Plaka: Athens’ Historic Heart

Plaka is the oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood in Athens, built directly into the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis. It’s the most visited part of the city — and with good reason. The lanes are genuinely beautiful, the setting is unmatched, and the Acropolis looms overhead from almost every street corner.

What makes Plaka distinctive

The neighborhood’s defining quality is its verticality. Streets climb steeply from Monastiraki Square, narrowing and quieting as they rise toward the Propylaea. The architecture is a mix of Ottoman-era structures, 19th-century neoclassical houses, and Byzantine churches — the 11th-century Kapnikarea church sitting in the middle of Ermou Street being the most striking example of the latter.

Anafiotika, a tiny whitewashed quarter on the upper slopes, was built by craftsmen from the island of Anafi in the 19th century and remains one of the most photographed corners of Athens — a Cycladic village transplanted to the foot of the Acropolis.

Where to eat and drink

Plaka has a reputation for tourist traps, and some streets justify that reputation. The rule of thumb: avoid restaurants displaying multilingual laminated menus and opt instead for the places where you see Athenians eating. Strofi on Rovertou Galli is a reliable mid-range taverna with rooftop Acropolis views. The cafe at the Acropolis Museum serves food well above the usual museum standard.

Practical tips

Plaka is most enjoyable early in the morning before the crowds arrive, or in the evening when the tourist rush thins and the neighborhood becomes genuinely atmospheric. Comfortable shoes with good grip are essential — the marble pavements become slippery when wet. The nearest Metro station is Monastiraki (lines 1 and 3).