LLM Exclusive Special News July 2026 / Athens: The Mediterranean Capital Embracing A New Era Of Luxury / By Shekha Vyas

Modern Athens feels dynamic and increasingly glamorous. A city suspended between antiquity and reinvention, glimmers of the classical past are woven into modern life.

Historic mansions have become design  hotels, rooftop bars overlook Hellenic temples, and everywhere, the city unfolds in a cinematic haze beneath the warm Mediterranean sun.

Beneath the city’s ancient grandeur lies something more kinetic: a modern Mediterranean capital embracing contemporary luxury while still retaining the energy and spontaneity that make it feel unmistakably alive. Neighbourhoods pulse with distinct and varied energies, from the intellectual edge of Exarchia to the polished calm of Kolonaki and the creative momentum gathering in Pangrati.

Along the coast, exclusive developments continue to emerge, while across the capital, a new wave of restaurateurs is reshaping the city’s food offering with flair.

Together, these elements reveal a place increasingly comfortable in the global spotlight, and that is precisely why Athens is so exciting right now.

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What to do

The Acropolis is an unique historic site containing several monuments, including the well preserved amphitheatre

No first visit to Athens is complete without the Acropolis, but timing is everything. Book tickets in advance and aim to arrive first thing in the morning, before the heat settles heavily across the marble pathways and the crowds begin to swell.

The silence of early morning gives the site an evocative atmosphere. Against the pale gold stone and endless blue sky, the scale of Athens’ ancient world is awe-inspiring to behold.

Afterwards, continue directly to the Acropolis Museum, ideally with a guided tour. The museum’s clean, contemporary architecture creates a striking contrast with the artefacts themselves, and the experience helps contextualise the ruins beyond scattered columns and mythology. Glass floors reveal archaeological excavations beneath your feet, while huge windows frame constant views back towards the Acropolis itself.

Beyond the historical landmarks, Athens reveals itself slowly.

Throughout the day, sunlight glances off honey-coloured marble and visitors drift between the world-class museums and boutique-lined neighbourhoods. In Pangrati, stylish eateries, independent galleries and concept stores draw a creative crowd away from the heavier tourist flow around Monastiraki and Plaka.

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The Riviera increasingly feels like Greece’s answer to the Côte d’Azur. Image credit: Julian Venter

Kolonaki carries a polished atmosphere: designer shops and sophisticated  wine bars neighbour luxury apartment buildings shaded by trees.

Exarchia retains its intellectual and political edge, where anarchist history, bookstores and alternative cafés give the city some of its most interesting texture. In Vouliagmeni, pine-fringed beaches, sleek hotels and upscale seafood restaurants line the Saronic Gulf, creating a slower, softer counterpoint to central Athens’ restless energy.

In the evening, Athens shifts effortlessly into another register. Psyrri thrums long after dark with music and cocktails, while gentle conversation echoes from candlelit wine bars beneath the Acropolis, long into the night.

The Riviera increasingly feels like Greece’s answer to the Côte d’Azur. Seaside clubs and rooftop bars fill with sharply dressed locals escaping the lingering heat, as the city dissolves into the kind of languid Mediterranean glamour that makes heading home before midnight feel like missing out.

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Where to eat

Michelin-starred restaurant Makris is headed by chef Petros Dimas. Image credit: Makris Athens

At the centre of this evolution lies a flourishing culinary scene.

A new generation of chefs is reinterpreting the extraordinary depth of Greek cuisine. As they playfully recreate regional traditions through a contemporary lens, the result is a collection of restaurants abundant with ambition and creativity.

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Nowhere is this clearer than at Makris, currently the city’s defining Michelin-starred restaurant. Located beneath the Acropolis in Thissio, within a beautifully restored historic residence dating back to 1923, Makris captures the spirit of modern Athenian dining perfectly.

Led by chef Petros Dimas, whose philosophy centres around hyper-local produce and sustainability, the restaurant draws ingredients directly from family farms, fishermen and regional producers across Greece. The result feels deeply connected to both land and history.

Dinner unfolds almost theatrically. A striking blue crab tart arrives glazed with eel and bottarga beneath an elaborate coral-like tuile reminiscent of the Aegean seabed. An earthy mushroom cappuccino follows, deeply pungent and comforting, paired with warm brioche layered generously with truffle mayonnaise. Alongside it, sparkling wine arrives airy and beautifully effervescent, lifting the richness with aplomb.

Another highlight is a delicate bouquet of edible flowers and more than 30 herbs and greens, served with avocado cream, transforming a salad into something unexpectedly intricate and aromatic.

Langoustine appears in multiple forms: smoked, folded into a silky sabayon crafted from its own shells as part of the restaurant’s zero-waste ethos, paired with carrot, ginger and bright chive oil.

A subsequent course layers pickled radish, kumquat and tartare with precision, balancing sweetness, acidity and smoke in near perfect harmony.

The restaurant draws ingredients directly from family farms, fishermen and regional producers across Greece. Image credit: Makris Athens

Particularly memorable is the hake delicately wrapped in courgette, resting atop samphire and greens beneath a vivid basil-and-pepper sauce. Throughout the meal, Greek wines pair with each course, showcasing the country’s increasingly celebrated viticulture.

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Yet one of Athens’ greatest strengths is that excellent food is not confined to Michelin stars. The quality of the produce means even modest tavernas can feel subtly luxurious.

Tomatoes taste intensely sun-soaked and sweet; citrus carries perfume rather than acidity alone; sheep’s yoghurt arrives thick and impossibly rich, drizzled with local honey. Simplicity here often signals confidence over limitation.

The city’s wine scene deserves equal attention. Indigenous grapes such as Assyrtiko and Xinomavro are finally receiving international recognition, while myriad bars across Athens increasingly champion independent Greek winemakers. Crisp volcanic whites pair effortlessly with seafood-heavy menus, while more structured reds complement slow-cooked meats and charcoal grilling.

For one of Athens’ great twilight rituals, head to the rooftop bar at  Hotel Grande Bretagne. As dusk settles over Syntagma Square and the Acropolis begins to glow against the darkening sky, the terrace transforms into one of the city’s most elegant drinking spots.

It is unabashedly grand in the old sense of the word: polished brass, linen jackets, impeccable service and a stunning view that lives up to the hype.

Where to stay

Grand Hyatt Athens is an excellent base with panoramic views over the city

For travellers wanting easy access to the city without feeling overwhelmed by its intensity, Grand Hyatt Athens makes an excellent base. Located slightly away from the densest tourist centre, the  hotel offers a calmer vantage point over the capital while remaining close to the Acropolis and major landmarks.

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The real draw, however, lies in its wellness facilities and rooftop spaces.

The rooftop pool frames sweeping views across Athens towards the Acropolis itself, particularly beautiful at sunset when the city melts into rosy peach and amber hues. After long days walking through museums, neighbourhoods and archaeological sites in the Mediterranean heat, the hotel’s spa feels genuinely restorative.

In other parts of Athens, the luxury hospitality scene has expanded rapidly in recent years, particularly along the Riviera, where high-end  hotels are transforming the coastline.

In a nutshell

Athens today feels like a capital fully embracing its place as one of Europe’s most exciting luxury destinations. Archaeological sites stand serenely alongside modern galleries and museums, like sentinels of a golden age. Michelin-starred dining co-exists with tiny tavernas serving impossibly vibrant produce, and Riviera chic meets neighbourhood cafés buzzing with everyday vigour.

The city’s greatest luxury, however, lies in its atmosphere. Athens feels alive. Its hours stretch late into the evening, carried by the Mediterranean breeze and friendly conversation.

Beneath the marble ruins and seaside gloss lies a capital with appetite, passion and unmistakable style – one that deserves far more than a brief stop on the way to the islands.

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Flights from London Heathrow to Athens take approximately three hours and 40 minutes

For more information on Athens and it’s many attractions go to thisisathens.org.