Athens is a historical city and the capital of Greece, which has hosted various civilizations and empires since thousands of years ago. The existence of historical buildings in this city in the work of the advanced public infrastructure system has made Athens known as one of the best cities in Europe to live in. In addition to all the things mentioned, this city has a pleasant and clean climate that improves the living conditions for its residents. All these features have made many people want to live in this beautiful city. But in your opinion, which neighborhoods in Athens have provided better conditions for the lives of residents? In this article, we are going to introduce the neighborhoods of Athens. So don’t miss this article and follow us till the end.
Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. This city is located in the south of the central Attic plain and the mountain streams Kefisus and Ilissus flow in it. The population of this city is more than 5 million people today, which will increase significantly if the tourists who visit this city are included. In addition, Athens is also known as the economic and political center of the Greek government, and all Greek political and economic affairs take place in this city. The major improvements achieved in the urban infrastructure of Athens were due to the holding of the 2008 Olympic Games in Athens, due to which the Greek government was obliged to provide suitable accommodation for tourists and athletes from all over the world.
Introducing the neighborhoods of Athens
Considering the characteristics we have said in connection with the city of Athens, it is natural that many people have lived in this city or intend to live in this city. Follow us in the rest of this article to introduce some of the most prominent neighborhoods in Athens.
Gazi
Gazi is an old neighborhood in the center of the city. that after the closing of the gas factories, changes and developments were created in this city. Many concerts, exhibitions and festivals are held in this area. Today, Gazi has become an entertainment and entertainment district for young people.
Kolonaki
Kolonaki is located in the vicinity of Akademis, Vasilis Sophia and Lycabettus Hill streets.You can taste the luxury and modern life in this area. Kolonaki is the center of fashion, luxury mansions, art galleries and nightlife.
Exarchia
The nearest metro stations to this area are Omania and Panpistimio.Exarchia is located in the neighborhood of Kolonaki neighborhood, but it is completely different from Kolonaki in terms of location.
Psirri
Monastiraki metro station is located in this area, which makes it easy to access this neighborhood. Psirri has narrow streets, chain stores, cafes, restaurants and music clubs. Restaurants with live music usually charge more for the quality of their food, but if you want to experience Greek singing and dancing, you should definitely go to these restaurants on a Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon and enjoy.
Glifada
Eleniko metro station is located in this area. One of the best and most fashionable neighborhoods in Athens is Glifada beach area, which has many luxury restaurants and cafes in this area, and its impressive sandy beach has become popular with many tourists.
Thissio
Ermo Street, Filapao Hill and Ancient Agora are located in this area. Thissio is one of the oldest and best parts of Athens. The magnificence of the Acropolis and the neoclassical buildings in Thissio have well preserved the historical and ancient atmosphere of Greece.
Plaka
The main streets of Plaka are Acropolis, Amalias and Metropolis. The closest metro station to this area is called Monastiraki. If you walk through the winding streets of Plaka, you can visit small museums with architectural stones reminiscent of the 20th century and enjoy its historic and magnificent atmosphere.
Metaxourgeio
Metaxourgeio is one of the most up-to-date and newest neighborhoods in Athens, which is located in the center of the city. New restaurants, cafes, and art venues are opening in this neighborhood every now and then. Athens, like many European cities, seeks to renew and modernize the forgotten and abandoned areas of its fame, and Metaxourgeio is one of these areas in Athens.
Makrigianni
This neighborhood is located near the Acropolis and Filopapo Hill. In the past, Makrigianni did not have many tourist and entertainment places for tourists except for visiting ancient buildings, restaurants and shopping centers; Until the new Acropolis Museum was established in this area and this area became the center of entertainment and tourism for many foreign tourists and the people of Athens.
Athens tourist attractions
I think that in Athens, the first thing that most Greece tour visitors see is the Acropolis. It’s hard to escape this icon as you’ll see it from almost anywhere in Athens, but Athens is actually a collection of colorful and vibrant neighborhoods to explore. Here are the best of Athens for your trip to this ancient city.
Plaka
Plaka, under the eastern slopes of the Acropolis hill, is the heart of ancient Athens. This is a very touristic area, with souvenir shops and a large number of restaurants, it is also a very attractive place to walk, through narrow streets with charming colorful houses. Adriano Street, which essentially separates Plaka from the rest of Monastiraki, has the best shops.
Adjacent is Anafiotika, built in the 19th century by immigrants from the island of Anafi. They came to Athens to work and built the Cycladic island, complete with white box-shaped houses with lined streets and spiral staircases nestled on the slopes of the Acropolis. Psaras, which claims to be the oldest restaurant in Plaka, has a large menu, from classics, traditional and fish, and a beautiful view overlooking Anafiotika.
Kolonaki
Kolonaki is a place that best represents Athenian life, with its shops and eateries. As Greece’s economic woes and years of disagreements with the European Union have caused a few shops to close and perhaps a few bistros to disappear, all the major global designers are still present, plus unique Greek jewelry stores. Art galleries, shoe shops and boutiques line the streets. In Skoufa, there are shops of famous brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, as well as koukoutsi, which sell original t-shirts, backpacks, etc. Also good for shopping: Solonos, Likavittou, Pindarou, Ippokratous and Tsakalof Street.
This area is full of French, Italian and Japanese restaurants. But one of the best traditional neighborhoods is Kalamaki Kolonaki, at 32 Ploutarchou.
Syntagma
Syntagma Square is the political and ceremonial heart of modern Athens. This building was dominated by the Greek Parliament until the middle of the 19th century. Evzones, an elite military unit that serves as the presidential guard, conducts a “changing of the guard” ceremony at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in front of Parliament. One of the main reasons for tourists to gather in Syntagma Square is the ballet performance, along with traditional clothes; It is white skirts, white tight pants, red hats and shoes with pompoms. Another reason is that it is usually the place where tourists enter the city when they arrive from Piraeus port or airport. Syntagma is a central station on metro lines and buses.
This square is surrounded by banks, hotels and many travel agencies in Athens. It also has a taxi rank in Athens. It is not a large dining area, although there are several cafes and bars in the square. Instead, stop for a drink and enjoy the view of the Acropolis at the BB Roof Garden Bar at Hotel Grande Bretagne.
Monastiraki & Psyrri
Monastiraki is another central area of Athens that is quite different from its neighbors. Its heart is its market. A second-hand market that is open every day, where you can buy almost anything you want: clothes, jewelry, pottery, artwork, sweets, baked goods, electronics, antiques. Its narrow streets are a constant base for tourists and Athenians. In the northwest corner of Monastiraki is Psyrri, a trendy residential and entertainment district popular with young Athenians.
Until the 1990s, Psyrri was an area of abandoned houses, but like many cities, it became popular with artists, musicians, cafes, fashion and shops. Today the rough edges have been smoothed and Psyrri is doing very well and is still a young city with a popular nightlife scene that includes live music venues. For something completely different at Gostijo, head to the kosher restaurant, which specializes in Sephardic, Spanish, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.
Gazi-Kerameikos
Gazi is art and techno by day and nightlife by night in the Athens area. Located in the center of Technopolis, this area is a multi-purpose arts and entertainment center, full of restaurants, cafes and dance clubs. The name Kerameikos is often used interchangeably with the newer name Gazi, located in the Kerameikos region. Today, Kerameikos refers to a metro station and an ancient Greco-Roman cemetery that was used until the 6th century AD and was discovered in the 19th century. It is a peaceful place to walk and there is a small museum. Interestingly, both names are from the very old association of this neighborhood with industry. Kerameikos was originally named for the pots that were located there 3000 years ago.
Thissio
This lovely residential area starts from the northwest corner of the ancient Agora and continues towards the west of the Agora. This area is popular with wealthy Athenians for its townhouses, and its streets are lined with large colorful apartment blocks and villas. One of the best things that interest visitors about Insio is the long and wide pedestrian street – Apostolu Pavlou – which connects Agara and then joins Dionysiou Aeropagitou, also walking along the south side of the Acropolis. From April to October, a magical outdoor cinema is lit up under the Parthenon, showing first-run films at Apostolu Pavlou. Insio is one of the green areas of central Athens with tree-lined streets and tree-shaded cafes.
The cost of buying a property in Athens
The purchase price of each square meter of property in Athens is several times lower than in other capitals of European countries. Buying a property and renting it to tourists is the easiest way to invest. We name some of the neighbors of the city of Athens. The price per square meter of property in these areas is much more suitable.
- Alimos
- Gazi
- Glyfada
- Anafiotika
- Voula
- Vouliagmeni
- Kallithea
- Kolonaki
- Koukaki
- Metaxourgio
- Mets
- Monastiraki
- Palaio Faliro
- Piraeus
- Plaka
- Psirri
- Thiseio
- Elliniko
The old and authentic areas of Psirri, Plaka, Monastiraki, Anafiotika, Thiseio are located in the area of Acropolis. Investors’ interest in buying traditional properties has increased. Each of these suburban cities and areas of Athens has an advantage for buying property and investing. Like the Kolonaki area, foreign consulates are located in this area. Some of these areas are crowded and others are quieter. It is up to you to choose the best areas to buy property in Athens and its suburbs. What is the purpose of your investment?The cheapest areas to buy a house in Athens can be found in one of these areas.
Buying an apartment in Athens
Buying an apartment in Athens is very diverse and newly built and renovated apartments have different prices. Some apartments are equipped with all the necessary facilities of life. Of course, they have a higher price and value. Renovation of apartments located in traditional areas of Athens is limited. Because they try to preserve their old architecture. When buying an apartment in Athens, pay attention to its costs. Buying an apartment in Greece has a high profit yield.
Buying an apartment in Athens is different in each area of the city. Apartments in the city center and around the city have a price for sale. If buying an apartment in Athens is for investment, it is better to find cheap apartments.
Buying a 36 square meter one-bedroom apartment in Athens for 78,000 euros is a good investment opportunity. Buying and transferring ownership in Greece is fast. Advice and advice from your lawyer will shorten the process of buying an apartment in Athens. Citizens of EU countries can buy apartments in Athens as easily as Greek citizens.
The average purchase price per square meter of property in Athens is 1,500 to 2,000 euros. which is more suitable compared to the capital of other countries.Buying an apartment in Athens is a very reasonable investment.
The best areas of Athens to buy property
Follow us to introduce some of the best areas in Athens to buy property:
Exarchia
Exarchia has always been an alternative neighborhood, being adjacent to the luxury area of Kolonaki. This cozy neighborhood has numerous cafes on pedestrian streets and is home to Athens’ rock music events. Strefi hill is a green paradise in Exarsia, which is often overlooked and has a great view of the city and the Acropolis area.
Location: Center
Rent: Affordable
Public transportation: bus and electric bus
Nearest metro stations: Omonia and Panepistimio
Kifissia
Kifissia is a residential neighborhood in the north of Athens, where neoclassical mansions of the 19th century can be seen along with simple houses of the 21st century in its streets. With great shopping options, peaceful parks, numerous cafes and luxury hotels, Kifisia offers a wide selection of villas and apartments. Access to this neighborhood is possible through bus and metro lines, and this has made Kifissia an expensive and aristocratic area in Athens.
Location: North
Rent: Expensive
Public transportation: metro and bus
Piraeus
Piraeus, as the main port of Athens, is almost a city unto itself. The residents of this area are proud of their endurance and hardships and adversities. As the home of Rembetika music, this residential area has a different vibe compared to other neighborhoods in Athens. As one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, Piraoui is proud to have two-story houses in the neoclassical architectural style. Piraoui can be easily reached by metro.
Location: South
Rent: Affordable
Public transportation: metro, bus and electric bus
Omonia
Omonia Square has been famous for its beauty for many years, but it must be said that today this square is in a bad condition. This central, multi-cultural neighborhood that is lively and noisy during the day is not popular among Athenians; They prefer not to show up in this neighborhood after 9 pm. As an essential hub in the center, Omonia is accessible by bus, electric buses and metro.
Location: Center
Rent: Affordable
Public transportation: metro, bus and electric bus
Glyfada
Glyfada is one of the fashionable areas of the city in the southern parts of Athens and by the sea. This neighborhood, which is 10 kilometers away from the city center, has been accompanied by many constructions during the last 20 years and provides a chain of hotels, cafes and restaurants to citizens and tourists. During the summer, Glyfada becomes home to a large number of cafes and beach resorts.
Location: South
Rent: Moderate to expensive
Public transportation: tram and bus
The nearest metro station: Eleniko
Syntagma
Syntagma Square, as the heart of the city, is the main scene of political, economic and social activities and everything from parades to New Year celebrations are held here. Access to this square is easy with public transportation and a tram line connects the city to the beach. Filled with cafes, hotels and offices, Syntagma is a great place to stay in Athens, although rents in the area are rising fast.
Location: Center
Rent: Moderate to expensive
Public transportation: metro, bus, electric bus and tram
Plaka
Plaka is located right at the foot of the Acropolis hills and is the most touristic neighborhood of the city. In Plaka, the winding and narrow streets take you to ancient sites, museums, Byzantine-style churches and 19th-century neoclassical villas. There are many restaurants and cafes in Plaka. With many pedestrian paths, this neighborhood boasts a rich history and unique features such as the small village of Anafiotika under the Acropolis hills. As a charming neighborhood for taking Instagram photos, Plaka offers you a unique experience of living in the heart of the city.
Location: Center
Rent: Expensive
Public transportation: Bus
Nearest metro stations: Syntagma, Monastiraki, Acropoli
Thiseio
Thiseio neighborhood, located between Plaka, Monastiraki and the residential area of Petralona, is one of the best places in the city to spend time. Thiseio is a quiet neighborhood with cafes with reasonable prices and restaurants with traditional and new Greek cuisine. You can see houses with beautiful architecture in Thiseio .
Location: Center
Rent: Moderate to expensive
Public transportation: metro and bus
Ambelokipi
This residential neighborhood includes two areas, Zografou and Panormou. Although Ambelokipi, like other neighborhoods of the city, does not have much attraction for tourists, but the area between the city center and hidden attractions occupies it and is worth exploring. In the area of Zografo, which hosts a large population of students, the campus of the University of Athens and the Polytechnic School of this city can be seen; But unlike Zografo, Panormo is an area for families to stay. With a high density of embassies and green spaces, Amblokipi is a great experience in the city center for living. In addition, Panathinaikos stadium is located in this neighborhood.
Location: Center
Rent: Affordable
Public transportation: metro and bus
Psirri
After recent renovations, Psirri is an attractive after-dark destination with its neoclassical houses, upscale cafes and restaurants, music clubs and its status as a free, open-air street art museum. The neighborhood also hosts several hotels with innovative architecture and is easily accessible via the Monastiraki metro station.
Location: Center
Rent: Affordable
Public transportation: metro and bus
Kolonaki
Kolonaki is a luxury neighborhood in Athens and has a completely different atmosphere. With fashion houses, luxury boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and cafes, this neighborhood is a popular day and night destination among people and tourists. However, the side streets of this neighborhood towards Lycabettus hill are quieter.
Location: Center
Rent: Expensive
Public transportation: metro and bus
Kerameikos and Metaxourgeio neighborhoods
Kerameikos, with its main nightlife hub, Gazi, was once a lonely and abandoned area in Athens; But now, after a few decades have passed since the closing of the gas factories in this area, we can see a different atmosphere here. Gazi is now full of modern and luxury houses along with old neoclassical mansions and is the center of night life in the city. Metaxourgeio neighborhood is located between Gazi and Omonia and is another popular residential area for visitors. The high density of luxury restaurants and cafes and even the holding of numerous cultural events have turned Metaxorgio into an up-to-date and emerging neighborhood.
Location: Center
Rent: Affordable
Public transportation: metro and bus
Palaio Faliro
Palaio Faliro is a coastal area that is 6 km away from the city center. Thanks to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the area underwent extensive development and is now a popular beach resort with access via bus and tram lines. With many pedestrian streets, this neighborhood has a special place in the eyes of tourists and locals and is considered an ideal place for cycling and other activities.
Location: South
Rent: Average and expensive
Public transportation: tram and bus
Chalandri
Chalandri is a neighborhood in the north of Athens, 10 kilometers from the city center. The coefficient of green spaces compared to the population of citizens in Chalandri is very high and there are many cafes, restaurants and embassies in this neighborhood. Chalandri is also one of the busiest neighborhoods in Athens with a population of 70,000. There are several American schools in this neighborhood.
Location: North
Rent: Average and expensive
Public transportation: metro, bus and electric bus
Pagrati and Mets neighborhoods
Around the Kallimarmaro stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896, there are two residential neighborhoods, Pagrati and Mets. The Met neighborhood is full of mansions with neoclassical architectural style and it is one of the most spectacular areas of the city, offering the atmosphere of Athens in ancient times. Pagarati is a residential neighborhood with simple restaurants and cafes, where you can experience a real life in a Greek city. Due to heavy traffic in this area, buses usually arrive late, but fortunately, these two neighborhoods are easily accessible on foot.
Location: Center
Rent: affordable and moderate (Met neighborhood is a bit more expensive)
Public transportation: bus and electric bus
Kokaki and Makrigianni neighborhoods
As a neighborhood of the middle social class, Kokaki has been slightly developed and has now become one of the most attractive areas of the city. Located at the foot of Filopappou hill, Kokaki is a paradise for walking with its many cafes and restaurants. The expansion of private residences in this area is considered the only unique feature of Kokaki. Makrigianni neighborhood is located between Syntagma, Acropolis and Kokaki and is a bit more expensive due to its proximity to the main tourist attractions.
Location: Center
Rent: affordable and expensive
Public transportation: metro, tram, bus and electric bus
Agia Paraskevi
Agia Paraskevi is located near the northern part of Athens and the slopes of Mount Hymettus and is 9 kilometers away from the city center. The main road of this neighborhood is Mesogeion, which connects this suburb to the center of Athens. Access to Agia Paraskevi is possible through metro and suburban railway stations. Although there are no special attractions in this neighborhood, Agia Paraskevi has been under development since the 1950s and boasts several open green spaces.
Location: North
Rent: Average and expensive
Public transportation: metro and bus
Thank you dears for staying with us until the end of this article, as you have seen, in this article, we introduced the city of Athens and its best areas, as well as some of the tourist attractions of this beautiful and historical city, from 0 to 100. We hope that the presented content will be useful for you dear ones. Nobility Immigration Institute specializes in German visa consulting. You can contact our experts for more information and free consultation.