Petralona, Residential neighborhood in Athens, Greece
Petralona is a residential neighborhood in Athens split into two sections: Ano Petralona in the upper part, with restaurants and small bars, and Kato Petralona in the lower part, which is mostly made up of homes and local shops. The area sits just behind the Acropolis and is made up of narrow streets, older apartment buildings, and small stores.
The name of the neighborhood comes from Petrina Alonia, meaning stone threshing floors, where grain was processed before the land was built over. During the 20th century, Petralona grew into a residential area, and the basic layout of its streets still reflects that earlier use of the land.
Ano Petralona has several traditional tavernas where local people regularly gather to eat home-style Greek food and drink local wine. These spots are part of everyday life in the neighborhood and give a clear sense of how residents spend their evenings.
Petralona can be reached by the green metro line or on foot from central Athens. The streets are narrow and hilly, especially between the upper and lower sections, so comfortable shoes make a real difference when exploring the area.
The Zefyros is one of the oldest open-air cinemas in Athens and still shows classic films under the open sky. The venue is relatively small and mostly used by locals, which gives it a different feel from the more visited cinemas elsewhere in the city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
