Athens is definitely not a city that I am impartial to – it comes right next to Dublin on my list of best European capitals. A combination of modern and antient, it offers historical and cultural sights quite literally on every corner. But to really experience the biggest city in Greece, you have to visit no other place, but Plaka.

Why Plaka?

Plaka is the oldest neighborhood in Athens and nowadays is home to tiny cobble stone streets, jewelry shops, touristic spots and Anafiotika – a true Cycladic island within the capital. It is build over the ancient residential area of the city and is located right under the slopes of Acropolis hill. Its proximity to it brought it the nickname “The Neighborhood of the Gods”.

The best time to visit the area are the hours early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when the temperatures are lower. There is a lot of walking to be done here and some of it is uphill, which might prove challenging in the heat.

The place is a true Paradise for the tourists as it is mostly pedestrian and features numerous tiny souvenir shops where you can find everything from a magnet through hand-made pottery to Antiquity-inspired clothing. Most of them offer similar products on similar prices, but if you have the time to explore you can discover many hidden gems to bring back as gifts.

The cafes and the restaurants in the area bring a truly unique feel, but if you would like to enjoy your dinner to the fullest, I would definitely recommend the rooftop bars with Acropolis view such as Electra Roof Garden. Those might be a bit pricy but are worth the extra euros.

For those, who are interested in museums, Plaka offers the best one in Athens – the Acropolis Museum. Here you can find also the Athens University Museum, the Jewish Museum of Greece, The Museum of Folk Art and many more.

My favorite part of the area to explore is Ano Plaka, which stretches right under the Acropolis and provides amazing views to the entire city.

My Top Three Highlights

1. Acropolis Museum

This is the absolute best museum I`ve visited in Greece so far. Acropolis Museum opened its doors to the public in 2009 and houses all the artefacts found in Acropolis and the surrounding slopes – around 4 250 objects. It is also build on top of an archeological excavation site, that became open for the public in 2019, allowing visitors to walk through an antient Athenian neighborhood that survived from the Classical era to Byzantine times. Another must-see are 5 of the six Caryatids (one is in the British Museum), which are columns, sculptured in the shape of maidens, and kept in the museum for their protection, conservation, and restoration.

The best time to plan a visit is during the August full moon nights, when the museum welcomes guests until midnight and there is no entrance fee. Otherwise it is 15 euros.

2. Anafiotika

You do not need to travel with the ferry to enjoy the island vibes – you can do it right here, in Athens! Often overlooked, Anafiotika is the true hidden gem of the city and also a part of the Plaka neighborhood. Filled with white-washed houses that resemble Cycladic architecture, this scenic area has a unique history. Around 1840, builders from the island of Anafi moved to the Greek capital. They followed the architectural style of the Cyclades, while building their new homes, which can be seen today and makes this place one of the most picturesque locations in Athens.

3. Areopagus Hill

Did you know that the best spot to take pictures with the Parthenon is not inside the Acropolis complex itself? Areopagus hill or the Hill of Ares (God of war) is a bare marble hill, located just across from the entrance of Acropolis. If you would like to avoid the hefty fee to visit the archaeological site, but still see the Parthenon, this is your place! And there is no entrance fees. Be careful though – the steps leading to the top are slippery, especially on rainy days.

Photos: Personal Archive