Shopping in Plaka

Talk about being able to shop in two worlds! Plaka, Greece, which is located under the Acropolis, is a tiny, compact village that is unlike any other neighborhood for shopping. Ninety percent of the streets are closed to motorized transportation, with the exception of delivery trucks, for the convenience of shoppers.

It is interesting to know that Plaka used to be a nightclub area. The government outlawed uncontrolled loud music in the 1970s in order to get undesirables out of the area. This action was successful, as today there are restaurants, jewelry stores, tourist shops, and cafes, all of which hold the fascination of tourists. Although it is very commercialized, Plaka is known for being the nicest neighborhood in central Athens.

Some of the shops in this area have similar touristy items, but if you think you need to go back down the hill to that rugged looking shop to get what you missed, think again. Many shops sell common products, but also have more eclectic items, as well. One example is the shop Coral, which sells antiques and paintings. There are lots of jewelry stores, most of which carry items they get from factories. However, some carry the handcrafted original pieces that were created with gold. Gold in Greece is not expensive, due to the labor costs. Custom pieces by artists will have more value than mass-produced items (and they will often look more interesting, as well).

There are also a few galleries and several museums in the Plaka area. The Children’s Museum or the Greek Folk Art Museum are of particular interest to families and students. Plaka may be a little difficult to find, but it is well worth the time and effort to visit this wonderful little area.