Has anyone stayed in this area of Athens? Can you tell me what it offers and if it is suitable for families? Also looking for quality hotel in this area.

I would not stay in this area. It is good to visit for a stroll and shopping during the day, but at night there are a lot of drug dealers, drunks and you have to watch out for theives. Definitely not a place to walk around at night alone.

I don't consider Greece to have much crime but Omonia would be considered one of the high-crime areas of Athens. Lots of Albanian beggers Gypsies, and junkies can be found there at night so hold onto your wallet. And don't let the store clerks cheat you in exchange trickery. That being said, Greece is very safe compared to the other European countries such as Italy and France.<BR><BR><BR>

Omonia square is now under renovation.<BR>The works will be completed end of january 2003, and they are transforming the entire area to one of the hippest and safest(with increased police presence) places of Athens.<BR>you never feel unsafe or uncomfortable.<BR><BR>Something similar happens there to what was done in Sfo's Union Square.<BR><BR>I consider it as one of the best locations to stay when in Athens with kids:lots of novelties shops,near the athens fresh market with its delicacies, a wide choice of casual and original restaurantsa nd just in the heart of the public transports ,trains,metros ,buses etc...<BR>10 min walk from plaka and acropolis area and from syntagma square and from the national museum<BR><BR>There are 2 excellent hotels owned by grecotel city hotels with good rates,service and amenities:the athens grand and the acropol(i prefer the larger rooms of the grand)www.grecotel.gr go to the' city hotels'<BR><BR>

I heard about the transformation. I think it would be safe with the police and effort going into it, but one question still remains- what area will the junkies and gypsies be pushed back to? They're not really cleaning it up but pushing it to another area- which is what I'd like to know.

What Jeff said is correct. It is a great location for walking to the sites, and I think that you'll be fine in that area if you travel after all the work is done and the police have shown their strong presence. I remember feeling a little uneasy on the side streets close by it though. Years ago the Plaka was the area for drugs and crime and look at it now! You would never have known it's past.

yeah Omonia its getting a makeover cause it really is the Times Square of 10 yrs ago.