A liqueur tasting in Athens with a payoff. What makes Polykala Distillery special is the tight, small-group format plus the chance to learn their process and then taste their lineup right in the showroom. I especially like the complimentary 100ml bottle you can choose at the end, and I love how Nina or Rena helps you understand what you are drinking.

You also get real people energy, not a rushed script. Guides talk you through the distillery story and what the liqueurs are built to taste like, and because the group is small (up to 10), there is time for questions as you go.

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

Key things that make this stop worth your time

• Free 100ml bottle to take home (choose your favorite after tasting)
• Small group size (maximum 10) so you get attention, not just a pass-through
• A guided, step-by-step feel: distillery background first, tasting right after
• Signature flavors you can actually name: Mastiha, hazelnut, and sour cherry
• Wheelchair and stroller accessible in the showroom setting
• English-language guide and a mobile ticket for an easy check-in

Polykala Distillery in Athens: what you’re really paying for

At first glance, a 30 to 40 minute liqueur tasting sounds like a quick pit stop. In practice, you are paying for a focused introduction plus the chance to bring something back. The big win is that the free 100ml bottle turns the tasting into a souvenir that matches your taste, not a random store pick.

This is also a good choice if you want Athens flavor without spending half a day in transit. It’s set up as a short walk-and-sip experience in the city, with a mobile ticket and a meeting point at Kleisthenous 7 (Athina 105 52).

Where to meet on Kleisthenous 7 and how the timing flows

You meet at Kleisthenous 7 in Athens, and the tour runs on a tight schedule. One part is about orientation and background, then the main part is the distillery explanation and tasting. Plan for roughly 40 minutes total, since one segment is around 10 minutes and the other is around 30.

The flow matters because you start by hearing what the distillery is about, then you taste with context. If you show up a little early, you’ll have an easier time getting settled before the first guide talk begins.

Stop 1: a quick primer at Kleisthenous 7

The first stop is a short briefing where Nina or Rena is there to guide you. You get an introduction to the distillery and the liqueurs that you will likely be tasting next, which is a smart move for a short experience.

This stop is listed as about 10 minutes, and the admission ticket there is free. The practical upside: it sets your expectations so the tasting feels less random. The tradeoff is that you won’t get a long, museum-style backstory before you start sipping.

Stop 2: inside Polykala’s showroom for the how-it’s-made story

The main event is at the Polykala Distillery showroom. This is where you get the explanation of the distillery and how their liqueurs are made, followed by the tasting itself.

This part is designed to be easy to follow, even if you are not a spirits person. You’ll also get to see the elegant bottles available for purchase, which makes the tasting feel connected to real choices you can take home.

There is another subtle benefit here: because the group is kept small (maximum 10), questions don’t get lost. If you want to know why one flavor tastes different from another, this is the moment to ask.

The tasting menu: Mastiha, hazelnut, and sour cherry

The tasting lineup is built around three distinct flavor directions. That variety makes it easier to decide what you actually like, because you are not stuck sampling only one style of sweetness.

Starter: Mastiha liqueur

You’ll start with Mastiha liqueur, described as a classic taste with rich aroma and a strong signature linked to the mastic from the island of Chios. If you like fragrant, slightly resin-like notes, this is the one to watch.

Mastiha also tends to read as a more aromatic liqueur, so it can feel like a reset for your palate. It’s a good way to start because it gives you a clear scent identity early.

Main: Hazelnut liqueur

Next comes hazelnut liqueur, with warm hazelnut extracts plus distinctive spice and oak aromas. This is the set-up for something more rounded and dessert-adjacent without being a full-on candy flavor.

If you enjoy nutty flavors, coffee-with-cream vibes, or anything that tastes like it belongs with pastries, hazelnut is often the crowd-pleaser. The oak aroma note also helps it feel less one-dimensional.

Dessert: Cherry liqueur

For dessert, the tasting includes cherry liqueur, made with sour cherries, plus pure spice aromas. Sour cherry is a smart choice here because it brings lift and keeps the sweetness from swallowing the flavor.

If you tend to prefer fruity liqueurs that taste grown-up (not just syrupy), cherry is likely to land well. It is also the easiest flavor to imagine pairing with something sweet after dinner.

How the tasting helps you buy smart (including your free 100ml bottle)

The standout deal is that you can take home a complimentary 100ml bottle of your choice. That means you are tasting first, deciding second, and leaving with something that fits your taste profile.

Buying tips that keep you from overthinking it:

• If you can’t pick between two favorites, choose the one that felt most different. Variation is what makes your bottle collection fun later.
• If you want something versatile for guests or simple sipping, pick the flavor that surprised you most during tasting.
• If you’re buying for a specific moment at home (after-dinner, with coffee, or as a dessert sipper), choose the liqueur that matched that mood during the tasting.

The showroom also has plenty of bottles for sale, so you can keep shopping beyond the free bottle if something catches you.

Small-group attention: why it changes the experience

A maximum of 10 travelers is a big deal for a short tour. It turns the tasting into a conversation, not a conveyor belt.

You may hear guide names like Nina, Rena, or Anna referenced in different sessions, but the consistent theme is a warm, straightforward style and a focus on getting you to understand what you’re tasting. In a 30 to 40 minute format, that human pace matters.

This is especially helpful if you want the story behind the flavors, not just the flavor itself. You get enough explanation to make the tasting meaningful.

Accessibility and who this fits best

This experience is wheelchair and stroller accessible, which is reassuring if you’re trying to keep your Athens plans smooth. The setting is a showroom style stop, so you are not dealing with long, tricky walking segments.

Most travelers can participate, but there is one clear limit: it is not recommended for anyone with heart problems or other serious medical conditions to taste alcohol. If that applies to you, skip the tasting portion.

Price and value: is $16.87 a fair deal?

The price is $16.87 per person for an experience that typically runs 30 to 40 minutes. On value alone, you’re getting three things that often cost extra elsewhere: a guided distillery explanation, a structured tasting of multiple liqueurs, and a free 100ml bottle to take home.

That last part is the real pricing equalizer. If you were going to buy at least one bottle anyway, this tasting gives you a guided way to choose it. And since the group is small, you’re also paying for time with the guide, not just samples in passing.

If you’re trying to squeeze in more Athens stops, this is the kind of activity that keeps your day flexible. It also helps that it is near public transportation and uses a mobile ticket for check-in.

One more practical note: this is booked about 90 days in advance on average, so if you’re traveling in a busy season or on specific dates, plan ahead to get the time window you want.

A heads-up for timing: opening hours can get weird

Polykala runs a shop and showroom schedule in a city that can have extra holiday closures. If you are visiting around Greek bank holidays, it’s smart to stay alert to any schedule changes and double-check your start time before you head over.

Even without issues, arrivals can be slightly sensitive because the tour timing is tight. Give yourself a buffer so you are not stressed when you arrive.

Should you book Polykala Distillery?

Book it if you want a short, guided liqueur tasting that ends with a bottle you actually chose. It’s a good fit for food-and-drink travelers, couples, and anyone who likes learning the story behind what they’re tasting without committing to a half-day tour.

Skip it if alcohol tasting is a problem for you medically, or if you hate any situation where the event centers on sampling drinks. If you fall into the first group, this is one of those Athens experiences that feels small in time but satisfying in outcome—especially once you pick your 100ml take-home bottle.

FAQ

How long is the Polykala Distillery liqueur tasting?

The experience runs about 30 to 40 minutes total. Stop 1 is about 10 minutes and Stop 2 is about 30 minutes.

What does it cost?

It costs $16.87 per person.

Where do I meet for the tour?

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

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Do I get a bottle to take home?

Yes. You receive a complimentary 100ml bottle of your choice.

What liqueurs are included in the tasting?

The tasting includes Mastiha liqueur, hazelnut liqueur, and cherry liqueur.

Is it wheelchair and stroller accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund as long as you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.

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