Time Out: Troon Street, Athens, is One of the World’s Coolest Streets

Athens, Greece.

Troon Street, located in the neighborhood of Petralona in Athens, has been included on the “World’s 30 Coolest Streets for 2024” list by Time Out magazine.

Aiming to inspire people to explore and enjoy the best of cities worldwide, the magazine carried out a survey among its local expert editors and contributors asking which are “the world’s coolest streets worth a stroll right now”. After narrowing down the selection, Time Out created a definitive ranking of the best avenues, thoroughfares, backstreets, and boulevards on the planet.

“Ticking off the main tourist attractions on a city break is all well and good, but it’s only when you veer off down a side street or stumble across a leafy avenue that you really get a glimpse of a city’s true character,” Time Out says.

Troon Street in Petralona, one of Athens’ “most desirable residential neighborhoods”, ranks 28th on Time Out’s list of the coolest streets for 2024.

Troon Street, Petralona

Troon Street, Petralona, Athens. Photograph: Demetrios Ioannou for Time Out

According to Time Out, Petralona over the past decade has earned the attention of both locals and foreigners, attracting a bohemian, community-minded mix of artists, designers, musicians, and digital nomads.

Troon Street runs from Thissio and the observatory on Filopappos Hill down to the southerly Merkouri Square and combines local culinary experiences with urban aesthetics and contemporary art details.

“The beautiful, rolling hill is punctuated by classic villas, retro apartment blocks, and a new wave of architectural residential buildings, with friendly locals lolling between relaxed classic tavernas and easy-going bars. But beyond those Athenian staples, the street seems to perfectly capture the current shift in the Greek capital’s energies—fusing the city’s scruffy, old-world charm with interesting contemporary art developments and modern fine dining,” writes John Ovans, Time Out’s contributor in Athens.

Voutier Park, Petralona, Athens. Photo source: Municipality of Athens.

The magazine suggests travelers experience authentic Greek tradition at the retro cafeneio (traditional Greek all-day café) named “Rantevou” before they make their way to “Paribaba” and “Botella” for brunch during the day and cocktails at night.

Additionally, reading enthusiasts can “pick up quirky zines and indie magazines at bookshop café Adad’s or settle in for an alfresco movie at one of Athens’ beloved outdoor cinemas, Zéphyros”.

Last year, Time Out magazine included Exarcheia in Athens among the 40 coolest neighborhoods in the world. The neighborhood ranked 31st on the list and stood out for its rare and historic revolutionary spirit.

The world’s 30 coolest streets for 2024—Top 5

Guatemala Street in Buenos Aires. Photograph: Augustino Mercado for Time Out

From cool little corridors to major thoroughfares, these are some of the streets worth a stroll right now, according to Time Out’s global team of local experts.

High Street in Melbourne topped Time Out’s “world’s coolest street” list due to its ultra-trendy suburbs and unique, something-for-everyone local businesses.

Hollywood Road, Hong Kong, came in second, highlighted for its cool new venues and cultural heritage. Austin’s East Eleventh earned the third place for its incredible food, excellent coffee, a historic venue, and backyard stage, followed by Guatemala Street in fourth place Buenos Aires for its culinary spots and local traditions of breeding and grilling. Vancouver’s Commercial Drive followed in fifth place with its family-owned bowling alley, coffee shops, book shops, record stores, and pizza joints.

Time Out is part of a London-based media and hospitality business group that curates and creates the best of the world’s greatest cities through its two divisions – Time Out Media and Time Out Market.