Athens, capital to Greece is one of the many metropolises of the world with an ever growing population. Athens is a place where life is constantly on the move. It is a perfect fusion of ancient meets modern. Juxtaposed with the remnants and ruins of Ancient Greece built as early as the 6 th Century B.C. [these sites include the Acropolis, the Agora, the temples of Zeus and Poseidon to name a few] are the more recently built chic and modern structures including the new metro and various hotels and restaurants. Athens continues to be a dynamic city whilst paying tribute to its rich history and past.
The Parthenon is the most important religious shrine on the Acropolis. You will be astounded by the size of this Doric temple, which once housed the giant statue of Athena. Its 46 columns are masterfully designed to negotiate the natural landscape. Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed to enter the building, both for preservation purposes and to allow restoration projects under way to continue uninterrupted.
National Gardens
This is the most well-known historical site in Athens, and maybe of the Western World. Pericles is the famous Greek responsible for the transformation of the Acropolis into a city of temples during the fifth century BCE. A stop here on your trip to Athens is a must, and the collection of temples and historical sites you will find here will surely not disappoint. As you enter, you will walk through the Propylaea, the grand entrance of the Acropolis. Just south of this magnificent structure is the Temple of Athena Victory, which was built to commemorate the Greek victory against the Persians.
Built around 160 A.D. this is a magnificent theatre. Tourists can get tickets to watch ballet performances, theatrical performances and comedies staged here.
This theatre was built in the fifth century BCE and to accommodate the dramatists of the time. Famous plays such as Oedipus Rex written by Sophocles were performed here, among others by Greece’s most famous poets (including Aeschylus, Aristophanes and Euripides). The audience was seated on two types of seats depending on their rank, with the more privileged citizenry sitting in sections made of Pentelic marble and those of lesser rank in sections made of limestone. The most extravagant and ornate of these was reserved for the Priest of Dionysos. The theater is considered by many to be the most ancient theater in the world.
This is a fantastic museum showcasing intricate jewelry designs through the Cycladic, Byzantine and other eras of Greek history. Over 3000 jewelry pieces are on display and visitors can also place orders to have identical pieces made by the Museum workshop personnel. The most interesting are those jewels in the form of insects.
This is a world famous museum and a storehouse of significant archeological finds from different locations within Greece. A number of collections are worth seeing and give a deep understanding of Greek history. The Mycenaean Antiquities collection is stunning and the most famous piece within it is the supposed mask of Agamemnon and excavated royal tombs along with intricately carved miniatures. The Thira collection consists of beautiful Minoan Frescoes. The Neolithic collection consists of jewelry, pottery and other objects unearthed at Troy. In addition to these the Museum houses much more such as marble and bronze statues of Greek gods such as Zeus, Poseidon, and Aphrodite etc.
This is an extremely interesting museum that will transport the visitors back into time. The highlights are inscriptions in marble stone dating as far back as 480 B.C pertaining to laws regarding worship in the Acropolis, inscriptions regarding homicide and orders instructing Athenians to flee the city and escape invasion by the Persians. One of the most interesting artifacts is a voting box dating back to 100 B.C.
This consists of a private collection of thousands of pieces of art dating back to the Neolithic era. Treasures stored here range from gold goblets to intricate textiles, to bronze statues to entire rooms from Greek mansions in the 1700s. A new section of the Museum is the Benaki collection of Islamic Art.
This too is a private collection consisting of art dating from the Cycladic Era to the Roman times. The emphasis is on the time period of 3000B.C to 2000 B.C. There are over 200 exhibits ranging from marble statues to marble figurines to pottery.
This restaurant serves some of the best quality sea-food that Athens has to offer, albeit at exorbitant prices. Every imaginable sea food dish is on the menu. Specialties range from crayfish to eel to monkfish. Wonderful breads and soups are also on the menu. Customers will not leave disappointed. Apart from the delicious food the restaurants also offers a breath taking view of the Acropolis.
The ambience in this restaurant is relaxed and the dishes on the menu are superb. Apart from the main courses the desserts too are delectable. Don't miss out on the crème brulee, the sorbets or the profiteroles. Located next to this restaurant are a cinema and a café. This is the perfect choice for dinner and a movie afterwards.
One of the most popular restaurants in town, Spondi is located in a town house built in the 1800s. A broad spectrum of dishes is included on the menu. Meat lovers, vegetarians, sea food fans and dessert junkies are all sure to find something to satiate their palate. The sea- food dishes are particularly appetizing.
The interior of this restaurant is chic and stylish. Amidst this beautiful ambience, guests are treated to delicious traditional Greek dishes with a twist. Excellent quality simple dishes with an eccentric touch here and there sums up what you will find on the menu here. Chicken with hazelnuts is not unheard of in this restaurant.
Situated on a hill this restaurant gives a wonderful view of the city of Athens especially at night. Scrumptious food and excellent service are to be looked forward to here.
Wonderful traditional Greek dishes are listed on the menu. The food is of excellent quality and is extremely reasonably priced. It is quite a popular choice amongst locals. Don't miss out on the lamb entrees which are particularly delicious.
This restaurant consists of indoor and outdoor tables which provide a stunning view of the Acropolis. Better than the view is the food with jazzed up traditional dishes listed on the menu. The salads are exceptionally good here as well.
This restaurant has a beautiful interior and excellent appetizers and entrees. The wonderful floors, marble tables and wooden chairs along with the walls decked with old photographs provide guests with a beautiful setting amidst which they can enjoy their meals. Meat and seafood dishes are popular here.
Famous for its delicious seafood dishes this is a good choice for seafood lovers.
This restaurant serves traditional Greek dishes. The entrees listed on the menu are diverse but vegetarians will be thrilled by the delectable vegetable stews and salads.
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This hotel is located in the neighborhood of Syntagma. It is extremely luxurious evident from the gleaming marble in the hallways. Most bedrooms have balconies looking out on Syntagma Square. The service is excellent and hotel facilities include restaurants, bars, spas, Jacuzzis, room service, dry cleaning and laundry services. In room facilities include TV, AC, hairdryer, safe and a mini-bar.
This beautiful building dates back to the 1800s. This hotel has been host to a number of political personalities, musical giants and other celebrities. The service is excellent and efficient. Some rooms have balconies overlooking Syntagma Square and the Acropolis.
This chic hotel is located in the neighborhood of Kolonaki which means that famed restaurants and shops are only a few footsteps away. Apart from the excellent location this hotel has the added advantage of a roof top swimming pool. Visitors should ask for a room affording views of Mount Likavitus or the Acropolis. Hotel facilities include restaurants, bars, room service, dry cleaning and laundry services. In room facilities include TV, AC, hairdryer, and a mini-bar.
This hotel is located in the Embassy District and was opened in the 1960s. Rooms look out onto the hills of Athens or the Acropolis. Bathrooms are spacious and made of gleaming marble. The décor of the rooms is elegant and welcoming. The hotel often has special deals on so be sure to check out their website. Hotel facilities are plentiful. In addition to restaurants, bars, spas, Jacuzzis, room service, dry cleaning and laundry services, the hotel consists of an outdoor pool, an ATM, a game room and a salon. Babysitting services are also provided.
This is located in the vicinity of the neighborhoods of Makrigianni and Koukaki and is only a short distance away from the Acropolis. Bathrooms and rooms are both spacious and comfortable. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bars, a pool and room service. In room facilities consist of a TV, AC, hairdryer, safe and a mini-bar.
This is located in the neighborhood of the Plaka. This multi- storey hotel consists of rooms that are varied both in size and in terms of the views of Athens that they afford. The higher the room, the better the view of the Acropolis from it. The rooms are comfortable and simple. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar and a rooftop pool. In room facilities include a TV, AC, mini-bar and a hair dryer.
This is located in the neighbor hood of Syntagma. It is attractive because of its central location. In addition, the rooms are spacious. Hotel facilities include a breakfast room and a snack bar. In room facilities include a TV, AC and usually a hairdryer and a safe.
This is located in the neighborhood of Koukaki. It is a boutique hotel and visitors love to stay here because of its warm and eclectic ambience. It was originally home to Greek artist Bouki and the interior of the hotel is dotted with original paintings. The rooms are cozy and inviting and each is done up differently making this hotel quite eccentric. The balcony of the hotel looks out on the Parthenon. This hotel also runs special discount deals quite frequently. In room facilities include a TV and AC.
This is located in the neighborhood of Plaka amidst the Roman Agora and the Hadrian library. Its central location is a big plus point especially since charges are reasonable. Rooms are priced differently depending on the view of the city of Athens that they afford. All the rooms are, however, comfortable and welcoming. The roof terrace is a wonderful area where guests can unwind after a strenuous day of sight-seeing. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, a bar, room service, a luggage storeroom etc. In room facilities include an AC and wireless internet connection.
Located in the neighborhood of Syntagma this hotel is centrally located and reasonably priced. Rooms are spacious and inviting, the bathrooms too are elegantly decorated. Some rooms overlook the Acropolis. Hotel facilities include a bar, snack bar and breakfast room as well as a luggage storeroom. In room facilities include a TV, AC, hairdryer and mini-bar.
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Greek antiques along with other antiques from all over Europe are available here for purchase. Most of the merchandise dates back to the 1400s to about the 1800s. A diverse selection is available here ranging from clocks to paintings to wood carvings to crockery. Whilst the goods are beautiful they are highly priced as well.
This boutique comprises of collections of women and menswear. The interior of the shop is interesting in itself and the merchandise even more so. For those with an eclectic and eccentric fashion sense this is the place to go.
This shop houses a variety of traditional Greek arts and crafts. Merchandise consists of pottery, wood carvings, embroideries and textiles. Quality is this store's forte.
This shop is well- known for the home ware it sells which include beautiful Venetian glass, swords and tables.
This is one of the major shopping areas of Athens. The following brands are available here:
Tourists ought to browse through the various shops and stalls that make up the Monastiraki Flea Market. All sorts of goods are available from books, to antiques, to souvenirs, to clothes to crockery. Prices are negotiable too. On Sundays Adrianou Street is lined up with make-shift stalls which sell jewelry and other handicrafts. There is much to see in this quintessentially Greek marketplace.
Beautiful traditional Greek merchandise is available for purchase here. Products range from carpets to rugs to tablecloths to bed linen. All goods sold reflect traditional Greek designs and embroideries. You are sure to buy something here. Moreover, all proceeds go toward the preservation of traditional Greek handicrafts.
This shop boasts an excellent collection of jewelry, ceramics and textiles that are quintessentially Greek. Quality is guaranteed as well.
This market consists primarily of edible products. It is an interesting place to go to. Tourists can stock up on Greek spices, herbs and cheese whilst at the same time learning about Greek culture.
This is a rare treat for book lovers. A diverse collection of books are available in this massive shop spread over seven storeys. Greek literature is widely available so be sure to stop by here.
This museum exhibits art pieces from Greece under Byzantine rule. Interesting icons, tapestries, frescoes and mosaics are displayed here. The most unique feature is the remnants of Aristotle's famous institution the Lyceum, on display here.
This mountain provides the most stunning view of Athens. A cable car railway takes tourists to the summit.
The Agora is the most renowned of Athens sites. It dates back to 6 th century B.C. It was the political, administrative, economic and social center of ancient Greece. It is famed as the market place where Socrates asked passers-by philosophical questions and conducted many dialogues penned down by his student Plato. It is also well-known as being the area where Socrates was made to drink hemlock for corrupting the Athenian youth. Hundreds of years later, this was also the spot where St. Paul preached Christianity in hopes of converting the people of Athens.
This is a wonderful museum which displays and exhibits Greek dress across the centuries and across various Greek regions, in addition to frescoes, rugs, blankets, embroidered linen, puppets and pottery. Frescoes and murals made by the artist Hatzimichail are also showcased here. These are especially interesting since Greek gods and goddesses and other famous Greek personalities are painted onto these. Much of the pieces on display are from the 18 th and 19 th centuries.
Bathhouses were built throughout Athens under Ottoman rule. This is the only surviving bathhouse that remains. It has been converted to a museum. It is spacious and gleaming with marble floors and basins. Visitors will get the feel of life of Athenians under Ottoman rule.
For 500 years from 100 BC to 400 AD this was the commercial heart of Athens. The market place buzzed with the sale of salt, oil and wheat along with a number of other merchants selling their products. Its most outstanding feature is the Gate of Athena, Archegetis, funded by Julius Caesar and Augustus as the inscription says. The Tower of the Winds located here is well preserved. This tower functioned as a sundial measuring the direction of the winds. The Victory Mosque built in the 1400s to commemorate the conquest of Athens by the Turks is also located here.
This is held annually at the time that is believed to be the date that Jesus was baptized. This event is held at Piraeus which is a port of Athens. The event starts with a priest flinging a crucifix into the water after which participants jump in to bring it back. The one who finds it is rewarded good luck for the coming year. Fishermen along with their boats also queue up to be blessed.
This carnival lasts till the end of March. The purpose is to celebrate Athens. Whilst it is held all over the city, Central Square is a good location to catch the best of it. There is no entrance fee and the entertainment provided is excellent. It comprises mostly of street performers in traditional dress, dancing and singing giving visitors a clear idea of what Greek culture entails.
This four day festival centers on the viewing of collections by Greek and international designers. Glamorous best describes this event which is held in October as well.
This festival spans from May to September. It is an outdoor event. It features musical and theatrical performances on Lycabettus Hill which provides a breath taking view of all of Athens from it.
This festival starts in May and lasts well into September. The venue is the Dora Stratou theatre named after a woman who was a Greek dance fanatic and who spent her life trying to preserve and promote this art. The dances along with the music and the costumes are traditional, dating back to almost 3000 years ago. Traditional dance performers from all over Greece converge at this theatre.
These operators offer a variety of package deals that vary in terms of which sights will be visited and which vary as to the length of each tour. Tours either last half of the day or the entire day. Some tours consist of exploring Athens at night. Prices range from 50 Euros to a 160 Euros. Apart from sightseeing within the city these operators also arrange for day trips to nearby areas such as Delphi, Peloponnese and the temple of Poseidon at Sounion.
These operators offer a variety of package deals that vary in terms of which sights will be visited and which vary as to the length of each tour. Tours either last half of the day or the entire day. Some tours consist of exploring Athens at night. Prices range from 50 Euros to a 160 Euros. Apart from sightseeing within the city these operators also arrange for day trips to nearby areas such as Delphi, Peloponnese and the temple of Poseidon at Sounion.
This is a bus tour which shows visitors all the landmarks around the city. Tickets can be bought from the bus driver. The purpose of this tour is to help acquaint completely unfamiliar visitors with the city and its sights so that visitors can return to these later on during their trips. Think of this as an enjoyable drive around the city. The tour begins at the National Archaeological Museum and terminates there as well. The tour lasts approximately one and a half hours. Visitors are shown the major neighbor hoods and sites including the Acropolis, the temple of Zeus, the National Gallery, the Benaki Museum and Central Market.
For those wanting to hire a private guide this is an excellent company to contact. Tours last a few hours and are relatively expensive costing up to or over 100 Euros.
An interesting variation of a tour of Athens- this tour is conducted on bicycles.
Another interesting variation of a tour of Athens; this unconventional tour comprises of appreciating the sites and monuments of Athens in a helicopter. While the tour is quite expensive the absolutely mesmerizing view of Athens at day or night may compensate for the exorbitant rates.
There is a prayer site located here where Muslims can pray.
From the airport Athens
Buses are not the easiest mode of travel in Athens. Figuring out which bus to take is time consuming and buses are often overcrowded. Tickets can be bought at kiosks which are present throughout Athens. This ticket must be validated once passengers get on the bus. Do not lose it either since you can be fined upto 20 euros on failing to show the conductor your ticket. Buses are usually white and blue and operate every 15 minutes.
Athen's Metro network is relatively new. It is, however, very efficient. This newer network integrates Athen's old subway system as well which means prices vary depending on whether passengers are travelling on the old or new lines. Prices also fluctuate frequently. Tickets are to be bought at the stations and must be kept safely till passengers disembark the metro. Most tourists proceed to the Syntagma or the Acropolis stations [the main metro stations] and then proceed from here to the different sites and monuments.These are very interesting stations since they have put on display the relics uncovered whilst constructing these stations.
Athen's streets are dotted with taxis, a popular mode of travel amongst locals and tourists alike. Usual taxi rides are inexpensive, however, charges are higher outside the metro stations, the airport and tourist attractions. Many cab drivers do not speak English which could be problematic. Prices vary depending on what time of the day it is, the distance travelled and whether passengers are carrying luggage. Passengers should make it a point to see that the meter is set to the right tariff.
Tickets can be bought from kiosks throught the city.
Car for hire Athens
Drivers should carry with them at all times an International Driving License. They should have at least one year driving experience. They should have on them documents pertaining to the car at all times. Park the car correctly; not doing so can result in a 250 or more Euros fine along with the license plates of the car being ripped off by traffic police.
Health And Safty Athens
