A Hidden Village Athens

Just for curious walkers

Javier from Athens

"There is A Hidden Village in Ano Petralona in Athens. Here's a bit of the deepest Greek villages right in the centre. What a beautiful, quiet gem!"

Petralona (coming from the Greek word Pétrina Alonia –meaning "stone threshing floors"–) is, no doubt, one of the coolest and trendiest neighbourhoods in Athens, and you can find hundreds of recommendations about where to go and what to do there, but what would you think if I told you that in its heart you can find an area –allow me to call it a sub-neighbourhood– with houses made of stone, narrow streets and an unexpected quietness? Here's a bit of the deepest villages of Greece located in the centre of Athens.

The path I propose here is not just beautiful and picturesque but it's also part of the Athenian Contemporary History. Let me try to give you some clues about it.

For a long time there was an Army Naval Observatory at the Filopappou Hill. Old chronicles talk about a huge and beautiful building where Naval Soldiers were also receiving training. In the early '50s it was moved to Pireas and the building was destroyed. According to history, it was Queen Frederica the one that proposed that those stones should be used to build houses for the families that moved to Athens in order to work in the old gas factory very close by (check the article by fellow Spotter Sofia).

This is a historical and hidden district where life goes on in slow motion.

Relaxing

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

Athens Spotter Javier

About me I'm Javier, father of Noa, long-distance runner and rock climber when I have the time. I'm an avid reader and love everything related with culture, people and stories. A night per week I have a Skype meeting with my best friends in Spain and we record a crazy podcast. And people like it :-). I just realised I forgot some basics and –at the same time– non-interesting details like "I was born in Cordoba, Spain and I studied Psychology at university". Done :-). Why Athens I have been living in Athens since 2013 and I remembe...

About this spot

Kallisthenous

€

free

Oct 30, 2025

Our Athens City Guide

Find your way with 264 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Athens guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Athens

Koukouvaya

The destination for dessert

A nice dessert is a perfect conclusion to a satisfying meal or an accompaniment to a delicious coffee. But in Koukouvaya, a cafe in the center of Athens, enjoying an excellent dessert becomes an end goal in itself.

Coffee & tea

Snacks

Antonis

Tsapepas

Nov 6, 2025

Kimolia

Art cafe in Plaka

"Kimolia" in Athens is a family-owned, all-day cafe hidden in the central narrow streets of Plaka. I love their orange-flavored chocolate...

Bars

Coffee & tea

Marilena

Salamanou

Nov 6, 2025

Blame the Sun

The new taproom on the block

Blame the Sun in Athens is the newest taproom in Koukaki! This bar emerged in the quarantine - maybe that's why it's called that way?

Bars

Dimitris

Hall

Nov 6, 2025

Inky

For serious T-shirt lovers!

"Inky" is a favourite spot of the coolest crowd in Athens. This local, cheap and tasteful T-shirt shop is perfect for gifts to bring back home!

Shopping

Marilena

Salamanou

Nov 6, 2025

Amandine's Bagels

My daily habit

Amandine's Bagels on Nikis streets in Athens is where I get my breakfast from. My favorite bagel from there has avocado, salmon and a special sauce!

Snacks

Marilena

Salamanou

Nov 6, 2025

Maraboo

What an ice cream shop!

Maraboo in Athens is an ice cream shop where everything is handmade w/ pure ingredients. ALWAYS say yes to having a biscuit with your scoops!

Snacks

Marilena

Salamanou

Nov 6, 2025

Hammam Bathing House Athens

Absolute relaxation

Visiting the "Hammam Baths" in Athens is a very pertinent experience, as the city is a mixture of Eastern and Western cultures. Relax with a massage...

Relaxing

Marilena

Salamanou

Nov 6, 2025

Nolan

A gastronomic gem

"Nolan" is one of the finest restaurants in Athens. It provides a Greek-Japanese gastro experience you shouldn't miss.

Restaurants

Marilena

Salamanou

Nov 6, 2025

Pâte et Crème

Life is sweet in Kypseli

The meticulous look and distinct flavour of Pâte et Crème's sweets are captivating. And the perfectly balanced sweet and sour lemon tart is unforgettable.

Coffee & tea

Snacks

Antonis

Tsapepas

Nov 5, 2025

Hyper Hypo Bookstore

Bookworms' heaven!

They run a busy schedule of publication-related talks, readings, performances, and exhibitions in their project space every year.

Art & culture

Shopping

Asimina

Mitrothanasi

Nov 1, 2025

BAR 56

The time capsule that you need

The Whiskey collection is large - including several rare labels, and Mr. Panayotis, the owner behind the bar, will assist you in finding your whiskey.

Bars