Plaka - the most beautiful and romantic area of Athens - just under the Acropolis. An attractive approach to Plaka is to follow Odos Kydathineon Kythathineon, a pedestrian walkway that starts near the Aglican and Russian churches on Odos Fillelinon, south of Syntagma. It leads gently downhill past the museum of Greek Folk Art, on a leafy square with one of the few remaining old time cafes on the corner, through cafι-crowded Platia Filomoussou Eterias, to andrianou street , which runs nearly the whole length of Plaka from Hadrians Arch past the ancient Agora.

The Museum of Greek Folk Art ( tue-sun 10 am-2am: 2 EUR) at Kydathineon 17 is one of the most enjoyable in the city. Its five floors are mostly devoted to collections of weaving, pottery, regional costumes and embroidery, which reveal both the sophistication and the strong middle Eastern influence of Greek popular arts. On the mezzanine floor, the carnival tradition of northern Greece, and the shadow-puppet theatre are featured.

The second floor dazzles with its exhibits of gold and silver jewellery and weaponry. Most compelling of all, on the 1st floor, is the reconstructed village room with the series of murals by the primitive artist Theophilos (1873-1934). Theofilos was a rather eccentric character, dressing in  Independence war outfits  and painting tavernas and cafes for a meal or a small fee.

There is a museum of his work at Varia on Lesvos island, and other paintings- usually scenes from peasant life or battles during the war of Independence- survive in situ in the Peloponnese, on Lesvos and on Mount Pilion.

Most recent works of art are displayed in the Frissiras Museum ( Monis Asteriou str. 3 & 7 wed-fri 11am-7pm, Sat & Sun 10 am-2 pm EUR 1,50). It is housed in two beautifully renovated Neoclassical buildings. It has over three thousand works of art : temporary excibitions, a fine shop which also sells art works  and an elegant cafι.

Two other museums are close by. A couple of blocks to the northwest, at Angelikis Hatzimihali 6, the Centre of Folk Art and Tradition (tues-fri 9 am- 1 pm& 5-9pm, Sat & Sun 9am-1pm; free) features costumes, textiles, musical instruments and ceramic plates in another grand Plaka mansion. A short distance to the east, at nikis 39 the Jewish Museum of Greece  (mon -fri 9 am-2:30 pm, Sun 10 am – 2 pm EUR 3) displays art and religious artifacts from the very ancient Jewish communities scattered throughout Greece. The centerpiece is the reconstructed synagogue of Patra, dating from the 1920’s, whose furnishings have been moved here en bloc and remounted.

HOTELS WE RECOMMEND IN PLAKA

HOTEL NIKI ATHENS *** Niki is an historic hotel located at an exclusive quarter of Athens city center. The hotel has been completely renovated during 2004 and now has a new fresh and chic look. It offers hospitality to the discerning traveler with 58 fully equipped rooms and one suite. The lounge bar restaurant that rece... Season - 117 EUR/Double Room

HOTEL HERMES ATHENS *** A 3-star superior hotel, totally renovated in 2004 with a fresh atmosphere and special care to all little details Ideally located next to Syntagma Square, for the traveller who wants to walk around in a safe area and to visit Parliament, Acropolis, museums, galleries, the National Garden, the Templ... High-Season - 128 EUR/Double Room

HOTEL ADRIAN ATHENS *** The hotel has 22 rooms that are equipped with amenities and where some of them provide an excellent Acropolis or Lycabettus Hill view. You can enjoy the views of the surrounding attractions whilst indulging in breakfast on the rooftop garden area. The hotel offers all the facilities and conveniences... High-Season - 130 EUR/Double Room

PAN HOTEL ATHENS *** 3 stars Athens hotel located in Syntagma square in Athens - ideal place for business and pleasure. Syntagma square is the best center of the Athens city. In the fully renovated Pan Hotel Athens, all 33 hotel rooms are equipped with private bath & toilet, TV-Satellite / Pay TV, video, direct-dial tel... High-Season - 95 EUR/Double Room

HOTEL CECIL ATHENS *** Our services, the facilities we offer and the magnificent view of the Acropolis from our roof garden, makes it an ideal residence for business or leisure travelers. Cecil Athens Hotel offers a warm welcome for its guests combining the traditional Greek hospitality, the family environment and the fri... High-Season - 78 EUR/Double Room

HOTEL ASTOR ATHENS **** All the rooms of the hotel have been recently renovated and equipped with all the facilities. All the rooms have air condition, heating, color television, direct telephone, Internet connection, hair dryer, cosmetics luxury set, electronic security locks, and the possibility of renting a mini bar... High-Season - 116 EUR/Double Room

PLAKA HOTEL ATHENS *** A 3-star superiror hotel, very recently renovated, situated at the heart of the city, close to Syntagma Square, Parliament, the Acropolis, Plaka (the ancient city of Athens), museums, galleries, and is next to the shopping area and the flea market.Colourful lounge, bar and breakfast room and a roof ... High-Season - 128 EUR/Double Room

HOTEL MYRTO ATHENS *** Reconstructed for the Olympic Games the central square of Athens Sintagma with the House of Parliament is also in five minutes walk from our hotel. All important communications of Athens in fact serve the historical centre of the town, the most magnificent part of which is the ancient city. High-Season - 120 EUR/Double Room

HOTEL CENTRAL ATHENS *** CENTRAL HOTEL is centrally located in the heart of the Old City of Plaka and the Acropolis, only 200 m. away from the Constitution square, the city's business district. The hotel also offers non-smoking rooms and specially designed family rooms. Private parking operates all day, conference and meeti... High-Season - 127 EUR/Double Room

MAGNA GRECIA BOUTIQUE HOTEL ATHENS **** In the historic and shopping precinct in the center of Athens, Plaka in a neo-classical building designed in 1898 from the German architect Ernest Chiller with extraordinary architectural philosophy of the century and the beautiful view of Acropolis, has began to work fully renascent with familial a... Season - 126 EUR/Double Room

ARETHUSA HOTEL ATHENS *** Hotel Arethusa Athens is a three star hotel, ideally located just next to Syntagma (Constitution) square and Plaka (old town of Athens) in Mitropoleos street, street of the Cathedral of Athens.The Arethusa Hotel has 87 rooms situated in the main center of Athens (Constitution Square) with the best... High-Season - 96 EUR/Double Room

Restaurants in the area:

Dosirak (Voulis Street, 33) This Japanese-Korean restaurant serves various dishes from the east. It is located near Syntagma Square and is open from 12 noon every day.

See other locations in Athens:
Plaka | Kolonaki - Lycabettus Hill | Monastiraki / Psiri / Thisio | Acropolis and around | Syntagma Square
National Garden and Zappion | Hadrians Arch | Omonia Square | Ilisia Park Athens | Kerameikos Area | Vouliagmeni


For more photos of Athens see the Holiday-Photos galery