Athens
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7:05 AM
Athens
One of Europe's Ancient capitals, Athens has undergone significant change in recent years. A modern metropolis with an old town feel, this is where antiquity meets futurism, and ancient monuments fuse with a trendy, cosmopolitan scene. Plaka neighbourhood is the heart of its historical centre, with labyrinthine streets leading to all manner of ancient wonders.Find your trip
The Parthenon, the temple of Athena, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the major attraction of Athens. The Erechtheion displays the statues of the female Caryatids, though the original statues have been replaced by copies because of air pollution (the originals are in the new Museum). On the southern slopes of the Acropolis lies the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a Roman theatre with room for as many as 5,000 spectators. It is used during the annual Athens Festival for world-class ballet and music performances. The Theatre of Dionysus lies beside Herodes Atticus, and almost all the tragedies and comedies of Ancient Greece were written for this theatre.
In antiquity, the Agora played a major role as both a marketplace and a political centre. The Agora is dominated by the Stoa of Attalos and the Theseion, or Hephaisteion, dedicated to the God of metalworking and also to Theseus, one of the heroes of Greek mythology.
Well worth visiting and right at the foot of the Acropolis lies the new Acropolis Museum which provides valuable insights into the Greek mythology and Greek history. The museum restaurant offers panoramic views of the Acropolis and a 700 square metre public terrace commanding a breathtaking view of the historic hills of Athens.
Plaka feels like a small village at the very heart of the vibrant Greek capital. You will most likely walk through the neighbourhood on your way to or from the Acropolis, but it's worth more than a passing glance. Plaka has a soul of its own and its small streets, flowery corners and pretty stairs brim with countless coffee shops.
The Panathenaic Stadium or Kallimarmaro was built in 330 BC and renovated for the 1896 Olympic Games. It is the world's oldest stadium which is still in use, and the only one in the world entirely built in white marble. It is from here that the Olympic Flame is delivered to all the Olympic games.
The National Archaeological Museum, in Exarchia, is home to Ancient Greece’s most spectacular pieces. One room contains Schliemann’s finds from Mycenae, another has the famous frescoes from Santorini on display. There is also a fine collection of idols from the Cyclades and ceramics from all parts of the Mediterranean. The star of the museum is the Antikythera Mechanism — an ancient hand-powered orrery, described as the oldest example of an analogue computer used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses decades in advance. This scientific marvel is dated somewhere between 205 and 60 BCE.
Benaki is a history museum with Greek art and objects from the Stone Age right up to the War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. It presents its pieces over three floors and apart from seasonal exhibitions, the museum offers events, courses and publications to educate audiences of all ages. The annexed cafe-restaurant welcomes you in a relaxed ambience where to enjoy dinners, lunches or breaks before exploring the museum.
Breath in the maritime air around Glyfada, a pretty beach town with many restaurants, shops, bars and cafes, accessible from Athens by bus and tram. In Glyfada and further on the Athens Riviera you will find many beaches, ideal for swimming or sunbathing.
The Parthenon, the temple of Athena, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the major attraction of Athens. The Erechtheion displays the statues of the female Caryatids, though the original statues have been replaced by copies because of air pollution (the originals are in the new Museum). On the southern slopes of the Acropolis lies the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a Roman theatre with room for as many as 5,000 spectators. It is used during the annual Athens Festival for world-class ballet and music performances. The Theatre of Dionysus lies beside Herodes Atticus, and almost all the tragedies and comedies of Ancient Greece were written for this theatre.
In antiquity, the Agora played a major role as both a marketplace and a political centre. The Agora is dominated by the Stoa of Attalos and the Theseion, or Hephaisteion, dedicated to the God of metalworking and also to Theseus, one of the heroes of Greek mythology.
If you want to bring your loved ones, or yourself, a typically Greek souvenir here are a few suggestions: Alcohol: look for Ouzo, Tsipouro and Raki, local alcohols that come in small bottles so you can even bring them in your carry-on. Food: Greek pastries and loukoums are always a must. And of course, the olive oil here tastes nothing like what you can find back home. For something less known, grab a box of mastiha — natural resin obtained from the mastic trees of Chios island and used as the world’s first chewing gum. Knick-knacks: typical Greek objects include the "Evil eye" meant to drive away the "bad eye" and its negative effect, worry beads (or Kompoloi), an ornate set of backgammon.
The ultimate shopping street in Athens is Ermou Street, departing from Syntagma square. There, you can find all the classic brands such as H&M and similar department stores. If you are not familiar with shopping in Greece, check out the Hondos Center — a local cosmetic chain with good prices compared to other European countries. Voukourestiou, Patriarchou Ioakim, Skoufa, Tsakalof, Kanari and the side streets around Kolonaki are other options for shopping. There are many designer clothes, more expensive boutiques and jewellers.
In the middle of Athinas street, which runs between Monastiraki and Omonia square, there is a covered market hall. The market occupies a whole block, with a fish market in the middle. All around are butchers and spice shops, and around the market you'll find several simple but good places to eat.
Notos is a Greek department store chain offering a vast array of products, from fashion and accessories to cosmetics, house objects and more. It is a bit upmarket but you can still find various styles and prices. You can find the bigger one close to the Omonia square.
If you like to combine shopping with other pleasures, you might want to go for a stroll in the small city of Glyfada, where you can also find many shops only a few steps away from the beaches and the sea. Glyfada is perfect for a sunny day, and is also one of Athen's most prosperous suburbs. While there, check out their beautiful Orthodox Church of Saint Constantine.
If you want to give your house a new appeal, The Loom is the right shop to go to in Athens. Here you will find a huge selection of stylish carpets, blankets and pillows with unique patterns and original styles. And if you are thirsty, you should know that there is always a bottle of red wine waiting for the customers.
Located near Monastiraki Square, this store is a must in Athens, especially if you want to know more about the story of ancient Greek craftsmen. Sandals and jewellery are created by combining art and craft in a way that each product is unique — and all at very reasonable prices.
This elegant store displays beautiful jewellery pieces, across a broad price range. The owner, Nikolopoulos George, is also available to tell you the story behind of each item, including the production process.
If you want to bring your loved ones, or yourself, a typically Greek souvenir here are a few suggestions: Alcohol: look for Ouzo, Tsipouro and Raki, local alcohols that come in small bottles so you can even bring them in your carry-on. Food: Greek pastries and loukoums are always a must. And of course, the olive oil here tastes nothing like what you can find back home. For something less known, grab a box of mastiha — natural resin obtained from the mastic trees of Chios island and used as the world’s first chewing gum. Knick-knacks: typical Greek objects include the "Evil eye" meant to drive away the "bad eye" and its negative effect, worry beads (or Kompoloi), an ornate set of backgammon.
The ultimate shopping street in Athens is Ermou Street, departing from Syntagma square. There, you can find all the classic brands such as H&M and similar department stores. If you are not familiar with shopping in Greece, check out the Hondos Center — a local cosmetic chain with good prices compared to other European countries. Voukourestiou, Patriarchou Ioakim, Skoufa, Tsakalof, Kanari and the side streets around Kolonaki are other options for shopping. There are many designer clothes, more expensive boutiques and jewellers.
Greece can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
– Is it safe to go to Athens? Athens is visited by millions of people every year and is considered to be a safe destination, even for solo female travellers. Most visits are trouble-free, but be weary of pickpockets on the metro and close to crowded tourist sights. – Is Athens expensive for tourists? As most most other European capitals, Athens is certainly not cheap, but it is not very expensive either. How much you should budget strongly depends on your preferences and needs. One way to save money is by buying combo tickets to museums and planning ahead. – Is Athens walkable? The historical centre of Athens is very walkable. A pedestrian grand promenade snakes around the Acropolis and links key archaeological sites. The city also offers affordable public transportation. – Best Areas to Stay in Athens? The best neighbourhoods in Athens are Plaka, Monastiraki, Koukaki, Syntagma, Kolonaki, and Psyrri. They are very walkable, offer great hotels and short-term rentals, plenty of restaurants, cafes and nightlife.
Greece is a tourist destination beloved worldwide, and summer is the most crowded season of all, especially in July and August. Spring is, perhaps, the best season to travel to Greece, as the main cities such as Athens are not so crowded and the prices are quite a bit lower. June and September are the best months to visit Athens when the beaches around the capital are full of entertainment. If you love hiking, don't miss Athens in autumn.
Athens International Airport (ATH) is located at Spata, 33 kilometres (20 miles) southeast of Athens. A taxi ride to the city-centre will cost a flat rate of €40 between 5 am and midnight and €55 between midnight and 5 am. The fixed fares include the basic fare, VAT, extra luggage charges and road tolls. The Metro's Line 3 (Blue Line) Nikaia–Airport is another option to go to the centre. The journey to Syntagma takes around half an hour. Airport buses are made available to Syntagma (X95), Pireaus port (X96), Kifissou Avenue (X93) and Elliniko (X97). The travel time to Syntagma and the other areas in town takes around 1 hour and around 1.5 hours to Pireaus port.
The Metro stations are well worth seeing as they are kept spotlessly clean. At the Syntagma and Acropolis stations you will find a large collection of antiquities on display. There is a tram from the centre (Syntagma) running along the coast to Glyfada (50 minutes) and Voula (60 minutes). Buses, trolley buses and the Metro run until around midnight. The tram runs between 5:30am and 1am (until 2:30am on Friday and Saturday). Airport buses all run 24/7. The airport bus tickets are not valid for other public transport services but only for a single journey. Ferries out to the island leave from the harbour in Piraeus or from Rafina.
There are lots of taxis, but it is normal to share one with other tourists in order not to be surprised if the driver picks up additional passengers along the road who are going in the same direction. The drivers have taximeters and fixed prices. Uber has been banned in Athens and you only have access to Uber Taxi.
Stamps can be bought in most tobacconists and kiosks selling postcards. Syntagma Square has a full service post office right across from the Parliament building.
In case of a medical emergency you should phone 166 for an ambulance. Greek pharmacies aren’t usually open in the afternoon or at weekends. Bacacos (or Mpakakos) pharmacy is centrally located close to Omonia Square.
Greece can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
– Is it safe to go to Athens? Athens is visited by millions of people every year and is considered to be a safe destination, even for solo female travellers. Most visits are trouble-free, but be weary of pickpockets on the metro and close to crowded tourist sights. – Is Athens expensive for tourists? As most most other European capitals, Athens is certainly not cheap, but it is not very expensive either. How much you should budget strongly depends on your preferences and needs. One way to save money is by buying combo tickets to museums and planning ahead. – Is Athens walkable? The historical centre of Athens is very walkable. A pedestrian grand promenade snakes around the Acropolis and links key archaeological sites. The city also offers affordable public transportation. – Best Areas to Stay in Athens? The best neighbourhoods in Athens are Plaka, Monastiraki, Koukaki, Syntagma, Kolonaki, and Psyrri. They are very walkable, offer great hotels and short-term rentals, plenty of restaurants, cafes and nightlife.
