Ano Petralona .. an Athenian life
The Area
.. calm beating heart of Athens
Ano Petralona carries old world charm as a cozy, lived‑in Athenian neighborhood. Its rural ambiance is unique for a city center … leafy streets, slow mornings, a “local” energy that’s easy to feel at home in. Tucked between Gazi and Koukaki, it sits right in the city’s core, easily reachable by public transport (Petralona metro station M1) , and just a short stroll from Thissio and down town Athens sites.
.. part messy, old world charm with access to green space
You would travel back in time strolling among its variety of neoclassical and interwar buildings. Unpretentious and part messy with varied architecture influences and lived-in graffiti, Ano Petralona is yet interpersed with gems, lending to a unique flavor, that feels easy to fit in. Continuing your walk onto Philopappou/Filoppapou Hill, a 147-meter-high, pine-clad hill southwest of the Acropolis, you are transformed into countryside tranquility and stillness with a panoramic view of Athens, the Saronic Gulf and the Acropolis — a rare experience in the middle of a capital city.
.. alternative lifestyle in the heart of Athens
Ano Petralona gives off a friendly, easy-going vibe as young professionals, particularly those in the arts, frequent alternative businesses, relaxed bars and cafes, and traditional taverns concentrated in Troon and Dimofontos Streets. A particular favourite is Zephyros Art Cinema (since 1932), first started as a shadow puppet theatre. Your typical local amenities are available, while still shielded from high street commercial commotion.
This is a place for unplanned wine nights, easy conversations, and the kind of connections that happen when a neighborhood invites you in.
Pros
Unique, small neighbourhood in Athens center
Friendly, easy to navigate and fit in
Beautiful hikes in Philoppapou Hill of Muses
Cozy bars, local taverns .. eating well
Public transport, minutes to down-town
Cons
Quiet evening tempo, no night clubs in Ano Petralona. You would need to talk 20 min walk to neighbouring Gazi or 2-3 stops metro/train stops towards downtown Athens
Ano Petralona does not have high-street commercial center. For high street shopping head downtown.
Getting to Petralona
Our building as adjacent to the metro station of “Petralona”, on the Green Line (M1).
Bus
035, 040, 856, 914, 500
Trolleybus
15
Walking (8 to18 min) to ..
- Thissio
- Koukaki
- Philoppapou Hill
- Gazi
From Athens Airport
Take the Blue Line (M3) metro to Monastiraki, then transfer to the Green Line (M1) to Petralona.
From Piraeus Port
Take the Green Line (M1) directly to Petralona Station.
Ano Petralona in the Press
“My favorite corners in Ano Petralona are virtually unknown even to architects and dedicated Athenian flâneurs. One is Agrafon Street, whose one-story homes and back gardens make it the perfect location for a movie set in 1960s Athens. On the border with Thisseio lies an even more surprising sight: a cluster of 170 honey-colored stone houses with tiled roofs, iron balconies, and lush courtyards that resemble a mountain village..”
Greece Is
December 18th, 2025
“Petralona is now re-imagining itself as a young and hip community, where creative Athenians are setting up businesses in the chaotic mix of traditional neoclassical buildings and post-war concrete apartment blocks.”
Travel.gr
June 24th, 2023
“Home to a rich variety of neoclassical and interwar buildings, offering romantic walks on Filopappou Hill, Ano Petralona is like travelling back in time.”
Greece Is
April 19th, 2021
“Old school tavernas, all-day bars, punk bistros and a classic outdoor cinema. Editor and publisher Kimon Frangakis welcomes you to the eclectic Athenian neighbourhood of Petralona.”
This is Athens
“Close to Thiseio and the Acropolis but a far cry from their tourist traps, Petralona features a mix of old-world charm, creative types and stylish haunts.
Once called Katsikadika due to its population of goat herders known for their generosity in gifting milk to their fellow residents, the area assumed its current name after the banning of goats from the city in 1925. Its present name derives from Petrina Alonia, which pays homage to its pre-urban use as an area for threshing grain. While the goat herders may have gone, the spirit of community and simplicity remains, with a concomitant style of the unadorned..”
Greece Is
November 14th, 2017