athens travel guide

8/10/2019 Athens travel guide

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Athensin Attica

Information about villages, beaches, sightseeing, restaurants, activities and more...All the information is this guide is sorted by popularity. For more information please visit our

section of Athenson Greeka.com.

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Map of Athens

Organize your trip to Athens

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Athens Guide

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About Athens

The city of Athens took its namein the antiquity after Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and

daughter of Zeus. She was the protector deity of the city. It has been the official capital of the

country since 1834 and is also the only city of Europe with such an oriental touch. Athens is

considered as the cradle of modern civilization and is of course one of the few capitals of Europe

with a history of thousands of years.

Besides its historic importance, it is the most important commercial centre of the country and the

main Greek port, Piraeus, one of the biggest and more important of the Mediterranean, lies a few

km to the south. Due to its rich historical past, Athens is a great place for sightseeing. Apart from

the world famous Acropolis, which stands on the highest point of the town and has become the

trademark of the whole Greece, there are many other ancient, Medieval and Byzantine remains to

see.

The city of Athens might discourage the newly-arrived visitors with its disorganised, slightly brutalappearance. Nevertheless, it has a lot more to offer than it seems, while great efforts have been

made to reorganise the city since the Olympic Games of 2004.

Many Neoclassical buildings adorn the centre of the town, which have been renovated presently

and house mainly public services or cafeterias. Such buildings are found in Omonoia square,

Panepistimiou avenue, Thissio area and Monastiraki. These areas are also famous for their

picturesque atmosphere and many people go there, especially in Thisio and Monastiraki, to relax

under the shade of the Acropolis.

Also visitors will discover a lot of fun activities to do, apart from sightseeing, even if they travel

with kids. Besides the famous archaeological sites and museums, such as the recently-

constructed Acropolis Museum, Athens has many pedestrian lovely streets, nice neighbourhoods,

parks and hills covered with pine trees, numerous restaurants and a vivid nightlife.

In a close proximity from the center of Athens, you will also find many nice beaches to enjoy a

swim. Most of these beaches are well organized and have calm waters. The most famous are Porto

Rafti, Lagonisi, Varkiza and Schinias.

Except for the capital of Greece, Athens is also a transportation hub, as it is so close to the Port ofPiraeusand plus it has an International Airport.
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Best Villages in AthensPlaka(Rating: by Greeka members)Location:Between Syntagma and Monastiraki, metro station Monastiraki

Description:Plaka is the most picturesque quarter in the heart of Athens.Paved streets, Neoclassical houses and gift shops distinguish this relaxing

neighbourhood.Sightseeing:Canellopoulos Museum, Children Museum, Church of PanagiaGorgoepikoos, Frissiras Museum, Monument of Lysicrates, Museum ofChildrens Art, Museum of Folk Instruments, Museum of Greek Folk Art, Towerof the Winds

Thissio(Rating: by Greeka members)Location:Close to Monastiraki and the Acropolis, metro station Thissio

Description:Thissio is a lovely neighbourhood right in under the Acropolis.With many outdoor cafeterias, this is a favourite coffee spot for locals andvisitors. Next to Thissio, there is the Ancient Agora.Sightseeing:Ancient Agora, Church of Agia Marina, Church of AgiosDimitrios Loumbardiaris, Church of The Holy Apostles, Herakleidon Museum,Museum of Alex Mylona, National Observatory, Philopappos Hill, Pnyx Hill,Stoa of Attalos Museum, Temple of Hephaestus
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Monastiraki(Rating: by Greeka members)Location:In a walking distance from Syntagma and Omonoia, metro stationMonastiraki

Description:Monastiraki is a picturesque neighbourhood in the heart ofAthens. It is famous for its Neoclassical houses, the ancient sites and the openmarket with souvenirs and antique shops.

Sightseeing:Church Of Agia Irini, Library Of Hadrian, Roman Agora

Syntagma(Rating: by Greeka members)Location:The centre of Athens, metro station Syntagma

Description:Syntagma, whose name means Constitution, is the centralsquare of Athens. It distinguishes for the Parliament House and the beautifulNeoclassical buildings that surround it. Most sites are within a walkingdistance from Athens.Sightseeing:Arch Of Hadrian, Church of Panagia Kapnikarea, Cycladic ArtMuseum, Greek Parliament, Historical Museum, Jewish Museum, KallimarmaroRoman Stadium, National Gardens, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Zappeion
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Best Sightseeing in Athens

Acropolis HillLocation:Acropolis

The Acropolis is also known as the Sacred Rock. Famous all over the world asthe symbol of Greece and the Greek culture, the Acropolis stands on the

highest spot of the city. Just opposite the site, there is the new AcropolisMuseum.

Acropolis MuseumLocation:Acropolis

The New Acropolis Museum was inaugurated in June 2009 and it is housed ina modern building right opposite the site of the Acropolis. The items displayedin the New Acropolis Museum were all found on excavations on the Acropolis.

The most famous display is the frieze of Parthenon Temple. The unfortunatething is that pieces of this frieze are missing, as they are housed in the BritishMuseum in London.

Theatre of Herodes AtticusLocation:Acropolis

The Theatre of Herodes Atticus, or else Herodeion, is one of the mostimpressive monuments of Athens. Located on the southern slopes of the

Acropolis, the theatre was built in 161 BC by Herodes Atticus, a wealthyRoman general in memory of his wife, Regilla. It has exceptional accousticcapacities and can sit up to 5,000 spectators. Performances of the Athens-Epidaurus Festival are held there in summer.
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Temple of Olympian ZeusLocation:Syntagma

The temple of Olympian Zeus took 700 years to be built. The work wascompleted by the Emperor Hadrian in 131 AD. The huge Temple wascomposed of 104 columns of Corinthian style, 17 m high each. Today only 17columns have survived.

Arch Of HadrianLocation:Syntagma

This impressive arch was built by the Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD to mark thelimit between Ancient Athens and his new city. It is located at the end ofAmalias Avenue, right next to the temple of Olympian Zeus.
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Kallimarmaro Roman StadiumLocation:Syntagma

The Roman Stadium stands next to the National Garden and ZappeionMegaron. It was originally constructed in the Roman times and it is entirelymade of marble. Excavated in 1870, this stadium was renovated to host thefirst modern Olympic Games in 1896. It is also known as Panathenaic orKallimarmaro Stadium.

Ancient AgoraLocation:Thissio

The Ancient Agora was the social and political centre of ancient Athens. Thisis where the people of Athens used to meet to talk about social issues. Thetemple of Hephaustus is the most distinctive spot of Ancient Agora, which islocated between Thissio and Monastiraki.

Archaeological MuseumLocation:Patission Ave

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the largest and mostimportant museum in Greece, and its exhibits are between the finestcollections of prehistoric items, sculptures, pottery and minor art, bronzes andEgyptian art, everything followed by detailed explanations in English. It islocated near Omonoia square.
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Roman AgoraLocation:Monastiraki

The Roman Agora lays between Monastiraki and Plaka. In this area, theRomans used to trade their goods, so it was used as a marketplace.

National GardensLocation:SyntagmaLocated right next to the Parliament, Syntagma Square, the National Gardenis a lush area with trees, fountains and a small zoo. Although it is right in theheart of the town, this garden offers a nice spot to relax, away from noise.
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Diving in Athens

Aqua Divers ClubLocation:Anavissos

Aqua Divers Club, a Padi 5* Gold Palm Resort, located at the Calypso Hotel,km 48.5 Athens Souniou Avenue is a stones throw from Athens. The cluboffers a comprehensive selection of PADI diving courses with all the necessarymulti media equipment for teaching/training purposes, daily boat and shorefun dives, and equipment for rental or sale. The diving club operates all yearround, seven days a week, and is situated in one of the most beautiful bayson the Attica coast. All diving courses offered, Bubblemaker through to DiveMaster rating, follow PADI standards and lead to certification.

Credits

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Athens Guide

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