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The sacred rock of the Acropolis dominates Plaka, and its different temples are clearly visible from all angles throughout the neighbourhood. Legend holds that it was on this rock that Athena (see Athena) won dominion of Athens from Poseidon, and it has been devoted to worshipping the goddess since 650 BC. (see Acropolis, Archaeological Sites - Acropolis)

Clinging to the side of the Acropolis is Athens’ loveliest and quirkiest hidden neighbourhood. It was built in the 19th century by tradesmen from the Cycladic island of Anafi, brought to Athens after the War of Independence to build King Otto’s palace. They missed home so much that they decided to re-create a pocket of it here, all island-style, dome-topped blue-and-white houses, covered with banks of bougainvillea, in a maze of tiny passageways. Many descendents of the original Anafi workers still live here.

This cylindrical monument built in 335 BC honours Lysikrates, victor in the Dionysian Choral competition.

This lovely restored Byzantine church is on the site of an ancient temple, whose columns still stand below the courtyard.

Miracles are associated with this beautiful Byzantine church, and many flock here at Easter to light candles from the holy flame.

The largest medieval church in Athens, it was built in 1031 and is now Athens’ Russian Orthodox church.

Next to the parched Acropolis rock, pine-and-cypress-clad Filopappos Hill offers a cool, green place to stroll. The peak is marked by the tomb and monument of Roman senator and philhellene Gaius Julius Antiochus Filopappos, and distinguished by sweeping views from the Acropolis to the sea. In summer, the Dora Stratou Dance Troupe puts on nightly performances of Greek folk dances in a theatre nestled among the pines. (see Filopappos Hill)

A new, well-run museum of over 3,000 works of top post-war Greek and European artists.

The collection’s 15,000 items tell the story of Jews in Greece.