Neighbourhood guide

Monastiraki: flea market, ancient Agora and the airport metro on one square

Monastiraki is the square below the Acropolis where Metro Lines 1 and 3 meet, with Hadrian's Library, the Ancient Agora and the flea market streets a few minutes away on foot. It suits sightseeing on foot and airport trains from the door; expect crowds day and night and uneven paving.

Last checked October 21, 2026

How far it is

  • Syntagmaabout 11′On foot
  • Acropolis Museumabout 16′On foot
  • The airportabout 42′Metro Line 3
Monastiraki Square in Athens with the Acropolis visible above the historic center.
Context image: WestbrookAdams · source · CC0

In this guide

  • Where to stay in Monastiraki

    Stay in Monastiraki to have Metro Lines 1 and 3, the airport line among them, under the square and the Ancient Agora a short walk away.

    Perianth Hotel · A for Athens · Attalos Hotel · Cecil Hotel

  • Where to eat in Monastiraki

    Eat in Monastiraki at Kostas, the souvlaki shop named after Agia Irini Square, at Diporto, a basement taverna in the market quarter since 1887, or on the A for Athens roof facing the Acropolis.

    A for Athens · Couleur Locale · Baba au Rum · Kostas Agias Irinis · Diporto · Central Market (Varvakios)

  • Things to do in Monastiraki

    Monastiraki's sights are three ticketed ancient sites, a mosque that is now a museum, and the flea market streets, all around the square.

    Ancient Agora · Hadrian's Library · Roman Agora · Tzisdarakis Mosque · Flea market: Ifestou Street and Avissinias Square · Pantanassa church

  • Parking in Monastiraki

    Parking in Monastiraki means a municipal garage north of the square or a covered car park on Ermou.

    Varvakios Market municipal garage · Kotzia Square municipal garage · Parking Monastiraki · Controlled parking zones 5, 6 and 7 (City of Athens)

  • Getting to Monastiraki

    Monastiraki station, under the square, is on Metro Line 3 to the airport and Syntagma and on Line 1 to Piraeus and Thissio.

    Metro Line 3 to the airport · Metro Line 1 to Piraeus and Thissio · X95 airport bus to Syntagma · Taxi from the airport · On foot · Step-free access at Monastiraki station

Map of Monastiraki

Loading the map…Every place on the map is also listed with its address on this page.

This area
1MonastirakiThis area
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PSPsyrriArea guideSYSyntagmaArea guide
Map of MonastirakiColoured dots are the places listed in each section; grey labels are neighbouring areas.

Your line: Metro Line 3

MonastirakiSyntagmaEvangelismosAmbelokipiEthniki Amyna

Monastiraki is on Lines 1 and 3. Syntagma is 2 minutes away on Line 3 and the airport about 42 minutes on trains marked Airport, about every 36 minutes. Check the current STASY timetable before an evening airport trip.

One walk, about an hour

About 1.4 km, 15 to 20 minutes on foot, from Monastiraki Square past Hadrian's Library and the Ancient Agora, back along Ifestou Street, the oldest flea market street in Athens, and up Athinas Street to the Central Market. Allow longer if you go into the sites.

One walk, about an hour — Monastiraki1Monastiraki Square2Hadrian's Library3Ancient Agora entrance4Avissinias Square5Central Market
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
  1. Monastiraki Square The 10th-century Pantanassa church and the Tzisdarakis Mosque, built in 1759, both stand on the square.
  2. Hadrian's Library Inaugurated around AD 132; the entrance is on Areos Street, a short uphill walk from the station.
  3. Ancient Agora entrance The ticket office is on Adrianou Street, the pedestrian street that runs beside the site towards Thissio.
  4. Avissinias Square The heart of the flea market; on Sundays the stalls spread south towards Thissio.
  5. Central Market The Varvakios food market opened in 1884; the fish hall fills the centre of the building.

When it comes alive

  • MorningSome lifeThe first metro trains leave from about 05:15; Hadrian's Library and the Ancient Agora open at 08:00.
  • MiddayBusyThe square and the flea market streets are at their most crowded; keep bags closed on the metro.
  • EveningBusyThe sites close at 18:00 until the end of October and earlier in winter; the square stays busy into the night.
  • LateSome lifeLast Line 1 trains leave around 00:30 to 00:50; Line 3 runs until about 02:00 on Fridays and all night on Saturdays, but not to the airport.

Three to see

  • Ancient Agora The heart of Athenian democracy, with the Temple of Hephaestus, the best-preserved temple of the 5th century BC. €20; open daily.
  • Hadrian's Library Inaugurated around AD 132, with a hundred columns of Phrygian marble around its courtyard. €10, two minutes from the metro.
  • Tzisdarakis Mosque Built in 1759 on the square and now part of the Museum of Modern Greek Culture. €5; closed on Tuesdays.

Food and markets

  • Kostas Agias Irinis A small souvlaki shop at 1 Vassilikis Street, by Agia Irini Square, known for skewered pork and chicken.
  • Diporto A basement taverna by the Central Market, in business since 1887, with a few dishes a day; chickpea soup and retsina are the house specialities.
  • A for Athens A hotel rooftop on Miaouli Street facing the Acropolis, with a breakfast buffet in the morning and cocktails from sunset.

Is it for you?

Good for

Sightseeing on foot, the flea market and arriving or leaving by the airport metro, which stops under the square.

Not for

A quiet stay: the square is crowded day and night, and the paving between Syntagma and Thissio is uneven for wheelchair users.

Sources

Last reviewed October 21, 2026