The Stoa Spyromiliou is a high, glass-roofed arcade cutting through the city block between Voukourestiou and Amerikis streets. It takes its name from Spyros Spyromilios, a military officer who once owned the land and fought in the Balkan…
Downtown Covered Arcades
This walk slips away from the Mediterranean sun and into the labyrinth of historic glass-roofed commercial passages threading through central Athens. You'll experience the bustling, nostalgic charm of the city's golden commercial age, visiting old-school stamp sellers, retro cinemas, and cozy basement lunch counters.
Listen to this tour in the Mira app →
1. Stoa Spyromiliou
2. Stoa X. Mpolani
The Stoa of Mpolani sits tucked into the modern streetscape of Athens, distinguishable by the weathered, partially reconstructed marble columns that rise against the backdrop of newer buildings. Built in the second century, this structure…
3. Stoa Emporon (Passage of the Merchants)
The Stoa Emporon stands as a long, narrow rectangle of columns running parallel to the Sacred Way, distinguished by its foundation of poros stone and the dense, rhythmic spacing of its base. Built in the second century before the common…
4. ASTOR
The Astor Cinema sits behind a simple concrete facade on Stadiou Street, marked by an understated neon sign. Opened in nineteen fifty-nine, it replaced an older theater and quickly became a staple for Athenians seeking first-run…
5. Stoa Nikoloudi
The Stoa Nikoloudi is marked by a distinctive glass and iron roof that stretches between two buildings on Panepistimio Street. Built in the late nineteenth century, it served as a primary commercial arcade for wealthy Athenians, housing…
6. Pesmazoglou
The Pesmazoglou building sits at the corner of Panepistimiou and Korae streets, distinguished by its heavy stone facade and the rounded, corner tower that anchors the block. Built in the late nineteenth century, it served as the…
7. Stoa Arsakeiou
The Stoa Arsakeiou features a long, covered walkway with tall columns that run along the side of the nineteenth century Arsakio School building. This passage links two major streets in the heart of Athens. Originally built to house shops…
8. Stoa Anatolis
The Stoa of Attalos stands as a long, two-story marble colonnade lining the eastern edge of the Ancient Agora. King Attalos the Second of Pergamon gifted this structure to the city of Athens in the second century before Christ. It served…