The Plaka, known as God's district due to its proximity to the Acropolis and its many connected archaeological sites, is the oldest area of Athens, Greece. A beautifully preserved and scenic part of this historic destination and city, it is certainly a must-see for those who have found a vacation rental in Attica and are planning a visit. Made up of picturesque winding lanes, traditional-style houses, wonderful examples of neoclassical architecture, colourful buildings, cute little stores and restaurants, and hanging plants. It is the perfect place to wile away lazy days wandering around, shopping, seeing some sights and taking in the atmosphere of the place.
Plaka is like a labyrinth and you will like get lost in her lanes but that's all part of the charm. Let it happen, get a little lost and just enjoy the experience.! Most of the streets are closed to road traffic, so you can largely walk around freely without a care in the world (though you should still be wary of the motorcycles or delivery trucks that can sometimes zoom by).
Plaka is like a labyrinth and you will like get lost in her lanes but that's all part of the charm. Let it happen, get a little lost and just enjoy the experience.! Most of the streets are closed to road traffic, so you can largely walk around freely without a care in the world (though you should still be wary of the motorcycles or delivery trucks that can sometimes zoom by).
Once you have embraced the spirit of visiting this district, here are the things to keep and eye out for and places you should stop along the way.
1. Tourist shops
So, plenty of these stores will be filled with stuff you don't want but there are some nice gems that can be found along the way that make for great souvenirs. Keep vigilant and you'll be able to find wonderful things like jewellery shops like “Byzantino Jewelery” that sell hand-made original artisan pieces and copies of ancient museum pieces.
2. Museums and galleries
Speaking of museums, there are a few museums and galleries in the area that are worth popping into including the Children's Museum, the Music Museum, the Greek Folk Art Museum, the Jewish Museum and the Frissiras Museum of Contemporary Greek and European Painting, which is the only museum of its kind in Greece and houses a private collection of contemporary graphic works and temporary exhibitions of Greek and European artists inside two beautiful neoclassical buildings.
3. Where To Eat
This is the important part, right? Now that you've been wandering around, you will likely have worked up an appetite! There is a small square surrounded by cafes and restaurants called Platia Filomenon Eterias, known simply as Platia by locals, which is a nice and quiet place to grab a snack or drink and people watch. Cafes on the main roads and around the square are generally a little pricey but not insanely expensive and the atmosphere and views make up for it. Cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating areas are all over and as you walk around waiters and hosts will try and entice you inside. Most places are fine but locals head to the small park-main square on Kydatheneon where there are some great options like the upscale Vyzantino Restaurant.
There are even more things to keep an eye out for as you explore Plaka so be sure to read on to part two of this guide for more highlights!
1. Tourist shops
So, plenty of these stores will be filled with stuff you don't want but there are some nice gems that can be found along the way that make for great souvenirs. Keep vigilant and you'll be able to find wonderful things like jewellery shops like “Byzantino Jewelery” that sell hand-made original artisan pieces and copies of ancient museum pieces.
2. Museums and galleries
Speaking of museums, there are a few museums and galleries in the area that are worth popping into including the Children's Museum, the Music Museum, the Greek Folk Art Museum, the Jewish Museum and the Frissiras Museum of Contemporary Greek and European Painting, which is the only museum of its kind in Greece and houses a private collection of contemporary graphic works and temporary exhibitions of Greek and European artists inside two beautiful neoclassical buildings.
3. Where To Eat
This is the important part, right? Now that you've been wandering around, you will likely have worked up an appetite! There is a small square surrounded by cafes and restaurants called Platia Filomenon Eterias, known simply as Platia by locals, which is a nice and quiet place to grab a snack or drink and people watch. Cafes on the main roads and around the square are generally a little pricey but not insanely expensive and the atmosphere and views make up for it. Cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating areas are all over and as you walk around waiters and hosts will try and entice you inside. Most places are fine but locals head to the small park-main square on Kydatheneon where there are some great options like the upscale Vyzantino Restaurant.
There are even more things to keep an eye out for as you explore Plaka so be sure to read on to part two of this guide for more highlights!
Photo credit: Dawags / CC BY-SA 3.0