Anafiotika: The small historic quarter with its narrow alleys is perched on the northeast side of the Acropolis, connected to Plaka. It owes its name to the traditional stonemasons who came from the island of Anafi in 1830 and stayed in this neighbourhood when they were working on the palace of Otto (now the Parliament). Walking through the alleyways with whitewashed houses, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a Cycladic island.

8

Plaka: Although always busy with sightseers, the old and stately neighbourhood still has several sophisticated cafes, bistros and restaurants among the more touristy ones. Plaka is home to the monument of Lysicrates, the Roman Forum, the Bath of the Aeres, the Library of Hadrian, and old churches such as that of Agios Nikolaos Ragavas.

The most attractive of Plaka’s squares is Philomousou Etaireia. Around it there are neoclassical buildings, cafes and the pleasant pedestrianised street of Kythathenaion. At number 41 you can pop in to the Vretos bar which has been operating since 1909. The main pedestrian street is Adrianou with dozens of shops – tourist and non-tourist. Opposite the Roman Agora is a particularly pleasant part of Plaka, with cafés, bars and restaurants on stairs and narrow alleyways, such as Tholou, Mnisikleous, and Klepsydra. The main touristic square can be found near the Aereidon Bath.

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Monastiraki / Photo: Unsplash
Monastiraki /Photo: Unsplash

Monastiraki: In 2008, Monistiraki square was completely redesigned. The area is pedestrianised, busy, and full of colour. Head towards Mitropoleos to find some of the city’s most famous souvlaki restaurants. On the southwest side of the square is the entrance of the metro station with its neoclassical facade. The pedestrian street of Hephaestou hosts the Athenian flea market. The street of Adrianou, which ends at Thiseio, and has dozens of shops, cafes and restaurants. It is worth making a trip to Abyssinia Square to visit the antique shops.

Syntagma: The large building that watches over Syntagma Square was built as a palace for the first king of the new Greek state, Otto. Since 1935 it has hosted the Greek Parliament. On the side facing the square is the monument to the Unknown Soldier. The square is large, with a marble fountain at its centre, and it is always crowded. It is also the exit of Athen’s busiest metro station which lies underneath.

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The National Garden/Photo: Marketing Greece
National Garden

The National Garden and the Zappeion: The green oasis of the city centre, the National Garden, embraces the Parliament building and stretches all the way to Zappeion. It was the garden of the palaces of the first royal couple. The impressive Zappeion Palace (1878) was designed by the Danish architect Theophilus Hansen. It is a semi-circular neoclassical building with a Corinthian style façade.

Ermou: A shopper’s paradise, Ermou is the best known retail street in the city centre. In the middle of Ermou, street performers and vendors gather around the 11th century Byzantine Church of Panagia Kapnikarea, built around 1060-1070.

There are many impressive 19th and 20th century buildings to see in the centre of Athens. Among them: the Numismatic Museum, the National Library, the University, the Academy of Athens, the Bank of Greece, the Stathatos Mansion, the Presidential Palace, the complex of the National Technical University of Athens, the Old Parliament, and the National Theatre.