Spend Time at the the Omania Neighborhood in Athens
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When it comes to visiting Athens, there is so much to see and do that it can be hard to choose. Although it is important to see all the typical sites, like the Parthenon, there are other places that are worth a visit. For example, there are plenty of neighborhoods throughout the city that can be fun to explore, and the Omania Neighborhood is one of them. Here’s more information:
Getting to the Omania Neighborhood
The Omania neighborhood in Athens is part of the city center. It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens. The center of the neighborhood is Omania Square, which is a hub for transportation. It has changed names several times ending up with the name, Omania, which means peace.
Athenas Street connects the marketplace to Omania Square. Omania was once a beautiful and vibrant commercial hub, but crime and other signs of urban decay have taken over in the past few decades. The Greek government has plans to revitalize the area but despite that, it is still worth a visit.
About the Omania Neighborhood
Athens began to modernize in the mid 19th century. The Omania neighborhood used to be considered the very center of the city, which is why it is home to beautiful neoclassical architecture, much of which was revitalized during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
You can access Monastiraki, which is a popular marketplace, from this neighborhood. While Omania does see some tourists, Monastiraki does see more than the Omania Neighborhood does. If you walk along that street, you will come across a lovely view of the Acropolis. While no major points of interest for tourists are located in the neighborhood, it’s a good place to go to get a sense of local life.
What to Do in the Omania Neighborhood
As mentioned above, this neighborhood will give you a sense of what local life is like in this city. It is a bit off the beaten track, which means that tourists can feel a little out of sorts. However, the neighborhood is beautiful and interesting and worth some of your times. While here, you can easily get something to eat or browse through some of the shops.
It is also home to several beautiful and newer hotels. As you move toward the Monastiraki neighborhood, you’ll find more and more charming cafés and shops as well as The Central Market. There is also at least one archaeological site. You can see an ancient road that has been dug up and fenced off for the viewing public. There are also some small buildings and an ancient tomb at the site.
Although the neighborhood may be a bit run down, it’s authentic and still worth a visit. This is a place that is off the beaten tourist path and can offer a glimpse of local life without the hustle bustle of popular tourist areas. It’s a busy place and is plenty safe during daylight hours by most accounts. Be sure to visit here if local life is as important to your travel experience as site seeing is.
Categorized in: About Athens, Greece, Greek Travel Guide
This post was written by Greek Boston
