The Mets is a small neighbourhood, very close to all the main touristic attractions of the city centre. It is a 10-minute walk from the Acropolis and just a few hundred metres from Kallimarmaro Stadium, but it is not touristic at all. It is located on Logginos Hill and between Ardittos Hill and the First Cemetery of Athens. A little bit of Montmartre and a little bit of East London – this is a place you should discover if you want to visit one of the most charming areas of Athens.
The story of Mets
Mets took its name from the beer house with the same name that was established on the hill in 1870. That was one of the innovations which were brought to Greece by King Otto and the Bavarians who accompanied him. In the course of time the beerhouse was transformed into a cafe-aman, a type of entertainment venue with live music. Other venues like that began to operate in the surrounding area and on the banks of the nearby Ilissos river. Therefore, this part of the city became known for its live music venues and small theatres.
At the same time, smaller places and bars appeared here and became the meeting place of illegal love couples. For that reason, the area was known among the citizens of the capital as “pantremenadika”. This in free translation means the place where married people meet their lovers. At the end of the 19th century, due to the area’s proximity to the palace and the city centre, middle-class families populated the neighbourhood. They built elegant and quite big neoclassical houses, and consequently, the character of the area changed completely.
The neighbourhood today
During the 20th century, the area retained its middle class and urban style. In the last two decades many of the old houses have been restored, and new inhabitants have moved here. Many artists, musicians, actors, and painters have moved into Mets and have given it a more bohemian character. There is only a handful of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants in the area. This fact creates a more intimate and cosy atmosphere.
At the same time, the proximity to the cemetery, which is an open-air museum of Greek sculpture (you could find more information here). The cemetery, along with the marble sculpture workshops that still exist here on Anapafseos Street, gives the area a unique artistic quality. Added to the above, many streets and houses offer views and glimpses of the Acropolis, an ever-dominant shape of the Athenian skyline and eternal symbol of high art.
Places to visit in Mets
As you walk along the picturesque streets of Mets, you will come across some wonderful places which deserve your attention. Characteristic places are the bakery Kallimarmaro, the bio-grocery store To Paradosiakon and the publishing house To Doma, all on Mousourou Street. At the same time you could relax and have a cup of coffee at Odeon Cafe (M. Mousourou 19), a meeting place for the inhabitants, or Metz Cafe (M. Mousourou 63) with tables under the big trees on Logginos Hill.
If you feel hungry, search for Colimbri (Anapafseos 9), a well-known restaurant with excellent burgers and pizzas but also unique cocktails. Finally, if you want to stay out late, you could either visit Kain Bar (Anapafseos 22) for quality drinks and cocktails or the legendary jazz club Half Note (Trivonianou 17), probably the best place in Athens for live jazz, ethnic and quality Greek music with a history of 40 years (you could check their programme and buy tickets here).
Discovering Old Athens
Mets is a place where you could spend a wonderful afternoon, away from the touristic areas of the city. Here you can discover a part of Old Athens that remains relatively unspoiled. Respect the inhabitants and mingle with them in the cafes and the small shops of the area. Walk in the streets without a map, search for the view of the Acropolis, admire the elegance of the old houses and discover small glimpses of art around every corner.
