Plaka and Anafiotika (must see)
Plaka is one of the most – if not the most – beautiful neighborhoods in Athens. It lies off Acropolis Hill and is filled with 19th and 20th century mansions, many of which are listed for historical preservation. The cobblestone alleys are lined with houses that are decorated with fuchsia bougainvilleas and other sorts of plants and flowers. Plaka really looks like a village in the middle of Athens! In Plaka you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafés and, of course, plenty of people! It is a popular destination for both tourists and locals, who visit it both during the day and night.
There’s also a small neighborhood in “Plaka Village” that looks similar to those of Cycladic islands! The houses are cubic in shape and are white-washed. The shutters and doors are blue or green, calling to mind the sea. This small neighborhood, called Anafiotika, was built at the end of the 19th century to resemble the homes of Anafi, an island in the Cyclades, which is also where the neighborhood’s name originates.
Reason to go
It feels weird explaining why someone should go to Plaka! One could argue that Plaka is the heart of Athens, so if you didn’t visit it, it would be as if you hadn’t really seen the city! Plaka has been inhabited since ancient times and I find this unique and inspiring! There, you walk along some of the same streets where ancient Athenians once lived, shopped, and worked. From most parts of Plaka, you get a view of where ancient Greeks gathered to pay respect to their gods: the astonishing Parthenon temple on Acropolis Hill.
This travel-back-in-time feeling is also facilitated by the fact that Plaka is actually quite similar to a village. In most areas, cars are not permitted and most streets are actually narrow alleys, plenty of which have wide stairs (the ones constructed for donkeys). This creates a calm and relaxing atmosphere, yet Plaka is lively due to its many visitors. You cannot hear noise from traffic, but you can hear people chatting as they stroll up and down the streets, or laughing as they drink some ouzo. Every now and then a bouzouki tune will come from a taverna or some lounge background music will drift from one of the several cafés that are scattered around.
Walking around Plaka – what you should not miss:
Streets of Plaka:
A street that’s impossible to miss, as it’s the main street of Plaka, is Adrianou, which is filled with shops that sell souvenirs and more. Then there’s a series of really picturesque streets and alleys that lie east of Adrianou street, towards the Parthenon.
You should definitely spend some time walking Mnisikleous Street, Tripodon Street, colorful Lysiou Street and Thrasivoulou Street as they are really gorgeous!
Anafiotika district:
Anafiotika is a very unique neighborhood in Plaka. It looks like a Cycladic island and takes its name from Anafi which is a tiny island next to Santorini. These white-washed, cute little houses were built by Anafi locals who tried to recreate their hometown when they migrated to Athens at the end of the 19th century. They were builders who had been invited by King Othon in 1840 to help build his new Athens palace (which is opposite Syntagma Square and has hosted Greek parliament since 1929). Their small neighborhood today numbers 60 houses, of which 45 are still inhabited! Out of these, a few are artists’ workshops and the rest actual homes! I love imagining how it would feel to live in one of those houses, on the Acropolis Hill so close to the Parthenon and with such an amazing panoramic view of Athens!
You will not run into Anafiotika, unless you actively search for it. I recommend taking the stairs that start right after the chapel of Saint George, at the end of Stratonos Street. Stratonos Street is at the end of Thrasillou Street. If you’re there before you start your stroll in Anafiotika, you can walk a bit farther down to Panos & Theorias Streets and enjoy one of the best views of Athens and of Lycabettus Hill that lies opposite! The exact location, in case you get confused, is here.
You should visit Anafiotika during the day, since the stairs and passageways are difficult to navigate in the limited street light. Plaka, on the other hand, is really nice both during the day and the evening when it can be really romantic! If you’re in Anafiotika and Plaka, there’s a nice path that leads to the Thision neighborhood and Apostolou Pavlou Pedestrian Street, called Polignotou Pedestrian Street. It starts from the Melina Merkouri Museum and on your right hand you’ll have a nice view of the Ancient Agora as you walk next to it.
Points of Interest in Plaka You Should Not Miss:
•Tower of Winds – A marble clock tower constructed in the 2nd century B.C. in the ruins of an ancient Roman Agora.
•Ancient Agora of Athens – The ancient market located a bit further from Areopagus Hill and Acropolis Hill, where you’ll be able to admire the temple of Hephaestus and plenty of other interesting sites.
•Stoa of Attalos – A replica of an ancient shopping mall (covered market), which was reconstructed in 1952-1956. If not the first, it is one of the first shopping malls in the world. The entrance to the site is on Adrianou Street (number 24) in Monastiraki and today it hosts the Ancient Agora Museum.
My favorite cafés and restaurants in Plaka:
•Giasemi – On beautiful Mnisikleous Alley. You can visit it at any time, though personally I prefer visiting it during the evening as it’s so romantic! It’s a nice spot for coffee or wine and they also serve small snacks. They specialize in traditional sweets (i.e. karidopita, a sweet pie with walnuts).
•Pano Dioskouroi – It’s best to visit during the day but mostly during sunset, as it has an amazing view of Areopagus Hill. It’s a good spot for a coffee or a beer.
•Brettos – One of the oldest bars and distilleries in Europe (since 1909). It offers ouzo, brandy and more than 20 liquor flavors. It also has a nice wine list if you’re not into spirits. It attracts a lot of tourists, but also some locals. I find the atmosphere very friendly and, if you sit at the bar table that’s in the middle of the room, it’s quite possible that you’ll get to know the people sitting next to you. Website
•Fine Arts Café – Although it’s a café owned by the University of Fine Arts for its alumni, anyone can visit Fine Arts Café. It’s hosted in a restored building and it has a really beautiful yard. As it’s not a traditional café, its hours are not very predictable. It has student prices. Location
•Melina – A very classic café that has been around for quite some time. Facebook Page
•Klepsidra – Located on the beautiful Klepsidra Street. Very picturesque! Facebook Page
•Glukus – Also a classic choice. It’s a traditional “kafenio” – coffee place – located in a calm square at the beginning of Plaka, close to Monastiraki. It’s a nice place to visit if it’s a bit hot and busy in downtown Athens. Website
