The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Plaka, Attica

February 14, 2022 Giuseppe Pratt

Once known for smog, traffic and tacky architecture, Athens is a city reformed thanks to fortunes brought by the 2004 Summer Olympics. Spotless parks and streets, an ultra-modern subway, new freeways, an accessible airport and all signs in perfect English make the city easily negotiable. Meriting more than a stopover en route to the islands, sophisticated Athens sites include many pillars of Western history, from the Acropolis to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, as well as treasures in the National Archaeological Museum.
Restaurants in Athens

1. Melina Mercouri Monument

Leoforos Vasilisis Amalias 54, Athens 105 58 Greece
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Melina Mercouri Monument

2. Kidathineon Street

Kidathineon Street, Athens Greece
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Kidathineon Street

3. Plaka

Athens 10556 Greece http://www.visitplaka.com/
Excellent
58%
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32%
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8%
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4.5 based on 16,134 reviews

Plaka

Historic neighborhood located at the base of the hill topped by the Acropolis.

Reviewed By megan-woodruff - Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine

This area of town came highly recommended from friends that have visited Athens multiple times. It is full of delicious restaurants, great shopping (touristy stuff and clothes/shoes), and has a very young and hipster-ish vibe. There is plenty to do and see, but it gets pretty crowded and busy, so steer clear if that isn't your scene.

4. Anafiotika

Athens 105 58 Greece
Excellent
70%
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25%
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4.5 based on 1,233 reviews

Anafiotika

Reviewed By MargieD300 - York, United States

I had read about this group of island-like houses and it was a highlight for me to not only find it but explore this small area of only about 45 homes. Part of the Plaka neighborhood set at the "back" side of the Acropolis, it is picturesque! Built in the 18th century by workers from the island of Anafi, there are small, narrow walkways, steep steps, and worth the climb to the top for a beautiful view of Lycabettus Hill, one of the highest points in Athens!

5. Ekklisia Agias Ekaterinis

Chairefondos 10, Athens 105 58 Greece
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4.5 based on 5 reviews

Ekklisia Agias Ekaterinis

Reviewed By RogerL691

We walked past this church on a number of occasions whist walking down Lysikratous to our hotel in Plaka, and we only visited on our last morning in Athens. The church is shielded from the street behind a street kiosk and two columns of a Roman temple upon whose site this small 11th Century church was built. In front of the Church is a small shielded square, The church houses the holy remnants of St. Polydoros of Cyprus, St. Athanassios of Persia, and St. Tryphon to the church and were brought here from Sinai by visiting priests. The interior was typical of an orthodox church and was cool and quiet. There was a small counter selling books, icons, and artefacts and when we visited there was a lady "care taker" on duty. This is a little haven in this part of the city

6. Pandrossou

Pandrossou, Athens 10555 Greece +30 21 0321 9620 [email protected]
Excellent
27%
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4.0 based on 140 reviews

Pandrossou

A touristy street lined with shops and restaurants.

Reviewed By permia

Traffic free and bustling for many hours daily it is a grand stroll from Monastiraki. Our first rendezvous was late afternoon midweek and it was at its busy-ness. Multitudes of shops and outlets offer souvenirs aplenty. Antiques and local craft works we found to be of most interest. Lovely carved wooden gifts are there including those of fine olive wood. Traversing it numerous times, with the last being early on a Sunday as it began to open up, was always enjoyable.

7. Tower of the Winds

Aiolou, Athina 105 55, Grecia, Athens 10555 Greece +30 21 0324 5220 http://www.mixanitouxronou.gr/i-aerides-tis-plakas-o-archeoteros-meteorologikos-stathmos-tou-kosmou-pou-ipologize-ton-kero-ke-tin-ora-pos-glitose-apo-ta-cheria-tou-archeokapilou-elgin
Excellent
30%
Good
45%
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4.0 based on 343 reviews

Tower of the Winds

A graceful stone tower dating back to the first century AD.

Reviewed By permia

It makes for a fabulous sight within the atmospheric centre of the Roman city of antiquity. Ingeniously constructed as a weather vane and water clock around the end of the 2nd century BCE, one of its most arresting features is the sequence of friezes on each octagonal side depicting the eight winds of Greek mythology. Each is shown personified as in their legends. Apeliotes is portrayed as a young man bearing fruit and grain. Lips holds the ornament of a ship's stern as he steers a swift voyage. Stepping inside is to gaze at a marvellous ceiling in stone with triangular lengths culminating in the dome. On the floor is a semblance of the elaborate water clock that was intact until Ottoman times.

8. Institute for Research on Music and Acoustics

105 Adrianou Plaka, Athens 105 58 Greece +30 21 0331 0129 http://www.athensmuseums.net/museum.php?id=19
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

Institute for Research on Music and Acoustics

9. Old Temple of Athena

Theorias 19-21, Athens 105 58 Greece
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

Old Temple of Athena

10. Roman Agora

Polignotou 3, Athens 105 55 Greece +30 21 0324 5220 http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh351.jsp
Excellent
24%
Good
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29%
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4.0 based on 830 reviews

Roman Agora

Reviewed By permia

Passing by the marvellous monumental Gate of Athena Archegetis that was established by contributions from both Augustus and Julius Caesar is to view the impressive expanse of the site. Completed in the last decades BC it served as a market place, in contrast to the Ancient Agora that was a place of political undertakings. Much is well extant including the Agoranomeion that dates from the mid-1st century CE. It is speculated that it may have served as a Basilica for the worship of Emperors. Not far away are the remains of a Basilica, a substantial public building from Hadrian’s reign. It had many functions including the holding of court hearings. A most remarkable edifice is the beautiful Tower of the Winds. Creatively built as a weather vane and water clock, it has fabulous friezes of the eight winds on each octagonal side depicting the eight winds of Greek mythology. These include Apeliotes bearing fruit and grain, Euros Bearded male with a cloak billowing in the wind and Boreas blowing the cold north wind through a large conch shell. From Byzantine times is the grand Fethiye Mosque. It hosts special cultural exhibitions but none was current during our time.

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