Monastiraki
Named for the "little monastery" that overlooks its main square, Monastiraki is the perfect counterpoint to the elegance of Plaka. It's a place where classical history, Ottoman heritage, and the bustle of a market that never seems to sleep coexist.
A Good Place for Shopping
Situated on the north side of the Acropolis, Monastiraki is one of the most popular shopping areas in Athens. There are all types of shops, from book shops, antique stores, and second-hand clothing stores.
The Monastiraki Flea Market resembles a traditional souk, a maze of narrow streets lined with small shops offering a wide variety of goods, where haggling is the norm. This reflects the Turkish influence on Greek customs.
Besides buying souvenirs at the market, Monastiraki is a highly recommended area for relaxing on one of its terraces and savoring the specialties of Greek cuisine.
Top Sights in the Area
In Monastiraki, it's not all shopping; there are some cultural visits to be made. In the Tzisdaraki Mosque, you can see the pottery collection of the Museum of Greek Folk Art, and in Hadrian's Library, it's possible to see some of the remains that are preserved from the classical Athenian era.
At the Monastiraki metro station, one of the oldest in the Athens metro network, the various archaeological findings that appeared in the area during the construction of the station are on display.
The main streets of Monastiraki are Ermou, Pandrossou Street, and Adrianou Street, although it's highly recommended to get lost in the narrow streets of the area.
A great time to visit and get to know one of the liveliest areas of the city is at night, taking a night walk around Monastiraki Square:
Nearby places
Hadrian's Library (127 m) Roman Agora (258 m) Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments (262 m) Ancient Agora of Athens (301 m) Kanellopoulos Museum (387 m)
