Athens travel

Information and tips

Athens is famous above all for the Acropolis and its many other ancient monuments. The great wealth of museums and the fascinating history of Athens bear testimony to its status as the cradle of western civilization. The city of Athens is the capital of Greece and has been home to various cultures. Athens was the centre of ancient Greece and in time has developed into a densely populated metropolis. It is now certainly one of the most popular cities in Europe which everyone wants to see at least once in their life.

A visit to Athens, whether en route to one of the Greek islands or other resorts on the mainland, or as an Athens city break is most definitely worthwhile. Lovers of antiquity and culture will marvel at the many treasures in the city.

The first thing to do in Athens is to visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon temple. This was the former seat of the kings in Ancient Greece, and rising up proudly in the centre of Athens, is especially magnificent when lit up at night. After having climbed the hill, tourists can relax and enjoy the amazing views and also visit the Acropolis museum.

Another wonderful view of the city can be gained from Likavitos Hill, which is easily reached using the trains or by taxi. Over a Greek coffee, visitors can then plan where their Athens city break will take them next.

The majestic temple of Zeus, or the first venue for the Olympic Games of modern times, the Old Olympic Station is certainly a good choice.

It is advisable to split the cultural programme over several days and plan a longer time for an Athens city break. The hot weather and bustle of the city makes it more pleasant to rest during the hotter afternoon hours and enjoy a bit of sightseeing during the cooler hours in the morning and evening.   Due to the narrow streets and population, it is hard to cool down in the hot summer days of a trip to Athens.

For a break, visitors can escape to the beach or relax in the pleasant shade of the Botanical Gardens.

Fashion and shopping is playing an increasingly important role in Athens. Many famous models have gained experience here. In the boutiques and designer shops in Kolonaki, tourists can shop for the most recent trends. Athens locals tend to shop in the pedestrian precinct Ermou where most shops are closed during the hotter hours at lunchtime.

There is also a lively market in Athens, which makes for a welcome change to visiting the usual tourist attractions. Fruits and vegetables are very fresh and, with a bit of  business acumen, can be purchased cheaply.

There are plenty of hotels in Athens. Expensive 5 star hotels can be found near the Acropolis. The Plaka hotel  is also conveniently central and only 5 minutes walk from the Acropolis. Cheap hostels include the youth hostel and the Hostel Aphrodite.

If travelling on to one of the Greek islands, head for Piraeus port for frequent ferry services to  Santorini in the Aegean for example.

Facts

Name	Athens
Region	Attica
Country	Greece
Continent	Europe
Latitude	37.979450 North
Longitude	23.716221 East
Elevation	70 m
Population	729,137