Monastiraki, which literally means little monastery, is a
flea market neighborhood in the old town of
Athens. Access there is easy, since you can either go by the electric railway or by Athens Metro. There's an homonym station at both Line 1 ("green" line) and Line 3 ("blue" line) of public transports. You can also go on foot from the main city square of Syntagma, via Ermou commercial street.
Monastiraki area is home to clothing boutiques, souvenir shops and specialty stores. It is a major tourist attraction in Athens and Attica for bargain shopping, so you'll see hundreds of people, both Greeks and tourists, move on the central streets Pandrossou and Adrianou. Especially on Sundays, the crowds are extremely big. You'll see many people buy or sell antiques, paintings, tools, coins, old books and various objects that could also be considered as trash, they meet however someone's needs and desires. Getting into this "fiesta" will definitely give you a different idea of life in Athens city, compared to what you'll see a few meters away, to the other commercial streets of the town.
Within the
square of
Monastiraki one meets the church monastery of Pantanassa. During your walk at the square you might meet folklore groups playing music, clowns and others making any kind of show. Around the square there are some traditional
taverns where you can rest and enjoy
Greek "
souvlaki", the typical Greek fast food which is served on the skewer for eating out of hand or in a pita sandwich with garnishes and sauces.
