The apartments are located in the lively neighbourhoods of Kypseli and Koukaki, where it is possible to witness a diverse cross-section of Athenian life. Molonglo seeks to honour and respect these places, making gentle, appropriate contributions in keeping with their everyday rhythms and culture.
Named after the Koukakis bed-making business that made the neighbourhood its home at the turn of the twentieth century, Koukaki is a mix of neoclassical buildings, polykatoikia and bitter orange trees. It was nicknamed ‘Little Paris’ in the 1980s and became known as an artistic and subcultural centre. Today, it is marked by cafes and restaurants, independent retail and contemporary art galleries.
Its proximity to the city’s classical tourist spots and public transport, along with the charm of Koukaki’s tree-lined slopes and diverse building types has made the neighbourhood popular with tourists in recent years. The forests of Filopappou Hill erupt brazenly from the neighbourhood’s urban grid street system, providing a wild landscape of dry grasses, pine needles and metamorphic rock.
Neighbourhood Highlights
In 1961, a couple from Thessaloniki brought their bakery knowledge to the capital. You’ll find the bakery with your nose. The selection here is almost endless, salty and sweet. Not all healthy but immensely satisfying. Just opposite, you will find Drupes and Drips, the cafe that the couple’s sons opened a few years ago.
A lovely little spot surrounded by trees, decked out in a retro style and a laid back atmosphere. Good for a cocktail, a wine, a coffee or a homemade dessert. Super nice wait staff that don’t mind if your Greek is bad (or non-existent). It’s a short walk to the Acropolis Museum if you need a pre-post cocktail before you face the crowds. Open all day until late.
This almost concealed little movie theatre is the last of its kind in Koukaki. Tickets start from 5€ and the screening schedule consists of cult films from Greece and elsewhere, arthouse and independent productions. Check the schedule or take a leap of faith in-line with their catchphrase: “We don’t just show movies, we suggest movies”.
Palio Radiofono (Old Radio) is a low-lit, well stocked bar that plays jazz until very, very late into the night. The crowd is a mix of locals and tourists who can be pretty flirty if you are in the mood. A good place for a last drink late in the night.
A weekly “laiki agora” or market for the people. Shop here for fresh, locally produced fruit, vegetables, fish, eggs, olives, honey, herbs and flowers. In winter time the market moves to Zacharitsa.
Kypseli means “beehive”, named for the beehives that were in the nearby mountains long ago. It was originally home to the upper classes, who built glamorous residences influenced by art deco, bauhaus and eclecticism. It went on to exemplify the modernist movement that began in Athens in the 1930s.
Once the centre of Athens, Kypseli has an energy and rhythm that still speaks to this today. It is dense, intense and lively, a place on the cusp of transition. From its bourgeois and intellectual past, it is now one of the most culturally and architecturally diverse neighbourhoods in Athens. There is a strong Afro Greek community who have settled here over the past decade, along with many other immigrants and refugees. Its streets are a mosaic of influences from all over the world.
Neighbourhood Highlights
Remoundos Bakery has been in Kypseli since 1953. Start your day with something delicious. The menu observes contemporary dietary needs, whilst staying true to the bakery’s original recipes.
This hidden fish tavern never disappoints. Laki’s ouzeria serves fresh fish, well cooked and served by friendly people who can recommend what’s good that day. Even non-fish lovers like this unpretentious place. The area is lively and feels like an original Athenian neighbourhood that has welcomed immigrants. Good prices.
This is one of the oldest bars in Athens. The building, the decor and (some) of the people have remained the same since 1957. The bar itself was designed by prominent modernist architect, Aristomenis Proveleggios, one of Pikionis’s students and a close Le Corbusier collaborator. Dimly lit and furnished with small green sofas and classic cocktails.
The ‘80s are reborn at this rock and new wave club. With a proper wooden dance floor and a unique gothic vibe, Rebound has been an after midnight go-to spot for decades. Open only on Saturdays.
Revived in 2018, this historic marketplace dates back to 1935. The market hosts a small, diverse list of permanent residents, chosen for their contributions to culture, enterprise and community. The market fosters neighbourhood solidarity through its pop-up stalls and social events.