Walking is one of my favorite things to do when in Athens. Since I have a car in Santorini and since you cannot avoid to use it, unfortunately, during the touristic season, I don’t walk as much as I would. So, when I find myself in Athens, usually around December, I love spending my time strolling around the city on foot.
Athens is great for walking! If you are staying in the centre, you can walk everywhere! It’s not unusual to have warm days also in winter time, so when the sun is out, the best thing to do is to find an area of your interest and start walking to discover it. I have many routes that I always walk, but the very first one is always from Monastiraki up to the Acropolis and back to Monastiraki Square from Plaka.
I usually leave the hectic life of Monastiraki behind me and start walking looking at the Acropolis. I pass by the Hadrian’s Library and I start going up, losing my self in the labyrinth of streets. You only need a two min walk and you already forget about the hustle and bustle of Monastiraki Square: a peaceful and calm atmosphere will stand by you on your walk. Whenever I do it, offseason, I barely meet anyone (some cats yes though!) at least until the Areopagus Hill.
When I reach the top and I start to walk the street which runs along the Acropolis, I feel like on a bubble: surrounded by the green of trees and plants, the view reminds me that I am in a big city but still I can breathe a subtle atmosphere. Keep on walking this path I head off to the Areopagus Hill: I climb up this small hill from where I can enjoy a 360° view of Athens and my eye can cherish the impressive scene of the Acropolis.
Keep going I pass by the Filoppappou Hill and I take the pedestrian street around the Acropolis, Dionysiou Areopagitou. This is the street which will take you to the entrance of the Acropolis and to the Acropolis Museum. Over the weekend vendors and artists liven up this route with a joyful mood but I have to say I prefer it when it is quiet. I love spotting the Acropolis which hides behind the trees and if you are lucky enough to have that perfect combination of light and clouds, your pictures will be amazing!
When I arrive at the entrance of the Acropolis I turn left into Plaka and I am back into the intense life of these small streets full of cafes, restaurants and shops. Slowly slowly I keep walking till I reach Monastiraki Square: at this point, I am ready for a snack break and I usually move towards Psirri.
I never get tired of this walking route in Athens, every time I discover something new, a new shop, a new cafe and my eyes frame a unique view of the Acropolis.
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©Nicoletta Barbata/One Quarter Greek
