Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting.

Polykala Distillery gives you a quick, personal look at one of Athens’ old family businesses, followed by a tasting of Greek liqueurs. The best part is the chance to sample mastiha from Chios, a distinctive spirit flavored with the island’s aromatic resin, alongside hazelnut and sour cherry liqueurs.

I like the small group limit of 10, since it leaves room to ask questions instead of standing behind a crowd. I also like the complimentary 100ml bottle, which turns a short tasting into a useful Athens souvenir. The main caution is simple: confirm the opening time before you go, since two bookings were affected by late or unexpected closure problems.

Key points to know before you book

• Taste three different liqueur styles: Mastiha, hazelnut, and sour cherry offer very different flavors.
• Take home a 100ml bottle: You choose one complimentary bottle after the tasting.
• Expect a family-led visit: Nina or Rena may introduce you to the distillery and its products.
• Plan on 30 to 40 minutes: This is a compact stop, not a long production tour.
• Keep the price in perspective: At $16.87 per person, the tasting and take-home bottle make this good value for a short Athens activity.
• Check the schedule carefully: Past opening delays make punctual confirmation worth the effort.

A short taste of Athens’ distilling tradition

Polykala is a practical stop for anyone curious about Greek drinks but short on time. You are not signing up for a full-day food tour or a large factory visit. Instead, you spend roughly half an hour hearing about the family distillery, learning how its liqueurs are made, and tasting several bottles in the showroom.

The experience takes place at Kleisthenous 7 in Athens. You meet there, and you finish at the same address. Since the activity is near public transportation, it can fit neatly between other central Athens plans.

I see the greatest value in the personal format. The distillery dates back 128 years, and the presentation focuses on how the business and recipes have continued through the generations. That family connection gives the tasting more meaning than simply sampling anonymous products from a shop shelf.

The tone appears to be warm and informal. Nina is specifically named as a host, while the meeting details also list Nina or Rena. One past account mentions Anna as an informative and passionate guide, so the host may depend on the day. In any case, expect a family representative rather than a formal museum lecturer.

Meeting Nina or Rena at Kleisthenous 7

Your first stop is the meeting point at Kleisthenous 7, Athina 105 52. The arrival portion is brief, around 10 minutes, and is mainly used to meet your host and get an introduction to the distillery.

This is not a sightseeing stop with a long list of nearby sights. Its value is practical. You get your bearings, meet the person leading the visit, and move into the showroom for the main presentation.

I would allow a little extra time to find the address, especially if you are walking through central Athens. The tour is short, so arriving late could cut into the tasting. The experience is offered in English, and mobile tickets make entry straightforward.

There is one point worth taking seriously. Two customers arrived for morning bookings and found the distillery closed or opening late. In one case, the operator explained that an extra Greek bank holiday had not been reflected in the system. In another, a staff member was delayed by illness and a flat tire. Those problems were addressed with apologies, refunds, or offers to reschedule, but they still show why you should check your confirmation and, if possible, verify the opening time on the day.

Inside the Polykala Distillery showroom

The main visit lasts about 30 minutes. You hear about the distillery, learn how the liqueurs are made, and then taste the products. The setting is a showroom with elegant bottles available for purchase, so you can look over the full range after deciding which flavors suit you.

The presentation is centered on family continuity and ingredients. You should expect an explanation of how the company has kept its methods and standards through generations. This is useful context because the tasting is not just a sequence of sweet samples. Each bottle reflects a different flavor source and style.

The showroom also gives you a chance to buy bottles beyond the complimentary size. That matters if you find a favorite and want to bring it home. Prices for the larger bottles are not supplied here, so ask before buying and check your airline’s current rules for transporting alcohol.

The small group format should work well for questions. With no more than 10 people, you are less likely to be rushed through the explanations. It also makes the visit a better choice for couples, families, or small groups who prefer a conversation rather than a crowded tasting counter.

The tasting menu, from mastiha to cherry

The tasting follows a simple three-part progression. It starts with mastiha, moves to hazelnut, and finishes with cherry. The order gives you a useful contrast between resinous, nutty, and fruit-based flavors.

Mastiha liqueur

Mastiha is made with the distinctive resin of the Greek island of Chios. The liqueur is described as clear, aromatic, and strongly marked by the characteristic flavor of mastic.

This is likely to be the most unusual pour of the three. If you have only tasted familiar fruit or cream liqueurs, mastiha offers something different. Its appeal is less about sweetness and more about its fragrant, slightly pine-like character.

I would pay close attention to this first sample. Starting with the lighter, clear liqueur lets you notice its aroma before the richer hazelnut and cherry flavors arrive. If you enjoy trying regional ingredients, this is the most geographically specific part of the tasting.

Hazelnut liqueur

The hazelnut liqueur brings warmer flavors. It combines hazelnut extracts with spice and oak aromas, making it a fuller and more rounded contrast to mastiha.

This should be the easiest bottle for many people to understand immediately. The nutty profile suggests a gentle, dessert-like drink, but the spice and oak notes give it more character than a simple sweet cordial.

The tasting is a good chance to compare styles before buying. A bottle may look beautiful on the shelf, but you want to know whether you prefer a clear aromatic liqueur or a warmer, heavier flavor. The sample removes some of that guesswork.

Cherry liqueur

The final sample is made with sour cherries and pure spice aromas. It closes the tasting with a fruit-forward option that should appeal to anyone who prefers berry or cherry flavors.

The sour cherry note is important. This is not described as a plain candy-sweet cherry drink. The fruit is paired with spice, giving the liqueur a more balanced finish.

The three samples work well as a compact introduction to the range. You get a regional ingredient, a nut-based drink, and a fruit liqueur without committing to a long tasting session.

Is $16.87 good value?

At $16.87 per person, the price is reasonable for a 30 to 40 minute activity, particularly because it includes a complimentary 100ml bottle. You are paying for the guided introduction, the tasting, and a small product to take home.

The value depends partly on how you use the visit. If you want a full production tour with extensive equipment, warehouses, or a long technical explanation, this will feel brief. If you want an easy introduction to Greek liqueurs with a souvenir included, the format makes sense.

The take-home bottle is not just a minor extra. A 100ml size is manageable for packing and gives you a chance to enjoy the drink later without buying a larger bottle. You can also purchase more elegant bottles in the showroom if you find a flavor worth bringing home for friends or family.

I would place this activity in the good-value category for a short Athens stop. It works especially well when you have a spare hour and want something more specific to Greece than another general shopping visit.

Who will enjoy this tasting most?

This experience suits you if you like local food and drink, family-run businesses, and compact activities that fit around sightseeing. It is also a good choice if you want to learn about Greek ingredients without spending half a day on a formal culinary tour.

Couples and small groups should appreciate the limited capacity. The maximum is 10 people, so you have a better chance of hearing the explanation clearly and speaking with the host.

The visit is wheelchair and stroller accessible, which makes it practical for a wider range of visitors. Most people can take part, but alcohol is involved, so it is not recommended for anyone with heart problems or another serious medical condition who should avoid drinking.

Children can be present only under the limits of the booking conditions and should not be expected to participate in the alcohol tasting. The supplied information does not specify a nonalcoholic alternative, so ask the operator before booking if that matters to your group.

Timing, transport, and a small scheduling warning

The activity starts and ends at Kleisthenous 7. It is near public transportation, but the exact route depends on where you are staying in Athens. Since the tasting itself is short, avoid pairing it with a tight timed reservation immediately afterward.

I would book with the mobile ticket ready and arrive early enough to locate the entrance. The experience is often booked well ahead, with an average advance booking time of about 90 days. That suggests you should reserve early if your Athens dates are fixed, especially if you want a particular time.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The activity may also be canceled if poor weather affects operations or if the minimum number of participants is not reached. In those cases, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

The past opening issues are the one practical weakness I would not ignore. They appear to have been unusual problems, not a stated daily pattern, and the operator offered refunds or alternate visits. Still, a same-day confirmation would be sensible, especially for an early morning booking.

Buying a bottle to take home

The complimentary bottle is 100ml, and you can choose the flavor you prefer. That gives you a useful souvenir without forcing you to carry a large bottle through the rest of your trip.

The showroom also carries attractive bottles for purchase. These may make better gifts than a standard supermarket bottle, though the available prices are not specified. Ask about the size, ingredients, and packing before paying.

If you are flying, check current airline and airport rules for alcohol in checked or hand luggage. The 100ml complimentary bottle is convenient, but airport security rules can vary depending on how you pack it and where you are flying.

My buying advice is to taste first, then decide. Mastiha is the most distinctive choice if you want a bottle tied closely to a Greek ingredient. Hazelnut is the warmer option, while cherry is the clearest choice for a fruit-based drink.

Should you book the Polykala Distillery visit?

I would book this if you want a short, personal introduction to Greek liqueurs and value a souvenir included in the price. The family story, three contrasting samples, and small group setting give the half-hour visit enough substance to justify adding it to an Athens schedule.

I would skip it if you do not drink alcohol, need a long technical tour, or have no spare time around your other plans. I would also avoid making it the centerpiece of a tightly timed morning until you confirm that the showroom will be open.

For most drink-curious visitors, the decision is easy: this is a modestly priced stop with a clear purpose. Taste mastiha, hazelnut, and cherry, learn how a 128-year-old family distillery works, and leave with a small bottle you chose yourself.

FAQ

Where does the Polykala Distillery experience start?

It starts at Kleisthenous 7, Athina 105 52, Greece.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the visit last?

The visit takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes, including the explanation and tasting.

What liqueurs are included in the tasting?

The tasting includes mastiha, hazelnut, and cherry liqueurs.

Do I receive anything to take home?

Yes. You can choose a complimentary 100ml bottle of liqueur.

How many people can join the activity?

The experience has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.