| Modern Athens is divided into districts but Plateía Síndagmatos (Syntagma or Constitution Square) is the epicentre of the city – almost everything worth seeing in Athens is within half an hour’s walk of here. Other useful landmarks are the unavoidable Akrópoli (Acropolis) and Lykavittós Hill. The Pláka covers the area below the Acropolis, to the east of the Agorá. Despite being heavily commercialised, this is the most pleasant part of the city to explore on foot. Narrow winding streets are lined with 19th-century buildings, souvenir shops and bustling tavernas. In particular, Anafiótika– at the base of the Acropolis – is a delightful area that recreates the style and atmosphere of a Greek village. The area was settled by workers from the island of Anafi, who came to Athens to build a palace for King Otto. In addition to simply wandering the streets or watching the world go by over a lengthy coffee, the highlights of the Pláka include several specialist museums. On the edge of this district, the Monastíraki bazaar is a grimy, bustling slice of authentic Athenian life, with neighbouring Psirri the currently fashionable area for bars, restaurants and nightlife. At the other end of the scale, the Kolonáki district on the edge of Lykavittós is wealthy and fashionable, providing a welcome retreat from the harder edges of the city. The tourist season lasts from April to October and is at its peak in August, when the city is crowded and often horribly hot. |