Navigate Athens' Neighborhoods: A Guide to the City's Heartbeats

So you’re in Athens! Start your day with a Frappe from one of the white-washed tavernas of Plaka, savour old-time theatricals at Cine Paris with a breathtaking view of Acropolis until the tunes from the faraway Ermou invites you to tango with a bunch of Greek locals as part of their Street Milango party. And did I mention this is not even half of Athens? Here is a guide to what lies beyond that — the best neighbourhoods to visit on your trip to Greece.

Plaka

A rustic village vibe ensues, as you set to wander the narrow streets of Plaka dotted with lively tavernas and polychromatic homes. Adore the Frissiras Museum for its inside-out artistry, head to Anafiotika that best reflects Cycladic architecture and in the evening, settle down in a cafe for the mandatory Frappuccino.

Syntagma

Syntagma square is the administrative hub of Athens and undeniably the place of significant political evolutions in the past decade. One of the must-do things in Syntagma is to watch the switching of presidential guards in the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Kolonaki

It seems the idea of Kolonaki is to keep architecture lovers and fashionistas on their heels. If you are one, do not miss Kolonaki! Shop the luxury boutiques, eye what’s in store at the Zoumboulakis Gallery and the other art exhibits, and end your explorations with a hike up the Lycabettus hill if you prefer to be by yourself.

Monastiraki

A flea market that offers everything that you’d find in a Greek household — decoratives, handicrafts, clothing, accessories and, well, you get the idea! Have a look at the Museum of Islamic Art to learn Greek culture. But if shopping is what you came for(not judging!), stroll the alleys packing a bunch of souvenirs from there — you will only worry you didn’t buy more!

Psirri

Psirri is a quaint neighbourhood where old-time charm meets modern. While you’re there, immortalize the graffiti-tainted walls in pictures, treat your sweet tooth with Greek pastries from the famous Little Kook restaurant, and WAIT! Don’t leave Psirri yet. For what Psirri stashes are its lively nightlife scenes featuring music, locals, lights and life! You don’t wanna miss that, do you?

Gazi

Gazi is a strikingly modern facade of the otherwise ancient Athens. The open-air restaurants buzzing with social life, Beth Shalom Synagogue that sports Neoclassical and Greek Revival architecture alike, bohemian bars that are irresistible, are what make this formerly abandoned place a super trendy neighbourhood it is now.

Exarcheia

There’s a place in Athens that served as the muse for artists, poets, writers and composers of archaic Greece and it is Exarcheia for you! Unapologetically unconventional yet deep-seated in culture is Exarcheia best described in one line. Start with visiting the National Museum of Archaeology and dine on a sumptuous Greek lunch in the restaurants of Rafifi or Rozalia. For a perfect night out, you need not even try! Follow the tunes of Vintage Bazouki or contemporary Rebetika and you will wind up in a bohemian-yet-trendy underground bar to dance the night away.

Koukaki

Probably no one would’ve noticed a modest little neighbourhood tucked southwest of Makrygianni while they’re busy en route the famous Acropolis citadel. And that’s precisely why you should visit Koukaki, one of the best-kept secrets of Athens. Stay in a hotel situated atop the Filopappou Hill that comes with a view of the Acropolis, watch an independent movie at Mikrokosmos. Go back and nestle yourself at night with the peace of having done your Athens trip right…

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Akshaya Devi

226 Posts Published.

Scared of driving in Chennai traffic but also planning a solo bike trip to Ladakh. Don't be surprised if you find me all hyper, someone somewhere in the world must've misquoted Martin Scorcese or justified a bad coffee saying "C'mon, coffee is coffee".

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