Omonia - A Shopper's Paradise

Dubbed the ‘Times Square of Athens’, you will certainly find a cacophony of traffic at Plateia Omonias if not a dazzling array of neon. The Square sits at the axis of six major thoroughfares. Reaching out from Omonia like the spokes of a wheel, Athinas leads south to Monastiraki, and Stadiou and Panepistimiou streets south-east to Syntagma. Running east-west from each corner, the pedestrian high-street Ermou completes a triangle of roads that encompasses

some of the best shopping in Athens. Ermou is where familiar international names sell everything from CDs to clothes, cosmetics and candles.

Around Monastiraki there is an eclectic array of smaller souvenir and gift shops, with a good choice of cafés and restaurants. Further north, Evripidou Street sports a colorful assortment of spice shops, whilst the Kendriki Agora, a food market on Athinas Street, is a must for those seeking a taste

of local Athens. In fact, the area caters to most every whim, but stray a little further a field and the effort will be well rewarded.

Just north of Monastiraki, Psiri is a trendy night time haunt, with traditional taverns, lively bars and art galleries spilling out onto its narrow streets. Slightly rougher around the edges but no less fun, Exarchia, just north of Plateia Omonias, is great for a bite to eat before exploring the area’s late-night bars, clubs and music venues.

Important to visit

• The traditional delights of ‘rembetika’ (the Greek Blues) in Exarchia, and the Greek kitchen at the taverns of Psiri.
• Monastiraki’s boisterous Sunday Flea Market, with everything from hand bags and worry beads to replica Byzantine icons to be had.
• The huge and hugely popular National Archaeological Museum; a vast affair occupying almost an entire block north of Plateia Omonias.

Acropolis - Omonia - Kolonaki - Syntagma - Psychiko - Kifissia - Piraeus - Glyfada