Petralona : Urban Style

Petralona is a well known urban district in the center of Athens. It is extended by Piraeus  road up to the hill Filopappou and by Chamosternas road  up to  Poulopoulou bridge.

Petralona is in the north of area Taurus and Kallithea.In Eastern side Petralona area is close to Koukaki,in north-eastern to Thiseio and in north-western to Gazi. Petralona neighborhood is divided in two areas, Upper(Ano) and Down(Kato)Petralona, separated from lines of Athens Railway (Piraeus-Kifissia).Petralona took it's name due to the threshing,(separation of grain), that existed in the region. Ano Petralona area is in the eastern side of the railway and Kato Petralona in the west side.It's definitely worth visiting a beautiful area, named "Sinikia to oneiro", in Ano Petralona, or else named "Asyrmatos", where initially lived refugees from Anatolia. In the decade of 50's, in Ano Petralona, were constructed the famous "Stone Houses" of Queen Frederica, an aristocratic neighborhood, that looks like an adorable and really beautiful village in the center of the greek capital. You will definitely enjoy exploring this amazing area and observing it's many neoclassical houses.

Ano Petralona is like a a small paradise close to the center, surrounded by greenery and silence, narrow paths in green park and impressive detached houses. A hospitable neighborhood with happy and gentile residents and also many local super markets and an open-air grocery market every week.The parkland of the area is located in Ano Petralona. In a beautiful and greenery environnment with basketball and volleyball court, where in summertime are hosted open air concerts, music performances,you may enjoy your self in several ways. Petralona Parkland is ideal for experimenting natural life, hiking or jogging.Close to Ano Petralona, is located Filopappou Hill, from where you may admire a spectacular view of Athens.
Kato Petralona area is more lively, busy and noisy but also interesting and challenging to explore. The neighborhood of Petralona itself has plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes. Attracts people from all parts of Athens, that enjoy its cosy atmosphere, ideal for having relaxing moments and taking pleasure in its various alternatives of food and drinks.If you are a cine lover, Cine Zefyros,a beautiful open-air cinema offers a great variety of subtiltled movies. And if you are interested in exploring something different you may visit Mentis fibre manufactury.

By the way if you love cyclism Kato Petralona is ideal for you, because the pedestrian zone near the railway is appropriate for cyclists. Petralona is well connected to public transport via railway and buses, such as railway station named Petralona, buses 035,227 and yellow bus number 15. Main streets are Dimofontos,Troon, Trion Ierarxon, Thessalonikis, Aristovoulou, Nefeli Square,Merkouri Square, Dryopon, Kallisthenous e.tc. As for your entertainment our nightlife proprosals are : Vraziliana in Square Mercouri is like a tradition in Ano Petralona.Join reggae n' soul music in Vraziliana and taste special treats,traditional beers, wines and coktails, delicious dishes and home made sweets. Good prices and hospitable personel in a relaxing atmosphere. 

Chez Lucien or else "La Brocherie" of Petralona is a famous French bistro, that attracts french and greek people from all Athens. A relaxed cosy location, definitely a fantastic -value for money- restaurant with wonderful staff, where you will have a brilliant time.You may taste it's original french cuisine - great potatoes au gratin,awesome sweets,delicious onion soup accompanied by superb service and very reasonable prices. Restaurant Oikonomou, located in Kydantidon and Troon streets, next door to children's theatre laboratory, named "Kokkini Klosti".Oikonomou,one of the oldest taverns in Athens,holds true to it's reputation about quality and delicious homemade cuisine. Everyone says that dinnering in Oikonomou tavern is like eating home. Customers usually love everything about it, mostly quality,nicely cooked Greek dishes, fast service, casual atmosphere and normal prices.Try the pork with leek & celery!! El camino,a cosy small wine bar with friendly service, very nice coffee, amazing fingerfood.Try beer Zeos and buritos !! "Sinikia to oneiro" restaurant serves fresh fish and delicious sardines in reasonable prices.Klouvi Bar offers special coctails!! A great cosy place to enjoy a cool mojito.Fast service, many cocktails - they are pretty good and definitely an authentic and hospitable atmosphere.Try Cheesecake cocktail,mediteranne,run blazer, Miss New Orleans cocktail n'Zombie cocktail!! Enjoy a tasty brunch with a beer or relax with your favourite cup of coffee.
Visit famous "Kappari",a cozy and yummi restaurant,taste it's amazing appetizers - a greek one named "rebithia stifado" with bacon and parmesan, mushrooms pleurotus with balsamiko, meatballs with cheese, "Bekri meze", chicken with mushrooms, sweet wine and "mastelo". Kappari is a nice place in a beautiful location that serves good food and fresh salads in brave portions and tasty combinations. Minore tis Avgis: A really hospitable traditional tavern- good quality and prices, delicious traditional food and very friendly staff. Dont miss the chance enjoying greek traditional music, named "rebetiko", in one of live performances in Minore tis Avgis. Mpampouras is more than a friendly atmosphrere bar, is an alternative and casual style bar, that serves good n' cheap drinks and beers and delicious traditional fingerfood. One of the Best Value for money restaurant in Petralona is definitey "Pleiades".You may taste it's huge platter served with cooked potato and melted cheese on top accompanied with a white wine.

 Nearby the railway station of Petralona,visit OZZY, a nice cafe bar to enjoy a quick coffee or a hot chocolate or else enjoy a white chocolate with almond or a stylish cocktail in a really special cocktail  bar, named "Spirtokouto".Finally, if you are a stand up comedy fan Kompremi Bar is the ideal destination for you -smiley faces,lovely tasters, good drinks and stand up comedy!

INFO:
Vraziliana: Arkadon 4, Ano Petralona

Chez Lucien: Troon 32 Ano Petralona

Oikonomou: Kydantidon & Troon 41 Ano Petralona

Klouvi : Dimofontos 57(kydantinon) Ano Petralona

Kappari: Dorieon 34 Ano Petralona

Minore tis Avgis: Kalisthenous 82 Ano Petralona

Mpampoyras: Dimofontos 43 Ano Petralona

Pleiades: Troon 34 Ano Petralona

Cine Zefyros: Troon 36 Ano Petralona

El Camino :Antaiou 3 Square Merkouri Ano Petralona

Kompremi:Dorieon 26 Ano Petralona

Spirtokouto :Keiriadon 15, Kato Petralona

OZZY cafe bar: Thessalonikis 180 Kato Petralona

MENTIS:Polyfimoy 6 Kato Petralona

 By Evelina Nodara Posted www.athens24.com 2015