Plaka   

The district of Plaka is a gloriously exotic labyrinth of alleys, winding streets and stairs lined with C19th neo-classical houses and mansions, with beautifully decorated tiled roofs depicting the head of Medusa, goddesses or foliage.  This is the old working-class district of Athens but is now one of the most rewarding areas of the city for exploring. The district has been carefully and sensitively renovated and is now one of the more expensive areas to live.  Plaka district is almost completely pedestrianised and contains the famous flea market around Monastiraki Square, ancient sites and small museums of traditional and popular culture.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Syndagma Square follow Odos Kidhathineon, a pedestrianised street which begins close to the Russian and English churches on Odhos Filellinon.  This road will take you gently downhill, past the Popular Arts museum located on a leafy square and on through the Platia Plaka with its many cafes to Hadrian's Street (Odhos Adhrianou) This street runs nearly the whole length of Plaka from the Arch of Hadrian to the Thiseion and Monastiraki

It is one of the most important museums in the world. It temporarily houses masterpieces of the ancient Greek civilization, dedicated to the most important of the Athenian sanctuaries, the "temenos" of Athena Parthenos. Preparations for the erection of the New Acropolis Museum have already begun.
Many of the unique works of art that ornamented the Acropolis have been stolen and transferred abroad. The worst plundering of the monuments took place in the beginning of the 19th century by Lord Elgin.

The museum was designed by the architect Panages Kalkos and constructed between 1865 and 1874. In the 1950's it was extended towards the east and the exhibition was rearranged by the archaeologist I. Meliades. The museum contains only the stone sculptures from the monuments of the Acropolis and from the excavations on the site. Since the beginning of the excavations, the vases and the bronzes have been kept in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.

Monastiraki Athens

Plaka is the oldest section of Athens. It is the most popular and picturesque area, expanded to the North and East of the Acropolis. The district of Plaka is a gloriously exotic labyrinth of alleys, winding streets and stairs lined with C19th neo-classical houses and mansions, with beautifully decorated tiled roofs. Most of them are restored accommodating museums, restaurants or shops. Plaka district is almost completely pedestrianised and contains the famous flea market around Monastiraki Square, ancient sites and small museums of traditional and popular culture.
Monastiraki
One of the most vivid and busy areas in downtown Athens. It is ideal for walking or shopping day and night.
Lycabettus
Lycabettus is always beautiful! You can climb it throughout the year and enjoy the superb view that it offers. You can reach the hill either on foot following the stairs, or by car taking the road that leads to the theater of Lycabettus. During the summer, the Lycabettus theatre hosts various theatrical performances and concerts.
The hill of Lycabettus offers a unique sight of Attica's peninsula with Athens, Piraeus and the Saronicos golf. The St George's church on Lycabettus is a traditional 19th century building.
Psirri
Psirri is the small neighborhood in downtown Athens that is directly adjacent to Plaka. It is also a popular spot in Athens. The area is perfect for a stroll, but also offers a multitude of outdoor-dining places, street-cafes, clubs and bistros.
National Archaeological Museum of Athens
It is the most important archaeological museum in Greece and one of the richest in the world concerning ancient Greek art.
National Historical Museum
It is the oldest museum of its kind and it includes rich collections, which highlight the most representative phases of Hellenic history.
The Acropolis Museum
It is one of the most important museums in the world. Here you can admire masterpieces of the ancient Greek civilization.
Other important museums are the Byzantine Museum, the museum of the Ancient Agora (Stoa of Attalos), the Benaki Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos, the National Art Gallery and Alexandros Soutzos Museum, the War Museum of Athens.
Also don’t forget to visit archaeological sites such as the Ancient Agora of Athens, the Roman Agora of Athens, Kerameikos, Olympieion, Plato's Academy, Sounion Sanctuary of Poseidon and Athena.