As Athens has grown more public-transport and pedestrian-friendly, travelers are finding it easier than ever to discover the many areas of Athens. Most of these are connected by walkable streets or even special pedestrian pathways.
The heart of Psirri is Plateia Iroon, and any exploration of the area should include it. It's surrounded by interesting shops, unusual restaurants, and small churches. At night, Psirri offers a lively music scene - right now The House of Art and Pinakothiki are popular. But be aware - local residents bemoan the loss of the traditional residential neighborhood feeling, especially at night.
Renowned for its flea market, even on non-market days browsers will have a good time in this section of Athens which features a huge variety of small, inexpensive shops. Recently, my teenage godson found collectible Gothic T-shirts for him while I shopped for unusual Greek beverages like Eros liqueur. But remember, some shopkeepers will take a break mid-afternoon especially in the off-season.
Adjacent streets offer shopping, the Museum of Cycladic Art, and interesting people-watching. If you spend any time in Athens, you'll find yourself passing through Syntagma Square. Wonder what you're walking over now? Enjoy the archeological exhibits in the Metro station.
4. Gazi
Named for the old gas plant, this part of Athens is waking up in the evening and at night. It's a real gas - sorry, couldn't resist that one! It also holds some of [link url=http://gogreece.about.com/cs/athensdining/a/dininginathens.htm]Athens' finest restaurants[/link] and clubs.5. The Plaka
Clustered around the slopes of the Acropolis, this old neighborhood offers shopping of all kinds, pricy but plesant tavernas, and unexpected antiquities including the Tower of the Winds. At night, a traditional rembetika music venue is the Perivoli t'Ouranou at 19 Lysikratous street. Greek classic Maryou sometimes sings there, and she's well worth seeking out.
6. Thissio
This area takes its name from the "Thission", the best-preserved temple in Greece. Its a popular venue for free, city-sponsored concerts. Note: access to the Thission itself requires paying admission to the Roman Agora site and museum, which is well worth a visit. I've found the souvenir shops and tavernas here to be much more reasonably priced than their cousins in the Plaka just a few hundred feet away.
Yes, Piraeus is technically its own city but it's easy to access from Athens itself. The tavernas lining Microlimano give a nice feeling of being on a Greek island - albeit a very busy one. And the Archaeological Museum, with its excellent and often ignored collection of large bronze statues, and the
Museum of Nautical History, which often has a reproduction of an ancient vessel sitting in the harbor, make Piraeus well worth a visit.
