Neighbourhood guide

Plaka: the old quarter under the Acropolis, from Anafiotika to the Roman Agora

Plaka is the old quarter at the foot of the Acropolis, running from Filomousou Square down to Monastiraki, with Anafiotika and the Roman Agora inside it. It suits a first trip built around walking to the sites, but expect crowds and souvenir shops on the main streets.

Last checked October 21, 2026

How far it is

  • Syntagmaabout 9′On foot
  • Acropolis Museumabout 8′On foot
  • The airportabout 48′Metro Line 3 and a 9-minute walk
A pedestrian street in Plaka, Athens, lined with low buildings and cafe tables.
Context image: JFKennedy at English Wikipedia · source · Public domain

In this guide

  • Where to stay in Plaka

    Stay in Plaka at the five-star Electra Palace on Nikodimou, the Central Hotel on Apollonos or the Adrian Hotel on Adrianou, all a walk from the Acropolis slopes.

    Electra Palace Athens · Central Hotel · Adrian Hotel

  • Where to eat in Plaka

    Eat and drink in Plaka at Brettos, a bar and liquor shop on Kydathineon since 1909, at the Platanos taverna on Diogenous, or on two hotel roofs that face the Acropolis.

    Brettos · Electra Palace Athens · Thea Terrace, Central Hotel · Platanos · Klepsidra · Glykis

  • Things to do in Plaka

    Plaka's sights are the Roman Agora with the Tower of the Winds (€10; 08:00–15:00 in winter), the Bath House of the Winds on Kyrristou (€5; closed on Tuesdays) and the island-style houses of Anafiotika.

    Roman Agora and Tower of the Winds · Bath House of the Winds · Anafiotika · Monument of Lysicrates · Agios Nikolaos Ragavas · Benizelos Mansion

  • Parking in Plaka

    Parking in Plaka means a car park: the quarter is City of Athens controlled-parking zone 7, where visitors may use the white bays for three hours at most.

    Plaka Old Town Parking · MetroPark · Parking Syntagma (Aegean) · Automedon Park · Controlled parking zone 7, Plaka (City of Athens)

  • Getting to Plaka

    Getting to Plaka means a short walk from one of three metro stations: Syntagma (Lines 2 and 3), about 9 minutes away; Monastiraki (Lines 1 and 3), where Plaka ends; and Akropoli (Line 2), by the Acropolis entrances.

    Syntagma station, Metro Lines 2 and 3 · Monastiraki station, Metro Lines 1 and 3 · Akropoli station, Metro Line 2 · X95 airport bus · Taxi from the airport · On foot

Map of Plaka

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

This area
1PlakaThis area
Neighbouring areas
MAMakrygianniArea guideMOMonastirakiArea guideSYSyntagmaArea guide
Map of PlakaColoured dots are the places listed in each section; grey labels are neighbouring areas.

Your line: Metro Line 3

Agia MarinaKerameikosMonastirakiSyntagmaPanormou

Monastiraki and Syntagma, at either end of Plaka, are on Line 3; from Syntagma the airport is 39 minutes. Akropoli, on Line 2, is closest to the southern edge.

One walk, about an hour

About 1.4 km, 20 minutes on foot plus the steps up to Anafiotika. Start and finish at Filomousou Square on Kydathineon Street, about 8 minutes on foot from Syntagma.

One walk, about an hour — Plaka1Filomousou Square2Lysicrates Monument3Anafiotika4Tower of the Winds5Bath House of the Winds6Adrianou Street
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
  1. Filomousou Square Plaka runs from here, near where Kydathineon meets Adrianou, down to Monastiraki.
  2. Lysicrates Monument Raised by a sponsor of the drama festivals at the Theatre of Dionysus, on a street once lined with such monuments.
  3. Anafiotika Whitewashed houses founded by workmen from the island of Anafi; the alleys feel like a Cycladic village.
  4. Tower of the Winds A 1st-century BC marble tower that held a water clock, inside the Roman Agora; you see it from the outside.
  5. Bath House of the Winds The only public bath of old Athens still standing; it worked until 1956 and is now a museum.
  6. Adrianou Street At No. 96, the 18th-century Benizelos Mansion is the oldest surviving house in Athens.

When it comes alive

  • MorningSome lifeThe Roman Agora and the Acropolis open at 08:00, when the streets are at their calmest.
  • MiddayBusyAdrianou and Kydathineon are at their busiest with visitors and shoppers.
  • EveningBusyTaverna and café tables fill the squares; in winter the Roman Agora closes at 15:00.
  • LateSome lifeQuieter after dinner; on Saturdays metro Lines 2 and 3 run all night, except the airport trains.

Three to see

  • Roman Agora and Tower of the Winds The market square paid for by Julius Caesar and Augustus, with the Gate of Athena Archegetis; tickets €10. The tower's interior has been closed since December 2019.
  • Anafiotika A cluster of island-style houses on the Acropolis slope, with a path that continues round the rock and a view towards Lycabettus.
  • Bath House of the Winds An Ottoman-era public bath at 8 Kyrristou Street, now a museum on bathing and body care; €5, closed on Tuesdays.

Food and markets

  • Brettos Athens' oldest distillery, established in 1909 at 41 Kydathineon, for house liqueurs and ouzo under a backlit wall of bottles.
  • Platanos A traditional Greek taverna at 4 Diogenous Street, near the Tower of the Winds.
  • Klepsidra A small café at 9 Thrasivoulou Street for Greek yoghurt and homemade desserts.

Is it for you?

Good for

A first trip on foot: the Acropolis, the Roman Agora and the museums are a short walk away, and tavernas and cafés are on the doorstep.

Not for

Everyday local life or late nights out: the main streets are crowded with visitors by day, and bars are livelier in Psyrri.

Sources

Last reviewed October 21, 2026