Plaka at a glance
Plaka is the old quarter of Athens on the north and east slopes of the Acropolis. It is where most visitors end up between sites, with the Roman Agora and Hadrian's Library on its edge and Monastiraki and the Acropolis Museum within walking distance.
There is no ticket and no opening time. You simply walk in, from Akropoli metro station on line 2 or from Monastiraki on lines 1 and 3. The ancient sites around it have their own tickets, and the old combined ticket that covered several of them was abolished in April 2025.
Anafiotika: the island village under the rock
Directly beneath the north slope of the Acropolis lies Anafiotika, a small cluster of whitewashed houses in the style of the Cyclades. According to several sources, it was built in the 19th century by builders from the island of Anafi, which gave the quarter its name.
The result feels more like an Aegean island than a capital city: narrow stepped paths, small houses and flowers spilling over walls. It is also tiny, so you walk through it in a few minutes.
Anafiotika is a residential area. People live in these houses, and the paths are their front steps. Go in small numbers, keep your voice down and do not linger at doors or windows. More on this below.
Our picks: tours in and around Plaka
A food tour, a street food walk and an evening walk through the old town.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Athens food tour with a full meal
A small-group walk through the centre with tastings that add up to a full meal.
Check availability →Athens street food tasting tour
Street food and local snacks on a guided walk through the centre.
Check availability →Athens night walking tour
A small-group evening walk with a local guide, when the old town is cooler.
Check availability →Walking tours of Plaka and the Acropolis
Guided walks through the old town, Acropolis tickets with a time slot and tours that combine the hill with the Acropolis Museum, with live prices and availability.
Walking from Plaka to the Acropolis entrances
Plaka lies on the north and east slopes, but the entrances are on the west and south sides of the hill. Official walking times from Plaka are not published, so allow extra time to reach your slot.
| Entrance | How to get there from Plaka | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| South entrance | Walk down to the pedestrian street Dionysiou Areopagitou on the south side of the hill. The gate is at the corner with Thrasyllou, above the Theatre of Dionysus. | Usually quieter, according to several independent sources. Ticket office on site. About 5 minutes from Akropoli metro. |
| Main entrance (west) | Follow Dionysiou Areopagitou west and climb the paved Pikionis path to the Propylaia side. | Groups and cruise buses arrive here. Toilets and cloakroom outside. The only entrance for visitors with disabilities and the lift. |
| Via the Ancient Agora | From the Monastiraki side of Plaka, through the Agora site, whose gate is currently on Thissio square. | Needs a separate Agora ticket (€20, reduced €10). |
Whichever way you go, you need a ticket with a time slot. The official ticket costs €30 in 2026 (reduced €15) on tickets.hh.gr or at the ticket offices, and it is valid for one entry only. Use the toilets before you go in, as those inside the site are closed for renovation. Full details are on our getting to the Acropolis page.
Ancient sites next to Plaka
Prices for 2026, full and reduced. Each site needs its own ticket.
Roman Agora
A compact site on the edge of Plaka. €10, reduced €5. In summer it keeps the same hours as the Acropolis, in winter it is open 08:00 to 15:00.
Hadrian's Library
Between Plaka and Monastiraki, easy to combine with the Roman Agora. €10, reduced €5, with the same opening hours as the Roman Agora.
Acropolis Museum
At Dionysiou Areopagitou 15 next to Akropoli metro, a few minutes' walk from the south entrance. Home of five original Caryatids and the Parthenon Gallery. €20, reduced €10, open until 22:00 on Fridays.
Acropolis Museum →Temple of Olympian Zeus
South-east of the Acropolis, with the entrance on Vasilissis Olgas. €20, reduced €10. Hadrian's Arch nearby can currently be seen only from outside because of construction work.
Temple of Olympian Zeus →Respecting the people who live here
Plaka and especially Anafiotika are neighbourhoods, not open-air museums. A few simple habits make a difference:
- Keep it quiet: speak softly in the residential lanes, especially early in the morning and in the evening.
- Stay off private steps: doorsteps, terraces and courtyards belong to the houses. Do not sit on them or climb onto walls for photos.
- Small groups only: large groups block the narrow paths. If you are with a tour, let the guide explain things before or after Anafiotika, not in it.
- Ask before photographing people: houses and views are fine, residents and open windows are not.
- Leave nothing behind: take your rubbish with you.
The paths are uneven and stepped in places, so wear flat shoes with grip, the same ones you need on the polished marble of the Acropolis.
Plan your day around Plaka
Plaka connects the main sights. These pages help you fill in the rest.
Plaka, Athens: frequently asked questions
Where is Plaka in Athens?
Plaka is the old town on the north and east slopes of the Acropolis. The nearest metro stations are Akropoli on line 2 and Monastiraki on lines 1 and 3.
Do you need a ticket for Plaka?
No. Plaka and Anafiotika are public neighbourhoods. Only the ancient sites around them, such as the Roman Agora (€10) and Hadrian's Library (€10), need tickets.
What is Anafiotika?
A tiny quarter of Cycladic-style houses directly below the north slope of the Acropolis, built in the 19th century by builders from the island of Anafi. It is residential, so please keep quiet.
Can you walk from Plaka to the Acropolis?
Yes. Head to Dionysiou Areopagitou on the south side of the hill for the south entrance, or continue west and up the Pikionis path to the main entrance. You need a ticket with a time slot either way.
Is Plaka a good place to stay?
It is the most central option for walking to the Acropolis and the sites around it. The busiest lanes stay lively in the evening, so ask for a room away from the street if you want a quiet night.