Have a walk in the imaginary triangle created by Stadiou, Ermou and Piraeus Streets. Discover the 19th century Athens and go back in time when the current Historical Center was the heart of the social, economic, political, entertainment and cultural life of Athens. Something that lasted for more than 170 years and that is why today, every street, every pedestrian street and every alley has its own story to tell. Take a walk and see how “yesterday” harmoniously intertwines with “today”.
With your fresh perspective, you will most likely discover something that even the Athenians themselves are unaware of. The Historical Center is a multifaceted, multicultural world, full of unexplored corners and warm-hearted people.
You can start your exploration from Omonia, the oldest square in Athens. If it is too far on foot, use the Electric Train (Line 1) and on itsroute, you canadmiremore neighborhoods of Athens or use the Metro (Line 2) and arrive in just a few minutes.
Upon leaving the station, spend some time to admire the cityscape: Two buildings of exceptional architecture (the Baggeion and the Great Alexander) welcome you. Between these two buildings, Athinas Street unfolds which is one of the oldest commercial streets in Athens, and in the distance, the Sacred Rock of the Acropolis can be easily observed.
Afterward, you can proceed along Athinas Street for about 100m till Kotzia Square, where you can admire the first sights of historical importance: the old City Hall of Athens on your right and the Main Building of the National Bank of Greece built in the 19th century. On the square, there is an archaeological site and in the upper right corner, the imposing Melas Building, designed by the famous architect Ernesto Chiller. Grab the chance to takea look at the shopping centers. Although you’re at the beginning of your exploration, take a short break for a hot drink in one of the small, atmospheric cafés of the square.
Walk across the square and admire its impressive fountain. Head towards the Mela Building and Aeolou Street and notice that the pieces of wall you come across are archaeological finds. Before you realize it, you are inside the Archaeological Site of Aeolou. Take a few more steps. Can you hear it? The vendors and merchants are trying to sell their wares. The strong smell of spices, cold cuts and cheeses fill the air. The images acquire intense, vivid colors from the fresh delicacies in the surrounding shops. You are on Sofokleous Street in the heart of Athens market.
Varvakeios,the Central Market, dominates (on your right) just a few meters away.It is housed in an imposing 19th century building. It is recently completely renovated. Like any market around the world, it is bustling with life. Walk among the stalls, buying and selling is an entire “art”. Athenians look for the best and at the best pricepossible for their daily shopping, and producers offer the best, at their own price.
Walk to the left and you will find Evripidou Street, the street of spices. If you want incredible deliciousness in your food, visit one of these shops that offer excellent quality spices. Besides the spices, you can discover the traditional products as well: local products (cheeses, herbs) but also imported ones (pastourma, sausages, soutzouki). The queues outside the shops speak for themselves about the quality of the products.
Continue to AgiosMarkos Street, the commercial market of the Historic Center. Here you can find anything you can imagine. Just have a lookat the countless small shops presenting an incredible variety of clothes, linens, fabrics, sewing supplies and much more. Find a special ribbon to wrap your gifts or a rare button that may be transformed into a special piece of jewelry.
There’s so much more to explore while leaving AgiosMarkosstreet. You should turn left to Vyssis Street, then to Praxitelous Street and continue to Skouleniou Street. Admire the Church of AgiosTheodoros. It dates back to the 11th century. Now,you can head towards Klafthmonos Square and the Museum of the City of Athens. Pay attention to every detail of this museum. This unique building dates from 1834and used to be the residence of the first royal couple of Greece, Otto and Amalia. Nowadays, it serves as a museum with interesting exhibits of the modern history of Athens.
After the museum, discover a well-hidden corner of Athens, Karytsi Square, presenting an incredible pulse especially during the night. The last few years, small, cool bars with uplifting music have been popping up in its narrow streets. Therefore, Karytsi Square has established itself as a meeting point for the youth of Athens. During the day, it combines historical elements with gastronomic and cultural proposals. In Karytsi Square there is, also, the Church of AgiosGeorgios. The Parnassos Association is located directly opposite of the square. Around the square there are many small cafés and taverns ideal for a quick, delicious break.
Afterwards, you can explore ChristouLada Street. A few meters further down on your right is located the Mousouri Theater on Karytsi Street. Immediately turn left and walk through the arcade to exit onto AnthimouGazi Street.
As you exit, take a look at the building of the historic newspaper called Estia. Among the trees, you will find the Benakeios Library as well as the Old Greek Parliament. Nowadays, this building houses the National Historical Museum of Greece.
Exit back onto the central Stadiou Street. Go uphill, passing one of the main shopping malls in the center. A few more minutes of walktakes you in Syntagma Square, the modern center of Athens. You can notice that on your left, there are historic buildings converted into luxury hotels, and the Greek Parliament.
On your right, the Pallis Building and the pedestrian street of Ermou, the most famous shopping street in Athens… and abroad. Explore Ermou street and make a stop at Ermou 11 to admire a unique building that was built in the early 20th century and for several years housed the ‘’Tourist’’ Hotel (one of the most famous hotels in Athens).Let yourself be carried away by the intense rhythm of Ermoustreet. However, descend slowly in order to gaze one by one at the impressive shop windows. People from all over the world, as well as Greeks, often visit Ermoustreet to buy piecesof clothing that obey the latest fashion trends and to be informed about the latest prevailing fashion trends. You should go shopping in Ermoustreet- it is an unforgettable experience. The best time to visit is definitely at Christmas, especially, during the sales period, when it is truly flooded with people and artists.
Reaching the end of it, you can notice in front of you the Kapnikarea Church, a historic 11th century temple with exceptional architectural features. The stone seat around the temple is ideal for a short break. Seize the opportunity to take a photo with the Acropolis in the background. It is visible from the left side of the temple.
A few meters further you will come across Aiolou Street again. Turn right and after 40 meters you will discover another unique square, AgiaIrini Square with AgiaIrini Church, which functioned as the central religious temple of Athens until the construction of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Besides the architectural interest of the temple, the square serves as an entertainment area due to the modern shops. In fact, it is the newest destination for nightlife. As night falls, the square ‘’wakes up’’ and offers several gastronomic proposals, music and drinks.
Keep walking downhill untilthe Monastiraki Square. It is the end of this route, a route through the Historic Center of Athens filled with historical sights, colors, smells, shopping opportunities, flavors and architectural interest.
Get out again, walk through the Historic Center of Athens, talk to the Athenians and create your own route.