Athens Neighborhoods

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The most central neighborhoods of Athens

Psirri — The colorful center of Athens’ nightlife

Psirri, also called Psyri or Psiri, is a vibrant district of Athens that has shed its reputation as a dangerous area and is now considered one of the most exciting neighborhoods in Athens. During the day, you can stroll through the narrow streets and admire the artistic murals on the walls, but it is in the evening that the area truly starts to reveal its character.

Psirri offers one of the most diverse restaurant and bar scenes in Athens, and as the night progresses, the narrow streets fill with people. Thanks to its central location right next to Monastiraki, Psirri is a convenient starting point for exploring the neighborhoods of Athens. However, it’s good to know that the constant hustle and noise at night can be bothersome if you’re looking for accommodation there.

Monastiraki and Syntagma Square — The heart of Athens

Monastiraki neighborhood is the heart of Athens, where it’s bustling all day long. For those who aren’t bothered by the constant hustle and bustle, Monastiraki is the perfect place to stay. There’s a huge selection of restaurants and bars, Athens’ most famous shopping street, Ermou, as well as ancient landmarks like the Roman Agora and Hadrian’s Library.

Due to its central location, Monastiraki is a great starting point for exploring Athens’ most famous sights on foot. The Monastiraki station is one of the city’s most important, providing access to both the airport and the port of Piraeus.

Plaka – Village atmosphere in the heart of the city

Plaka, located at the foot of the Acropolis, is one of the most central districts of Athens, alongside Monastiraki and Psirri. Like many of Athens’ neighborhoods, Plaka has its own unique atmosphere, making it one of the most popular areas for tourists. The narrow streets of Plaka are lined with pottery and jewelry shops as well as small, cozy taverns. The population mostly consists of locals, giving the neighborhood an authentic vibe.

Outside of the high season, Plaka has an almost village-like feel, while during the summer peak season, it is overrun with tourists. For those seeking quieter accommodation, Plaka may not be the best choice.

Thissio

Thissio, a district at the foot of the Acropolis and located next to Psirri and Monastiraki, is one of the most central neighborhoods of Athens. Thissio is mostly a quiet area that is largely populated by locals. However, the closer you get to the metro station of the same name and Apostolou-Pavlou Street, the livelier it becomes, as crowds head toward the Acropolis and Philopappos Hill. Along this street, the restaurant terraces begin to fill up in the afternoon, as it offers a fantastic view of the nearby Acropolis and the Temple of Hephaestus.

Athens neighborhoods within walking distance to the sights

Exárcheia – The rebellious, anarchistic neighborhood

Northeast of Omonia Square lies Exárcheia, historically known as a stronghold of anarchists. Political statements can be seen in the form of murals and banners along the streets. Today, Exárcheia is largely gentrified, and most residents are locals. There are only a few hotels, but many affordable cafés and restaurants.

The anarchism in Exárcheia dates back to the student protests at the Polytechnic in November 1973, when Greece was ruled by a military junta. The students barricaded themselves in the Polytechnic in protest against the junta, and their motto was: Bread, Education, and Freedom. Three days later, the junta crushed the uprising, leading to clashes between citizens and the police across Athens. The exact number of civilian deaths is unknown, but the casualties were certainly in the double digits.

November 17 is a holiday in Greek educational institutions, and demonstrations are traditionally held on this day to commemorate the events of 1973. Over the years, these demonstrations have often led to violent clashes with the police, even resulting in deaths. The last fatality occurred in 2008 during the economic crisis when a policeman shot and killed 15-year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos. His memorial is located at the corner of Mesolongiou and Tzavella Streets.

Omonia

Omonoia or Omonia Square is one of the transportation hubs where you can transfer to metro lines 1 and 2. On the other hand, Omonia Square is conveniently within walking distance of major attractions, as well as the bars and restaurants in Psirri, Exárcheia, or Metaxourgeio. There are many budget hotels around Omonia Square.

However, Omonia Square has a bad reputation because you can come across brothels and drug addicts in the smaller side streets nearby. For this reason, Omonia Square is not the most recommended area for families. In the evening, it's better to stick to the larger streets for safety.

Kolonaki

The Kolonaki district is known as the residence of Athens' celebrities. In the chic restaurants of this elite area, it’s not uncommon to run into an Athenian politician or TV star. Kolonaki is located next to Syntagma Square and is within easy walking distance of Athens’ sights. The neighborhood itself boasts a wide range of bars and restaurants. Kolonaki is also famous for its numerous fashion shops. Due to its cleanliness and safety, it is a popular place for families to stay.

Metaxourgeio / Kerameikos / Gazi

The neighborhoods of Metaxourgeio, Kerameikos, and Gazi, located close to central Athens, are trendy areas that have shed their bad reputation in recent years thanks to extensive clean-up efforts.

For lovers of gritty street culture, Metaxourgeio and Kerameikos are definitely worth a visit. The workshops and factory buildings, surrounded by narrow streets, are increasingly giving way to original cafés. One of the central spots is Avdi Square (Plateia Avdi), whose surrounding restaurants and bars fill up in the evening. The atmospheric bar terraces around Avdi Square come alive in the evening.

Gazi is a livelier place than the previously mentioned neighboring districts. Gazi is located around the Kerameikos metro station, which is considered the heart of the district. The clubs around Kerameikos Station are open until the early morning hours. Gazi is known as the LGBT center of Athens. Between Gazi and Thissio lies Technopolis, an interesting cultural venue worth visiting.

Pagrati

Pagrati, located behind the National Garden, is a laid-back residential area with sloping streets lined by middle-class apartment buildings and trendy cafés, where locals sip their iced coffees in front of their MacBooks.