From our apartment at Ioulianou 50 you need about three minutes on foot to reach one of the most historic streets in Athens: Patision Street — officially 28 October Street, though almost nobody calls it that. It is a long, straight commercial avenue that starts at Omonoia, the city's old heart, and stretches north toward Patissia.
A little history, very briefly
Patision was laid out in the 19th century as part of the plan for the new Greek capital. It took its name from the area of Patissia farther north, where the road originally led. Along it stand the National Technical University of Athens, known as the Polytechnic, and the National Archaeological Museum — two neoclassical buildings that still define the soul of the street.
On 17 November 1973, Patision entered world history through the Polytechnic uprising against the military dictatorship. Since then, the street has remained part of that historical memory for Athens.
A whole commercial axis
Patision is the second big shopping street of Athens after Ermou. At its southern end, in Omonoia, it effectively joins the wider commercial network that runs through Athinas Street to Monastiraki and then Ermou. In a few hours, without a taxi or the metro, you can cross almost the whole shopping axis of central Athens.
On Patision you will find traditional jewellers and watch shops around Victoria Square, electronics stores and fabric shops as you go down towards Omonoia, plus small grocers, bakeries, pastry shops, souvlaki places, barbers, cafés, bookstores and old arcades with small shops inside. The street stays active through most of the day.
🏛️ The key spots along the street
From north to south, starting from our neighborhood and walking down toward Omonoia, here are the spots worth knowing:
Patision / 28 October Street
📍 From Omonoia toward Patisia, Athens
The long commercial axis of Athens, lined with dozens of shops, cafés and historic buildings. From Ioulianou 50 it takes just 3 minutes to step onto the street, right at the level of the Archaeological Museum.
National Archaeological Museum
📍 Patision 44, Athens 106 82
One of the most important museums in the world, with the largest collection of ancient Greek art. Open Monday to Sunday (hours vary by season). Ticket: €12 (reduced €6).
O Kipos tou Mouseiou
📍 Patision 44, inside the museum garden
Specialty coffee and light food inside the restored garden of the Archaeological Museum. Free entry — no museum ticket needed — worth it just for the coffee.
Pedion tou Areos
📍 Alexandras Ave. & Patision, Athens
The largest park in central Athens, featuring neoclassical statues of heroes from the 1821 Greek revolution, playgrounds, alleys and plenty of greenery. Open 24/7.
Victoria Square & Metro
📍 Patision, Victoria Square, Athens 104 34
The nearest metro station (Line 1, green) and the historic Victoria Square with the statue of Theseus. Surrounded by dozens of jewelers, cafés and restaurants.
From Patision to Ermou, in one line
If you leave Ioulianou 50 and walk all the way down Patision, after about 2 kilometres you reach Omonoia. From there Athinas Street begins, with the Municipal Market, spice shops and other everyday stores. At the end of Athinas you arrive at Monastiraki, and from there you can continue into Ermou towards Syntagma Square.
The whole route can be done on foot — from our door to Parliament it's about 3.5 km. If you want to do it faster, you can always take the metro from Victoria (5 min walk) to Omonoia or Syntagma.
Practical tips
- Early morning (before 10:00) Patision is quiet and ideal for a walk to the Museum.
- Weekends: many shops close on Sunday. On Saturday, many stay open until late afternoon.
- Watch the junction at Patision & Alexandras — big intersection, use the crossing in front of the Museum.
- Panepistimiou / Stadiou / Akadimias: these three parallel avenues start at Omonoia and lead to Syntagma. They are the continuation of Patision after Omonoia and feature Athens' finest neoclassical buildings (University, Academy, Library — the «neoclassical trilogy»).
- Victoria station (Line 1): 5 min walk, connects you to Omonoia, Monastiraki, Thissio, Piraeus.
Why it is worth walking
Patision does not have the postcard beauty of Plaka or Thissio. It is a lively Athens street where the neoclassical Museum stands next to everyday shops, old snack places and many different languages. It gives you a more direct sense of how the city works today.
Happy walking. And if you lose your way, message me — Ioulianou 50 is only a couple of blocks away.
— Kathy
