Athens Holidays - The Village of Plaka within Athens is a place where you can get lost in time enjoying the real antiquities of Athens and the Greek culture, or you can enjoy the modern and eclectic Plaka. Having visited Athens for an extended period, I recommend that you do both. Plaka is like an island in Athens, and it is my favorite neighborhood.

Athens Holidays - First, let’s look at the archaeological sites where we begin to see Greek culture unfold. The Tower of the Winds is a part of the ancient Roman Agora. It was built in the first century as a meteorological station by the Syrian Astronomer Andronikos Kyrrhestes. The Mosque on the grounds of the Roman Agora was built around 1458. It was built for the visit to Athens by Sultan Mehmet, a fan of the ancient Greek philosophers. The Plaka displays evidence of some past civilization; most likely Greek, Roman or Ottoman Turkish. 

The Frissiras Museum of Contemporary Greek and European Painting is the only museum in Greece that displays the range of art history that it does. It is home to a private collection of contemporary paintings and temporary exhibitions of Greek and European artists. The museum’s home is two restored neoclassical buildings of the 19th century. The Children's Museum, the Music Museum, the Greek Folk Art Museum, and the Jewish Museum are excellent museums for the study of Greek culture.

Plaka is a great neighborhood in central Athens. I have enjoyed good food in many of the local restaurants, and you should have some enjoyable evenings and without being upset by the bill. The Vyzantino Restaurant is one of the best in Plaka for lunch, and dinner is very good also. Travel toward the Acropolis on Epiharmou Street to the wonderful Kouklis, and down below to the To Kafeneon. Both of these spectacular venues are wonderful and authentic Greek drinking and dining spots. Look around and you will find some great dancing.

The Plaka is home to many street musicians and flower sellers who are not bums, but rather highly skilled artisans who are exiled from another country. They make their living by selling flowers or playing the most amazing violin pieces ever heard. Although they may follow you, they intend no harm and I like to buy a Gardenia. For a few Euros you get the most amazing concert quality music.

Get off the traditional tourists’ paths and meander through the back streets. Admire the ancient architecture of buildings that have been part of Plaka for hundreds of years.