Liqueur tasting, Athens-style, in one quick stop. Polykala Distillery turns a short visit into a guided feel for Greek flavors, starting with a meet-up at Kleisthenous 7 and ending back where you began. You’ll get English guidance from Nina or Rena, then taste liqueurs in an indoor showroom with a max of 10 people.

I especially like two things: the included 100ml bottle you can take home, and the focused tasting menu that walks you from mastiha to hazelnut to cherry. It is not a long lecture. It is a quick, friendly education that makes you want to compare bottles later in your hotel room.

One thing to consider: this experience centers on alcohol tasting, so it is not recommended if you have heart problems or other serious medical conditions.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Take-home 100ml bottle: pick your choice at the end
• Small group, max 10: more time to ask questions during tasting
• Mastiha, hazelnut, cherry: three samples matched to starter, main, and dessert
• Nina or Rena meets you at Kleisthenous 7, then you move to the distillery showroom
• Wheelchair and stroller accessible with an indoor tasting format

Polykala Distillery in Athens: a short tasting with real personality

If you want a “Greek flavors” stop that is efficient, this fits. The whole experience is built around a compact flow: a quick introduction, then time inside the distillery showroom for learning and tasting, and then you head right back to the meeting point. You do not need to block out an entire afternoon, which is a big deal in Athens where the best sites tend to be spread out.

What makes this feel worth your time is that it is not just about sipping. You get an explanation of the distillery and how the liqueurs are made, plus context that helps you taste with intention instead of just following a crowd. With guides like Nina or Rena greeting you at Kleisthenous 7, the tone tends to be warm and personal rather than formal.

Where to meet and how the timing works (without wasting time)

The tour starts at Kleisthenous 7 in Athina 105 52. The experience ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not have to worry about figuring out a second location at the end of a timed booking.

Timing is straightforward. You should expect about 30 to 40 minutes total. That generally lines up with a short first stop (about 10 minutes) followed by a longer tasting at the distillery (about 30 minutes). If you like tight schedules, you’ll appreciate the predictability.

Practical tip: since the activity is near public transportation and uses a mobile ticket, you can usually plan to arrive with a little buffer and still stay on track. Still, keep an eye on your exact start time. This is one of those experiences where being 20 minutes late can feel like missing the point.

Stop 1 at Kleisthenous 7: the fast orientation that sets up your tasting

Stop 1 is where you get oriented. Nina or Rena will be waiting at Kleisthenous 7 to share background on the distillery and its produced liqueurs. Even though it is a shorter part of the experience, it matters because it changes how you taste in the showroom.

Instead of treating the samples as random flavors, you can listen for what the liqueurs are built around. That makes the later tasting feel more like comparing ingredients and styles than just trying three sips.

This first stop also has another benefit: it helps you get comfortable asking questions early. A small group size makes that easier, and it’s the kind of thing you’ll feel once you’re in the tasting space.

The Polykala Distillery showroom: how liqueurs are made, explained simply

The second stop is at the distillery itself, in the showroom where the tasting happens. This is where you get the core story: an explanation of the distillery, how the liqueurs are made, and then the guided tasting.

One reason I think this works well is that the explanation is tied directly to what you’re about to taste. You are not just learning facts for the sake of facts. You’re learning so the flavors make more sense in your mouth.

The setting helps too. Descriptions point to a classy showroom atmosphere, which is a nice change from the typical “quick pour and go” experience you sometimes see at tastings. You get a bit of space to slow down, look at the bottles, and actually focus on the differences.

Also, it’s English-led. That matters if your Greek is limited. You’ll still be able to follow the explanation clearly and ask simple questions without feeling like you’re missing the thread.

Your tasting flight: mastiha, hazelnut, and cherry in three distinct moods

The tasting menu is built like a mini course. You start with a starter, move to a main, then finish with a dessert. That structure makes it easier to remember what you liked and why.

Here’s what you can expect to sample:

• Starter: Mastiha liqueur

Described as a classic taste with a rich aroma, a crystal aspect, and the intense characteristic flavor of the unique mastic of the island of Chios.

• Main: Hazelnut liqueur

Presented with warm notes of hazelnut extracts, plus distinctive spice and oak aromas.

• Dessert: Cherry liqueur

Made with sour cherries, crafted with pure spice aromas and love.

What I like about this lineup is that it naturally separates the tasting experience into three flavor directions. Mastiha gives you a specific aromatic identity (mastic from Chios is a big deal in Greek culture). Hazelnut shifts you into warm, nutty comfort with spice and oak notes. Cherry closes with fruit plus spice, so it ends on something bright rather than flat.

And because you have a small group, you can often ask a quick question like what to look for in the aroma or what style of bottle pairs best with different moods (after dinner, as a small treat, or as a conversation drink). It turns tasting into a mini guided session instead of a checkbox.

The take-home 100ml bottle: why this is the smart souvenir size

This is one of the best value hooks of the experience: you get a complimentary 100ml bottle of your choice to take home. That is a travel-friendly size—easy to pack, and small enough that you do not have to commit to a giant bottle if you are unsure about your preferences.

It also makes your shopping decision more grounded. Instead of wandering through a wall of labels hoping something sounds right, you taste first. Then you choose the bottle that matched what you enjoyed during the flight.

The showroom also has plenty of elegant bottles for sale. If you like the style you tried, you’ll have a chance to buy more with more confidence. The experience sets you up to shop like a person with taste, not like a person who just grabbed whatever looked pretty.

Price and value: why $16.87 can work if you want quality and context

The price is listed at $16.87 per person. For that, you’re getting:

• An English-led, small group tasting experience (max 10)
• A guided explanation of the distillery and how the liqueurs are made
• A tasting flight across three liqueurs
• A complimentary 100ml bottle to take home

That combination is the key to the value. Tastings alone can cost more in many places, and souvenirs can cost even more if you end up buying on impulse. Here, the bottle inclusion turns the price from “just pay to taste” into “taste with a built-in souvenir.”

The short length also helps. You’re not paying a premium for a long time commitment. You’re paying for a focused experience that fits easily into a day of Athens sightseeing.

Small group attention: what 10 people changes

Max 10 travelers sounds like a minor detail until you’re inside a tasting room. With a group that size, the guide can slow down and respond to questions. You’re less likely to be rushed through the samples, and more likely to get clarification on what you are tasting.

The tone also comes through in the guide experience. Nina is described as warm and welcoming, with a lot of family pride in the operation. Anna is noted as informative and passionate, especially when explaining how the distillery continues traditions across generations and stays focused on quality ingredients.

You don’t need to be a liqueur expert to get value from that. If you are curious, you’ll leave with a better sense of what each bottle is aiming to taste like.

Wheelchair and stroller accessible: a more comfortable Athens stop

This experience is wheelchair and stroller accessible, which makes it easier to plan a tasting even if your day includes cobblestones or tight walking stretches elsewhere. Because the tasting happens in the showroom and the experience has a clear start and end point, you can expect a more controlled environment than an open-air tour.

If mobility is a factor for you, this is one of the tastings you can realistically slot in without making everything else harder.

What could go wrong (and how to stay in control)

Nothing ruins a good day like showing up and finding the doors shut. There have been cases of late openings tied to Greek extra bank holiday situations, and at least one instance where the distillery did not open on time and a later fix was offered. That doesn’t mean it will happen to you, but it’s worth being smart.

Here’s what you can do:

• Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can handle a delay without stress
• If your schedule is tight, consider booking a time that still gives you buffer before your next major plan
• If weather plays a role in the timing of the visit, build in flexibility since the experience requires good weather and can be rescheduled or refunded if canceled

Also, remember the tasting is alcohol-based. If you cannot participate due to health reasons (heart problems or serious medical conditions), do not plan on doing the tasting portion.

Who should book Polykala Distillery?

Book it if you want:

• A fast Athens activity that feels thoughtful, not rushed
• An English-led liqueur tasting with guided explanation
• A real souvenir option (the included 100ml bottle)
• A small group experience with time to ask questions

Skip it if you want:

• A non-alcohol experience
• A full-day guided itinerary
• Something focused mainly on architecture, ruins, or outdoor viewpoints

Should you book this liqueur tasting tour?

Yes, if you like your souvenirs edible and your food and drink experiences guided. The combination of a guided explanation, a structured tasting flight, and the complimentary 100ml bottle makes this one of the better value tastings in Athens—especially when you keep your expectations realistic about time and alcohol sampling.

The one reason to hesitate is if the idea of tasting alcohol does not work for you, or if you need an ultra-strict schedule with no room for delays around local holiday disruptions. If you’re flexible and curious, Polykala Distillery is the kind of Athens stop that pays you back immediately—in the cup, and in your suitcase.

FAQ

Where is the tour meeting point?

The tour starts at Kleisthenous 7, Athina 105 52, Greece.

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts about 30 to 40 minutes.

Is it offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What do you get to take home?

You get a complimentary 100ml bottle of your choice.

Is it wheelchair and stroller accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Is alcohol tasting involved?

Yes. It includes tasting, and it is not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions to taste alcohol.