Monastiraki
Monastiraki means “little monastery” in Greek, since a large monastery once stood on the main square of the neighborhood. Monastiraki and Plaka are two of the most charming and lively areas in Athens.
A good area 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, including vintage and second-hand clothing stores.
In addition, one of the main attractions is Monastiraki’s Flea Market. This lively bazaar is overflowing with hundreds of stalls that sell from handmade jewelry, relics, carpets, typical souvenirs, clothes and accessories. Just like in Istanbul’s popular Grand Bazaar, tourists will have to bargain to get the best prices possible.
Monastiraki is also famous for its colorful terraces, where visitors can sit, relax and try some of the best national dishes.
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 the Library of Hadrian it is 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 finds 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 is 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)
