest municipalities in Greece, Kallithea is located in the southern part of Athens, adjacent to the Saronic Gulf and the historical center of Athens.

In 2016, Kallithea experienced revitalization with the inauguration of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre near Faliro Bay, situated in the southern region of the suburb.

This contemporary facility was designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano and encompasses a beautifully landscaped park that hosts new venues for the Greek National Opera and National Library.

The waterfront area of Kallithea was revitalized in anticipation of the 2004 Olympics, featuring a waterfront plaza, while nearby Faliron offers a selection of cafes and restaurants alongside the impressive superyachts at Flisvos Marina.

Additionally, the iconic Acropolis and other historical monuments of ancient Athens are merely moments away via the 550 bus, tram, or taxi.

Let’s delve into the most compelling activities in Kallithea:

1. Stavros Niarchos Park

Athens, known for its limited public green spaces, has enthusiastically welcomed this new cultural complex for the National Opera and National Library of Greece.

Featuring various attractions set on a gentle slope, the park includes fountains, a “Great Lawn” designated for public performances, play areas, a 400-meter seawater canal, a circular labyrinth, and pathways adorned with geometrically arranged endemic plant species.

The garden boasts a delightful array of scents, featuring lavender, boxwood, thyme, olive trees, roses, cistus, rosemary, and various herbs and trees.

Ascending 32 meters, the garden seamlessly leads to the green roof of the cultural center, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Athens, the Acropolis, and Faliro Bay, as well as expansive views over the plaza that connects the library and opera house.

At the summit is the “Lighthouse,” a 900-square meter terrace covered with photovoltaic cells that power the complex.

2. Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre

Founded after the passing of the Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos in 1996, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation financed the development of this esteemed cultural hub and later donated it to the Greek state in 2017. Designed by acclaimed architect Renzo Piano, the cultural centre is worth visiting even for those without specific plans, as it hosts outdoor performances, classes, concerts, film screenings, and exhibitions throughout the summer.

The opera house situated at the top features an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,400, as well as an alternative smaller stage, hosting opera, ballet, theatre, and classical music performances.

In early 2018, performances included Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, Puccini’s Tosca, Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

3. Acropolis

Located to the north, Kallithea directly borders the center of Athens, granting access to the wonders of this ancient city.

Commencing your exploration of ancient Athens at the Acropolis is highly recommended.

This historic citadel, dominated by ancient temples, requires no introduction and ranks among the most recognizable landmarks globally.

At the apex is the Parthenon, an enduring symbol of Athenian democracy and Western civilization.

The sculptures that adorned this historic monument are regarded as the pinnacle of ancient Greek artistry, many of which await you at the Acropolis Museum.

Besides the Parthenon, there are numerous other sites to explore, such as the Propylaea monumental gateway, the Erechtheion celebrated for its Caryatids, and the Temple of Athena Nike.

4. Acropolis Museum

This remarkable museum, designed by Bernard Tschumi, opened in 2009 at the southeastern slope of the Acropolis.

Constructed above the ruins of ancient Roman and Byzantine Athens, the museum features hollows and glass floors revealing the streets below on the ground level.

The museum serves as a repository for every artefact discovered on the Acropolis and proudly displays the original sculptures from the temples, including the Caryatids of the Erechtheion and the friezes from the Parthenon.

The layout guides visitors through a chronological journey, showcasing discoveries from the Archaic period, sculptures from the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, and the Temple of Athena Nike.

The highlight of the museum is the section dedicated to the Parthenon, designed to replicate its layout, and includes spaces for the Elgin marbles should they ever return to Athens.

5. Eugenides Foundation

Located moments away from Stavros Niarchos Park, the Eugenides Foundation features a planetarium with one of the largest domes in the world.

This planetarium screens digital 3D films onto a dome measuring 25 meters in diameter, exploring themes such as space travel, nebulae, stars, and earthly wonders, including the Great Barrier Reef and volcanoes.

Additionally, the foundation boasts an Interactive Science and Technology Exhibition spread across three levels, utilizing multimedia and hands-on stations to educate children about topics such as biotechnology, sound, and optics.

The foundation is also home to a library housing over 47,000 books.

6. Summer Nostos Festival

For eight days at the end of June, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation organizes a complimentary multi-disciplinary festival at the cultural complex.

The festival features guided tours, film screenings, numerous activities for children, along with an array of performances, workshops, lectures, and exhibitions.

In 2017, over 130 international and 160 Greek artists participated, presenting installations, ballet performances, live music, DJ sets, and three races, including a six-kilometer run from the Panathenaic Stadium to the SNFCC. Renzo Piano held discussions regarding his philosophy and work with critic Michael Kimmelman, while violinist Leonidas Kavakos conducted a recital, and alternative rock band Yo La Tengo performed live.

Chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov also participated, engaging in simultaneous chess matches against young challengers.

7. Plateia Nerou (Water Plaza)

One of the prime locations to relax by the water and enjoy the sunset, the waterfront along Faliro Bay was revitalized in preparation for the Athens Olympics after decades of disuse since the 1970s.

Beach volleyball events were hosted here, alongside two indoor arenas: The Sports Pavilion, which accommodated taekwondo and handball events, and the Peace and Friendship Stadium, renovated for the Olympics and featuring volleyball matches.

Positioned on the east side, adjacent to the Sports Pavilion, is the Water Plaza, a public paved space where visitors can pause to admire the sea and observe the multitude of yacht masts from the marina and nearby sailing club.

The Water Plaza also serves as a venue for summer music festivals, such as Heavy by the Sea and Ejekt.

8. Benaki Toy Museum

Just a short tram ride from Stavros Niarchos Park, this branch of the Benaki Museum launched in 2017 at the castle-like Kouloura Mansion, showcases a toy collection amassed by Maria Argyriadis from the early 1970s until her donation to the museum in 1991.

With over 20,000 toys on display, notable exhibits include a doll designed by movie set designer Dionysis Fotopoulos and a wooden horse gifted by Eleftherios Venizelos, a leader of the Greek national liberation movement, to his grandson.

The collection features toys dating back to antiquity, sourced from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and all corners of Europe.

9. Flisvos Marina

Located south of the Sports Pavilion in Faliron, Flisvos Marina showcases the luxurious lifestyle of Greece’s elite.

This marina boasts more luxury yachts than any other port in the country.

Facing the dazzling array of superyachts is a Mediterranean promenade complete with lawns, tree-lined pathways, and a variety of cafes, bars, and restaurants.

For young visitors, the Volta Fun Park offers attractions such as bouncy castles, slides, bumper boats, and trampolines.

Being positioned on the eastern edge of Faliro Bay, Flisvos Marina also provides an enchanting venue to witness sunsets behind Piraeus across the bay.

10. Greek Cruiser Georgios Averof

Docked at the marina is the former flagship of the Greek navy, affectionately known as “Uncle George.” The Georgios Averof is a Pisa-class armored cruiser launched in 1907, originally constructed for the Italian Navy but acquired by Greece in 1909. This vessel served as Admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis’ flagship during the First Balkan War and participated in both World Wars, along with the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922. Following its service, it has been a museum ship since 1984, where visitors can explore the engine room, mess area, officers’ quarters, and the exterior deck.

A notable trivia point: The Flag of Greece flying on the Georgios Averof is the second largest in the country, following the one displayed at the Acropolis.

11. Philopappos Monument

Situated on Philopappos Hill, traditionally recognized as Hill of the Muses, there stands a monument dedicated to Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos, a Prince of the Kingdom of Commagene.

He was a significant figure within the Roman Empire during the 1st and 2nd centuries, and his passing in 116 AD resonated within the Imperial family and among the citizens of Athens, leading to his wife Julia Balbilla commissioning a tomb monument in his honor on this hill located southwest of the Acropolis.

At the upper level, the monument features statues of Antiochus IV, King of Commagene on the left, and Philopappos in the center.

A frieze below illustrates Philopappos as a consul in a chariot, flanked by lictors (bodyguards).

12. Odeon of Herodes Atticus

On the southwest slope of the Acropolis stands a Roman-era venue for musical performances, commissioned by the Athenian magnate Herodes Atticus in the mid-2nd century AD. In its prime, lasting only a century before being looted by the Herules in 267, the odeon featured a wooden roof made of cedar from Lebanon.

Revitalized in the 1950s, the seating now showcases marble quarried from Mount Pentelicus.

Since its reopening, notable performers have graced the stage, including Luciano Pavarotti, Diana Ross, Mario Frangoulis, Joaquín Cortés, Liza Minelli, Plácido Domingo, and José Carreras.

During the summer months, the Athens Festival utilizes the odeon as one of its central venues, featuring a variety of events.

13. Theatre of Dionysus

Situated beneath the imposing southern ramparts of the Acropolis, the Theatre of Dionysus is of immense historical significance as the world’s oldest theatre.

Performances have taken place at this location since the sixth century BC, marking the birthplace of Greek tragedy, with renowned playwrights such as Sophocles, Aeschylus, Menander, Aristophanes, and Euripides presenting their works at the Festival of Dionysia held at this venue.

Look for the marble thrones in the lowest section, reserved for dignitaries and inscribed with the names of those who occupied them.

14. Panathenaic Stadium

This stadium was initially commissioned by the statesman Lycurgus in the 4th century BC for the Panathenaic Games, a prestigious event celebrated every four years in ancient Athens.

Built by Herodes Atticus in the 2nd century, the stadium was reintroduced to the sporting scene following its excavation in 1869.

It was refurbished for the 1896 Olympics, the inaugural modern games, when it hosted four out of nine events.

Having undergone no modifications for the 2004 Olympics, it hosted the archery competitions and served as the finish line for the men’s and women’s marathons.

The Panathenaic Stadium is remarkable as the only sporting venue globally constructed entirely of marble, accommodating 45,000 spectators. Visitors are encouraged to ascend the upper tiers for a breathtaking view of the Acropolis.

15. Piraeus

Along the western shore of Faliro Bay lie the elliptical natural harbors of Piraeus, which served as Athens’ naval base in ancient times.

Today, Piraeus stands as the leading container port in the eastern Mediterranean and ranks as the second-largest passenger port worldwide, with numerous vessels, hydrofoils, and catamarans departing for destinations throughout the Aegean.

The city houses an Archaeological Museum that can rival those in Athens, showcasing exquisite bronze statues such as the Piraeus Apollo, Piraeus Athena, and Piraeus Artemis, which were recovered off the coast in 1959. For a touch of luxury, consider dining at Mikrolimano, one of the city’s ancient harbors, while admiring the scenic amphitheatre of homes on the hillside.

Alternatively, venture up to Kastella, the city’s most charming neighborhood, offering uplifting vistas from its hilltop.