Athens is a marvellously jumbled city, with a plethora of cool neighbourhoods for visitors to explore. However, if you’re headed to the Greek capital in search of historic walks, picturesque streets and knockout views, make sure you venture into Plaka.
The patch, which curls around the north and west areas of the Acropolis, is a pretty, tangled neighbourhood which has been occupied for a staggering 2,500 hundred years. That’s right – among all this city’s history, Plaka is Athens’s oldest neighbourhood, and it’s a goldmine of ancient sites and neoclassical architecture. While we can hardly describe it as a hidden gem, Plaka’s popularity should not deter you from having a gander along its bougainvillaea-lined streets, so here’s a roundup of the best places to head.
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Top things to do in Plaka
Ogle some classical Greek craftsmanship at the Parthenon
This is a pretty obvious place to recommend, but if you’re spending the day exploring Plaka, paying a visit to the Parthenon is an absolute must. The temple, dedicated to the goddess of wisdom and war Athena, is just one of the ancient structures on the Acropolis, and it was built way back in 447 BC. The structure isn’t just a jaw-dropping example of Greek classical art, but also offers jaw-dropping views of the city.
Snack on some keftedes at Glykis
Food in Plaka doesn’t come cheap, and there are definitely some other neighbourhoods with great affordable options if you’re craving dining out on a budget. There are a couple of spots well worth a sample if you’re caught hungry in Plaka, though. Glykis, a traditional kafenio, is a decent place for some mezze, keftedes (meatballs) and Cretan graviera cheese.
Escape the crowds at the Canellopolous Museum
For a much less crowded experience to ogle some artefacts, the Canellopoulos Museum should be on your radar. Nestled on the north side of the Acropolis (the main museum is on the south side), this museum features a series of Prehistoric, Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic artefacts which Paul and Alexandra Canelloupoulos began collecting in 1920. It’s one of the largest private collections of ancient artefacts in Greece.
Stroll around the cat-prowled streets of Anafiotika
One of the reasons Plaka is so great is that you can get a flavour of the Greek islands without actually having to board a ferry. The cobbled, cat-prowled streets of Anafiotika, a sub-neighbourhood of Plaka on the northeast side of the Acropolis hill, are some of the most scenic in Athens. Higgledy-piggledy alleys are choker-block with white Cycladic-style houses and their quaint terracotta roofs. Head here in the early evening for a tremendous view of the sky as the sun sets.
Shed some light at the Acropolis Museum
Towering over Athens, the Acropolis is a must-see for any visitor to Plaka, but make sure to include the museum in your visit – that’ll help shed some light on the gravity and sheer age of the place. There are collections of finds from the Acropolis slopes, a trail which journeys through artefacts from the 5th century BC to the end of antiquity, and even a bust of Alexander the Great – archeology nerd or not, it’s well worth a pitstop.
Dine like a Greek at Taverna Saita
You’d be a fool to not dine at a traditional Greek taverna during your trip to Athens – the food and the vibes are hard to beat. Will Zorba’s Dance be strumming away in the background? Possibly. Will you be treated to some hearty, lip-smacking, local dishes? If you head to Taverna Saita, definitely. This restaurant is set in a dimly-lit basement and is full of wobbly tables, but you can rely on them to satisfy your hunger. We’d recommend the cod served in garlicky skordalia sauce.
Drink like a local at Brettos
Athens has some great bars, but for a proper, local atmosphere after a day of strolling around Plaka, Brettos should be top of the menu. This place has an enormous selection of liqueurs which are displayed in a rainbow arrangement behind the bar, so head in for a tipple or two to quench your post-sightseeing thirst.
Rest your head at this design-led hotel
If you’re looking for a swish, artistic, design-led place to stay between your days of sightseeing in Athens, look no further than AthensWas, a gorgeous five-star hotel on the city’s marvellous Dionysiou Areopagitou. It brags a stunning rooftop restaurant, a state-of-the-art fitness corner and even suites with Parthenon views.