The Exárhia and its square by Paul2001
The Exárhia was a very interesting section of Athens to visit for both eating and nightlife. This area, due to its proximity to the University of Athens, tends to be a student hangout. It was at onetime full of anarchist types who defaced the place with graffiti and garbage. It has been cleaned up in recent years and today is more a place to go to if you do not want be ripped off for food prices as is the case in the Plaka. I thought that the three restaurants that I ate in here were better and more authentically Greek. The square itself is littered with cafes and is a great place to drink local wine. There is also decent and inexpensive shopping where you can purchase clothing and electronic equipment in the neighborhood. There is also a farmers market on Saturdays at 2pm.As there are few real tourist attractions, there naturally few tourists about. I did meet a couple that I had met earlier in my travels through Greece. We ate well and got really loaded in the square trying local beverages.
An interesting personal note about my time in the Exárhia is that I was walking to dinner when it was announced on television that Athens was awarded the 2004 Olympics. Every household cheered and it seemed like the world was crashing down on my head for the noise.
