ATHENS | City Walks

A walk in the historical center of Athens...

We set off at Plaka where, even though it is extremely close to the bustling streets of the city, the scenery changes. Here cars stop and so you will seize the opportunity to walk along the graphic alleys and enjoy your coffee beneath the Attica sun. Anaphiotika is a beautiful neighbourhood that kind of reminds us of the Cyclades. In Plaka the beautiful neoclassic residences around the paved streets are dominant. Adrianou Str. attracts all the visitors, since in array on its left and right side are all the shopes that sell everything. Another famous street is Kydathenaeon with its distinctive square, where there are numerous ouzo taverns and cafes. 

Another neighbourhood is Monasteraki with thousands of shops, which reminds you of a large fair, and that is why it is known as a flea market. Here you will find every kind of shops: popular art shops, shops that sell furniture, ironmonger’s, shops with ceramics and textiles, old books stores etc., which remind you of old times and of another Athens.

Next to that is the quarter of Psyrre. In the last years many of its abandoned houses have been restored and it has now developed into a touristic area with lots of choices for recreation and food, and the most important, the weekends the revelry begins early in the morning. Things are similar at Theseio, which has a view to the Acropolis.

…and to the modern center 

The modern metropolis is right beside the historical center of Athens. The streets in the center are always full of activity and it is obvious that Athens is a very lively city. It’s worth going for a walk to get to know it better. We set off at the busy Syntagma Square, where all the eyes are turned to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and to the evzones that guard it day and night. Above this monument is the Greek Parliament, which once was the king’s palace.

Next to the Parliament there is the National Garden. It is the first park of Modern Greece, which was the garden of the royal palace. The Garden is beautifully formed and within it there is a museum, a cafe, a children’s library and a solar clock… so that you don’t lose track of time. To its east, at Erodou Attikou Str., there is the Presidential Palace, the residence of the President of the Republic.

At Stadiou Str. there is the Old Parliament House, where the first Greek Parliament used to sit and which today is the Historical Museum. In front of the building there is the statue of Kolokotronis.

The Books’ Arcade is between Stadiou and Akademias streets. It was founded in 1996 and it comprises 60 publishing houses and the branch of the National Book Center. Several exhibits, presentations of books speeches and seminars are hosted here.

The Kapodistrian University is the first University in the Balkans and it is at Panepistemiou Str. Today it has banquet halls and it is here that the ceremonies of graduation take place. At Akademias Str. there is also the Academy, the supreme intellectual institution of the country. We go on with the National Library, which comprises more than a million volumes of books and manuscripts.

Going down the road we encounter the Omonoia Square, which has been transformed many times. The main streets of Athens lead to the square.

The Athens Town Hall is at the Kogia Square, while on the opposite side there is the building of the National Bank.

At Patesion Str. is worth mentioning the National Metsovio Polytechnic School. It is a symbol of democracy and inspiration as well as proof of our academic identity. 

Two of the best-known and … contrasting quarters of the city are Kolonaki and Exarcheia. On the one hand there is Kolonaki with expensive stores and well-dressed gentlemen and on the other there is Exarcheia that have been for years a meeting point for youths and students. At the former, life is more intense, while at the latter you can relax while having a conversation beneath the Attica sun.

Finally, it’s worth going for a walk to the hill of Strephi, directly above Exarcheia, where you will also find a small outdoors theater and some nice taverns, and to the hill of Lycabettus, at the top of which there is the Agios Georgios church with a breathtaking view over the capital, the Acropolis and, if the weather is good, the Saronikos bay. You can go up the hill of Lycabettus by the cable-railway, which leaves from the center of Athens, at Ploutarchou Str.