Athens - Pláka

The Pláka, the older part of modern Athens, lies between the northern slopes of the Acropolis and Ermoú Street, extending east almost to the Leofóros Amalías. In its narrow streets and little squares are a number of small churches, from the Metamórfosis (southwest) to the Sotír tou Kottáki (east), from Ayios Nikodímos (southwest) to the Kapnikaréa (north). It is a district of houses in Neo-Classical style, mostly of modest size, with attractive tiled roofs. At 5 Thólou Street is an old building (altered by Kleanthes) which housed the University before its move to Christian Hansen's new building in Epistomíou Street. The building is now a taverna. Since 1978 the city council have been introducing preservation orders on the Pláka area. Half of the buildings are Grade I listed, Pláka and any conversions and renovations are subject to strict regulations. Most streets are barred to traffic.

A very pleasant evening stroll can be taken from the Mitrópolis through the Filotheu and Adrianou or the Kidathineon, past the Platia Pláka to the Lysikrates Monument. Here can be found rows of little shops selling sweets, dried fruits and nuts, souvenir-stands, taverns with or without bouzouki music, leather-goods and jewelry shops, clothing boutiques and gyroscope-stands.