Athens


Athens

  • About Athens

    Athens, named after goddess Athena, is a dusty metropolis and the centre of Greece and the Balkans. A mix of the modern and classical, Athens is a lively city comparable to Rome in terms of its bustling café society and wealth of ancient sites.

    Famous ancient attractions include The Acropolis, at the heart of the city, and the magnificent temple, the Parthenon. The National Archaeological Museum holds a world-famous collection of ancient Greek treasures. Athens is also a modern cultural centre with superb shopping, restaurants and galleries and is the home of Greek drama, providing plenty of opportunities to see theatrical productions. There are also plenty of outdoor cafes, parks and gardens to unwind in and watch the world go by.

  • Travel

    Athens is an international centre well connected to other cities around the world. Eleftherios Venizelos international airport at Spata opened in 2001, improving flights to and from Greece. The city's metro system was also been upgraded a few years back in readiness for the Athens 2004 Olympics. Buses are regular and fast. There is also a tram system. Athens is a very chaotic city for driving - advisable only for the patient and experienced city driver.

  • Accommodation

    Athens offers a huge variety of hotels from five star luxury to budget as well as lodging houses, bed and breakfast accommodations, apartments, youth hostels and camp sites. The quality of hotels varies greatly. Check our hotel user reviews for individual hotels or take advice from a travel agent.

  • Climate

    Athens is one of the sunniest cities in Europe with a typical Mediterranean climate throughout the year, offering the likelihood of rain in spring and autumn. Winters are very mild. Spring and late autumn are probably the ideal times to visit when temperatures are more manageable. Temperatures can easily soar to 40C plus during the peak of summer.

  • Attractions

    The Acropolis

    The most significant historical site in Athens is Acropolis Hill, inhabited since the Neolithic period. During the classical period the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Nike were built. The site also includes the Acropolis Museum.

    The Agora

    The heart of ancient Athens for political, commercial, administrative and social activities. Includes numerous major sites including the Temple of Hephaistos and the Altar of the Twelve Gods. Socrates once lectured here and St Paul preached christianity.

    National Archaeological Museum of Athens

    One of the major museums of the world containing the leading collection of Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean and Classical Greek art. Includes a sculpture garden café.

    Daphni Monastery

    Built in 5AD on an ancient temple site, the monastery was rebuilt in the 10th Century. Famous for its 11th Century Byzantine mosaics, some of the best in Greece.

    The Plaka

    Ancient city district with a labyrinth of narrow streets, alleys and shops. A lively central square is home to cafés, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

    National Garden

    Public park in central Athens, once the palace garden of the royal family. Contains cafes as well as manicured gardens, zoo, lakes and ponds.

    Byzantine Museum

    Byzantine and post Byzantine icons, sculpture, manuscripts, wall paintings, bronze engravings, mosaics, woodcarvings, lithographs and prints from the 4th to 9th Century. There is also a library, café and restaurant, a shop and open-air archaeological park.

    Lykavittos Hill

    Highest point in Athens offering great views over the city and landmarks like the Acropolis and Olympic Stadium.

    Museum of Cycladic Art

    Over 5,000 years of Cycladic and Ancient Greek art housed in a beautiful neo-classical building.

  • History

    Athens is the most ancient city in Europe. It has been continuously inhabited for several thousand years and became the lead city of Ancient Greece in the first millennium BC. Its cultural achievements in art, philosophy, politics and science during 5BC set the foundations of western civilization. Athens declined in the middle ages but recovered prosperity under the Byzantine Empire. After a long period of decline under the rule of the Ottoman Empire Athens re-established itself in the 19th century as the capital of the independent Greek state. Modern Athens is currently booming, developing into a major economic player and continuing to expand.

  • Key Facts

    • Full Name - Athens
    • Population - 3,291,100
    • Time Zone - GMT 2
    • Languages - Greek
    • Currency - Euro