07 December 2023 Last Updated: 11 December 2023

Explore Peristeri, Athens

Over the last few years, especially because of the extension of the metro line, Peresteri has become its own, more independent of Athens. The town evolved, having everything that is needed for daily life. It especially became a sort of shopping district for the entire western part of Athens, boasting several shops, from more affordable options to high-end luxury brands, especially in Ethinikis Antistaseos Street, the main pedestrian street in Peristeri.

Besides the metro line, which serves Peresteri with three different stations: Anthoupoli, Peristeri, and Agios Antonios, the town is also well-served by public transportation and accesses. One of Greece’s most important roads, the Motorway 1, which connects Athens, the capital, to Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in all of Greece, passes through the town. Furthermore, the Kifissos Bus Terminal, which receives long-distance buses from other Greek regions, such as the Peloponnese, Thrace, and Macedonia, is also in Peristeri.

In terms of medical care, the Peresteri Medical Center has contributed to the higher quality of life of local residents. It has state-of-the-art equipment and is fully staffed, with more than 600 trained doctors.

Things to do in Peristeri

Visit Bournazi

Bournazi is the Peresteri’s nightlife district, perfect for visiting and spending a few hours just relaxing and unwinding while enjoying a cup of your favorite drink. Close to the metro station of Agios Antonios, it is mostly a pedestrian area, with a particular focus on Veaki and Agia Paraskevi Streets, where most restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and cafés are open, usually up until very late in the morning. While mostly frequented by younger people, the Bournazi district welcomes everyone, as it is a place where all locals gather to celebrate all sorts of holidays, especially during the summer months. It is Peresteri’s prime location for live music, dancing, singing, and drinking.

Peristeri Park (Alsos Peristeriou)

Opened in 2012, Peristeri Park quickly became one of the town’s main attractions as the main municipal park, and a common place for locals and residents to just relax or spend an afternoon with their family. Spread over 15 acres, this Park was designed as one of the most important green projects for the city and has considerably improved the lives of the local people, as well as the environment itself. The Park was created with the community at its core. It has multiple cafés and bars, a playground for children, and it is well-equipped with all types of equipment, serving fitness enthusiasts with an outdoor gym, where they can train while also being in nature. The municipal library, Dimotiki Vivliothiki, is situated nearby, and the Park provides the perfect reading nook for book lovers. The Park also boasts the Green House, a center all about the environment, green sources of energy, and recycling.

Daphni Monastery

Located just a short ten-minute drive from Peristeri, you can find the Daphni Monastery. It is thought to have been originally built in the 6th century BCE, though it was completely remade by the Byzantines in the 11th century. Its status as a major attraction comes exactly from these redesigns, as the Monastery is considered to be a masterpiece of Byzantine art and architecture, so much so that, Daphni Monastery, alongside two others, Hosios Loukas in Delphi, and Nea Monion in Chios, are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage for their historical worth. The Monastery is located by a forest of the same name, the Dafni Grove, and was built on the “Sacred Way,” a procession route of 12 miles, which connects Athens to Eleusis.

Plato Academy Park and Digital Museum

Just a short drive away from Peresteri, you will find an opportunity to travel into the past and stand on the grounds where Plato, one of the most famous philosophers of all time, taught and shared his knowledge at his academy. Unfortunately, there is not much to see on the grounds themselves, though there are some ruins that are believed to have belonged to the academy itself. Regardless, it can still prove transcending, to be where the first ideas that would shape the foundation of the Western world were discussed. However, if you want more, then head to the Plato Digital Museum, which is near the Park itself, completely dedicated to the life and teachings of Plato, his academy, and his philosophy. The Museum is focused on facilitating some of the heavier subjects Plato discussed to make it completely accessible to everyone, making use of digital displays and interactive games.

Support Local Sport Clubs

If you are in Peresteri, why not engage in some local sports watching? Peristeri hosts a major soccer club, Atromitos Football Club, which translates to the “The Fearless,” and has a centenarian story, having been founded in 1923 by students. A local club by all means, it has had a few years of success but has yet to win the Greek Superleague. Regardless, it is worth catching a match, if only to feel the energy, atmosphere, excitement, and passion the locals from Peresteri have for their club. Alternatively, if you prefer basketball, the town also has the Peresteri Basketball Club, which plays in Greece’s top league, as well as the FIBA Champions League, the top-tier European competition.