Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting.

A quick tasting, big payoff. Polykala Distillery in Athens turns 128 years of know-how into a compact visit, with a free 100ml take-home bottle and a small-group tasting led by Nina or Rena. I like the personal attention you get, and I like that you learn just enough about the liqueurs before you choose what to buy.

One thing to consider: opening times can shift on Greek extra bank holiday days, so if you arrive exactly on time and the showroom is closed, plan to ask about rescheduling or a refund.

Key highlights to clock before you go

• 100ml bottle included: pick your complimentary bottle after tasting.
• Small group max 10: more time to ask questions, not just line up for samples.
• Two-stop flow, short and focused: an intro at Kleisthenous 7, then tasting at the Polykala ShowRoom.
• Mastiha, hazelnut, and cherry tasting: classic mastiha notes from Chios, plus nut and sour cherry options.
• English offered: the experience runs in English.
• Wheelchair and stroller accessible: easy for families and mobility needs.

Polykala Distillery in Athens, a short stop built for flavor and shopping

If you want a quick Athens experience that does two things well, this is it. You’ll get a guided explanation of the distillery and the liqueurs, then you taste a small set of offerings that are actually meant to help you decide what to take home.

What makes this work is the format. It is short, it is guided, and it ends where you started at Kleisthenous 7. You also get a take-home 100ml bottle of your choice, which turns the visit from just tasting into a practical souvenir.

Also, you’re not stuck in a huge crowd. With a maximum of 10 travelers, your guide can talk through what you’re tasting and answer questions, instead of rushing everyone along.

Timing and how the two stops actually fit together

This is designed for a half-hour to 40-minute visit, so it plugs nicely into a busy day. Stop 1 is about 10 minutes at Kleisthenous 7, where Nina or Rena meets you and gives you the basics. Stop 2 is the Polykala ShowRoom tasting, roughly 30 minutes, where you learn more and try the liqueurs.

Practically, you should treat it like a tasting session, not a long museum visit. You will get enough information to understand the liqueur “personality,” but you won’t be stuck for hours. If you like fast, guided experiences that still feel personal, this fits.

One logistics note: the showroom hours can be affected by Greek extra bank holiday days. If you arrive right at your time slot and everything looks closed, don’t just wait, ask what your options are, since refunds have been issued in past situations.

Arriving at Kleisthenous 7, the quick intro that sets up the tasting

Your meeting point is Kleisthenous 7, Athina 105 52, Greece, and the tour ends back at the same spot. This is handy if you’re on foot or using public transportation, because you’re not committing to a long transfer.

Stop 1 is short, but it matters. Nina or Rena will be there to tell you about the distillery and the liqueurs being produced. This helps because, when you later taste, you’re not guessing. You understand what the producers are aiming for and what to pay attention to when you smell and sip.

In a small-group setting, that intro can also become a mini Q and A. Guides who speak with family pride tend to make the explanations easier to remember, especially when the tour is time-boxed like this one.

The Polykala ShowRoom tasting, learning how liqueurs are made

Stop 2 is where the core experience happens. You’ll get an explanation of the distillery and how the liqueurs are made, then you taste the sample menu. Admission for the tasting portion is included in what you pay.

Inside the ShowRoom, the vibe is part showroom, part lesson. It’s built for you to look at bottles, listen to the process explanation, and then taste long enough to form opinions. That’s the sweet spot if you are the type who likes to shop, but doesn’t want to be pressured.

Here’s what I think you should expect, based on how this experience is described: you’ll spend most of the time with the guide, not standing around. You’ll be guided through the sample menu, and you’ll have enough context to decide what bottle you want in your free 100ml.

A note about alcohol tasting

The tour includes tasting, so it’s not for everyone. It is not recommended if you have heart problems or other serious medical conditions that could be affected by alcohol.

If you’re unsure, you might want to ask about alternatives before booking. If you do have medical concerns, skip the tasting portion logic and treat it as a shopping visit instead, if that’s possible with the provider on the day.

The sample menu: mastiha, hazelnut, and sour cherry

The tasting menu is built around three flavors, and each one teaches you something different.

Starter: Mastiha liqueur

You’ll try Mastiha liqueur, described as a classic taste with a rich aroma and a crystal-like aspect, tied to the intense character of the unique mastic from the island of Chios. If you’ve had mastiha before, this is a chance to compare it. If you haven’t, it is a good introduction because mastiha is distinct, so you’ll remember it.

Main: Hazelnut liqueur

Next is hazelnut liqueur, with warm hazelnut notes plus spice and oak aromas. This one is a useful “middle step” between bright and dark flavors. It also tends to feel more dessert-like on the palate.

Dessert: Cherry liqueur

Finally, you’ll taste cherry liqueur, made from sour cherries with pure spice aromas. Sour cherry can feel more lively and less syrupy than sweet cherries, so this is a smart ending flavor for people who want something that doesn’t taste heavy.

How to choose your take-home bottle

Because you get to take home a 100ml bottle of your choice, your tasting goal is not to finish everything fast. It’s to identify your favorite profile.

Quick tip that helps: take a breath between samples. Smell, sip, then give your palate a minute. Liqueurs with strong aromatic ingredients like mastic and cherry can blur into each other if you rush.

When you’re ready to choose, go with what you’d actually drink, not what sounds impressive. If you like coffee pairings, you might lean hazelnut. If you want something distinctly Greek, mastiha is the obvious pick. If you like fruit with spice, cherry can be a winner.

Shopping in a tasting-first showroom, what to buy and what to skip

This is not just samples and goodbye. You’ll see plenty of elegant bottles of liqueur available for purchase during your visit. The helpful part is that you’re tasting before you decide, so you’re buying with your own palate, not someone else’s recommendation.

Buy smarter with the 100ml bottle

Since the 100ml bottle is complimentary, I treat it like your baseline choice. If you love it, consider upgrading to a bigger bottle during your visit. If you’re unsure, stick to the free 100ml and decide later once you’ve had time to think.

Don’t overbuy because it feels like a family shop

The guides tend to be warm and welcoming, and you may hear family stories and pride behind the products. That’s part of the charm. It also means it is easy to buy emotionally.

So I suggest a simple rule: choose one bottle to take home today for certain, then decide on extras only if you still feel confident after the tasting.

Portability reality check

You are taking bottles home, so think about how you’ll carry it. A 100ml bottle is manageable, but if you buy multiple full bottles, you’ll want to plan how you’ll pack them safely for travel.

Value check: is $16.87 a good deal for this in Athens?

For $16.87 per person, you’re paying for a short guided visit, the included tasting portion, and a complimentary 100ml take-home bottle you choose yourself. For many people, the math is straightforward, because the bottle alone removes the “is this just a tourist gimmick?” problem.

You also get more than tasting. The tour is meant to explain the distillery and how the liqueurs are made. That small education piece usually makes shopping feel less random.

Is it expensive or cheap compared to other Athens food and drink experiences? It is in the “worth it if you plan to buy a bottle anyway” range. If you never drink liqueur and you hate tasting alcohol, then it is not the right match. But if you like trying flavors and then bringing a bottle home as a souvenir, this is a tidy value.

Also, the English format helps international visitors enjoy the guidance without guessing. Small-group size adds another value layer because you are not swallowed by a crowd.

Who should book this liqueur tasting, and who should pass

This experience is a strong fit for people who want something compact, guided, and practical.

You’ll probably like it if:

• you want to taste mastiha, hazelnut, and sour cherry in one session
• you enjoy buying a souvenir you’ll actually use at home
• you prefer small groups of 10 travelers or fewer
• you need wheelchair and stroller accessibility

You might want to pass or ask questions first if:

• you cannot do alcohol tasting due to medical reasons, especially heart problems or other serious conditions
• you are sensitive to timing issues on holiday days, since opening schedules can shift

And if you’re already looking at Athens distillery or food tours, this one stands out for the take-home component and the fast pace.

Should you book Polykala Distillery?

Book it if you want an Athens stop that is easy to fit into your day and gives you both learning and a souvenir. The 100ml take-home bottle is the clincher, and the tasting menu is curated enough to help you pick a flavor style you genuinely like.

Skip it if alcohol tasting is a hard no for your plans or health, or if you dislike short experiences where the whole point is to choose quickly and move on. Also, on holiday-heavy weeks, it’s smart to stay flexible in case opening hours slip and you need to adjust.

If you do book, arrive at Kleisthenous 7 a few minutes early, go in with curiosity, and use the tasting to decide your take-home bottle, not just to sample and shrug.

FAQ

How long is the Polykala Distillery liqueur tasting?

The experience runs about 30 to 40 minutes total.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $16.87 per person.

Where do I meet the guide, and where does the tour end?

You meet at Kleisthenous 7, Athina 105 52, Greece, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the tour offered in English, and do I need a printed ticket?

Yes, it is offered in English, and you get a mobile ticket.

Is the tasting admission included?

Yes, the tasting portion at Polykala Distillery includes admission.

What liqueurs are included in the sample menu?

The sample menu includes Mastiha liqueur, Hazelnut liqueur, and Cherry liqueur.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is it accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?

Yes, it is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and it is near public transportation.

What refund options do I have if I need to cancel?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.