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Our Area
Monastiraki is a very historic neighborhood with many neoclassical buildings.
Formerly haunt of men of letters and the arts.
Today the area features many theaters and the National Theatre too.
Psiri
Psiri area can only be compared to an uncut diamond, since it looks a bit worn out on the outside, but hides gem attributes, glittering lights and cultural colours that only the locals know of and can pinpoint you to.
The area is very safe and accessible by public transportation and has now become one of the most fashionable and trendy choices in the center of Athens regarding hotel accommodation, entertainment and food & beverage hospitality. In Psiri you can find a large variety of restaurants, taverns, café, patisseries and bars for every taste and mood.
Especially if you wish to try local dishes, there are plenty of casual Greek taverns and restaurants to choose from; some of them even indulging your senses further with great roof gardens offering Acropolis view, live nights with traditional Greek music and other happenings. Been the original area of craftsmen and artisans for decades, Psiri is now also a known meeting point for artists and antiquers since there are plenty of theaters as well as several art galleries in the area.
Plaka
Plaka is the old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis and incorporating labyrinthine streets and vast neoclassical architecture. Ancient stands and pillars are lit and ever present to remind all that it is indeed a very old and significant ground they tread on.
Plaka is built on top of the residential areas of the ancient town of Athens, crowning them with its atmosphere of antiquity. It is known as the “Neighbourhood of the Gods” due to its proximity to the Acropolis and its many archaeological sites. Plaka is the best place in Athens to enjoy a cup of coffee or do a little souvenir shopping.
Monastiraki
Monastiraki means “the little monastery” due to the 10th century monastery dominating the square. It is an open flea market neighborhood in the old town of Athens and is one of the principal shopping districts of Athens; a real bargain on its own right.
The area is home to different shops ranging from clothingmonastiraki_athens and apparel boutiques to souvenirs and antiques and is a major tourist attraction for money-for-value shopping as well as a very popular local tavern point, especially on the small pedestrian Adrianou street that connects Monastiraki with Thisio. In Monastiraki you will also find the entrances to the Ancient and Roman Agoras of Athens.
At the colorfully stone-paved Monastiraki square, you will find the Metro station that can either take you to the port of Piraeus (line 1) or directly to the airport (line 3).
Thisio
The name of Thisio comes from the ancient times and derives from the Temple of Hephaestus, also known as Thisio (pronounced [θiˈsio]), as it was, in earlier times, mistakenly considered a Temple of Theseus due to the artful engravings depicting the adventures of Theseus on the fascias of the temple.
It homes very significant archeological sites, such as the Ancient Agora. Thisio is a famous meeting point in the city center.
Its promenades are beautiful to walk and are full of cafés, bars and taverns. At Thisio, you can also find Cine Thisio, which is an open air cinema with view to the Acropolis, open during the summer and was voted one of the world’s best by CNN Go travel website.
Keramikos
Keramikos is the Greek word for “ceramic” the matterial used for pottery.
The “Inner Kerameikos” was the former “potters’ quarter” within the city and “Outer Kerameikos” covers the cemetery and also the public graveyard just outside the city walls, where Pericles delivered his famous funeral oration in 431 BC.
Acropolis
The Acropolis is the hill and major citadel on which, along with other architectural mastrpieces of the antiquity, one of the most significant ancient building stands, The Parthenon.
The Parthenon was built in the 5th century B.C. and part of it still exists today. It was a temple dedicated to the ancient Greek goddess Athina.
Acropolis means “Edge of the city” and almost every city had one in ancient times for strategic reasons, so that the enemy was seen from far away. It is also called the “Sacred Rock”.
Just take the pedestrian road Apostolou Pavlou Street walking through Thisio and its café bars and enjoy the scenery; as you get closer so does the Acropolis. The Acropolis is open everyday and there are a few National Holidays where the entrance is free.
Ancient Agora
More than twenty major buildings expanding on the foot of the Acropolis, form the Ancient Agora of Athens. The Agora was back then, the central area of Athens where political issues, commercial and social activities took place and unfolded. It was where the city council members used to meet and discuss a great number of issues.
It was also the center for religious & cultural affairs. The Agora of Athens was the home of the Athenian courts as well as a residential and burial area. It was said that if anyone was in Agora at the time of a trial, he would be forced by law to become a juror.
To enter, you can use the combined ticket from the Acropolis since the ticket grants you the entrance in 5 different major historical sites in Athens.