Jan 9, 2025

Ktistakis Athens

Loukoumades from heaven

024-burger-1
Snacks
"Ktistakis is hidden in the streets around Omonoia Square but deserves every moment you will spend searching for it. It makes only one thing: delicious little loukoumades."

Loukoumades are Greek doughnuts that have a round appearance and a nice golden colour. They are made with flour and salt and covered with honey syrup and cinnamon. This dessert probably comes from ancient Greece, where it was made and awarded to the winners of the Olympic Games. In today’s Athens, there are various shops that have loukoumades on their menu. However, the best loukoumades in Athens, in my opinion, are made in Ktistakis.

Ktistakis is hidden in the streets around Omonoia Square but deserves every moment you will spend searching for it. It makes only one thing: delicious little loukoumades, crunchy on the outside but soft and full of honey syrup on the inside (also, they add cinnamon and sesame on top). The Ktistakis family established their first shop in Chania, Crete, and came to Athens during the 1950s to establish a new shop in the area around Omonoia Square. It was moved to its current location in 1997 and it still treats Athenians with its unique loukoumades that are like sweet little bites made in heaven.

One of my sweetest childhood memories is of Ktistakis. Each time I went to the city center with my family, I just waited patiently for our required stop at Ktistakis. I now visit whenever I am in the city center in order to relive this lovely moment, and I am never let down because the taste is still the same.

About this spot

Sokratous 59

One portion:

€

4.60

+30

2105240891

Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Athens guide.

Cool place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Athens

Mrs-Dalloways
asiminamitrothanasi

Mrs Dalloway's – You can buy yourself flowers

The flower bouquets are naturally dried and painted with water-soluble, non-toxic colors. The dried flowers can decorate a space for 1 to 2 years!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Asimina

Mitrothanasi

Jan 8, 2025
Au-Revoir
andreaspapadopoulos

Au Revoir – Classic and unique

"Au Revoir" is, simply put, the oldest bar in Athens. It opened in 1958 and has been serving classic drinks since then. Even Frank Sinatra paid a visit.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

By

Andreas

Papadopoulos

Jan 8, 2025
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
dimitrishall

FOOD Str – Quality burgers in Monastiraki

"FOOD Str" in the center of Athens is my spot of choice when I'm out late drinking and need a cheap (vegetarian!) burger or some fish and chips!

024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Dimitris

Hall

Jan 8, 2025
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
dimitrishall

Babouras – Feel the buzz of Petralona

"Babouras" Athens is a cafe/bar in Petralona that combines the old with the new. My tip would be to bring your camera with you - the light's very pretty.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

By

Dimitris

Hall

Jan 8, 2025
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
dimitrishall

Eugenides Digital Planetarium – Across the universe

The "Eugenides Digital Planetarium" (est. 2003) in Athens is a fantastic place to get to enjoy an educational spectacle! I have so many memories from here.

002-building
Art & culture
008-ticket
Cinema

By

Dimitris

Hall

Jan 8, 2025
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
dimitrishall

Rema Pikrodafnis – Athenian wilderness

"Rema Pikrodafnis" is one of the few relatively untouched streams in Athens. I love this seemingly abandoned part of it, a symbol of what Greece really is.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Dimitris

Hall

Jan 8, 2025
Alsos-Neas-Smyrnis
dimitrishall

Alsos Neas Smyrnis – Your lovely neighbourhood park

"Alsos Neas Smyrnis" in Athens is my neighborhood park where I go to run. It's an ideal place to relax and enjoy a low-key Athenian park setting.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Dimitris

Hall

Jan 8, 2025
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
dimitrishall

Homesick – Retro mode in Eksarcheia

"Homesick" Athens is my go-to cafe/bar in Eksarheia when I want some retro decoration and a nice beer with hearty freebies. Don't miss talking to the owner!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

By

Dimitris

Hall

Jan 8, 2025
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
dimitrishall

Parko Eleftherias – Picnic time in the oasis

"Parko Eleftherias" in Athens is one of the few well-kept, moderately large parks in the city. I recommend it for picnics and just relaxing on the grass...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Dimitris

Hall

Jan 8, 2025
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
dimitrishall

HBH Coffee Bar – Classy and loungy

"HBH Coffee Bar" in the Athens neighborhood of Exarchia is perfect for when I need something beautiful and quieter to get some work done on its mezzanine.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

By

Dimitris

Hall

Jan 8, 2025
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
dimitrishall

Mousiko Kafeneio – The neighbourhood bar

It's at the perfect location, on a pedestrian zone close to this Athens' neighborhood, Nea Smyrni, central square, playing music and throwing parties.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

By

Dimitris

Hall

Jan 8, 2025
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
dimitrishall

Pnyx – Chilling like the ancients

"Pnyx": where the Ekklesia would convene in Ancient Athens. Today it's one of my favorite places to chill around the Acropolis - a surprisingly hidden gem!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Dimitris

Hall

Jan 8, 2025