Ultimate Athens Guide by Neighborhood

When you hear Athens being mentioned, you imagine this Mediterranean paradise don't you? This ancient relic of a past civilization that continues to fascinate people to this day. Or, perhaps, you think of the city as a luxurious summer getaway destination. A congregation of the rich and famous where they play all day under the sun? Athens has garnered such a reputation over the years. Well, whatever you think of the city, you'll only really understand Athens if you go here, most especially to its wonderful neighborhoods. Here are some you ought to be familiar with the next time you go here.

 

Acropolis

Acropolis is perhaps the most famous area in all of Athens. Mostly because of its historic significance and the beautiful ruins that show what Greece really was back in the day. But in reality, the place itself is more than the stunning must-see tourist sites and museums. There are parts of Acropolis where many people actually live a contemporary lifestyle. And since most visitors flock to the famous ruins and educational galleries, the locals here live a relatively peaceful life. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

Exarcheia

Despite its tumultuous history, Athens' Exarcheia district has become a lively local neighborhood. Part of the city's downtown area, it's become a very standard suburban area with hints of the urban lifestyle. And since the area used to be the epicenter of the political uprising in Greece years ago, you can still see relics of its rebellious past. Now, however, Exarcheia itself has become somewhat of a hipster haven, packed with many cafes, small galleries, and even a fun nightlife scene. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

Glyfada

If you ever wondered why Athens became a hot vacation spot for many of the elites out there, you can thank the Glyfada neighborhood for that. Nestled on the coast of Attica, it's the type of seaside area that you've probably seen a lot in movies and TV series. Here, apart from beautiful villas and scrumptious authentic Greek cuisines, you'll see a lot of yachts docked by the bay, probably owned by either business magnates or movie stars. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

Kifissia

Kifissia is also no stranger to seeing society's elites. In fact, it's heavily considered as the aristocratic neighborhood of Athens. Think of Long Island in the state of New York in the USA—this pretty much sums up what to expect in this part of the city. You'll see grand old mansions, stunning villas, beautiful gardens, and more, mostly owned by the city's richest and most influential families. Ultimately, Kifissia's supreme elegance is unlike any other in Athens. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

Kolonaki

It's safe to say that Kolonaki is the most exciting neighborhood in Athens. It's an undeniably lively yet still sophisticated part of the city, complete with high-end boutiques, five-star establishments, and a great nightlife scenes. Kolonaki is also often considered the trendiest district in Athens, rivaling the likes of Chelsea in New York or SoHo in London. So expect a lot of people to frequent this area, as there's a lot to do here anyway. But this isn't to say that Kolonaki isn't a peaceful place to live in as well. It very much is! 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

Monastiraki

A great antidote from the lively and cosmopolitan neighborhood that is Kolonaki, Monastiraki offers an insight into the true culture of Athens. It's very much an old-school Mediterranean town, with tight cobblestone streets, villas and houses set beside each other, and traditions that haven't died after centuries have passed. This is the type of place people would spend time and probably even move to if they really want to get to know Greece and Athens in particular. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

Plaka

One of the oldest neighborhoods in all of Athens, Plaka is also quintessentially Greek. A coastal town that deserves to be put on a postcard, it's a devastatingly romantic district, full of history, steeped in tradition, and bathed in the beautiful Mediterranean sunshine. But make no mistake, while Plaka seems like a peaceful paradise at first glance, it's also quite a lively town with a strong spirit of community. Furthermore, if you want to learn more about Athens and Greece, its many museums offer a lot of insight. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

Psiri

While many other neighborhoods boast fun nightlife scenes, that all practically pale in comparison to that of Psiri! Think late-night restaurants offering the best of Mediterranean cuisine and a string of bars that are either so lively that it's always a party or intimate enough for a hot date or a secret rendezvous. In the morning, it's just as lively here with the flea markets and food stalls that sell the freshest produce, mostly of fish that were just caught in the wee hours of the morning. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

Syntagma

While Constitution Square is the most famous spot in all of Syntagma, there's more to this neighborhood than just this iconic Parliament building. It's a decidedly peaceful part of the city, with a strong sense of community and historic significance rolled into one. This is the place you'd want to retreat to if spending time in the other neighborhoods, particularly the livelier ones, get a little bit too much for you. Rest assured, you can relax nicely here. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

Thiseo

If you ever heard people say that Athens is a foodie's paradise, it's highly likely they're talking about Thiseo. this neighborhood is a congregation of the finest restaurant, hidden gem eateries, great bars, and the like. This is where you take your taste buds out for a spin, tantalizing it with every fine cuisine offered in this district. But don't worry, there's also a lot of fine residential places here as well. Just make sure you don't over-indulge and end up two sizes bigger than when you first moved here. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

Athens is a beautiful city overall but you'll never really know its true beauty if you haven't explored many of its exciting neighborhoods. You'd do good and getting to know a lot of them the next time you're here or if you're actually moving here! 

If you do plan to call this city your new home, better to go for a luxurious Athens place. They'll surely be in any of these great neighborhoods!