City

Plaka

Plaka is the Old Town of Athens, situated on the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis. Narrow alleys, neoclassical townhouses, and small Byzantine churches characterize the district, which stretches between Syntagma and Monastiraki.

Location and CharacterThe Plaka lies directly beneath the northern and eastern flanks of the Acropolis and is the city's oldest continuously inhabited district. Adrianou Street, the quarter's longest lane, separates Upper Plaka, with its island-like Anafiotika neighbourhood, from Lower Plaka between Syntagma and Monastiraki.What to ExpectAmong 19th-century neoclassical houses stand ancient monuments like the Monument of Lysicrates and the Tower of the Winds. Along Kydathineon Street and around Adrianou, tavernas, cafés, and souvenir shops line up. Several small museums, including the Museum of Greek Folk Art, showcase everyday culture and handicrafts. Large parts of the district are pedestrian zones and are easily explored on foot.

The Plaka stretches from the northern slope of the Acropolis to Ermou Street and Syntagma Square. In the lower part, around Kydathineon and Adrianou Streets, are most of the tavernas and shops; further up, the island settlement of Anafiotika, with its white houses, clings to the rock.

Sights in Plaka

Discover the most important sights and attractions

Lysikrates Monument

The round marble monument was erected by the choragic sponsor Lysikrates in 335/334 BC, after his boys' choir won at the Dionysia. It is considered the earliest example of the use of the Corinthian order on the exterior of a building; originally, the bronze victory tripod stood on its roof. From the 17th century, it belonged to a Capuchin monastery and served as its library. Lord Byron resided there during his second stay in Greece. The monastery burned down in 1821, and the monument itself was restored between 1876 and 1887.

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Tower of the Winds (Roman Agora)

The octagonal marble tower on the edge of the Roman Agora was built around 50 BC according to the plans of the astronomer Andronikos of Kyrrhos. It combined a water clock, eight sundials on its exterior, and a weather vane on the roof, while reliefs in the upper section depict the eight wind gods. This approximately twelve-meter-high structure is almost completely preserved and is considered the only surviving clock tower of classical antiquity. You can visit the surrounding ruins of the Roman Agora with the archaeological sites' combination ticket.

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George E. Koronaios / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Agios Nikolaos Rangavas

Small Byzantine church in Upper Plaka, at the ascent to the Anafiotika district. The 11th-century building bears the name of the Rangavis family, who lived in the neighbourhood, and has been extended multiple times. To this day, the church serves as the parish church of the district.

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Restaurants in Plaka

Psaras Tavern

Traditional tavern in the upper part of Plaka, below the Acropolis. Greek cuisine is served in two old stone houses or on a large, tree-shaded terrace that extends over the district's stepped alleyways.

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Scholarhio

Traditional restaurant on Tripodon Street in Plaka, serving classic Greek dishes and Greek wines. Enjoy your meal in the quaintly furnished interior or on the covered terrace.

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Daphne's

Restaurant on Plaka's southern edge offering classic and modern Mediterranean cuisine. Its rooms are frescoed, complemented by a courtyard and garden.

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Geros tou Moria

Rustic restaurant in Upper Plaka with traditional Greek cuisine. The interiors feature murals, outside you sit under grapevines.

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Food & Drink

In Plaka, you primarily eat in classic taverns that set their tables on terraces, stepped streets, and in courtyards. The menus feature the staples of Greek home cooking, from Mezedes to oven-baked stews.

Mezedes and Ouzo

Small plates like Tzatziki, Taramosalata, fried sardines, or Keftedes are ordered for sharing. To go with it, you drink Ouzo or Tsipouro, usually diluted with water and ice.

Magirefta

These are the pre-cooked stewed and oven-baked dishes such as Moussaka, Pastitsio, Gemista, or Stifado. In many tavernas in Plaka, they are ready at lunchtime in the display case; you choose directly at the counter.

Classic Greek Coffee

The Moka, boiled in a small pot (briki), is served unfiltered, with the grounds remaining in the cup. You order it sketo (without sugar), metrio (medium sweet) or glyko (sweet).

History and Culture

Ancient RootsThe street layout of Plaka partly dates back to antiquity: Tripodon Street follows the course of the ancient Street of the Tripods, where victorious choir leaders displayed their prize tripods. The Lysicrates Monument of 335/334 BC is the last surviving of these victory monuments.Ottoman and Modern Greek EraIn Ottoman times, Plaka was the city's residential quarter; after independence, many neoclassical houses were built here. The Anafiotika district was built in the 19th century by craftsmen from the Cycladic island of Anafi in the style of their homeland, with white cubic houses and narrow stairways.Churches and MuseumsByzantine churches like Agios Nikolaos Rangavas stand among the residential buildings. The Museum of Greek Folk Art on Kydathineon Street and the Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments document crafts, costumes, and musical traditions.

Exploring in the Plaka

Getting ThereThe metro stations Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Akropoli are located on the district's edge; from any, Plaka is just a few minutes' walk away.On FootMost alleys are closed to car traffic or traffic-calmed. Upper Plaka and Anafiotika are steep and accessed via stairs; comfortable shoes are helpful. Via the Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian street, you arrive directly at the entrance to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.