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Kifissia or Kifisia (also Kephisia or Cephissia; Greek: Κηφισιά, pronounced [cifiˈsça]) is one of the most expensive northern suburbs of Athens, Greece, mainly accessed via Kifissias Avenue, running all the way from central Athens up to Theseos Avenue in the suburb of Nea Erythraia. It has traditionally been home to rich Greek families and major Greek political families.
The municipality Kifisia was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 3 former municipalities, that became municipal units:
- Ekali
- Kifisia
- Nea Erythraia
The municipality has an area of 35.100 km2, the municipal unit 25.937 km2.
In Antiguity Kifisia was a deme of ancient Athens. It was the home of the famous dramatist Menander (circa 342-291 BC).
Kifisia had become a famous retreat of philosophers during the reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian, when the wealthy Herodes Atticus of Marathon, Greece built the Villa Cephisia.
In his Attic Nights, Aulus Gellius describes the unique ambiance of intellectual ferment and aristocratic leisure in an idyllic setting which he created there. It was also the practice of Herodes to provide free instruction in philosophy for selected youths from Athens.
The remains of some of his family funeral monuments lie at the centre of the town in Platonas Square. He also beautified a sanctuary to the Nymphs in the ravine of Kokkinara, in the nearby district of Kefalari.
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