Plaka Neighbourhood

Like a village in the city, Athens' charming old town is known as the Neighbourhood of the Gods.

TravelCurious Tip

The streets may be pedestrianized, but don’t presume that everyone plays by the rules – keep an eye out for the occasional speeding motorbike!

Located immediately to the north of the Acropolis, Plaka is the historic heart of Athens. Its proximity to the famous Athenian citadel, and its abundance of religious shrines, have earned it the nickname “Neighbourhood of the Gods”, and you often feel a sense of wonder at this beautiful place as you wander through it.


Lost and Found

Lying on top of and around the ruins of the ancient Athenian agora, Plaka was actually abandoned by its inhabitants during the 1820s because of the fierce battles of the Greek War of Independence being fought against the Ottoman Empire. They soon drifted back, though, and the neigbourhood began to rebuild. These days, Plaka is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, and after spending some time there, the reasons become obvious.


An Easy Pace of Life

Most of the streets in Plaka are pedestrianised, making a stroll through the neighborhood a pleasantly relaxing change from the often hectic avenues in rest of Athens. You can wander beneath hanging flowers, past beautiful old red-roofed houses and towards one of the many street vendors selling delicious plates of traditional Greek food. It’s a great place to unwind with a cold drink and watch the everyday happenings of traditional Athenian life. If you’re after designated attractions, the lovely Byzantine Saint Nicholas Ragavas church is almost a thousand years old, the ruins of the ancient agora are great for a sense of historical perspective, and the exquisite Lysicrates monument is the dramatic ancient centrepiece of Tripodon Street.


Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Athens
Parthenon
Crowning the Acropolis hill, the sublime marble columns of the Parthenon form the most recognisable monument in Athens.
Theatre of Dionysus
One of the earliest preserved theatres in Athens, this space was used during festivals to honour the wine god Dionysus.
Lysicrates Monument
The monument sits on Tripidon Street, the ancient road that led from the city entrance to the theatre and was erected in honour of victory at the Great Dionysia festival.
Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus
On the East of the Erechtheion around 500 BC, the Athenians built the open-air sanctuary of Zeus Polieus, the city protector.
Temple of Rome & Augustus
The Temple was built at the end of the 1st c. BC on the east side next to the Parthenon.
Dionysiou Areopagitou Street
Walk along the pedestrian street of Dionysiou Areopagitou and have magnificent views of the Acropolis.

Related Tours

The Greek Essentials: Private Full-Day Tour of Athens Highlights
If you only have a short amount of time in Athens and want to see as much as possible in one day, this full-day private tour is the perfect option for you! You will visit the Greek Essentials, including Parthenon, Acropolis hill, New Acropolis Museum, the Plaka neighbourhood, the Ancient Greek Agora & the Olympic Stadium.

On your all-inclusive, private full-day tour of Athens you will:

  • Admire the Parthenon’s remarkable design, learn about the uses of Acropolis Hill over the centuries, and cross through Acropolis propylaea gate, as the ancients would have done in procession centuries ago;
  • Enjoy a comprehensive tour of Greece's most iconic archaeological site, including the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Theatre of Dionysus, where classical works by the most famous Greek poets were first performed in the 5th Century B.C.;
  • Walk through the charming Plaka district, with its famed white staircases, cafes and terraces and see the Lysicrates Monument;
  • Admire the Tower of the Winds and Roman Agora and marvel at Hadrian's Library;
  • Explore Ancient Greece's economic and political centre at the Greek Agora;
  • Admire the Temple of Hephaestus, known to be the best-preserved ancient Greek temple in the world, and is even older than the Parthenon;
  • See the Stoa of Attalos, the beautifully reconstructed Ancient Greek Portico, once an ancient shopping mall;
  • See the Parthenon Marbles up close in the New Acropolis Museum on the Museum's top floor, as you admire breathtaking views over the monument itself;
  • End the tour at the famed Olympic Stadium (Panathenaic Stadium), the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble and home to the first modern games in 1896.

With your expert guide, you will discover the city’s most important cultural sites, including the colossal remains of the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis, a UNESCO world heritage site. On the plateau of the Acropolis, you will find the awe-inspiring heights of the Parthenon pillars, gaze on the beautiful female forms of the Caryatid columns, discover some of the earliest theatres known to man and enjoy panoramic views over the city. 

Your guide will explain the central role these monuments, and more, played in classical society and immerse you in the myths and legends of Ancient Greece. You will also wander through the Agora, the heart of classical Athens. Once a bustling marketplace, in these now peaceful ruins you’ll walk in Socrates’ footsteps amongst classic temples and Byzantine churches, learning how Athens became the birthplace of democracy.

On your way to lunch at a place recommended by your local guide, explore bustling Plaka, the oldest district in the city. Sometimes called “the neighbourhood of the gods”, Plaka is known for its winding alleyways and scenic shopping. 

After finishing lunch, escape the heat of the day with a visit to the spectacular (and air-conditioned) New Acropolis Museum. Here you will learn firsthand the artistic wonders that once adorned the monuments of the Acropolis. 

Finally, you will also visit the stunningly marbled Panathenaic Stadium. Constructed for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, this immense structure is a strong reminder of the continuing legacy of ancient Athens in the modern day. 


This tour includes the "combo ticket" that will give you skip-the-line access to the Roman Agora, Kerameikos site & Museum, Lykeion Gymnasium, Hadrian's Library and the Temple of Olympian Zeus during in the 4 days following your tour.
Athens Private Food Tour: Greek Markets & Cretan Cuisine
Dine on Greek food today, and you are feasting on a culmination of thousands of years of history: a fascinating and revealing taste journey of rich, deeply-satisfying flavours. Greeks, it is said, approach food with a mix of passion and nostalgia, inevitably reminiscing about the dishes on which they were raised. On your drool-worthy Greek Food Tour, you will:

  • Enjoy personalised attention of your local expert guide on this private tour
  • Embark on a gastronomic exploration of one of the most delectable food quarters of Athens: Monastiraki
  • Sample delicious Greek produce such as charcuterie, cheeses, dolmadakia
  • Explore authentic Greek foods such as traditional pies loukoumades and gain an insight into rich, local flavours
  • Visit a local food market and taste some Greek olive oil.
  • Walk through the charming Plaka district, with its white staircases, cafe's and terraces and see the Lysicrates Monument
  • Learn how to make a typical Greek starter with a professional chef!
  • Enjoy authentic Cretan cuisine as you sit down to lunch in our favourite local restaurant, well away from the tourist drag. 

With a foodie guide, your Greek Food Tour will explore some of Greece’s finest traditional dishes as well as mouth-watering local specialities. Meet Greek chefs, visit Greek kitchens, and spend time in speciality food stores that tourists rarely discover. 
Athens Famous Landmarks & Hidden Gems: Private Walking Tour
Experience the glorious ancient city of Athens, one of the world’s best-preserved ancient cities, where venturing off the tourist drag is near impossible without a passionate, knowledgeable local guide. Enjoy the major landmarks, the hidden gems and a local coffee and pastry on us! 

On your private walking tour of Athens, you will:

  • Enjoy this fascinating orientation tour of the highlights and hidden gems of Athens with a private guide;
  • See the highlights of the historical centre in a matter of hours, including Athens Cathedral;
  • Explore the shops and bars of the famous Monastiraki area;
  • Watch the Changing of the Guard in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;
  • Enjoy a coffee and traditional Greek pastry at a local bakery;
  • See some of Ancient Greece's most iconic sites, including Hadrian's Library, Arch, and the Roman Agora;
  • Wander through the charming Plaka district, with its white staircases, cafes, and terraces;
  • End your tour outside the legendary Acropolis Museum, where you can continue to explore at your own leisure. 
Named after the goddess Athena, Greece’s capital is one of the world’s oldest cities, with a history spanning over 3,400 years, and human settlements believed to date back to the 11th millennium BC. Today, the city packs a heady punch of fascinating ancient history, and hip, gritty neighbourhoods all overlooked by the iconic Acropolis.

Enjoy meaningful insights from a local Athenian as you wander around the buzzing historic centre. As you explore the famed shopping street, Pandrossou Street, your guide will give you invaluable recommendations for the artisanal shops, and authentic restaurants - many of which are hidden in plain sight. 

On your walking tour, you’ll see several of the city's major attractions, including Hadrian’s Library, the Roman Agora, the Tower of the Winds, and the Lysicrates Monument, and hear their fascinating stories from your guide. You will be taken to one of the oldest bakeries in Athens, where you can enjoy a coffee and a traditional Greek pastry on us - while jotting down more expert recommendations for food! 

Your tour ends in front of the incredible Acropolis Museum - one of the most important museums in the world with art history stretching back 2400 years. It was ranked the 11th best museum in the world, and you are welcome to explore at your own pace. 
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