Postcards From Athens with Rossella Tarabini.

The places we return to often tell us as much as the wardrobes we cherish. In this new editorial series, members of the ReSee community share the destinations they know best—the addresses they return to, the rituals they never miss and the places they recommend only to friends.

For this postcard, we travel to Athens with fashion designer Rossella Tarabini, who shares the addresses she returns to time and again. 

Athens, with Rossella Tarabini

"When ReSee asked me to write about a place that is close to my heart and also a holiday destination, I had to think long and hard. The truth is that I have always loved travelling to little-known Greek islands—places that are far from fashionable, perhaps even a little inconvenient and difficult to reach, with just a handful of very simple hotels, a few restaurants, and even fewer shops. The kind of places where you might have to wait a little longer for everything—but somehow, that is exactly the point.

So I started ruling out my favourite islands. No Ithaca, no Paxos, no Kimolos, no Amorgos. Instead, let me tell you a little about Athens.

I came to Athens by following my heart. I fell in love with my husband, Spyros, and I made a simple decision: life is too short, and my greatest ambition was simply to be happy. It was not exactly a strategic life plan, but sometimes the best decisions are the ones you make without too much calculation.

Athens is the city where I now spend part of every year, and it is a city I truly love—not least because it has given me days filled with extraordinary light. As Greta Garbo once said, “Beauty is just a question of light.” Athens seems to have understood this perfectly.

I have lived in Athens for many years now and have been fortunate enough to discover its many different faces. What I love most is its unique blend of East and West. You are still in Europe, yet at times it feels as though you are in Constantinople, Cairo, or somewhere else in the Middle East. That fascinating contrast is what makes Athens so special to me.

When I first arrived, everything felt new, unfamiliar, and full of possibility. There were moments when life was not always easy, but what struck me from the very beginning was the city’s extraordinary lightness of spirit. (Sometimes I was quite furious about it—I am a Virgo, after all!) It is something woven into the culture itself. People do not take everything too seriously, and life unfolds at a slower, more relaxed pace.

So my first piece of advice is simple: embrace the rhythm of Athens. Let the city set the pace. Do not try to impose your own—it simply does not work here. Athens has its own sense of timing, and it is usually not interested in negotiating. In the end, though, you discover that this is one of the greatest lessons the city can teach you.

My second piece of advice concerns the Greeks themselves. When they are talking, it can sometimes sound as though they are having a fierce argument. They almost never are. They are simply speaking with passion, enthusiasm, and a little more volume than many other nations might consider necessary—which, coming from an Italian, is saying quite a lot!

Now, back to a few practical travel tips."

Where to stay

In my opinion, when you are in Athens, your hotel should offer one of two things: a view of the Acropolis or a view of the sea. Those are the city’s two greatest luxuries.

If you are looking for an unforgettable view of the Acropolis, I would recommend the classic Hotel Grande Bretagne, the stylish Mona Hotel, or the beautifully restored Dolli Hotel. All three have wonderful rooftop terraces overlooking one of the world’s greatest monuments.

If, on the other hand, you would rather stay by the sea, my first choice has to be the Four Seasons Astir Palace. Or, if you are not in a hurry, wait until next year: my friend Chrysanthos Panas is opening a new hotel, and I am sure it will be something very special.

Where to eat

Of course, no guide to Athens would be complete without a few recommendations on where to eat.

The good news is that it is actually quite difficult to have a bad meal here. Athens makes eating well almost too easy—which is a very pleasant problem to have.

Travolta is a wonderful seafood restaurant. It is not in the trendiest neighbourhood, but it is absolutely worth the journey. Another favourite is Iodio, which is definitely more fashionable. Make sure you save room for their delicious pistachio gelato. Barbounaki in Kolonaki is another classic—simple, fresh seafood and always a good choice.

If, however, you are in the mood for Greek cuisine with a more contemporary and unconventional spirit, I would recommend Zygomala, Linou Soumpasis, and Nolan. Each offers its own interpretation of Greek cooking, combining traditional flavours with creativity and imagination.

Museums, art and culture

for  those interested in museums, my favourite is the National Archaeological Museum. I try to visit at least once a month because every time I go, I discover something new and extraordinary. I also love the fact that it still feels like an old-fashioned museum rather than a modern, highly curated experience. That is exactly how I enjoy looking at art.

I also recommend the Museum of Cycladic Art, the Goulandris Foundation, and the small Archaeological Museum of Piraeus—although do check the opening hours first, as the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus can sometimes be rather unpredictable. In Athens, even museums occasionally like to preserve a little mystery.

For those interested in contemporary art, Athens has a wonderfully vibrant gallery scene. My favourite galleries are Rebecca Camhi Gallery, Ninetto Gallery, and Sylvia Kouvali. Each has its own personality and offers a wonderful glimpse into the creativity and energy of the city’s contemporary art world.

Discovering Athens

A visit to the Acropolis is, of course, essential, but do not miss a walk to the Temple of Olympian Zeus or through the Ancient Agora. Another place I always recommend is the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, particularly towards sunset.

Another of Athens’ delightful surprises is Anafiotika, the tiny neighbourhood built on the slopes of the Rock of the Acropolis. It tells a charming story. In the nineteenth century, craftsmen from the island of Anafi came to Athens to work on King Otto’s palace and other public buildings. Missing their island home, they recreated a little piece of it here, with whitewashed houses, narrow winding alleyways, colourful doors, and flower-filled courtyards.

Walking through Anafiotika feels less like being in the heart of a capital city and more like discovering a hidden Cycladic village that somehow managed to remain a secret.

And if you need a break from the heat, spend some time wandering through the National Garden or up Filopappou Hill. They are two of my favourite green corners of the city.

One of Athens’ little gifts is its open-air cinemas. My two favourites both happen to have what must be one of the most beautiful views in the world: the Acropolis. So even if the film is not particularly memorable, you can always look up at one of humanity’s greatest masterpieces—which never disappoints.

Shopping

As for shopping, Athens has all the major international luxury brands. Personally, though, I would rather shop online at ReSee, where I always find something a little more unexpected.

If you need to buy a straw hat—even one of exceptionally large proportions—I have just discovered a very special place: Savapile (14 Agios Eleousis Street). It will be a little bit of a treasure hunt to find it, but I promise it is absolutely worth the effort.

I hope you will enjoy Athens as much as I do. It is a city that does not try to impress you all at once. Instead, it slowly reveals itself, layer by layer. And before you know it, you will find yourself planning your next visit—which is usually the moment you realise that Athens has quietly won you over.

Shop Rossella's select