Plaka, also known as the "Neighborhood of the Gods" is located around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis. This historical neighborhood is popular for its twisting streets, neoclassical architecture and its proximity to Acropolis. Adrianou Street divides this neighbourhood into two areas: the upper level called Ano Plaka, located right under the Acropolis and the lower level called Kato Plaka situated between Syntagma and Monastiraki.

Plaka is built around around the ruins of Ancient Agora of Athens. It used to be the "Turkish quarter of Athens" under Ottoman rule. A fire burned down a large part of the neighborhood in 1884 and since 19th century excavations have been taking place in these area.

Plaka is popular for its restaurants, cafes, Jewelry stores and other tourist shops. Souvenir shopping is interesting yet confusing here as shops are crammed with items. You can shop for hand painted icons, wood carvings and paintings, copies of old taverna and cafe menus and signs and most famously Jewelleries. Gold Jewelries are at lower cost here as labor is cheap.

STREETS OF PLAKA

Kydathineon Street
Pedestrian street connecting Plaka with Acropolis metro and Syntagma metro, via Philellinon street

Highlights

• Frissiras Museum of Contemporary Greek and European Painting: a private collection of contemporary paintings and drawings
• Filomouson Square surrounded by taverns and cafes
• Popular gift shops Brettos (liquor shop) and Cine Paris (movie posters and other interesting stuffs)
• Cine Paris: the best outdoor movie theater in Athen
• The Paparigopoulos House in Kydathineon 27
  Churches: Metamorfosis Kottaki

Adrianou Street
It is the oldest commercial street running North to South from Thesseion towards Hadrian's Arch.

Highlights

• Shops selling Jewelries, Tshirts, beads (komboloi), ashtrays, icons and more
• George Dolkas T-Shirt Shop: selling items licensed by Athens Olympic Committee
• Workshop of Dimitris Koutelieris: makes furniture and art out of dismantled ships, houses and other recycled material
• Byzantino Jewelery Store: Sells 22K jewelry with ancient Greek designs
• Angelo the Ouzo King: Sells varieties of ouzo, a greek liquor
• Eateries: Scholarchion, To Kafeneon, Amalfi, Psaras fish taverna
• St Nicholas Church

Anafiotika
Group of small houses on the slopes of the Acropolis above the Plaka. It lies in northerneast side of the Acropolis hill. This neighnorhood will give you the feel of Greek islands in the heart of the city, with white walls and small spaces, usually with the presence of bougainvillea flowers. This island of ancient houses is pretty picturesque.

Highlights

The Viewpoints: The low walls surrounding the village offers a perfect view of Downtown Athens and its red roof tiled houses. Sunset is the best time to capture photos with red and orange hued clouds from the viewpoints of Anafiotika.

White-washed cubic houses: They are built of stone, brightly painted windows and doors and flat roofs. Roof top patios and gardens adorn few of these houses. Currently there are only 45 houses in Anafiotika.

Churches: Ayio Georgios tou Vrachou (St. George of the Rock) on the southeastern edge of the village and Ayio Symeon Church on the western edge.

ARCHAEOLOGY SITES IN PLAKA

Tower of the Winds: a meteorological station from the first century built by the Syrian Astronomer Andronikos Kyrrhestes.

Museum of Popular Music Instruments: displays about 600 Greek musical instruments from the last 300 years

Platanos Taverna: a popular old restaurant

Doorway of the Medrese: Used as a prison, many Greeks were hung from the platanos tree here

Mosque of Mehmet the Conqueror: Built in the honor of Sultan Mehmet ,a fan of the ancient Greek philosophers

Bath of the Winds: 17th-century hammam (Turkish bath)

Monument to Lysicrates: Displays athletic or choral prize won at an ancient Greek festival

GETTING TO PLAKA

Monastiraki station can be reached by both Metro lines 1 and 3. From Monastiraki, Plaka and Psiri are easily accesible.

Alternately walking from Acropoli station on line 2 to Plaka is also possible.