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!

• Plaka Churches, Museums and Ancient Monuments
• Plaka Houses and Shops

Plaka Houses and Shops

Athens Plaka	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 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 right under the Acropolis Rock, not visible but to the right	Plaka: 10 Polygnotos Street Building housing the Acropolis Monuments Preservation Authorities of the Ministry of Culture
Plaka: 10 Polygnotos Street Southern half of the building, next to the Ancient Agora	Plaka: 10 Polygnotos Street Sign The informative sign about the purpose the building serves
Old House near Monasteraki Ready to collapse but ideal for graffiti	Old House near the Roman Agora Interesting detail of clay columns around the terrace
House Windows and Balcony Grill	Plaka House Façade Detail
Another Traditional House in Plaka	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 Door Knocker
Plaka Uphill Street	Three-storied Building
Entrance Detail	Plaka House Please notice the pediment-like detail on the façade.
House Balcony decoration	Of the Lucky Houses, fully renovated
Of the unlucky Ones, ready to collapse!	There are more of them!
Portrait of Desolation!	Look at this Beauty!
Aghia Philothei Street Building in Plaka	Aghia Philothei Street Building in Plaka, same one as on the previous photo
Athens Plaka Area Lately redesigned, with great areas of the once congested open spaces freed in favor of pedestrians	Athens Plaka Area Avyssinia Cafe in the heart of the Flea Market Area
Mnissikleous Street in Plaka	Leatherware shop in Plaka
Woven Articles and Greek Handicrafts Shop in Plaka	Art Gallery Shop
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 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
Plaka Street Scene We are approaching the Flea Market area	Beautifully Renovated (or Restored!) Buildings Everywhere!
Or Beautifully Painted over with graffiti!	Here is the rest of the composition!
Street Corner Detail	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 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: The elecrical toy train	Plaka: The elecrical toy train
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!
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: Traditional Greek Shadow-Theater Figure Shop	Plaka: Traditional Greek Shadow-Theater Figure Shop (A closer view)
Plaka: Ancient Gods offering their services as House Guardians	Plaka Houses
Plaka: Coffee-shops in shaded streets	Plaka: Old buildings
Plaka: Imposing Façade with balcony Please pay attention to the carved marble consoles.	Plaka: Same building, different angle
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: 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: 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

• Plaka Churches, Museums and Ancient Monuments
• Plaka Houses and Shops