Find the Best Things to Do in Plaka
About Plaka
Plaka is the oldest district in Athens, built at the foothill of the Acropolis, with picturesque neoclassical houses and mainly pedestrian streets. Walking uphill through the Anafiotika area, you can enjoy a wonderful view, and many cafes offer a pleasant occasion to rest and cool off. Local food at the many tavernas, in cool gardens or courtyards, shopping for artifacts and souvenirs, visiting the archeological sites like the Tower of Winds or the Lysikrates Monument, make a stroll through this historical neighborhood an interesting and attractive experience. Distances are short, so one morning or afternoon gives you enough time to see almost everything.
See & Do
Main attractions in Plaka are the museums and the archeological sites. The Museum of Greek Folk Art housed in four separate annexes, the less known Athens University Museum on Tholou street, with collections of manuscripts and old photos, the Museum of Musical Instruments on Diogenous street and the recently renovated Museum of Folk Art and Tradition Aggeliki Chatzimichali. Kids will appreciate the Museum of Greek Childrens Art, with works of art by children on Kodrou street and the Hellenic Childrens Museum on Kydathineon, with creative and educational games.
Eat
Restaurants for every occasion abound in Plaka, so depending on the time of day, budget and preference, visitors can choose between the highly recommended Daphne’s, popularErmion, casual gourmet Mono, new Greek cuisine 2mazi, vegetarian Avocado, just to mention a few. Plaka is also well known for traditional Greek tavernas, like the famous Platanos, Diogenis, Elaia and Vakxos, which combine local cuisine with attractive surroundings. For a coffee break Melinas, Miltons, Chandelier, Giasemi, are some of the top choices.
Party
The best places for nightlife in Plaka are the small bars and wine bars, like casual chic Oinoscent on Voulis street where you can sip a glass of cool wine accompanied by a variety of snacks, vividly colored Kimolia art cafe on Yperidou, with jazz and latin music, the traditional historical distillery Vrettos on Kydathineon, with its retro atmosphere. For livelier nights, Hard Rock in Filellinon street is the top place in the area.
Stay
Many hotels are situated in Plaka, which is considered one of the most convenient places to stay when visiting Athens. Close to all the main archeological sites, museums and transport, shops and restaurants, this neighborhood is by far the most popular with visitors. Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels likeElectraPalace, New Hotel and Diamond, to medium priced Hermes and Omiros, to budget hotels like Amazon, Athos, Myrto and many more choices.
Shop
Shopping in Plaka is not only about souvenirs and miniatures of the Acropolis. Apriati on Mitropoleos street has some of the trendiest jewelry in town, and Ippolito near the central square of Plaka sells leather handmade designer handbags. For original bronze artifacts visit Aidinis on Nikis street, or Hellenic Art and Design on Cherefontos street who focus on young designers creating decorative items. Walking down Adrianou street you will see The Seamstress, a surprising shop featuring vintage fashion. Koutelieris studio on Kekropos street designs impressive wooden furniture with elements retrieved from old houses and attracts many visitors and locals with his inspired work.