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Athens (Attica) | Attica | Athens City

Athens Plaka City Quarter

Located at the foot of the Acropolis rock, on its north and northeastern sides, Plaka is the oldest residential area in the history of modern Athens. Reaching to the edge of the Ancient Agora (as a matter of fact, the whole of the Ancient Agora used to be under the houses of Plaka), having surrounded the Roman Agora, Plaka is a must-see for the visitor. With its humble (or not so humble, having belonged to rich families) houses, tavernas, flea market, Byzantine churches, museums (housed in traditional buildings), the Old University building, and a number of hotels with superb terrace views of the nearby Acropolis, it is the one part of the city that just cannot remain unnoticed! The Plaka district becomes especially colorful during the Carnival weekends, when thousands of youth flood its tiny cobbled streets exchanging jokes and having fun. Unless you try to keep your mouth shut, you'll soon have it filled with confetti!

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Click on any of the pictures to enlarge.

Plaka Houses and Shops

Humble or aristocratic; renovated or collapsing; inhabited or deserted; centrally located or in the back streets; artistic or "kitsch;" equipped with an electric doorbell or a hand knocker; decorated with frescoes or with the sheer polychromy of their merchandise for sale, the Plaka Houses and Shops are here to remind us of a time when living in downtown Athens was a blessing and free from all the modern city nuissances. (Photos by Michael Tziotis)


Athens Plaka

Athens Plaka
Athens View of Plaka Area from the Acropolis

Athens View of Plaka Area from the Acropolis


It is the part of the city nearest the Rock, the one with the tiled roofs.
Part of Plaka Quarter under the Acropolis Rock

Part of Plaka Quarter under the Acropolis Rock


The metal elevator visible by the rock was built in 2005, as a short term solution for people on wheel-chair. A permanent solution to the problem, better assimilated to the environment, is being examined by the authorities.
Traditional House next to the Ancient Agora

Traditional House next to the Ancient Agora
Traditional House right under the Acropolis Rock, not visible but to the right

Traditional House right under the Acropolis Rock, not visible but to the right
Plaka: 10 Polygnotos Street

Plaka: 10 Polygnotos Street


Building housing the Acropolis Monuments Preservation Authorities of the Ministry of Culture
Plaka: 10 Polygnotos Street

Plaka: 10 Polygnotos Street


Southern half of the building, next to the Ancient Agora
Plaka: 10 Polygnotos Street Sign

Plaka: 10 Polygnotos Street Sign


The informative sign about the purpose the building serves
Old House near Monasteraki

Old House near Monasteraki


Ready to collapse but ideal for graffiti
Old House near the Roman Agora

Old House near the Roman Agora


Interesting detail of clay columns around the terrace
House Windows and Balcony Grill

House Windows and Balcony Grill
Plaka House Façade Detail

Plaka House Façade Detail
Another Traditional House in Plaka

Another Traditional House in Plaka
A Couple of Houses by the Roman Agora

A Couple of Houses by the Roman Agora


The metal rods have solved the problem of cars parking right at the entrance of these houses, on the sidewalk!
Plaka House Traditional Entrance

Plaka House Traditional Entrance
Plaka House Traditional Door Knocker

Plaka House Traditional Door Knocker
Plaka Uphill Street

Plaka Uphill Street
Three-storied Building

Three-storied Building
Entrance Detail

Entrance Detail
Plaka House

Plaka House


Please notice the pediment-like detail on the façade.
House Balcony decoration

House Balcony decoration
Of the Lucky Houses, fully renovated

Of the Lucky Houses, fully renovated
Of the unlucky Ones, ready to collapse!

Of the unlucky Ones, ready to collapse!
There are more of them!

There are more of them!
Portrait of Desolation!

Portrait of Desolation!
Look at this Beauty!

Look at this Beauty!
Aghia Philothei Street Building in Plaka

Aghia Philothei Street Building in Plaka
Aghia Philothei Street Building in Plaka, same one as on the previous photo

Aghia Philothei Street Building in Plaka, same one as on the previous photo
Athens Plaka Area

Athens Plaka Area


Lately redesigned, with great areas of the once congested open spaces freed in favor of pedestrians
Athens Plaka Area

Athens Plaka Area


Avyssinia Cafe in the heart of the Flea Market Area
Mnissikleous Street in Plaka

Mnissikleous Street in Plaka
Leatherware shop in Plaka

Leatherware shop in Plaka
Woven Articles and Greek Handicrafts Shop in Plaka

Woven Articles and Greek Handicrafts Shop in Plaka
Art Gallery Shop

Art Gallery Shop
Pavement Merchants in Plaka

Pavement Merchants in Plaka


Mostly people coming from the third world, under constant persecution, try to make a living setting up short-time "shops" with whatever they sell lined up on a blanket! In a continuous hide-and-seek game with the authorities, they are to be found two blocks away in seconds.
Tourist Souvenir Shop in Plaka

Tourist Souvenir Shop in Plaka


Backgammon (tavli) tables, statuettes, postcards, Greek coffee service trays, copies of ancient art masterpieces, you name it. Don't walk away! If nothing is of your liking, you still need a telephone card!
Traveler Items Shop in Plaka

Traveler Items Shop in Plaka
Traveler Items Shop in Plaka

Traveler Items Shop in Plaka
Plaka Street Scene

Plaka Street Scene


We are approaching the Flea Market area
Beautifully Renovated (or Restored!) Buildings Everywhere!

Beautifully Renovated (or Restored!) Buildings Everywhere!
Or Beautifully Painted over with graffiti!

Or Beautifully Painted over with graffiti!
Here is the rest of the composition!

Here is the rest of the composition!
Street Corner Detail

Street Corner Detail
Conversation between two Houses

Conversation between two Houses


What could the renovated house to the left be saying to its old friend to console it for his destiny?
Sunday Fun Ride

Sunday Fun Ride


The municipal battery driven "train" going through the streets of Plaka. It starts at Syntagma Square, drives along the "Archaeological Promenade" past the Herod Atticus Odeon and down to Thission, and it gets back to its starting point going through the streets of Plaka.
Plaka: While having one's coffee, here is an unexpected encounter; the electrical toy train full with visitors.

Plaka: While having one's coffee, here is an unexpected encounter; the electrical toy train full with visitors.
Plaka: The elecrical toy train

Plaka: The elecrical toy train
Plaka: The elecrical toy train

Plaka: The elecrical toy train
An 'Akrokeramon' (Tile-Edge), with which all tiled roofs in Plaka are decorated.

An 'Akrokeramon' (Tile-Edge), with which all tiled roofs in Plaka are decorated.
Plaka: This is a surprisingly different type of roof decoration of unquestionable sensuality!

Plaka: This is a surprisingly different type of roof decoration of unquestionable sensuality!
An unexpected charming decoration detail in Plaka: a water drain in the form of a dragon or snake-head!

An unexpected charming decoration detail in Plaka: a water drain in the form of a dragon or snake-head!
Plaka: Detail of the previous photo

Plaka: Detail of the previous photo
Plaka: Traditional Greek Shadow-Theater Figure Shop

Plaka: Traditional Greek Shadow-Theater Figure Shop
Plaka: Traditional Greek Shadow-Theater Figure Shop (A closer view)

Plaka: Traditional Greek Shadow-Theater Figure Shop (A closer view)
Plaka: Ancient Gods offering their services as House Guardians

Plaka: Ancient Gods offering their services as House Guardians
Plaka Houses

Plaka Houses
Plaka: Coffee-shops in shaded streets

Plaka: Coffee-shops in shaded streets
Plaka: Old buildings

Plaka: Old buildings
Plaka: Imposing Façade with balcony

Plaka: Imposing Façade with balcony


Please pay attention to the carved marble consoles.
Plaka: Same building, different angle

Plaka: Same building, different angle
Plaka: Ionian Center Sign

Plaka: Ionian Center Sign


11, Lysiou Str., Plaka. Lessons in the Greek Language are organised here (Modern and Ancient Greek), as well as in Greek Literature. Seminars for translation from and into Greek are also held here.
Plaka: Yet another picturesque façade.

Plaka: Yet another picturesque façade.
Plaka: Uphill Road under the Acropolis Rock

Plaka: Uphill Road under the Acropolis Rock


In such streets small shops, tavernas and restaurants can be found combining good ambience with a high level of services.
Plaka: Another well-preserved old house

Plaka: Another well-preserved old house
Plaka: Tiny alley-ways

Plaka: Tiny alley-ways
Athens Flea Market in Monastiraki, Plaka

Athens Flea Market in Monastiraki, Plaka
Athens Flea Market in Monastiraki, Plaka

Athens Flea Market in Monastiraki, Plaka
Athens Flea Market in Monastiraki, Plaka

Athens Flea Market in Monastiraki, Plaka
Athens Flea Market in Monastiraki, Plaka

Athens Flea Market in Monastiraki, Plaka
Athens Flea Market in Monastiraki, Plaka

Athens Flea Market in Monastiraki, Plaka

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