ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
The Acropolis Hill is the crown jewel of Athens and of all Greece. With the still standing Parthenon temple as its symbol, the Acropolis is truly a wonder of the world, containing four ancient buildings. The Parthenon was built between 447 and 432 B.C. and most of the artefacts from the temple are housed today in the Acropolis museum near the Parthenon. Also on the Acropolis are the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the Propylea.
Just below the Acropolis Hill are two ancient theatres that must not be missed: the Dionysos and Odeon of Herod Atticus. The oldest of the Greek theatres, built in the fourth century B.C., the Theater of Dionysos which once hosted plays of Euripides, Aristophanes, Sophocles and Aesculus, could seat as many as 17000 spectators. The reconstructed Odeon of Herod Atticus amphitheatre is used during the summer to host the Athens Festival performances. Truly one of the most impressive ancient monuments in Athens, it was first built by Roman ruler Herod Atticus in the second century A.D. The theatre can seat 5000 spectators.
At the foot of the Acropolis is the Ancient Agora, known as the commercial and public centre of ancient Athens. During the classical age, such notables as Sophocles and Aristotle taught there. Thesseion, one of the most intact ancient Greek temples, is located at one end of the Ancient Agora. It was first built in 450 B.C.
Pnyx hill, on the west side of the Acropolis. In ancient times this hill, which offers a splendid view of the Acropolis and a must for photographers, was the meeting place for Athenians to decide issues. Philopappou hill, topped with a funeral monument of Philopappos, a Roman Consul of the second century A.D. A cave on the Philopappou Hill is believed to have been the prison of Socrates where he drank his fatal dose of hemlock.
OTHER ARCHAELOGICAL SITES
The Roman Agora, which includes Hadrian’s Library, built by the Roman Ruler in the second century A.D.
The Monument of Lysikratous, a well-preserved fourth century B.C. monument rising 21 feet from its base is also worth visiting in the Plaka area.
Keramikos Cemetery, located on Ermou Street going towards Pireos Avenue. It was the famous burial ground for the most important ancient citizens of Athens. Most of the finds of the cemetery are in the museum within the grounds.
Hadrian’s Arch, located at the end of Amalia's Avenue, was built by the Roman ruler in 132 A.D to mark the boundaries of ancient Athens and his new city. It is located near the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Tower of The Winds, Roman Agora, Plaka. With its water clock, sundial and weather vane, built in the 1st century B.C., the Tower of the Winds features eight sides, each depicting the wind that blows from that direction.
Temple of Olympian Zeus, this largest ancient temple in Greece began to be built in the beginning of the sixth century B.C. and was not completed until 700 years later. The temple was dedicated to the supreme god Zeus, and 14 of its original 104 very tall Corinthian style columns still stand today.
IMPORTANT MUSEUMS
The Acropolis Museum, located on the Acropolis, Tel. 210 323-6665. Contains most of the finds from around the Acropolis Hill, including many sculptures. Highlights of the museum include fragments of the Parthenon frieze as well as the Korai maidens. Open Mon 10:00-14:30, Tue-Sun 8:30-14:30.
Ancient Agora & Temple of Hephaestus, Stoa of AttaIus Museum, inside the Stoa of Attalos, Tel. 210- 3210185. Inside, visitors will find artefacts from the Agora (ancient market place) and will see miniature models of how the Acropolis and Agora looked during ancient times. There are 65.000 finds from the excavations on exhibit.
Athens City Museum. The museum contains paintings, sketches, a scale model of Athens in the 19th century, as well as furniture, costumes and personal objects from early this century.
Byzantine and Christian Museum. It contains a large collection of icons, other Byzantine and post-Byzantine art. Descriptions are in Greek and French.
Goulandris Natural History Museum. Thousands of dried plants and flowers, insects, birds, rocks and minerals, sea life of all sorts, etc. Not to be missed by those interested in palaeontology, entomology, zoology, flora and geology. The displays are colourful and well labelled.
Greek Folk Art Museum. On display is a vast collection of traditional art objects from the Byzantine period until today. Embroideries, wood carvings, jewellery and traditional costumes from all over Greece are on exhibit.
Jewish Museum. Contains articles of the heritage of the Jewish people of Greece.
Museum of Cycladic Art. Contains ancient artefacts from the Cycladic islands, including unique pieces from 3000-2000 B.C.
National Art Gallery and Alexandros Soutsos Museum. The world's finest art galleries with exhibits of the greatest Greek artists.
Numismatic Museum. Widely rare of its kind museum, you can witness the evolution of the coins through history. The exhibits include hundreds of gold or silver coins from many parts of Greece. The museum is hosted in the fabulous neoclassic mansion owned by archaeologist Schliemann and sealed in all parts by his personality and reproductions of his findings.
OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST
Plaka. Once the life of Athens earlier this century, the Plaka area of the city is located on the north slope of the Acropolis. Old timers will tell you stories about how the 19th century town was the centre of nightlife activity. The Plaka is a pleasant, cobblestone walkway with cars banned from most of the area. Narrow streets and winding stairways and some old mansions are what is left of old Athens. There are tavernas and numerous tourist shops in the Plaka area and some ancient sites worth visiting.
Monastiraki. If it is a bargain you are after, and if you still have not decided what souvenir to take back home, do not forget to visit the Monastiraki Flea Market. Here you will find shops selling a wide selection of souvenirs to suit all tastes and budgets. The best time to visit Monastiraki is on Sunday mornings when the Flea Market is running full and before the crowd rush later in the afternoon. The Flea Market is next to the Monastiraki metro station.
Syntagma Square. Now recognized as the centre of Athens and from where to orientate yourself in the city, Syntagma Square is an acre large plaza filled with expensive outdoor cafes, trees and a fountain in the centre. Around the square, you will find every type of tourist shops, airline offices, banks, restaurants, deluxe and first class hotels. Also called Constitution Square by foreigners, it is faced at the top by the Parliament building. In front of this building is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which is guarded day and night by two evzones dressed in the traditional skirted uniforms. On Sundays, at 10.30 a.m., the evzones, accompanied by a military band, march from the Parliament building in full regalia, well worth a picture by tourists.
The National Gardens. Located behind the Parliament building. The Athenians, during the heat of the summer, like to stroll in the dozens of walkways of this park. There are also two small man-made lakes filled with ducks and swans, a playground for the youngsters and plenty of benches for the tired elder people.
Zappio Hall. Inside the National Gardens is the Zappio Hall which was built to be used during the holding of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. The hall hosts a large number of cultural and commercial exhibitions.
Olympic Stadium. The all-marble stadium on Vassileos Konstantinou Avenue, across the street from the National Gardens, hosted the first modem Olympic Games in 1896. The stadium can seat up to 90000 spectators and is sometimes used for major sporting events and concerts. Also called Panathenian Stadium, the stadium is at the same site where the ancient Athenians had a stadium built in 330 B.C.
Presidential Palace. Formerly the Royal Palace when monarchs ruled the country, the Presidential Palace is located on Herodes Atticus Street behind the National Gardens. The palace was originally built as a home for the crown prince in the previous century but is now used by the President of the country.
Lycabettus Hill. The highest hill inside Athens, it offers to the visitor a panorama view of the city from all sides. On the summit of the 912-foot high hill is a tiny 19th century chapel of St. George. Not far is a restaurant and coffee shop. You can reach the summit either by foot, by car or by the funicular which operates from the Kolonaki side of the hill.
Byzantine churches. The centre of Athens hosts a half dozen Byzantine era churches of interest to visitors.
SHOPPING DOWNTOWN
Shopping in downtown Athens (the “commercial triangle” as called by the locals) is an exciting experience with big and small shops and boutiques clustered around and along Ermou Street - the capital’s ever popular downtown walkway -, sophisticated Stadiou Street, classy Voukourestiou Street, traditional Pandrossou walkway and elegant Mitropoleos Street. You may find everything, from small decoration items at convenient prices to well-known designers' creations. Plaka and Monastiraki remain open until late in the evening as well as all day Sunday.
ATHENS NIGHT LIFE
Psiri, just north of Plaka, is Athens' busiest night life area. Restaurants, cafes, bars and ouzeries (bars serving mezzedes and ouzo, beer and wine) line the streets between Ermou Street, Athinas Street and Monastiraki. A variety of music clubs cater to all tastes, from latin grooves to Greek rock, to traditional Rembetika music. In summer, there are live outdoor concerts and performing arts events in Herod Atticus Theatre and on Lycabettus Hill. The Megaro Concert Hall is the city's leading performing arts centre with regular classical concerts, theatres and opera performances.
EXCURSIONS NEAR ATHENS
Half day Ancient Corinth. Leave Athens and drive southwest until you reach the Corinth Canal which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. Drive on and visit the ancient town of Corinth where Saint Paul lived and preached for two years. The remains of the city, which include the Agora (Market Place) and Apollo’ s Temple (6th Century B.C.) clearly show how rich and important Corinth was in ancient times.
Half day Poseidon Temple Sounio. This is a journey into the past, along the beautiful Athens coastal road through Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza districts where many Athenians live and enjoy the seaside areas. Then out along the winding coastal road of the Saronic Gulf, until you reach the Temple of Poseidon. Here guides will regale you with the woeful tale of Poseidon, a heart-filling story which you will enjoy as the sun sets in its natural colourful magnificence. It is sadness and beauty all in one. It is also a great place for those who love photography.
One day Delphi Excursion. One of the favourites from Athens. This is almost a journey which cannot be missed as your trip to Greece would be incomplete without it. Passing by Thebes (the tragedy of King Oedipus) and the pretty town of Levadia. Then on to Arachova which is famous for its hand woven rugs, arriving in Delphi, set amongst one of the largest olive groves in Greece. The road leading up to Delphi is lined with colourful blooms of broom and daphne. Delphi is considered to be the "Omphalos" (the navel) or centre of the ancient world. The ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios, the Temple of Apollo and the treasury of the Athenians are in exceptionally good condition despite the vagaries of time and weather of the thousands of years. It is indeed a delight. The shops on the roadside provide an amazing variety of honey, nuts, sweets and herbs which you can buy.
One day Argolis Trip. On the way to Argolis, one passes through the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. A short stop here will allow you to see the narrow canal, and maybe you will be lucky and see one of the passenger ships or cargo ships being guided through. Then on to Mycenae, the Homeric city of the Atreides (the city of gold) of the ancient poets, see the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs. Then continue to the seaside resort of Nafplion and to Argolis nestling at the foot of the Palmidi fortress atop the cliffs. Next is the Epidavros village and the most wonderful site of the Epidavros Theater. Created in the 4th century B.C., this amazing theatre is still in operation to this day and is considered to be the peak of an actors’ career to perform on this holy site. The acoustics are still phenomenal to this day.
CRUISES AND YACHTING
One day cruise to the Saronic islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra. Departures daily from the marina terminal in Paleo Faliron and Piraeus, usually at 8.00 a.m., returning at around 19.30. The cruise ships also have spacious sun decks, restaurant, bar and some even have a swimming pool.
3-4-7 day cruises. There are also three, four and seven days cruises available with destination the Greek islands.
SPORTS FACILITIES
Greece has a long tradition in athletics. A variety of spectator sports and recreation await the visitor to Athens. Soccer heads the list as the nation's favourite sport followed by basketball and volleyball. Track and field is also popular. Most of the National Tourist Organization of Greece (EOT) public beaches and swimming pools in the Athens area offer full sea sports facilities such as dressing rooms, piers, canoes, pedalo, fields for various games, tennis courts, volley and basketball courts, children's playgrounds, a pavilion, pastry shop, snack-bar, restaurant, self service and discos.
Beaches : Alimos tel. 210-9836545, Varkiza tel. 210-8972402.
Waterskiing : Vouliagmeni Bay school tel. 210-8960939, Varkiza school tel. 210-8970040.
Diving : For information on underwater activities can be obtained from the Hellenic Federation of Underwater Activities, Aghios Kosmas, Ellinikon.
Golfing : Many golf courses have been developed all over the country. Most of them guarantee unforgettable sunshine golfing holidays. Glyfada Golf Course is considered to be among the finest in Europe : tel 210-8946820. Open all year round.
Tennis :Most beaches in the Athens area have tennis courts which can be used by tourists. Other courts in the Athens area: Athens Tennis Club, Vassilissis Olga Avenue, tel. 210-9232872, Panellinion Gymnastic Club, 26 Mavromateon Street, tel. 210- 8233720.
TRANSPORTATION WITHIN ATHENS
Taxis : If you are in a hurry, the best way to get around Athens is with a taxi which can be flagged down from any street comer. Taxi fares are still among the cheapest in the world. Taxis are plentiful, but avoid them during rush hours (13.00-15.00) when they are difficult to obtain. Also make sure you flag down one in an area where the cab can stop without causing traffic circulation problems, otherwise it will not stop.
Trains : Information about train service throughout Greece and for destinations abroad can be obtained from the Greek Railway Organization (OSE) at their main headquarters near Omonia Square.
Metro : The metro/subway runs from 05.30 to midnight daily. Tickets must be purchased before entering the train and must be cancelled before entry. The line operates from the Athens northern suburb of Kifissia to the port of Piraeus, with stops in between at major areas of Athens. Only a small portion of the journey is underground thus offering an excellent opportunity to see much of the Athens metropolitan area.
AIRPORT
Designed for the 21st century, Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is connected to the national road network via a new 6-lane motorway link. Aiming to serve both passengers and the general public, the new airport offers a broad selection of shops and an extensive assortment of merchandise. Tel. 210- 3530000.
SHIPS
During the summer tourist season, most ships towards the Greek islands are full. Boat connections are frequent between the islands during the summer. Hydrofoils, serving the nearby islands of the Saronic Gulf and the Peloponnesian coast, leave from the port of Piraeus and Zea port. Tel. 210-4226000.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Electricity : 220V/AC, 50HZ
Health : no vaccination needed
Currency : Euro
Dialing : Code for Greece +30, for Athens 210
Drinkable water.
