Surrounded by towering mountains, the incredibly historic city of Athens is the very cradle of European culture. With famous sites such as the Acropolis and the Agora, filled with splendid monuments and museums that are amongst the finest in the world, Athens is a city crying out to be discovered.
In addition to its vast, rich history, Athens can also be described as a modern and dynamic city too, one that is bursting activities, a world of activity in itself. The nightlife is exceptional, with dozens of crowded pubs, bars and nightclubs open every daily until dawn. The Ancient Theater Festival in the summertime has a worldwide reputation as well, and for shoppers, there is no better bargain hunting destination than the Monastiraki flea market. Antique shops to the hippest disco, Athens is literally teaming with life. If you can’t have fun in Athens, you may have to try another planet.
Olympic Renewal
Since the 2004 Olympics, Athens has a new look: previously it was associated with high pollution and traffic congestion, but following a big cleanup it is now one of the most beautiful of all European capitals. Cleaner, greener, and with an improved transport system and a pedestrian street connecting all the major archaeological sites, visitors here are now able to fully appreciate the city’s beauty without distractions.
To do so, the very first site to check out is the Acropolis, site of numerous ancient Greek monuments and the birthplace of democracy, where Athenians have lived for seven millennia. Nearby, lies the touristic district Plaka, a place teeming with life, holidaymakers from every corner of the globe, locals selling their wares and hundreds of hip cafes and trendy Greek restaurants where you can grab a very tasty bite to eat.
More Historic Attractions
Coming a close second to the Acropolis is the Agora, where the impressive Temple of Hephaestus is still fairly well preserved, together with other monuments such as the Temple of Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian.
Museums are another thing – Athens has scores of them – the Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, the Folklore Museum, the Museum of Ceramics (Keramikos), the Byzantine Museum, the Music Museum, the Museum of the War, the Benaki Museum and many others. Overall, there are about fifty museums in Athens – so for those who love discovering history, they will not get a moment’s rest.
Best of all, Athens's real treasure, her citizens, are some of the friendliest and most hospitable people on Earth. Legendary hospitality, Homeric sites, and that mystic something that beckons to all people, Athens is truly a once in a lifetime destination no one should miss.
Main attractions: The Acropolis , the Parthenon, the Academy of Athens, the Temple of Hephaestus, the National Gardens, Palaio Faliro, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Roman Agora, Athens Olympic Sports Complex, the National Archaeological Museum, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and scores more.
Currency: Euro
Taxes & tipping: Tipping is recommended
Official language: Greek
Area: 412 km2 (159 sq mi)
Population: 745,514
Electricity:
- Voltage: 220-240 Volts (U.S./Canada are 110-120 Volts)
- Primary Socket Type: Europlug, Schuko
- Multi-voltage appliances (laptops, etc.)
- 110-120V electronics: Plug adapter + step-down transformer
- Hair dryers, curling irons, etc.: Plug adapter + voltage converter
Other places to see & things to do: Mount Lycabettus, Omonoia square, Syntagma Square, Nea Filadelfia, the porch of the Caryatids, the Philopappos Monument, the National Library of Greece, the Stoa of Attalos, and too many more to list.
Images courtesy:©DeVIce - Fotolia.com, Wally Gobetz, Harvey Barrison, Wikipedia
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