Walking through
the neighbourhood of Gods

As soon as you start walking around Plaka's stone-paved, narrow streets, you will have the feeling that you are travelling back in time. This is Athens' oldest and, thanks to the restoration efforts which went into its buildings in recent years, most picturesque neighbourhood.
You will be delighted by the beauty of the neo-classical colours of its houses, their architecture, their lovingly tended little gardens, the elegance, and the total atmosphere of the area. In Plaka, even the air is different; lighter, clearer, scented, like a gift from the gods.
When you decide to take a walk around, be sure to bring a map along, because Plaka is a labyrinth and you may get the feeling that you are lost in its maze of narrow streets and alley ways. No need for alarm though. It is easy to orientate yourself: uphill is the Acropolis and downhill are Syntagma and Monastiraki.

What does PLAKA mean?

The origin of the area's name is not really known thus allowing various theories to have developed concerning it. According to the most recent one, Plaka owes its name to a large stone slab (plaka in Greek) found in the area of the church of Ayios Georgios of Alexandria. near the ancient theatre of Dionysos.