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.

Wellness

GADALA ORIENTAL DANCE STUDIO
The studio is owned by the Greek-Egyptian choreographer/dance teacher, Gadala. Member of The Middle Eastern Dance World Organization (M.E.D.W.OR.).... more
FISH SPA
A most interesting and fashionable concept in the wellness market has become receiving a pedicure by Garra Rufa fishes. This... more

Nightlife

XILIES KAI DUO NICHTES
Performing for Spring season 2010 at this ethnic establishment is Mariastella Tzanoudaki, Fotis Theodoridis & friends. Entrance: 10 Euros. Menu:... more
USE BAR
Small bar playing mainly black music. Absolute hip hangout, open from nine in the morning for coffee and cold sandwiches,... more

Entertainment

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

Stage Performances

DORA STRATOU THEATER
From the end of May through to the end of September, visitors can enjoy the dance troop of Dora Stratou... more
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

Shopping

ARGALIOS
Take home folk art like Byzantine icons as lovely and spiritual keepsakes of Greece.... more
LESVOS SHOP
Authentic traditional products from Lesvos and Limnos from pasta and wines to cosmetics made by the hands of Island’s Association... more

Gastronomy

BOOZE COOPERATIVA
A neoclassical building that functions as events multi-space. Café, bar, club, exhibitions, live music, theater and seminars... more
ARISTON
Has a variety of pies, such as the all-time classic, cheese pie. ... more