Athens Family Hotels

Plaka. Plaka is the oldest area in Athens; it's located between the acropolis and the Temple of Zeus. Its short and cozy streets with a lot of souvenir shops and restaurants attract a great number of tourists. Plaka is the most picturesque area in Athens, where you don't feel that you are in the city with population of about 4 million people. Anafiotika, which is famous for its snow-white houses, is a special place here. The legend says that Delphian oracle forbad building houses there, but two homeless builders, that were looking for shelter in Plaka, due to their mastery managed to build a small house for the night. When in the morning guardsmen came, they felt sorry for the builders and decided not to banish them. Since then a rule was laid down: if you managed to build a shelter for a night, you may stay there.

Monastiraki. To the north of Plaka Monastiraki area is located. It has a lot in common with a bazaar (especially on Sundays), when hundreds of tradesmen bring their goods for sale. The market itself is situated on the Avyssinia Square and on the streetnearby (it's a little bit westerly from Monastiraki Square). After having a walk across Plaka and Monastiraki in daytime, it would be a good idea to spend the evening in Psyrri or Gazi areas, which are located hereabouts. There you can find a lot of restaurants, bars and clubs, in which the Greek spend almost all thier freetime. But be careful, if you come to Plaka at carnaval time, you risk to be sprinkled with confetti!
Read more: guide to Athens with maps, photos and weather conditions.

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