I will be going to Athens for a few days in September and am looking forward to it (last glorious visit: 1983). I will visit Hydra as well.

Ideally, I'd like to stay within striking distance of Plaka (staying in Plaka itself does not appeal to me, but maybe I am wrong), I want to stay in a lively area, nothing too trendy (I suppose that rules out Kolonaki) just a pleasant, informal area within max. 15 minutes' walk of Plaka.

I'd like the low-down, the unvarnished truth on the following areas from people who know Athens very well:

1) What's Psiri like? (I read it was a former working-class area turned uber-trendy, is that true?)

2) What's Monastiraki like to stay?

3) What's Gazi like?

4) What's Anafiotika like?

I suppose what I'm asking you in a roundabout way is: What is the most pleasant and interesting area in which to stay in Athens close to Plaka?

Hi. If i were a tourist , i would stay in Anafiotica. Anafiotica is a part of Plaka , whose architecture resembles to that of an island. It is calm and quiet and is in walking distance from any major site. Psirri and Monastiraki are practically the same. Psirri is the part of Monastiraki where all the bars and clubs are located , but can get very noisy especially in the weekends. I would choose this location also because it is very close to the metro and the subway train. Gazi is pretty much like Psirri , although a bit more elegant. I would stay there , but bear in mind that it's a bit further from the centre , and there is only metro connection. Gazi to Plaka on foot is about 35 minutes.
If you prefer something a bit touristic choose Anafiotica , eitherwise i would stay in Gazi.

Hello!
I think that the best area to stay close to Athens near Plaka is Plaka itself!!! Main reason is that there are much more hotels there and everything is in walking distance. Now if I could try to answer your questions:
1. What you hear about Psiri is true, its full of restaurants and bars and usually too crowded. Also I donīt think there are many hotels there, here appear three http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?sid=b1c66f4b53ed36523fb3a2a2653cf3c2;district=1049
2. Monastiraki is full of shops and tavernas and of course archeological places, but hotels... I donīt know.
3Gazi is new comer in Athens night life. Its considered gay friendly and kind of artistic area.
4. Anafiotika is a beautiful neighbourhood under the Acropolis where the houses are very old and picturesque built the same way as the main town of Anafi island.
Finally another area very beautiful and lively is Thission, on the other side of the Acropolis, very close to Gazi and Psiri and with some hotels and also a great walk (the pedestrian Dionisiou Aeropagitou) around Acropolis with nice view and all.
I hope this was of any help and take into account that Athens is a diffirent city that in the 80īs.
Whatever you do, enjoy and have a great time!
Jana

Great replies, many thanks.