Bird’s eye view of Athens

East side view of Athens. Photo taken from the veranda.

Properties:

Lycabettus hill. Photo taken from the veranda (zoomed).

The Area

Pagrati has been a middle-class neighborhood with a definite artsy aura since the 1960’s. Over the last decade it has become trendy among Athenian millennials and is transforming into a hipster area with Greek designer clothing stores and eateries ranging from excellent street food to Michelin rated restaurants. Within a perimeter of 500 meters, or five minutes away from the flat, you will find an extensive marketplace with a supply of goods and services to cover all your needs. We, a family of four with now teenager kids, lived in the area up to a few years ago and still do a good part of our shopping and eating-out there. We have our favorite places, not necessarily the trendiest, that we are happy to share with you.

Proximity

The most important sites of Athens are at walking distance. Within eight minutes (650m), you can reach the Panathinaikon or Kallimarmaro Stadium (original Olympic stadium). Then, across the avenue you will enter, the National Park and the Zappeion area. Exit the park on the northwest side (1km) into Syntagma (Constitution) square, the Parliament, and the downtown shopping area. Head north to visit the Kolonaki quarter and the several museums in the vicinity. Or, from the stadium, walk west for 14 min through the Olympian Zeus Temple to reach the Acropolis Museum (1.1km). Then continue along the pedestrian Areopagitou street to Fillopapou hill and head to the Pnyx (meeting place of the Athenian Democratic Assembly) (13 min). Stroll around the hill for excellent views of the Acropolis and the south side of Athens all the way to the sea, the Saronic gulf islands and on a good day the Peloponnese. Head back and ascend the Acropolis to visit the Parthenon. Upon exiting, turn right, make a quick stop at the Areopagus Hill, walk northbound and soon after downhill into the Monastiraki area. Enter the Agora (ruins of the ancient marketplace) and visit the Attalos building (Stoa of Attalos). Don’t miss the well-preserved “miniature” of the Parthenon, the temple of Hephaestus. Exit the archeological site and wonder around the Monastiraki area. Head back towards home (east) through Plaka and Anafiotika. That’s just a teaser on what you can easily do on foot. Let us know what interests you and we will give you our take as locals to the city.