PLAKA

Plaka owes its name to Arvanites that settled there during the 17th Century and named this area pl(i)aka - meaning old - when it was rather uninhabited.

Ever since then, even though very few buildings maintained their initial form, it has been inhabited continuously - a fact that makes Plaka the oldest area in Athens. It is located under the Sacred Rock of Acropolis, on its northern slope and it is practically surrounded by the streets Mitropoleos, Aiolou and the Vasilissis Amalias Avenue. It is by far the quaintest neighborhood of Athens and a morning stroll there is something more than that: it is becoming familiar with the recent history of the city, a certain sweet flashback to the past, when life was simpler.

Plaka is full of neoclassical buildings - preserved and not - with houses from previous centuries (see on number 27 of Tripodon Street) that give a feeling of a village inside the capital itself. Walking around the area underneath the Sacred Rock, without a doubt one will have the impression that he or she is on an Aegean island. Anafiotika, full of white houses and narrow streets, owe their name to the builders from Anafi that came in 1841 to help with the reconstruction of Athens. In the most tourist streets of Plaka, the variation of the crowd, the items for sale and the offered services reaches its peak on Adrianou, Pandrosou, and Kydathinaion or in any other small street that suddenly appears as you walk around Plaka. On front display are the t-shirts printed with ancient Greek phrases and signs, statues of every kind, restaurants, leather sandals and jewelry, the "outsiders" (sponges from the islands), the helmets and the cafι - targets of sunny mornings.

We would not exaggerate if we mention that one's love for Athens begins in Plaka. Traditional hospitality lives there, inevitably mixed with the essence of commercial exploitation. Under no circumstances should Plaka become a strictly tourist zone. What the residents, shop owners and patrons of the area fear most of all is Plaka's transformation into a museum-like area that would not interest Athenians. This fear is based on the removal of the cultural center during the decade of 1980. Fortunately, the Sunday stroll in Plaka remains for Athenians, even today, one of the most simple and, at the same time, strongest escape from the daily frenetic activities.

HOW TO GET THERE

BY FOOT: From Syntagma Square, follow Filellinon Street and any road you choose to go down on the right will take you into the area of Plaka.

Shopping

COMPENDIUM BOOKSHOP
The shop sells anything from new and used, fiction and nonfiction books in English, mainly to ex-patriots – who seem... more
ZOLOTAS
Boasting two fine boutiques in Athens and one on the Place Saint-Germain dès Prés in Paris, Zolotas has won the... more

Entertainment

CINE PARIS
This outdoor venue allows you to view one of the season´s box office hits, directly under the gaze of the... more
AIGLI VILLAGE COOL
Beautiful outdoor cinema with balcony and tables. Summer Venue.... more

Wellness

NYSY STUDIOS
Their well trained teachers and body therapists invite you to explore a variety of classes and find your own style... more
CRYSTALOTHERAPY
Visit this special cave in the center of Athens and reap the rewards of the energy properties of salt therapy.... more

Gastronomy

KRINOS
Old patisserie with traditional doughnuts and cream pies for customers of every age.... more
BOOZE COOPERATIVA
A neoclassical building that functions as events multi-space. Café, bar, club, exhibitions, live music, theater and seminars... more

Stage Performances

ODEON OF HERODES ATTICUS
Underneath Acropolis, widely known as “Herodeion”, constitutes the permanent home of the Festival of Athens, with capacity of 5000 persons.... more
DORA STRATOU THEATER
From the end of May through to the end of September, visitors can enjoy the dance troop of Dora Stratou... more

Nightlife

USE BAR
Small bar playing mainly black music. Absolute hip hangout, open from nine in the morning for coffee and cold sandwiches,... more
JAMES JOYCE
James Joyce is considered, “a different type of Irish pub.” There, they blend the best of the old with the... more