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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 24 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: John Malathronas

Hugging the eastern and northern slopes of the Acropolis is the neighbourhood of ‘Plaka’, the city’s old town heart. This maze of jasmine-scented alleys and colourful neoclassical houses – now protected by a preservation order – has been continuously populated since antiquity.

Strolling through Plaka feels like strolling through a 19th-century film set. Though the area’s tacky souvenir shops and terrible tavernas teem with tourists, the winding lanes and shaded squares, dotted with Byzantine churches and ancient ruins, have retained their charm.

The northern reaches of Plaka are the prettiest. This maze of whitewashed alleys is called Anafiotika, after the islanders from Anafi who built the capital of newly-independent Greece in 1841.

Recommendations

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Brettos

Athens, Central Greece, Greece

Patrons of Brettos bar smile at the camera. The bar behind them is lined with rows of multicoloured bottles up to the ceiling

Pop into Brettos, the oldest distillery in Athens, for a shot of ouzo or mastic liqueur. The cosy interior, lined with multi-coloured bottles and barrels, dates from 1909.

Min age 18

Best for ages 18+

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Yiasemi

Athens, Central Greece, Greece

People sat on steps outside of Yiasemi cafe in Plaka

After a wander around Plaka, unwind with a Greek coffee and lemon cake at Yiasemi (Mnisikleous 23). With tables spilling down whitewashed steps, it’s like escaping to an island. There’s occasional live music on weekends.

Best for ages 13+

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Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: +
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Start from the Akropoli metro station and go north; Plaka is nestled in the eastern and northern foothills of the Acropolis. Adrianou is the main shopping street.

The best way to explore the area is simply to get lost in the meandering lanes, dipping into the little churches, cafes, and museums at your leisure.

When to do it

As with everywhere outdoor attraction in Athens, things heat up in the summer months. The best times to visit are the shoulder seasons (May-June and September-November).

Dusk is a lovely time to roam around. Shops and restaurants stay open late, and the heat of the day starts to wane.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Athens Full Day Private Tour

Athens

Athens Full Day Private Tour
If you are a fan of Greek History and Mythology this is your tour! See all the highlights of Athens and learn everything about the iconic sites, visiting the Acropolis (Parthenon), the Ancient Agora, the Temple of Zeus and the New Acropolis museum, in a private day tour that will be flexible and customized to your needs!

Price: €210

Min age: 0

Rating 4.90 / 5 [1363 ratings]

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Athens Highlights Half Day Private Tour

Athens

Athens Highlights Half Day Private Tour
If you want to visit Athens but have only 5 hours, this is your best option. See the highlights of Athens skipping traffic on a private tour, feeling like a traveler.

Price: €190

Min age: 1

Rating 4.92 / 5 [199 ratings]

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Acropolis monuments, Parthenon and Plaka, Monastiraki walking tour

Athens

Acropolis monuments, Parthenon and Plaka, Monastiraki walking tour
Escape the buzz of downtown Athens and head to Acropolis peaceful hill for a 3.5-hour leisurely-paced walking tour, finishing with a walk to picturesque Plaka! Your expert local guide will introduce you to the gentle hills around Athens’ Acropolis, chatting about the area’s ancient history as you go. Discover the charms of Plaka (Athens’ Old Town), Roman Agora with its archaeological remains, and experience the thousand years old history of Monastiraki square. A leisurely made walking tour when you combine the glorious Acropolis monuments and Parthenon temple with Athens's most picturesque and beautiful neighborhood, the majestic Plaka.

Price: €75

Min age: 0

Rating 4.87 / 5 [161 ratings]

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Half Day Athens Private Tailor-Made City Tour (Skip the line of Acropolis)

Athens

Half Day Athens Private Tailor-Made City Tour (Skip the line of Acropolis)
Whether you want a tour of the highlights of the city of Athens or you want to get under its skin and visit all of the museums and attractions, we can fill the itinerary your way. We offer a customizable private tour that allows you to create an itinerary that perfectly matches your interests and preferences. Our official guide will provide a stress-free travel experience by offering a variety of options for your tour. With our skip-the-line access to the must-see Acropolis, a global symbol of classical spirit and civilization, you won't have to wait in long queues. Additionally, we now offer an extended program that includes an extra three hours of exploration with a visit to the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounio. By choosing the extended option you'll get to enjoy a scenic drive along the Athenian coastline, which includes passing by numerous beaches, a stop at the stunning Lake Vouliagmeni for a photo opportunity and a carte-postale-worthy photo stop next to the temple.

Price: €350

Min age: 0

Rating 4.70 / 5 [130 ratings]

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Private Tour: Athens City Highlights Including the Acropolis of Athens

Athens

Private Tour: Athens City Highlights Including the Acropolis of Athens
Explore Athens with a private guide on a 4-hour tour, and discover the UNESCO-listed Acropolis of Athens, Temple of Zeus, Panathenian Stadium and more! After admiring the downtown city sights, watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Athens National Gardens, and take a walk up the slopes of the city’s famous Acropolis. See the Parthenon and other intriguing monuments, learn about the Greek gods, and visit the Acropolis museum.

Price: €353

Min age: 0

Rating 4.84 / 5 [111 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Athens

Central Greece, Greece

Athens parthenon lit up at night

Antiquities galore, contemporary culture, scintillating nightlife and fantastic food: there’s something for everyone in Greece’s cosmopolitan capital that’s continuously reinventing itself.