Monastiraki
Athens neighbourhood adjacent to the Acropolis market; under STR ban since 2024.
Last refreshed: 8 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Is the Monastiraki Airbnb ban still in place in 2026?
Timeline for Monastiraki
Mentioned in: Greece closes in-country nomad visa route
Nomads & CommunitiesMentioned in: Athens STR ban widens to Thessaloniki, islands next
Nomads & Communities- Can I Airbnb a flat in Monastiraki Athens in 2026?
- No new STR permits can be issued in Monastiraki. The registration suspension has been in place since 2024 and was maintained under Law 5275/2026.Source: GTP Headlines
- Where is Monastiraki in Athens and what is it known for?
- Monastiraki is a historic flea-market square and neighbourhood in central Athens, known for its Ottoman-era mosque, Roman Agora ruins, and dense short-term rental market that has driven up local housing costs.Source: nomads-and-communities topic context
- Why are rents so high near Monastiraki compared to other Athens neighbourhoods?
- Monastiraki's proximity to the Acropolis and Plaka tourist zone has made it one of the highest-density Airbnb areas in Athens, reducing long-term rental stock and pushing rents well above the city average.Source: nomads-and-communities topic context
- How has overtourism affected residents living in Monastiraki?
- Long-term residents have been displaced as landlords convert properties to short-term lets; the neighbourhood's population has declined sharply since 2019 while visitor numbers have surged.Source: nomads-and-communities topic context
Background
Monastiraki is a central Athens neighbourhood centred on a famous flea market and Monastiraki Square, adjacent to the Ancient Agora and within walking distance of the Acropolis. It is one of the six original Athens areas placed under the STR registration suspension since 2024, alongside Plaka, Syntagma, Omonia, Kolonaki and Exarcheia. The suspension was maintained and strengthened under Law 5275/2026, which removed the automatic licence transfer on property sale.
Monastiraki sees extremely high tourist footfall year-round and had been one of the higher-yielding STR micro-markets in central Athens before the suspension. The combination of the ban and the no-transfer clause means existing permitted listings can continue but cannot be sold with the permit, and no new permits can be issued in the suspended zone.
