Apr 30, 2025

A Hidden Village Athens

Just for curious walkers

"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.

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Relaxing

About this spot

Kallisthenous

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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.

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Bookworms' heaven!

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

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Kallidromiou Market

Follow the orange awnings

This is more than an ordinary open market for me. I love to visit the market every Saturday morning and buy flowers for my friends and me.

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9 Kolokotroni

21:00 @ 9

Dimitris (the owner) and Stella (the bartender) are great at mixing flavors and serving special tropical cocktails and spirits from all over the world.

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Koulouri tou Psirri

From North to the South

The small bakery opened in the 60s, as an all-night bakery that sells fresh koulouri with sesame bread rings with sesame, reggato cheese, and raisins.

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Cantina Mavili

The original Greek style junk food

A few minutes away from the Music Hall of Athens, every night, the small truck has always queued to serve the famished people who pass from Mavili Square.

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REDY

Not your typical gift shop

Famous Greek designers create new posters, calendars, agendas, magazines, and books with interesting visuals and content every season. 

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67 Bistro Cafe Bar

Ukrainian corner in Athens

Famous for its vegan options and Ukrainian dishes like piroshki and borscht soup, 67 is also a very relaxed and friendly spot for studying or working.

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Pelargos Bookstore

Treasures for Book Lovers

Entering Pelargos Bookstore, some books will impress you, catch your attention, arouse your curiosity, or awaken some memory.

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Relax Comics

Relax your soul

Aggelos, the owner, welcomes everyone with a smile and perfect suggestions, always eager to express his encyclopedic knowledge of comic books.

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Lacandona

A delicious alternative spot

"Lacandona" Athens is fair trade cafe/grocery store. It's one of my favorite places for a coffee - don't miss their exciting mojito parties!

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By the Glass

The perfect place to be local

"By the Glass" in the center of Athens is in one of the most 'secret' urban arcades and offers you more than 200 different wines... Central & 100% local!

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