Monastiraki is a famous district of Athens that extends from the Monastiraki square at the end of Athinas street until Thission, Monastiraki is a large part of the district of Plaka. The old name of the area was Monastirion because of the small church right on the Monastiraki square the today's church of Koimisis Theotokou. At the square you will find the Monastiraki Athens Metro station and the main entrance to the flea market.
In the old days the flea market it was called Yousourum from the name of a rug and bones man that he first made his business there, Stavros Xarhakos made a wonderful Greek popular song the famous "Yousouroum" during the 60's. The main flea market of Athens is at Avyssinias square at the end of Hephaestou street. Along Hephaestus street you will find mainly various shoe shops, clothing shops and music stores. In the same street within the arcades there are some good second hand book stores.
Along the Adrianou street facing the Acropolis and the Attalos stoa is one of the best places for relax and enjoy the scenery at one of the numerous cafes and restaurants in this area is located the church of Agios Phillipos with its clock that bells every hour. From the Monastiraki square after the old mosque that today hosts a ceramic collection, towards Areos street is the Roman Library of Hadrian. Following that street and turning to the left at Dexipou street you will get to the monument of the bath of the winds or Aerides.
