Ice cream is a favourite dessert almost all over the planet, regardless of the ingredients used and the preparation method. A summer stroll through the centre of Athens, Greece’s capital, is ideal with an ice cream in hand. Although there are dozens of places that serve ice cream in downtown Athens, we will try to single out five places that really make a difference.

Django: Having had a successful course in Syros since 2016, the Django team opened its first store in Athens, specifically in Koukaki, in order to serve its unique ice cream in Athens as well. The secret to Django’s tasty ice cream lies in the excellent raw materials and always fresh ingredients. Even the milk is fresh and organic and comes from a specific farm. The workshop in the store it is open and customers can witness the ice cream making process. You can find some interesting flavours here, such as fresh Aegina pistachio or chocolate sorbet with chili. (Veikou 15, Koukaki)

Le Greche: The passion of one woman for Italian gelato was the reason this unique place was established in the centre of Athens. The variety is not very big but the ingredients are fresh and carefully chosen. Traditional Greek products (like oranges from Lakonia, figs from Kalamata and Corinthian raisins) are used as the base for traditional Italian recipes. If you want to try something different try the wonderful gelato sandwiches. (Mitropoleos 16, Syntagma)

Dickie Dee: Another unique and elegant place for ice cream in the city centre. Here you could taste perfect soft ice cream, made with four basic ingredients : fresh milk (without eggs or vanilla), vegan chocolate, rose and green peanut from Sicily. You could accompany your cone with a “cloud” of cotton candy and various toppings like candies, caramelized popcorn and grated biscuit. Also you could try one of the dickie cups, excellent pastries based on ice cream. Our favourite cup is pavlova with fresh milk ice cream and strawberries. (Voulis 23, Syntagma)

Iceroll: Taking the idea after a trip to Thailand, where at street stalls, ice cream is made right in front of your eyes on a frozen surface, its founders launched Iceroll in 2017. The process of making ice cream is unique. The fresh milk and the ingredients of your choice (fruit, cookies, chocolates, etc.) are placed on a frozen surface and the employee, with skillful movements, transforms the mixture into a fresh and delicious ice cream without the addition of any preservative or other artificial additive. Many have subsequently copied the idea, but Iceroll remains the best. A cup of Iceroll from their shop in Monastiraki Square with the view of the Acropolis in the background is, on its own, a complete experience. (Athinas 2, Monastiraki)

Coco’s : Beloved by tourists and very popular among locals, this ice cream parlour is the best choice if you are wandering along the streets of Plaka. The variety of tastes is endless and one visit here is never enough. Apart from the quality ice cream, this place serves also perfect waffles. A knowledge its owners brought with them when they came to Greece from Belgium and established this now classic place in the centre of Plaka. (Kydathinaion 26, Plaka)

So get your favourite flavour of ice cream and wander through the picturesque city centre streets. Don’t worry if you get lost in the city’s flavours and sights; the city has a surprise for you that will make your walk unforgettable.

[Photo at the top by StockSnap on Pixabay]