Skip to content
Irhal · Your guide to the world
Irhal
العربية

Search for a city, hotel or experience

Festival

Night of the Full Moon

This festival is held annually on that particular night of August when the moon is full. This night is special since the Athenian authorities allow locals and tourists to visit its ancient monuments and archeological wonders and that too free of charge. It is indeed magical to walk amidst the beautiful city of Athens lit up by the light of the moon and the stars

City guide

Overview & visitor information

Night of the Full Moon Athens
Night of the Full Moon Athens

This festival is held annually on that particular night of August when the moon is full. This night is special since the Athenian authorities allow locals and tourists to visit its ancient monuments and archeological wonders and that too free of charge. It is indeed magical to walk amidst the beautiful city of Athens lit up by the light of the moon and the stars

More festivals in Athens

Keep exploring Athens.

Santa’s Neighborhood Athensathens

Santa's Neighborhood

Activity

The venue for this celebration of Christmas which lasts well into January is Syntagma Square which is beautifully adorned this time of the year. One unique feature is the antique carousel on display which dates back to the late 19 th century. Father Christmas is present along side his elves chatting with visitors. Delectable desserts are also sold at the numerous stalls set up. The atmosphere is both magical and festive.

Epiphany Athensathens

Epiphany

Activity

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.

Athens Carnival Athensathens

Athens Carnival

Activity

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.

Athens Fashion Week Athensathens

Athens Fashion Week

Activity

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.

Lycabettus Festival Athensathens

Lycabettus Festival

Activity

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.

Traditional Greek Dance Festival Athensathens

Traditional Greek Dance Festival

Activity

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.

Cheap Art Exhibition Athensathens

Cheap Art Exhibition

Activity

Entrance is free of cost at this exhibition where the works on display are by lesser known artists and are also available for purchase. It features art which is bold, daring and relevant. Contemporary art is the focus here.

Festival in the Shadow of the Rocks Athensathens

Festival in the Shadow of the Rocks

Activity

This festival is annual and is held through the months of June- July. This is a significant cultural event held in an outdoor theatre. Different groups of actors and performers converge on Athens from all over Greece. Shows vary from comedies to tragedies.

Epidaurus Festival Athensathens

Epidaurus Festival

Activity

This festival is held annually and lasts from June well into August. It is held at the Herodeion. Classical Greek dramas are performed and greatly appreciated.

Athens Festival Athensathens

Athens Festival

Activity

This festival like the Epidaurus Festival lasts well into August and unlike the above mentioned festival this festival has an international flavor. Concerts, performances and plays are put on by artists from the world over including Greece.

More places in Athens

Keep exploring Athens.

Imageathens

Theatre of Dionysos

Theatre

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.

Imageathens

Museum of Cycladic and Ancient Greek Art

Museum

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.

Acropolis. Athensathens

Acropolis

Sight

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.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus Athensathens

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Theatre

Built around 160 A.D. this is a magnificent theatre. Tourists can get tickets to watch ballet performances, theatrical performances and comedies staged here.

Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum Athensathens

Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum

Museum

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.

National Archeological Museum Athensathens

National Archeological Museum

Museum

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.

Epigraphical Museum Athensathens

Epigraphical Museum

Museum

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.

Benaki Museum Athensathens

Benaki Museum

Museum

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.

Byzantine and Christian Museum Athensathens

Byzantine and Christian Museum

Museum

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.

More restaurants in Athens

Keep exploring Athens.

Kouti Athensathens

Kouti

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.

Anthinaikon Athensathens

Anthinaikon

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.

Filipou Athensathens

Filipou

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.

Diporto Agoras Athensathens

Diporto Agoras

The food served here is both delicious and inexpensive. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious and the food served is traditional dishes that the Greeks absolutely love- these include salads and stews primarily. The specialty is, however, the chickpeas and the grilled fish which are both divine. Its closeness to the central market is an added advantage.

Damigos Athensathens

Damigos

This tavern dates back to 1865 and is renowned for its delicious seafood and vegetarian dishes. The specialty here is the fried codfish and eggplant. Don't miss out on the sauces either which nicely complement the entrees.