08/05/2026
Athens 🫶🏻🇬🇷
Athens 🫶🏻🇬🇷
We flew out on Sunday, touched down in Athens, collected our tiny but mighty Fiat Panda, and headed along the glittering coastline towards our first stop the breathtaking Grecotel Cape Sounio.
And wow… what an arrival.
Perched proudly overlooking the legendary Temple of Poseidon, this hotel feels as though it belongs to another era entirely. Everywhere you turn, there are mesmerising sea views and glimpses of ancient history standing dramatically against the sky. The setting alone is enough to make you exhale every ounce of stress you arrived with.
The pool area was stunning, but the private beach completely stole my heart. Reached through a charming little underpass, it opened out onto crystal clear waters, luxurious sunbeds, attentive beach service, and a beautiful waterside restaurant where lazy lunches somehow turn into sunset dinners. The hotel itself even holds part of the area’s ancient ruins, giving the entire place a magical sense of history woven into modern luxury.
Dining here was exceptional. Several restaurants, an impressive buffet, and the option to swap buffet dining for à la carte experiences with a €20 credit per person made the whole experience feel incredibly generous. Every meal felt beautifully curated, and even breakfast came with that spectacular Poseidon view.
This isn’t a loud, high energy resort. It’s refined. Relaxed. Elegant. The kind of place where mornings begin with yoga overlooking the sea and afternoons drift into wine tastings, honey tastings, cookery classes, Pilates, guided walks, or simply doing absolutely nothing at all.
The spa was heavenly, offering indulgent treatments that perfectly suited the peaceful atmosphere of the hotel. Evenings brought soft music, tasteful live singers or DJs, glowing fire pits, and romantic seating areas perfect for a nightcap under the stars.
If your ideal holiday includes mini discos, bingo, and packed entertainment schedules, this probably isn’t your scene. But if you appreciate exceptional service, incredible food, breathtaking surroundings, and a quieter kind of luxury this place is perfection.
Just a short drive away were small traditional tavernas, sleepy coastal towns, and endless hiking trails winding through Sounio National Park.
From there, we headed further up the coast for a site inspection and breakfast at the utterly gorgeous The Roc Club, A Grecotel Hotel.
Now THIS hotel was completely my vibe.
Boutique, chic, sophisticated… it absolutely oozed understated luxury. The kind of place where every corner feels curated, every piece of artwork intentional, and every guest somehow looks effortlessly stylish.
Set in one of Athens’ most exclusive coastal neighbourhoods, the hotel is surrounded by elegant tavernas, designer boutiques, bars, marinas, and the beautiful Lake Vouliagmeni nearby.
The infinity pool overlooked the sea, sunbeds were tucked into peaceful little corners amongst the rocks, and the atmosphere felt serene and impossibly glamorous without ever trying too hard.
Breakfast here was genuinely unforgettable.
It began with a beautiful cake stand presentation almost like an elegant afternoon tea overflowing with cheeses, meats, waffles, spinach pie, cheese pie, artisan breads, local honey from Grecotel’s farm in Crete, and delicate pastries. Then followed an à la carte menu with perfectly cooked breakfasts and eggs however you fancied them… naturally accompanied by a lovely chilled glass of bubbles because, honestly, why not?
I can’t fully explain why I adored this hotel so much… it just had “it.”
Only around 15 minutes away is the vibrant district of Glyfada…. buzzing with beach clubs, restaurants, shops, and cosmopolitan energy. Meanwhile, Athens city centre itself was only around 35–45 minutes away by taxi, making this an ideal luxury base for a beach and city escape.
And then… Athens.
What a wonderfully chaotic, fascinating city.
Athens feels alive in every possible way. It’s gritty yet enchanting. Scruffy yet stylish. One minute you’re passing ancient ruins thousands of years old, the next you’re stumbling into quirky vinyl shops, tiny independent coffee houses, vegan cafés, tattoo studios, artisan boutiques, and hidden cocktail bars.
The city is absolutely covered in graffiti and street art and I mean everywhere. It’s not pristine or polished, but somehow that’s exactly what gives it its charm. It’s loud, colourful, layered, artistic, and packed with life from every direction imaginable.
Food lovers would be in absolute heaven here. Traditional tavernas sit beside vegan cafés and trendy cocktail spots, while the scent of grilled meats, spices, coffee, and fresh bread drifts through every street corner.
And for history lovers? It’s simply unreal.
Monuments, museums, ruins, and stories surround you constantly. Around every corner there’s another reminder that you’re walking through one of the most historically rich cities in the world.
Parking our Fiat Panda, however, may have been one of the greatest challenges of the trip. Thank goodness it was tiny.
One of the true highlights of our Athens stay was visiting the iconic The Dolli at Acropolis.
This hotel is pure cinematic elegance.
The building itself is magnificent, steeped in history and beautifully restored. Once a famous fabric house visited by women searching for materials for wedding dresses and special occasions, it later became a mansion before transforming into one of Athens’ most luxurious hotels.
From the moment you enter, you’re welcomed into a world of timeless sophistication sweet treats, exquisite antiques, carefully curated artwork, elegant lounges, and hidden corners designed to make you linger. There’s even a secret bar tucked away inside.
But the true magic reveals itself upstairs.
The rooms are grand yet minimal, with soaring ceilings, beautiful bespoke details, and some of the most spectacular views imaginable overlooking the Acropolis of Athens.
And then there’s the rooftop.
Honestly… wow.
An infinity pool facing the illuminated Acropolis, a stunning restaurant and cocktail bar, and one of the most romantic sunset settings I’ve ever seen. If you’re planning a special dinner, celebration, or even a proposal this is absolutely the place.
Breakfast on our final morning at The Dolli felt almost surreal. Sitting high above Athens, gazing across the Acropolis while sipping coffee and soaking in the atmosphere, it was easy to understand why this hotel has become such an icon.
And yes… our Fiat Panda was parked proudly outside the entrance like she belonged there.
Before flying home, we spent one night at The Square Hotel by X&N a last-minute budget booking that ended up being a brilliant little find.
For around €130 a night, we got comfy beds, complimentary drinks, a rooftop terrace with jacuzzis, and genuinely lovely staff who couldn’t have been more welcoming. The surrounding streets initially felt a little rough around the edges, but that quickly became part of Athens’ undeniable character.
That final evening perfectly summed up the trip.
After walking miles around the city, we skipped a formal dinner and grabbed simple takeaway street food instead a falafel wrap for me and a chilli con carne burrito for Jason before heading up to the rooftop terrace with our drinks, sitting beneath the night sky watching the chaos of Athens unfold below us.
And honestly? It was perfect.
Athens isn’t a polished, quiet, spotless city and that’s exactly why I fell for it.
It’s soulful. Creative. Historic. Chaotic. Delicious. Addictive.
You could spend days wandering its backstreets, discovering hidden cafés, rooftop bars, ancient ruins, and tiny tucked-away tavernas… then escape for a beach day along the Riviera whenever you need to slow the pace again.
And as I’m writing this somewhere above the clouds on our flight back to Manchester , I already know this won’t be our last visit.
The Roc Club is calling us back already.
Until the next adventure…
Cassy x
