A Walk Through Psyrri Athens Quirkiest Neighbourhood

A colourful neighbourhood that received a facelift before the Olympic Games in 2004, Psyrri is a gentrified district in central Athens. Filled with fashionable bars, hip restaurants and a vibrant nightlife, Psyrri is a fun area to explore by day or by night.

Granted, you won’t find museums or ancient monuments to visit while you are there, but Psyrri certainly has a lot of sights that attracts hundreds of visitors. This includes the little street of Pittaki, which lead to Little Kook, a fascinating fantasy-inspired cafe where you can enjoy decadent dessert served in Alice in Wonderland tableware and take a selfie in front of a real horse-drawn carriage.

As you make your way through this colourful area, you will come across hipster-approved bars, cool eateries and cafes, but don’t forget that the strength of Psyrri is definitely its bars, catering to all tastes and style.

However, Psyrri’s most striking feature is that it is a real open-air street art gallery. Covering walls, store and house facades, parking lots and everything in between, graffiti is everywhere in Psyrri. From colourful murals covering an entire facade to small doodles, you will see it all. While some have no artistic value, others convey a message or adorn the walls with a sense of beauty.

Local and international artists are represented throughout the area, with names like Sonke, WD, iNO, Woozy (a pioneer of the Athenian street art scene) and Rtmone, so take the time to admire their designs.

Don’t forget to drop by Louka Nika Street, a small yet colourful backstreet where a street art festival is organized by next-door hotel, Heart of Athens. Today, the street is filled with bright murals, which change periodically and it is the perfect backdrop for a fun selfie session with your buddies.

But Psyrri is more than just street art central. It is also home to several interesting art galleries, such as AD Gallery and Sarri 12, where you can discover the local contemporary art scene. You can also uncover small factories, storage stores and shops selling leather, boxes of all shapes and sizes and even some with all sorts of things like baskets, wicker chairs and ropes.

Fashionistas and alternative crowds enjoy the plethora of Psyrri’s vintage and second-hand stores, while a tranquil walk around the area will always allow you to discover unexpected hidden gems and quaint cafes.