The Most Popular Neighborhoods to Visit in Athens [Greece]

The Greek capital is widely known for the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and all the other must-visit attractions downtown. Yet, the neighborhoods of Athens that compose the city center rarely get the recognition they deserve as distinct areas within the city.

But the truth is Athens’ city center brims with scenic neighborhoods. Some bear witness to the capital’s glorious past, being now the capital’s most touristic areas while others still preserve their local atmosphere.

Walking around the different neighborhoods of Athens and discovering their diverse characters is not only the best way to learn more about the city but also to choose exactly the one that suits you best.

So put on your comfy shoes, discover the city’s hidden corners, and get a proper taste of life in the Greek capital. Here are the best neighborhoods to visit in Athens!

Plaka Neighborhood

Being the most known Athenian district, the Plaka neighborhood occupies the top of “The things to do in Athens” lists, luring hordes of tourists all year round, so it is the first neighborhood on our list of the best neighborhoods to visit in Athens!

Its location on the foot of the Acropolis Hill, combined with the neoclassical buildings that adorn its narrow alleys, is good enough for the Plaka neighborhood to have gained a worldwide reputation.

Cobblestone streets, traditional souvenir shops, local taverns, and cozy cafés add their personal touch to the already captivating scenery.

Kydathineon and Adrianou are the area’s main streets, but you’ll lose part of the magic if you don’t get lost in the smaller passages.

Don’t miss out on taking a stroll at Anafiotika the so-called island Village in the heart of the city center.

With car-free alleys and small houses with cozy backyards, this area’s surroundings resemble the Cycladic islands.

Monastiraki Neighborhood

Attached to Plaka, you’ll find the Monastiraki neighborhood, an iconic and historic area that nowadays combines the old with the traditional.

Start your exploration from Monastiraki Square, where you’ll see the ruins of the historic Library of Hadrian, the ancient Church of Pantanassa, and the mosque of Tzistarakis Aga, three monuments that showcase the history of Athens city throughout the centuries.

On Ifestou Street, which spans from the mosaic-covered square, you’ll find clothing, jewelry, and shoes to vinyl stores and second-hand bookshops.

Find a hotel in the Monastiraki neighborhood through our official partner Booking.com.

Ifaistou is the area’s most widely-known alley and is usually jam-packed with locals and tourists. Numerous rooftop bars surround Monastiraki Square, offering a great city view.

Psiri Neighborhood

Psiri’s neighborhood has been an integral part of Athens’s nightlife for a while now, and even though a few years ago it lost some of its glory, it is now once again reviving.

The streets are lined up with second-hand clothing shops, artisans’ stores, local bakeries, traditional taverns, and takeaway restaurants.

When the night falls, the Psiri neighborhood, this iconic Athenian neighborhood, takes on a new life as the area’s stylish bars and concert venues get packed with an enthusiastic crowd.

Check some accommodation options in the Psiri neighborhood through our official partner Booking.com.

Gazi Neighborhood

Next to our list of the best neighborhoods to visit in Athens is another hip but less tourist district of Athens, the Gazi neighborhood!

Brimming with restaurants, cocktail bars, and LGTBQ-friendly nightclubs, the trendy Gazi neighborhood is one of the most popular districts for a night out.

Especially during the summer months, when Technopolis, an old gas factory that nowadays has been transformed into a cultural center, opens its doors to hosting concerts and music festivals, the Gazi neighborhood is bustling with life.

Getting to the Gazi neighborhood is very easy, as the Kerameikos metro station is situated on the district’s main square.

Check out some hotels in the Gazi neighborhood on Booking.com.

Metaxourgio Neighborhood

Scroll down to our list of the best Athens neighborhoods, and you will find the Metaxourgio neighborhood!

Over the last decade, Metaxourgio has transformed with more and more bars and restaurants popping up all over the area. However, it still preserves its local atmosphere, and it rarely feels packed.

Here you’ll find plenty of traditional taverns and local pubs serving the traditional drink raki as well as trendy cocktails bars and restaurants. This area attracts a mixed crowd of millennials and locals in their late 30s and 40s.

Metaxourgio neighborhood is also home to The Municipal Gallery of Athens, which houses artworks from almost all the Greek artists who shaped the history of Greek art and contributed to its development in the 20th century.

Check some hotels in the Metaxourgio neighborhood through our official partner Booking.com. Best prices and many hotels you can book and then cancel with no cancelation penalty.

Exarchia Neighborhood

With graffiti-painted walls, vintage clothing stores, and second-hand bookshops in the area’s streets, the Exarchia neighborhood has become known as Athens’ underground area.

Since the 70s, the Exarchia district has been a hangout for students, artists, musicians, and writers; some are now the neighborhood’s inhabitants.

Live concert venues, local bars, and cafés are scattered around the neighborhood, attracting the city’s alternative crowd.

Find a hotel in the Exarchia neighborhood through our official partner Booking.com.

When you visit the Exarchia neighborhood and the weather is good, you will find an area where people sit outside the colorful buildings sipping ouzo and eating meze dishes. 

Petralona Neighborhood

Petralona neighborhood is one of the locals’ favorite neighborhoods because even though it is situated in the Athens city center, it feels like a suburb.

Whether you decide to take the train (read here how to get around Athens) and get off at Petralona station, walk from Kerameikos station in Gazi, or go on foot all the way from Thiseio, the Petralona neighborhood is within easy reach.

The area is divided into Upper and Lower Petralona (Ano and Kato Petralona). 

While both parts of the area are worth exploring, if you have to choose one, you should head directly to the upper side.

Nestled in the shadow of the historic Philopappos Hill, Ano Petralona’s peaceful surroundings will captivate you with their beauty. As you take a stroll around the area, you’ll get a taste of a local Athenian neighborhood, but you’ll also find plenty of places for a traditional meal or a relaxed drink.

Find a hotel in the Petralona neighborhood through our official partner Booking.com.

Koukaki Neighborhood

Over the past few years, the Koukaki neighborhood has grown in popularity and is now one of the must-visit places in Athens.

Its location, on the foot of Philopappos Hill and close to the Acropolis, makes it the perfect area for a pitstop after a day of sightseeing. 

Nowadays, you’ll find an abundance of stylish cafés, vegan-friendly restaurants, and high-end bars.

Even though Koukaki has become Athens’ most touristic neighborhood, if you leave the district’s main streets behind for a while and dive into the smaller alleys, you can still see parts of Athens city that will take you on a journey back to the 60s.

Check some accommodation options in the Koukaki neighborhood on Booking.com

Syntagma District

Syntagma is located in the very heart of Athens, and it’s most known for being home to the iconic Constitution Square that lies right in front of the Greek Parliament House.

The latter was formerly a palace and the erstwhile abode of King Otto.

One of the tourists’ favorite things to do when weather permits is to gather in Syntagma Square to see the change of guard of the Evzones, the soldiers guarding the building who are dressed in traditional Greek uniforms.

Syntagma is also home to an abundance of cafes, bars, and restaurants that are hidden in the narrow pedestrian streets running from Syntagma Square all the way down to Monastiraki. One of those is Ermou, the most famous shopping street in Athens.

Find a hotel in Syntagma on Booking.com.

Thission Neighborhood

Thission is the neighborhood that connects Koukaki, Plaka, and Acropolis Hill to Monastiraki.

However, Its central location is not the only reason it’s popular among locals and tourists. Its most prominent feature is a long and wide pedestrian street that runs all the way from the end of Ermou Street in Monastiraki to the borders of Koukaki, passing right next to Acropolis Hill.

This street, named Dionysiou Aeropagitou, brims with cafes, tavernas, and restaurants, making it one of the busiest spots in the city.

Here, you will also find charming neoclassical buildings, street artists, and small street vendors, and if you keep walking towards Koukaki, you’re bound to pass right outside the Acropolis Museum.

Here is a selection of hotels in the Thission neighborhood we picked for you on Booking.com.

Kolonaki District

Centrally located and right next to Syntagma, Kolonaki is widely considered to be the most elegant and upscale neighborhood in Athens.

Its streets are dotted with fashionable boutique shops, chic cafes, charming bistros, and classy restaurants. Kolonaki is a hub for celebrities, artists, socialites, and public figures and it retains a “love it or hate it” bold cosmopolitan character.

Getting to and from Kolonaki is not as easy as with the other neighborhoods on this list, as there is no nearby metro. The closest one is that of Evangelismos.

Check some hotels in the Kolonaki district on Booking.com.

Pagrati District and Mets Neighborhood

Pagrati and Mets (Mets being the name of a smaller area within the neighborhood of Pagrati) are located right behind the Panathenaic Stadium.

The latter takes its name after a brasserie that opened its doors in the area in the late nineteenth century and was very popular with the locals.

Mets looks like it has remained relatively unaltered over the course of time, with beautiful neoclassical buildings adorning its cobblestone streets.

The rest of Pagrati is also worth a visit for a relaxing afternoon in a park, enjoying a nice meal in a local restaurant, or mingling with the locals in one of the bars on Varnava Square.

Find a hotel in the Pagrati neighborhood through our official partner Booking.com

Kypseli Neighborhood

Kypseli is one of the up-and-coming neighborhoods of Athens. Situated along Patission Street, one of the most famous streets of Athens that used to be the city’s main shopping street before Ermou took the reigns, Kypseli is an area frequented by younger crowds.

Both Agios Georgios Square and the pedestrian street of Fokionos Negri are lined with cafes, small shops, and ethnic food joints.

Kypseli is also an excellent choice to look for accommodation if you’re traveling on a budget as there are numerous rental apartments in the area.

Check some accommodation options near Kypseli we found for you on Booking.com. Best prices and many hotels you can book and then cancel with no cancelation penalty.

Tips, Questions and Answers on the Best Neighborhoods in Athens

In conclusion, if you’re planning to visit Athens soon, we strongly urge you to look beyond the top attractions and delve into the city’s culture by walking through its most famous neighborhoods.

Each neighborhood around Athens’ city center has its own unique atmosphere attracting people of different styles and ages.

Just follow our guide on the best neighborhoods to visit in Athens and find the one that will perfectly fit your tastes to make your trip unforgettable.

Whether you want to experience the Athenian nightlife, explore the city parks, or just delve into the authentic side of the city, these are the Athenian neighborhoods you should know.