Plaka
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.8 miles]
The heart of old Athens, Plaka has an authentic charm with winding lanes, shady squares and atmospheric Byzantine churches.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Best places to stay:
If you want a quiet, central budget hotel, look no further than Athens4, five minutes walk away from Monastiraki station.
It has a young, back-to-basics vibe – no restaurant or spa here – and suits those who want to immerse themselves in the surrounding nightlife. Perhaps surprisingly, it also attracts families because of its large suites and its pet-friendly policy.
This compact hotel is built on the site of an erstwhile cloth factory and the interior decor nods to its history, with vibrant patterned wallpaper.
A colour palette of sunshine yellows, creams and light blues make the rooms appear brighter and larger.
Rooms are all surprisingly quiet given that you’re a stone’s throw away from the extensive Psyrri nightlife area, which brims with restaurants and bars.
The hotel is close to the church of Panagia Chrysospiliotissa, meaning that the bell-ringing may disturb lighter sleepers.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.8 miles]
The heart of old Athens, Plaka has an authentic charm with winding lanes, shady squares and atmospheric Byzantine churches.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.8 miles]
This dazzling ancient citadel, perched on a hilltop rising above the city, houses some of the most impressive ancient buildings in the world. The jewel in the crown is the Pantheon, a 2,500-year-old temple dating back to 438 BC.
Best for ages: 7+ | £9
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[1.1 miles]
A unique and extraordinary 3km pedestrian promenade peppered with world-class antiquities – triumphant arches, ancient amphitheatres, Greek temples, and ‘Socrates’ Prison’.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 3 kilometres
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[1.1 miles]
A jaw-dropping array of antiquities – all the Acropolis’ treasures – in one very modern museum designed by starchitect Bernard Tschumi.
Best for ages: 15+ | £4
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.3 miles]
The closest Athens has to an oriental bazaar; from 10am each day the streets heave with every kind of stall – from antiques to clothes and bric-a-brac – then from 10pm the bars take over, making this the epicentre of Monastiraki’s nightlife.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.5 miles]
Built by Emperor Augustus between 19 and 11 BC, the Forum was Athens’ trade centre, evolving into the city’s administrative hub by 3 BC. The two highlights are the Western Gate and the Tower of Winds, a 39-foot-high clocktower-cum-weathervane with a frieze depicting eight wind deities, thought to be the world’s first meteorological station.
Best for ages: 18+ | £2
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.5 miles]
Athens’ Agora and the adjacent Roman Agora were the centre of the ancient city. The many monuments here include the massive Stoa of Attalos and housing a museum.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.6 miles]
Housed in the restored Stoa (covered walkway) of Attalos, this is probably the second most interesting museum after the Archaeological one; the most intriguing displays are the clay voting tablets with carved names, a reminder of Athenian democracy.
Best for ages: 18+ | £9
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Central Greece, Greece
Antiquities galore, contemporary culture, scintillating nightlife and fantastic food: there’s something for everyone in Greece’s cosmopolitan capital that’s continuously reinventing itself.