Is there a city of Athens. Athens is a wonderful city for recreation and entertainment. How to get from the airport to the center of Athens

- a state whose history dates back 8000-10,000 years ago, and during this time its capital was unchanged - Athens. This legendary city has survived many wars and natural disasters, each time reborn again with a new look, but retaining traces of past misfortunes as a warning to posterity. No wonder Athens is full of historical monuments side by side with modern hotels and shopping malls. Such an unusual neighborhood attracts millions of tourists every year who want to relax under the warm Greek sun and join the history of the country.

History reference

The date of formation of the capital of Greece is not known, but the first mention of it appeared in documents dated 7,000 BC. During this period, the reigning king was Cecroptus, he is considered the founder of the city of Athens.

There is a legend that the gods themselves competed among themselves, wanting the settlement to be named after them. And then the king gave them a task - to make a beautiful and useful gift. The gifts were varied, but many were not particularly beautiful, and some were useless for the people, such as Poseidon's fountain with water that was not suitable for drinking. Then Athena gave the city a small tree. It grew and began to bear fruit with olives - a craft that still remains one of the main ones in Greece. For the most useful gift, the goddess was honored, and the city was named after her.

Rapidly developing, Athens reached the pinnacle of its glory by 5000 BC. and maintained this reputation until 300 BC, when science and culture spread throughout Greece. The capital was rightfully considered the cradle of all knowledge, and it was so far ahead of the surrounding provinces that at times it was mistaken for a separate state. Such a political and way of life persisted until the advent of our era, when Greece was mired in wars, and foreign invaders successively replaced each other. Each new ruler took more and more, leaving only a small cultural heritage, so Greece quickly fell into decay. But everything changed at the beginning of the 19th century - legendary country freed from the oppression of the Ottomans and revived again.

Athens today

In 1833, it was officially announced that Athens was the capital of modern Greece. Its new formation was taken up by King Otto of Bavaria, who dreamed that the country would regain its former glory, once again become the cradle of science and culture. For this purpose, the world's best architects were summoned to the city, their work laid the foundation for its new look. Otto brilliantly managed to make the dream come true, because already in 1896 Greece was able to host the Olympic Games. Unfortunately, the wise ruler failed to see this.

In the 20th century, large-scale construction continued, but in addition to it, archaeological excavations began to restore the heritage of the once greatest country. Favorably signed peace treaties support this direction, expanding the territory of the already modern Greece almost twice.

The Second World War could destroy all the undertakings of the Greek rulers, but this did not happen - after the German occupation, the construction boom began with renewed vigor, and hotels, theaters, museums, and stadiums known to many travelers appeared. At the same time, the modern city harmoniously combines the ancient heritage and technological progress, which has covered all the developed countries of the world like a wave.

Geography

As you know, Greece is located on the mainland and is washed by the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, and its influence extends to some islands. Athens is located in the center of the country and has no access to the sea, but active development will soon lead to the fact that the city will grow into the Saronic Gulf. On the other hand, it is limited by a natural barrier in the form of the mountains of Attica, so it will not be possible to expand the capital even more without creating artificial embankments on the water.

Most modern megacities are built according to a single principle, as a rule, this is linearity, when the main streets run parallel to each other. But there are places built according to the “sun” type, that is, from its center, the main streets branch out like sunbeams - this principle was popular in antiquity, therefore it has been preserved in subjects with a rich historical heritage. Athens combined both types of development, so it is not easy for a tourist to understand the interweaving of streets and alleys.

Experienced travelers recommend stocking up with a map for everyone who comes here to explore the sights, since even local residents cannot always correctly indicate the way, and without knowing the language it will be difficult for them to ask a question.

Population

Athens is notable for hosting a third of the country's population, with young people from the provinces continuing to flock here for education and job opportunities.

According to the 2017 census, the total number of inhabitants of the Greek capital is 3.5 million - and this is only officially registered Athenians, not counting migrants and persons registered in other regions of the country. It turns out that at least 4 million people live permanently in the capital of Greece, and if you take into account the number of tourists, it becomes clear why there is such dense traffic on the streets, not only automobile, but also pedestrian.

Climate

In the Greek capital, a mild climate prevails, driven by mediterranean sea- the hot summer here is smoothly replaced by a warm autumn, smoothly flowing into a mild spring and again into summer. Winter frosts do happen, but so rarely that every time they are a surprise for local residents. Athens in winter will delight tourists who dream of getting to know the sights without too much fuss - the main tourist season has long ended, so the streets become much freer.

How to get there

The easiest and fastest way to get to Athens is by air. The hospitable airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" accepts all inquisitive tourists, and so that the traffic is not strongly felt at its work, a metro line leads directly from the terminal. In addition, buses run constantly to popular hotels, and trains are ready to take you to the suburbs.

If the task is to get to the capital of Greece from the sea, the port of Piraeus will help with this. In summer, the ship schedule is stable, but in winter it often changes due to bad weather - this point must be taken into account when planning to get to the nearest islands for a one-day excursion. It may turn out that it will not be possible to return to the mainland on the same day.

For tourists traveling around Europe by private transport, the path is open through motorways and highways. On some roads, the infrastructure is better than on others - all this is on the maps, so you should carefully study the route before starting the trip.

Sea and coastline

Although Athens itself is not yet landlocked, the suburbs are known for their well-equipped beaches. have a nice rest- these are sun loungers with umbrellas, and showers, changing rooms, storage rooms.

To truly enjoy a beach holiday, it is preferable to go here during the summer months. The tourist peak is in July and August. To get to the sea, it is not necessary to rent a car or pay a lot of money for a taxi - trams and buses run from the city along the entire coastline.

Districts

In total, the city is divided into 7 regions, three of them do not have an abundance of attractions and good infrastructure - these are sleeping areas, industrial or under construction, so tourists are not recommended to settle on their territory. The remaining four parts are of historical significance and are most often visited by tourists.

Plaka

The area, located in close proximity to the Acropolis, has a special atmosphere and architecture. Along the paved narrow streets stretch low white houses, made in the style of Hellas. The abundance of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and hotels clearly indicates that this is one of the tourist areas. To get acquainted with the monuments of the reign of the Turks or the Byzantines, it is not necessary to go to any particular place - just walk along the streets and look around.

Monastiraki

It is located on the other side of the Acropolis and is a commercial and historical center. There are such architectural monuments as libraries, towers and mosques. On the territory of Monastiraki there is a local market, which presents all kinds of goods, and quality items at a low price are located in boutiques on nearby Ermou Street. Those who settle in the Monastiraki area do not look for souvenir shops and do not bring magnets from trips, because there are many more interesting items in the ruins.

Thissio

Counting on holidays with children, it is worth settling in the Thissio area. This is an island of the city rich in parks, in which it is peaceful and quiet, compared to other parts of the capital. Thissio is territorially located a little far from the center, a well-developed infrastructure allows you to quickly get to any point of interest. And if you don’t want to go far, there are also interesting places and historical monuments within walking distance.

Syntagma

The area is named after the square located in the center of Athens. There is a modern parliament, a history museum and a national park. Many excursions to the sights of the capital of Greece originate here.

Safety

Athens, although the historical center, is a modern metropolis with its own laws and regulations. Everyone must comply with them - both locals and tourists. In order not to get into a mess, you should familiarize yourself with the basic rules of conduct at the stage of planning a trip.

General rules

First of all, we must remember that crowdedness always plays into the hands of robbers, of whom there are enough in the metropolis, therefore, things, especially documents and money, must always be carefully monitored, especially in places where tourists congregate. Simple rules of conduct will help to save property:

• It is better to keep the bag in front;
• Valuable items are best placed in the inside pockets of clothes or the front pockets of trousers;
• It is convenient to travel with a backpack, but it is from the back that most thefts are committed, so you should not put documents and money there;
• Rallies and demonstrations in Athens are not uncommon, and especially violent participants are dispersed by the police, so you should not wedge into their ranks;
• AT public transport during rush hour it is recommended to keep your bag in sight at all times.

Compliance with the rules of personal safety will help you avoid unpleasant moments while traveling and have a good rest.

Where not to go

In addition to tourist areas and historically important centers, the resort, like in any other metropolis, has dangerous areas. Travelers are advised to avoid deserted streets, Omonia Square, the port at night and the surrounding area railway station with the onset of dusk.

Neighborhood

If the capital is explored, it's time to go to the suburbs. Tourists are popular with such places as:

• Averof - floating museum;
• Hydra and Aegina islands;
• Zoology Park;
• Temple of Poseidon;
• Mount Parnitha.

Some sights are located near the city, others require a trip up to 100 km long, and boats or yachts are delivered to the islands, but no difficulties frighten travelers in an effort to see as many interesting places as possible and join the history of Greece.

Ways to get around the city

A well-developed transport system in Athens does not always allow you to get to your destination quickly - traffic jams here are as protracted as in other metropolitan areas.

Within the city, tariffs for public transport are the same regardless of its type. A ticket is allowed to be purchased for 1.5 hours, a day or 5 days, which will cost 1.5, 4.5 and 9 euros, respectively.

Trams

Modern tram cars travel on rails with a total length of 27 km. The main line runs along the coast, there is also an additional branch to Sintangma. There are three tram routes in total:

• Voula - Neo-Falira No. 3;
• Neo-Falira - Syntagma No. 4;
• Sintangma - Vula No. 5.

A distinctive feature of trams is that they never get stuck in traffic jams, since the rails are laid not along the main, but additional streets, where cars and buses are closed.

Buses

There are 100 times more bus routes than trams. This is the most common form of transport, helping to get to any point not only in Athens, but also outside the city. To reduce travel time, drivers do not stop at all stops, but only at the request of passengers or if they see a signal from people waiting for transport - this point must be taken into account when making bus trips.

If planning to travel by public transport often. It is better to purchase an appropriate route map to keep track of stops along the way.

Underground

A big plus of the metro, as well as trams, is the absence of traffic jams. However, the disadvantage is the same - there are only three branches that connect the main transport nodes:

• Green line from Piraeus to Kifissia;
• Blue from Agia Marina to the Airport;
• Red from Antupoli to Elliniko.

Residents of large cities with a well-developed metro in the Athens metro are unlikely to get lost. What is surprising is the lack of turnstiles. Tourists often sin by traveling “hare”, not knowing that controllers are constantly working in the subway, fining stowaways.

Mapunderground

• The suburban railway is marked in yellow on the map.
• The airport and port have corresponding aircraft and ship icons.
• The letter T denotes the places where the metro intersects with the tram line, that is, you can make a transfer.

Taxi

There is an official taxi service in the city. Traditionally, these are cars painted yellow and complemented by black checkers. The Athens taxi does not adhere to any specific models, so cars can be either economy or premium class. Cars are equipped with a meter that calculates the cost of the trip.

For moving within the city, a passenger will have to pay 0.7 euros per kilometer; when traveling to the suburbs, the fare increases to 1.2 euros. Additionally, the landing amount is calculated - this is another plus 1.2 euros. And if the tourist called the car by phone, and did not catch it on the street, he will have to pay an additional 2 euros. At night, all prices can be safely multiplied by 2.

Of course, taxi rides are more convenient than any other public transport, but taking into account the mileage, the trip will cost a lot, and dishonest drivers give the total amount more than it actually is, in the hope that the unlucky passenger will not notice errors in the calculations.

Rent

There are more than enough car rental agencies in Athens, but heavy traffic in the summer makes this type of transport not a privilege, but a burden. The situation changes radically if you go out of town or get acquainted with the sights in winter - it is a pleasure to drive a rented car along half-empty streets.

Attractions

The capital of Greece, thanks to its bright past, is rich in art objects and ancient monuments, which attract tourists and bright minds from all countries to look at. Acquaintance with ancient monuments is carried out both in the capital itself and outside it, and there will not be enough time to explore every corner during a standard two-week vacation, so it is recommended to make a list of the most interesting places in advance.

Museums

In total, there are about 2.5 hundred Byzantine and Christian museums and exhibitions in the city, but the most valuable are:

• Agora;
• Museum of Archeology;
• Acropolis;
• Averof;
• Exhibition of Cycladic Art.

From May to October, all expositions are open to the public every day. During the off-season and in winter, viewing hours are greatly reduced, but still the sights remain accessible to local residents and occasional tourists.

Streets

Since many streets have undergone reconstruction, they are considered a historical heritage. And although traditional goods are sold in small shops, they are closely intertwined with memorable places and buildings, so a slow walk through Plaka or Ermou Street is enough to get acquainted with the history.

religious buildings

Athens is famous for its ancient temples and churches, therefore, having been here, it is impossible not to visit at least one historically significant religious building. Of course, the most famous monument of architecture is the Acropolis and the temples standing near it.

Followers of Christianity will find it interesting to visit the Church of the Virgin or St. George. The reign of the Ottoman Empire did not go unnoticed for Athens - occasionally there are mosques in the city, for example, Tsisdaraki.

monuments

Since the capital of Greece is the cradle of science and culture, there are monuments dedicated to many ancient scientists, such as Socrates or Plato, as well as rulers. Particularly noteworthy is the monument to Philopappus, the heir who never took the throne, since the Roman Empire seized power. But this did not prevent Philopappus from achieving a certain level of power and influencing the life of the city, making it better. In his honor, not only a monument was erected, but also a hill was named, where a two-level building stands.

Excursions

Since Athens is a metropolitan metropolis, it is not surprising that people walk from here excursion tours anywhere in Greece. There are one-day trips to the nearest islands and other attractions, and sometimes people go to remote corners by plane for 2-3 days.

When planning an active cultural holiday with visits to tourist areas at a considerable distance from each other, experienced tourists recommend taking a minimum of things with you and thinking over the route in advance. The hotel is chosen at the point of current research, so as not to be tied to the same place.

Entertainment

For most guests, cultural relaxation is a priority, although sometimes you want to step back and relax a bit. The capital of Greece is ready to offer travelers a lot of entertainment for every taste.

shopping

People rarely go to Greece for shopping, because the local European brands do not differ in quality and price from those sold in megacities around the world. If you want to buy souvenirs, then it is more profitable to do it in the market. True, if there is no desire to bargain, then you will have to donate a round sum for gifts for friends. This rule applies to both factory-made products and hand-made goods.

Gastronomic rest

Greek cuisine is rightfully considered one of the most harmonious and healthy, so it is not surprising that the streets are dominated by cafes and restaurants with Greek cuisine. However, in Athens it is easy to find popular dishes from around the world. Establishments such as Lalloudes and To Kofenio are particularly successful.

Nightlife

Nightlife lovers will have something to do in the Greek capital. Among the best nightclubs are Venue, villa Mercedes and Baraonda. The music here does not stop until the morning. Almost all establishments have a medium strict dress code - guests are required to wear evening attire.

Athens for kids

Young tourists will not be bored. Practice has shown that even trips to historical sights are of interest to them. Nevertheless, most of all, children like water parks, zoos, a planetarium and amusement parks, of which there are a lot in the capital of Greece.

Guides advise parents who take children to explore ancient temples and ruins to carefully monitor their children so that in search of new knowledge they do not harm themselves or centuries-old structures.

Useful information

When visiting Athens, many tourists prefer to abandon the services of travel agencies in favor of independent recreation. This is a great solution, because individual planning will allow you to see many sights and visit places that are closed to large excursion groups.

The first thing to write down in the guidebook is the address and telephone number of the Russian consulate. People come here for questions and problems that arise with the Athenian authorities. The consulate is located at: Khalandri, st. Tzavela, d. 5. Phones:

• 210-671-19-35;
• 210-671-19-06;
• 210-674-97-08.

The consulate is open only on weekdays in the morning. Public holidays in Russia are days off for employees of the consulate.

Besides independent tourists emergency services may be needed. Contacting them is easy as follows:

• 104 or 154 - road assistance;
• 170 - anti-terrorist service;
• 108 - coast guard;
• 112 - unified rescue service;
• 197 - emergency care;
• 199 - fire department
• 166 - ambulance;
• 100 - police;
• 107 - round-the-clock pharmacy reference.

The authorities of the city of Athens remind tourists that during the holidays you should be careful and carefully monitor your health and property. In the event of an emergency, contact the appropriate emergency service.

Watch a video about Athens

There is no city in Europe that looks like Athens. This also applies to ancient monuments, and the most difficult historical path along which the Greek capital passed. Reborn, Athens has become the modern cultural center of Greece and a major European city full of contrasts. Antique ruins here coexist with luxurious hotels, and the bustling center is within easy reach of idyllic beaches.

Geography of Athens: what is the capital of Greece

Athens is located in Central Greece (Attica), surrounded by the mountains of Parnithos, Imittos, Pendeli and Egaleo. The city and agglomeration occupy an area of ​​410 sq. km, and the population with suburbs has more than 3 million inhabitants. Although this figure is arbitrary, because numerous students, repatriates and migrants come to the Greek capital.

The city is divided into 7 districts. However, unofficially it is customary to divide Athens into historical districts, the most famous of which are Kolonaki, Plaka, Monastiraki and Exarchia.

History of the city of Athens

The history of Athens is so ancient that the exact age of the city cannot be established. It is only known that it is the oldest of the currently inhabited cities in Europe. The origin of Athens is connected with mythology. According to legend, they appeared as a result of a dispute between Poseidon and Athena for the right to give the best gift to the first king of the city - Kekrop. The victory was won by the goddess of wisdom, and she became the patroness of the city.

In antiquity, Athens, along with Sparta, played a leading role in the life of Greece. Democracy was formed here, the art of theater became. Outstanding creators, artists, orators and politicians lived in the city-state. Prosperity continued until the Peloponnesian Wars, which resulted in the defeat of Athens. They lost their leading position forever, although they finally turned into an ordinary provincial town with the flourishing of the Roman Empire and the advent of Christianity.

In the Middle Ages, French, Italian and Byzantine knights claimed the right to own Athens. In the 15th century, the city was ceded to the Ottoman Empire. Subsequently, the wars between the Turks and the Venetians further weakened the city - the population decreased, many historical monuments were destroyed.

Only in 1833 the city managed to become the Greek capital and a new era began. The University of Athens, Syntagma Square and national park, the first modern Olympic Games were held.

Today Athens is a metropolis and a major transport hub of Greece with a vibrant nightlife, ancient monuments, and a host of cultural events. The city has a developed trolleybus and bus network, metro and international Airport, annually receiving 16 million passengers.

Best season to visit Athens

The right time to visit Athens depends entirely on the purpose of the visitor. One thing is for sure: the Greek capital is a year-round destination, attractive in any season.

If you want to explore the city without queues and heat, and also have a large selection of hotels, it is better to come in January-April or October-November. However, keep in mind that during the low season, some restaurants are closed, and attractions change schedules. June-September are considered the busiest months. Numerous crowds of tourists pour into the bustle of Athens. Although there is no better time to combine sightseeing tourism and recreation on the coast.

Athens - attractions

The goal of any tourist in Athens is the Acropolis with many historical monuments. Among the main ones are the theater of Dionysus, in which competitions for authors of tragedies and other cultural events of Athens were held. The outstanding monument of the Acropolis Erechtheion will give a complete picture of the architecture of the Ionian order. And the scale of the Parthenon will allow you to appreciate the works of the best architects and builders of antiquity. All the original finds of the Acropolis can be seen in its New Museum, which owns a huge collection of statues, bas-reliefs and cult objects.

However, beautiful ancient buildings have been preserved not only on the Acropolis. On the Agora, which in ancient times was considered the center of urban life, is the temple of Hephaestus. It survived largely due to the fact that in Byzantine times a church was organized here. In the southern part of the Agora is the Odeon, reminiscent of a Roman amphitheatre. The Athens Festival is held here every year.

Tourists enjoy spending time in Plaka. This is the oldest district of Athens with colorful architecture, many old buildings, narrow streets and shops. The relaxed atmosphere makes Plaka one of the most charming places in the city.

Cape Sounion is located 65 km from the city, which is worth visiting for two reasons. Firstly, the temple of Poseidon and fragments of the temple of Athena have been preserved here. Secondly, on Sunion you can watch sunsets of amazing beauty. In addition, the cape is shrouded in legends. It was in this place, according to the myths, that Aegeus threw himself into the sea.

Athens: sea and beaches

Near the metropolis there is a row good beaches, to which the Athenians come after a working day or on weekends. The suburb of Glyfada is the most popular destination. The sandy coast of this resort is ideal for families. Some beaches are free, others are well equipped and charge a fee to visit.

In the suburbs of Athens, there is Mati beach and Agios Andreas adjacent to it. The coast is strewn with pebbles, equipped with sun loungers. There are taverns and water attractions.

The beaches of Vouliagmeni are conducive to relaxation after a long day. They are 23 km away from the city. On the coast there are restaurants and tennis courts, playgrounds are equipped. Fans of wild beaches on Vouliagmeni will love the Limanaki place with exotic nature and clear sea.

How to get to Athens

The main transport gates of the Greek capital are the Eleftherios Venizelos airport and the port of Piraeus. The most convenient way to get to Athens is by air. The airport receives regular flights and charters from many countries. Directly from the terminal to several points in Athens can be reached by any of the six plying buses.

Taxi at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport.

Port of Piraeus.

Piraeus connects Athens with all popular destinations within Greece and beyond. From the port to the center you can take buses No. 49, 40 (to Syntagma and Omonia) or prefer the metro (Green Line).

This truly legendary Greek city is famous all over the world. The capital of ancient and modern Greece in its history has experienced the greatest ups and no less epic falls. Like a Phoenix bird, Athens was reborn after devastating wars, conquests and natural disasters. At the same time, the Greeks managed to preserve part of the historical heritage of the city: today the ruins of the Acropolis and the remains of ancient sculptures are adjacent to fashionable hotels and modern shopping centers. The features of the most important Greek policy will be discussed in today's material.

The history of these glorious places has almost ten thousand years. The exact date of the founding of the city of Athens is unknown, but according to the widespread version, settlements appeared here in 7 thousand BC. They were located in the southern part of Attica, where there are low mountains covering the valley with settlements on three sides.

The founder of Athens is considered the first ruler in the Athenian kingdom - King Kekrop, who was half man, half snake. According to legend, choosing the patron of the city, he asked the gods a simple task: to make a useful gift. Poseidon presented the fountain, but the water in it turned out to be salty and undrinkable. And the goddess Athena gave the new policy a tree with unusual fruits - olives. Kekrop chose a gift from the goddess, after whom the city of Athens was named.

The apogee of Athens' glory was reached in the 5th century BC. Actually from 500 to 300 BC. The whole of Ancient Greece reached the golden age of development, and its capital became the cradle of culture, economics and politics. However, the political system of the Greek country was such that Athens was not so much the capital of Greece, but acted as an independent state. Polis remained the most important center of ancient times until the heyday of the Roman Empire.

In the third century AD, Athens loses its former grandeur and becomes a provincial town. Then come the long centuries of constant wars and conquests by foreign troops, leading to the looting, destruction and even burning of Athens. A new round in the history of the city begins only in the 19th century, when the Greeks managed to free themselves from the dictates of the Ottoman Empire.

Since 1833 Athens has been the official capital of Greece. Having achieved independence, the Greek kingdom begins to develop rapidly. King Otto of Bavaria intended to restore the country to its former greatness and restore the prestige of the capital. To do this, architects were called to Athens, who designed several city streets and public buildings in the neoclassical style (including the University of Athens, the National Park, Syntagma Square, etc.). Gradually, the city acquired its former appearance and in 1896 the first modern Olympic Games were held here at the new stadium.

The 20th century is significant for the beginning of archaeological excavations that help restore the heritage of ancient Greece. In the 1920s, the Greeks sign an agreement with the Turks on the exchange of population, as a result of which a wave of immigrants rolls into Athens. Added to this are the successful treaties for the Greeks on the Balkan wars, after the conclusion of which the territory and population of the country, incl. Athens, doubled.

During World War II, the city fell under German occupation, but after the war, it again continues its rapid development. The construction and industrial boom of the mid-20th century, at the beginning of the 21st century, leads to transport and environmental problems. To date, some of them have been successfully solved, which was greatly facilitated by the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Modern Athens is a dynamic city that combines ancient heritage with the vibrant and vibrant life of 21st century Europe. There are many nightclubs, brand shops, entertainment centers and tourist hotels here. But above all this, the ancient Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Parthenon and the remains of ancient theaters still rise.

Geographic location

Athens is located in mainland Greece, in the south of the Balkan Peninsula. Polis is located on the central plain of Attica, surrounded by mountains and the Saronic Gulf. Over the years of active development and settlement, the city has come close to these natural boundaries. So further expansion of the urban area is almost impossible.

Greece is southeastern Europe, and Athens is one of the southernmost European cities. But you are unlikely to need a map of European countries, but the plan of the city of Athens is useful to any traveler. The city is very large, so it is quite difficult to move around without a street map.

Population

Everyone knows what a glorious capital Greece has and what the main attractions of Athens are called. But, few people know that the population of the city of Athens is 1/3 of the total population of the country! Just think about it, a third of the population of the state lives in one city.

The number of permanent residents in Athens in 2017 is more than 3.5 million people, while the total number of inhabitants of Greece for the same year is 10.9 million people. At the same time, migrants and part of the local population registered in other regions also live in the capital city. Approximately their number can be estimated at another 500 thousand people. This is the capacious capital of the Greeks.

Climate

Like the rest of the country, Athens is influenced by the Mediterranean climate. It provides a consistently sunny hot summer and a long autumn, in fact smoothly turning into spring. Winter frosts are rare in the region.

The area where Athens is located is characterized by low humidity, so the summer heat is tolerated comfortably. Summer temperatures reach +30°С and higher. Rainy days are most common in autumn, while precipitation is very rare in summer.

How to get to Athens

The Greek capital can be reached by plane, ferry and land transport.

The air harbor of the city is called Eleftherios Venizelos. Arriving at Athens airport, it is very easy to go straight to the city center. A branch was laid from the terminal

Athens from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Athens.

• Hot tours to Greece

Athens is not just a capital city. It was here that classical Greece was born, and hence Western civilization in general. The first prehistoric settlement arose here around 3000 BC. e. For many centuries, everything happened to Athens, including periods of decline. It is hard to imagine, but in the 1830s, when the city began to revive after the Ottoman oppression as the capital of independent Greece, Athens was just a small provincial village.

Athens includes the Old City, the central districts, the suburbs, and the port of Piraeus. Two hills rise in the center: the hill of the Acropolis with the Parthenon and ancient temples and the hill of Lycabettus (Lycabettus) with the picturesque church of St. George on top.

In Athens, you can spend a month exploring in detail all the ancient monuments and ruins, charming neoclassical buildings in the historic center and museums. But if you really decide to do this, keep in mind that even in the very center of the city there are places where you should not go idle. Seriously: the Omonia quarter, filled with immigrants, is better to bypass even in the bright light of day.

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How to get to Athens

Transport links connect Athens with Moscow and St. Petersburg. Residents of other regions need to plan a route taking into account a transfer in one of the capitals. Muscovites have two options - plane and bus. In terms of cost, they almost do not differ, but the time spent when traveling by air is much less. Even choosing the cheapest connecting flight, you can cut them in half.

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Districts of Athens

The Greek capital is divided into 7 districts and several dozen quarters and districts. Some of them are interesting from a tourist point of view, others are not remarkable at all, and there are some where it is better not to go at all without special need. Among them is one of the central quarters of Omonia, inhabited by emigrants. It can be unsafe here even during the day.

The most popular area among the guests of the city is the Acropolis. This is a historical center, and it is here that monuments of ancient Greek architecture are located - directly the Acropolis itself, on the territory of which there are the ancient theater of Deonis and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, where concerts, performances and other cultural events are held to this day.

Another famous area of ​​Athens is Plaka. There are several interesting museums here, among which the most notable are the Children's Museum and the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments, as well as the chapel with the poetic name Tower of the Winds and the Metropoli Cathedral. In addition, most tourists stop in Plaka. There are hotels of different price categories, although there are few budget options (20-30 EUR per night). Travelers are attracted by the proximity of the main attractions and the abundance of souvenir shops and shops.

Souvenirs and antiques as a keepsake of the trip can be bought at the market in the Monastiraki area. Also here is an ancient mosque and the temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are several inexpensive hotels in this part of the city (from 20 EUR per night), but in most hotels prices start from 100 EUR per night.

Those who want to look at the city from a height of 200 m should go to the Kolonaki area. You can climb Mount Lycabettus on foot or by funicular. There are many 24-hour entertainment establishments in this quarter, so if you want to get acquainted with the nightlife of the Greek capital, you should look for accommodation here. True, it will cost a lot, because Kolonaki is the most expensive area of ​​​​Athens.

• Which resort near Athens is suitable for a beach holiday

Communications and Wi-Fi

Arriving in Athens, it is better to immediately take care of always being in touch. Of course, you can not change your SIM card and use services while roaming, but if you have to talk a lot on the phone, calls can cost a pretty penny. In this case, a SIM card from one of the local operators is the best option to save money. You can buy it right at the airport, as well as in the salons and company stores of the city. In total, there are 3 cellular companies in Greece - Vodafone, Wind and Cosmote. Each of them has special offers for tourists - prepaid tariffs with favorable prices for calls abroad. The most interesting for Russians are Frog (Costome) and Q (Wind).

When buying any SIM card in Greece, you need to have an identity document with you.

Points of free wireless access to the Internet in Athens are found everywhere. Along with the usual hotels, cafes and restaurants, Wi-Fi is available in many areas, including the main Syntagma Square, as well as in the metro, trams, the port of Piraeus and other points in the city.

Athens Spotlighted

The main difference between the Athens Spotlighted city pass from the tourist cards of other popular destinations is its cost, or rather, its absence. In some cities, the CityCard price can reach up to 200 EUR for 3 days. In Athens, the card is issued to everyone completely free of charge and is valid for 10 days. You can pick up Athens Spotlighted at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (baggage claim and information desk).

The benefits of using the Athens tourist card may not be as great as its paid counterparts. However, it will help you save a lot on vacation. Its owner receives a 50% discount on entrance tickets to the most interesting museums and other cultural institutions of the city. Among them are the National Art Gallery of Athens, the Benaki Museum, the Frissiras Museum, the Automobile Museum and many others. In addition, you can visit performances, concerts and other events of the National Theater of Greece and the National Opera with a discount of 15 to 20%. More than 15 cafes and restaurants will reduce the bill by 20% upon presentation of the Athens Spotlighted. The same promotion is valid in several dozen grocery, souvenir shops, as well as in clothing, footwear and accessories stores. Read more about the companies participating in the program at the office. website.

Athens Hotels

The peak tourist season in Athens is July-August. At this time, it is not easy to find a hotel room, and prices skyrocket. It is better to take care of housing in advance - a chance to catch a good option for normal money will be higher. Budget housing is represented by a small number of hostels and 2 * hotels. Prices are about the same - 20–50 EUR per room. No frills, just the essentials.

Slightly better service in three-star hotels. Although they are also more suitable for those who come to the hotel only to sleep. Sometimes breakfast is included in the price, most often a buffet. A room will cost 50–100 EUR per night, depending on the area.

Those who want to live in the center by all means should pay attention to the areas of Plaka and Monastiraki. There are several inexpensive hostels and hotels.

The elite number of rooms is represented by 4 and 5 * hotels. The level of service differs slightly, but the price range is quite large. If a room in the first one costs from 70 to 150 EUR, then in the most fashionable hotels in the city prices reach up to 400 EUR per night.

shopping

Athens is a large modern metropolis. Old antique gizmos here coexist perfectly next to the products of the most fashionable designers and quite democratic brands of clothes, shoes and accessories.

For clothes and shoes of well-known, but inexpensive brands, you should go to Ermou Street - the largest shopping street in the Greek capital. From the middle to the very end, Zara, Morgan, Benneton, Marks & Spencer and others are crowded on both sides. More expensive luxury brands are presented at the beginning. The most luxurious shopping areas are Kolonaki, Kifisia and Glyfada. Going to one of them, get ready to part with a large sum.

At affordable prices, you can shop on the street. Patission (clothes, shoes and accessories), in the Plaka area (jewelry, souvenirs and antiques) and st. Monastiraki (handmade clothes and shoes, accessories, traditional tools). The latter has a flea market every Sunday. Among the heaps of useless trinkets, there are interesting and original gizmos, including inexpensive Greek souvenirs - ceramics, bedding, carpets, copies of museum exhibits and busts of ancient Greek thinkers.

For economical shopaholics, it is better to plan a vacation for the second half of summer. From mid-July to the end of August, sales are held in Athens, prices drop by 50-80%. However, even at this time, the famous Greek furs cost a lot here, it is better to go to other parts of the country for a fur coat.

Cuisine and restaurants of Athens

The national cuisine of Greece is traditionally associated with a large number of vegetables and seafood, olives, soft feta cheese and a variety of herbs and spices. In any institution in Athens, you can find such dishes as “tiropeta” (cheese cake), “moussaka” (a layered dish of eggplant, potatoes and minced meat), “dolmatesdolma” (stuffed cabbage in grape leaves), “tzatziki” (thick sauce made from fresh cucumber, yogurt and garlic) and, of course, grilled squid, fish, shrimp and octopus.

Traditional Greek dishes are often seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice to bring out the flavors of fish and seafood.

Where do you go to try it all? It all depends on the budget. For those who are planning on spending 100 EUR per dinner per person, there are several authentic Michelin-starred restaurants in the capital. Luxurious interiors and gourmet dishes that look more like works of art, and the taste is beyond praise.

However, the city is full of establishments with much more affordable prices for the average tourist. In coastal taverns and small restaurants in the city center, you can taste traditional Greek cuisine, paying no more than 50 EUR for lunch for two, and if you go to the outskirts or to the Plaka area, this amount will decrease to 30 EUR.

For those who do not want to spend more than 5–15 EUR on lunch, Athens has inexpensive eateries and cafes “tiropitadiko”. The former serve kebabs with pita and lemon, the visiting card of the latter is puff pies with cheese, spinach and other fillings.

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Entertainment and attractions

The main attraction of Athens is the Temple of the Parthenon - the symbol of the city. This is the most majestic and monumental building of the Athenian Acropolis. However, the whole complex of ancient buildings deserves the attention of tourists, even considering that many of them now rather resemble ruins. In particular, there is a building here that the Greeks have been using for its intended purpose for almost 2000 years. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus still hosts classical music concerts and theatrical performances.

You can get into the auditorium of the ancient theater only during events by purchasing a ticket.

Traces of an ancient civilization can be found not only on the hill of the Acropolis. At its foot, on the former market square of the capital of Hellas, rises the temple of Hephaestus, the god of fire. This building is located on Agora Square, and, despite its impressive age, it has been well preserved.

The most popular area among tourists after the Acropolis - Old city Plaka. The central part of Athens is limited by a triangle formed by the squares of Omonia (Concord Square), Syntagma (Constitution Square) and Monastiraki. On Constitution Square, the majestic Parliament building with a guard of honor at the tomb of the unknown Soldier attracts attention. To the right of the Parliament building is the luxurious royal park "Zappio", behind which are the ruins of the temple of Olympian Zeus and the famous Arch of Hadrian.

It is also worth visiting the Panathenaic Stadium and taking the funicular to Lycabettus Hill (277 m high), which offers a magnificent panorama of the city. One of the central Athenian streets, Panepistimiou, connects Syntagma and Omonia squares. Here stands the famous ensemble of buildings of the University, the Academy and the National Library.

Such different Athens

Museums

There are more than 250 museums, galleries and temple complexes in Athens. The National Archaeological Museum keeps unique finds from all over the country, the Byzantine Museum - the best collection of icons and mosaics in Europe, the Benaki Museum is famous for its rich collection of ancient Greek and Byzantine art, as well as expositions of Chinese porcelain, oriental jewelry and weapons. Not far from it is the National Art Gallery - a two-story building that displays the work of Greek artists from the 14th century to the present day.

No vacation is enough to see all the expositions of the Athenian museums. We advise you to study the information in advance and choose the most interesting for yourself.

The Archaeological Museum of the Athenian Agora, located in the northeastern part of the city, is interesting because most of its exhibits are associated with the oldest Athenian democracy in the world. In particular, it is here that ostraki are stored - clay shards that the Athenians used to vote. At the Natural History Museum of Goulandris, you can get acquainted with Greek flora and fauna. The exposition presents rare endangered species of plants.

To get to know the country and its inhabitants from a different, musical side, head to the Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments. The collection contains more than 1200 exhibits, the oldest of which dates back to the 18th century. Only half of them are exhibited in the halls, but there is an opportunity to hear the sound of each.

5 things to do in Athens

1. Feel like an ancient Greek, walking from one ancient temple of the Acropolis to another.
2. Feel the contrast of antiquity and modernity, going straight from the Temple of Hephaestus to a trendy restaurant.
3. Try real olives and feta cheese.
4. Climb Lycabettus on foot.
5. Go to a performance at an ancient theatre.

Athens for kids

Even in such a monumental and majestic ancient city as Athens, there is a place for childish spontaneity and curiosity. The first thing to do is to visit the Children's Museum located in the city center. Thematic classes and master classes are regularly held here - culinary, creative, theatrical, as well as games for the development of logic and attention. The exhibition presents works by young artists from 4 to 12 years old, after viewing which you can visit your grandparents (a separate room where the interior and atmosphere of an old Greek house are recreated) or the library.

To have fun, head to Allou Fun Park (official site in English), best park entertainment in Greece. On a solid square there are attractions for the whole family - from small carousels for kids to extreme roller coasters and a large Ferris wheel.

It is better to spend the second half of the day on a trip to the park - it is closed in the morning.

When everything has already been studied in the center of Athens, you can visit the suburbs. In the northwest, not far from the coast, is the Copa Copana water park (off. site in English.

September

October

november

December

People go to Athens not only for a beach holiday, the tourist season here does not stop all year round. The climate of Greece is classic continental, so snow rarely falls. In winter, heavy showers are possible, but infrequently, this time is great for sightseeing tours.

In April, it is already warm here, but you can’t swim yet. There are few people, you can safely walk and take pictures. The swimming season starts in June and lasts until mid-October. The peak of tourist activity falls on three summer months. At the same time, daytime temperatures, along with housing prices, soar. For those who do not tolerate the heat, there is a velvet season that starts in mid-September. The weather is comfortable, and the beaches become much freer.

This is a special city: no other European capital can boast of such a historical and cultural heritage. It is rightly called the cradle of democracy and Western civilization. The life of Athens still revolves around the witness of its birth and prosperity - the Acropolis, one of the seven hills surrounding the city, which rises above it like a stone ship, on the deck of which the ancient Parthenon is located.

Video: Athens

Basic moments

Athens became the capital of modern Greece since the 1830s, the time when an independent state was proclaimed. Since then, the city has experienced an unprecedented rise. In 1923, the number of inhabitants here almost doubled in one day as a result of the population exchange with Turkey.

Due to the rapid post-war economic growth and the real boom that followed the entry of Greece into the European Union in 1981, the suburbs captured the entire historical part of the city. Athens has become an octopus city: it is estimated that its population is about 4 million inhabitants, 750,000 of whom live within the official city limits.

The new vibrant city has been greatly transformed since the 2004 Olympics. Years of grandiose works modernized and beautified the city. A new airport has been launched, new metro lines have been launched, museums have been updated.

Of course, the problems of pollution and overpopulation remain, and few people fall in love with Athens at first sight... But you can't help but succumb to the contrast-generated charm of this amazing mixture of an ancient holy city and a 21st-century capital. Athens owes its uniqueness to the numerous neighborhoods that have an inimitable character: the traditional Plaka, the industrial Ghazi, Monastraki with their new dawn with their flea markets, the shopping Psiri entering the markets, the working Omonia, the business Syntagma, the bourgeois Kolonaki ... not to mention Piraeus, which is, in fact, an independent city.

Sights of Athens

It is to the small plateau on which the Acropolis is located (4 ha), towering 100 meters above the plain of Attica and the modern city, Athens owes its fate. The city was born here, grew up, met its historical glory. No matter how damaged and unfinished the Acropolis may be, to this day it holds up quite confidently and fully retains the status of one of greatest miracles light, once assigned to him by UNESCO. Its name means "high city", from the Greek asgo ("high", "sublime") and polis ("city"). It also means "citadel", which, in fact, was the Acropolis in the Bronze Age and later, in the Mycenaean era.

In 2000, the main buildings of the Acropolis were dismantled for reconstruction in accordance with new archaeological knowledge and modern restoration techniques. However, do not be surprised if the reconstruction of some buildings, such as the Parthenon or the temple of Nike Apteros, has not yet been completed, these works take a lot of time and effort.

Areopagus and Bele Gate

The entrance to the Acropolis is from west side, at the Belé Gate, a 3rd-century Roman building named after the French archaeologist who discovered it in 1852. From the entrance, steps carved in stone lead to the Areopagus, a stone hill where judges used to gather in antiquity.

The huge staircase that ended the Panathenaic road (dromos), led to this monumental entrance to the Acropolis, marked by six Doric columns. More complex than the Parthenon they were supposed to complete, the Propylaea ("in front of entrance") were conceived by Pericles and his architect Mnesicles as the grandest secular building ever built in Greece. Works that began in 437 BC and interrupted in 431 by the Peloponnesian War, were never resumed. The central aisle, the widest, once topped with a railing, was intended for chariots, and steps led to four other entrances intended for mere mortals. The north wing is decorated with images dedicated to Athena by the great artists of the past.

This little temple (421 BC), designed by the architect Kallikrates, built on an earth embankment to the southwest (on right) from the Propylaea. It was in this place, according to legend, that Aegeus was waiting for his son Theseus, who had gone to fight the Minotaur. Not seeing a white sail on the horizon - a sign of victory - he rushed into the abyss, considering Theseus dead. This place offers a magnificent view of Athens and the sea. This building, which seems tiny compared to the Parthenon, was destroyed in 1687 by the Turks, who used its stones to strengthen their own defensive fortifications. The first time it was restored shortly after the country's independence, but recently it was dismantled again to be rebuilt with all the subtleties of classical art.

After passing the Propylaea, you will find yourself on the esplanade in front of the Acropolis, topped by the Parthenon proper. It was Pericles who instructed Phidias, a brilliant sculptor and builder, and his assistants, the architects Iktin and Kallikrat, to build this temple on the site of former sanctuaries destroyed by the Persian conquerors. The work, begun in 447 BC, continued for fifteen years. Using Pentelian marble as a material, the builders managed to create a building with ideal proportions, 69 meters long and 31 meters wide. It is decorated with 46 columns with flutes ten meters high, made up of a dozen drums. For the first time in history, each of the building's four façades was decorated with gables with painted friezes and sculptures.

In the foreground was a bronze statue of Athena Promachos ("the one that protects") nine meters high, with a spear and a shield - only a few fragments of the pedestal remain from this composition. It is said that sailors could see the crest of her helmet and the gilded tip of her spear, sparkling in the sun, as soon as they entered the Saronic Gulf...

Another huge statue of Athena Parthenos, in robes of pure gold, with an ivory face, arms and legs and with the head of Medusa on her chest, was in the sanctuary. This brainchild of Phidias remained in its place for more than a thousand years, but was subsequently taken to Constantinople, where it was later lost.

Becoming an Athenian cathedral in the Byzantine era, then a mosque under the rule of the Turks, the Parthenon passed through the centuries without much loss until that fateful day in 1687, when the Venetians bombarded the Acropolis. The Turks set up an ammunition depot in the building, and when the core hit it, the wooden roof was destroyed and part of the walls and sculptural decorations collapsed. An even more severe blow to the pride of the Greeks was dealt at the very beginning of the 19th century by the British ambassador, Lord Elgin, who received permission from the Turks to excavate in the ancient city and took out a huge number of the most beautiful statues and bas-reliefs of the Parthenon pediment. Now they are in the British Museum, but the Greek government does not lose hope that someday they will return to their homeland.

The last of the sanctuaries erected by the ancient Greeks on the Acropolis is located on the other side of the plateau, near the northern wall, at the site of the mythical dispute between Poseidon and Athena over power over the city. Construction lasted fifteen years. The consecration of the Erechtheion took place in 406 BC. An unknown architect was supposed to unite three sanctuaries under one roof (in honor of Athena, Poseidon and Erechtheus), having built a temple on a site with significant differences in the height of the soil.

This temple, although smaller than the Parthenon, must have been equal to it in splendor. The north portico is without a doubt a work of genius, as evidenced by its dark blue marble frieze, coffered ceiling and elegant Ionic columns.

Don't miss the Caryatids - six statues of young girls taller than a human that support the roof of the south portico. Currently, these are only copies. One of the original statues was taken away by the same Lord Elgin, five others, exhibited for a long time in the Small Museum of the Acropolis (now closed), were moved to the New Acropolis Museum, which opened in June 2009.

Here, do not forget to enjoy the beautiful view of the Salamis Bay, located on the western side.

Located in the western part of the Acropolis (161-174), the Roman odeon, famous for its acoustics, is open to the public only during the festivities organized as part of the festival in honor of Athena (performances take place almost every day from late May to mid-October). The marble steps of the ancient theater can accommodate up to 5,000 spectators!

The theater located near the odeon, although very ancient, is closely connected with the main episodes of the life of the Greek city. This gigantic building with 17,000 seats, built in the 5th-4th centuries BC, saw the tragedies of Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides and the comedies of Aristophanes. In fact, this is the cradle of Western theatrical art. Since the 4th century, the city assembly has been meeting here.

New Acropolis Museum

At the foot of the hill (South side) houses the New Acropolis Museum, the brainchild of Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi and his Greek colleague Michalis Fotiadis. A new museum built to replace the old Acropolis Museum (near the Parthenon), which had become too cramped, opened its doors in June 2009. This state-of-the-art marble, glass and concrete building was built on stilts as valuable archaeological finds were unearthed at the site when construction began. 4,000 artifacts are displayed on 14,000 sq. m is ten times the area of ​​the old museum.

The first floor, already open to the public, houses temporary exhibitions, its glass floor allows you to watch the ongoing excavations. The second floor houses the permanent collections, which include artifacts found in the Acropolis from the Archaic period of Ancient Greece to the Roman period. But the highlight of the exhibition is the third floor, whose glass windows give visitors a beautiful view of the Parthenon.

Acropolis metro station

Acropolis metro station

In the 1990s, during the construction of the second metro line, important excavations were discovered. Some of them were exhibited right at the station (amphoras, pots). Here you can also see a model frieze of the Parthenon, representing Helios at the moment when he emerges from the sea, surrounded by Dionysus, Demeter, Kore and an unknown headless character.

Old lower town

On both sides of the Acropolis, the ancient lower city stretched: Greek in the north, around the market square and the ancient Kerameikos district, Roman in the east on the way to Olympeion (Temple of Zeus) and the Arch of Hadrian. Recently, all the sights can be seen on foot, passing through the labyrinth of streets of Plaka or bypassing the Acropolis along the large street named after. Dionysius the Areopagite.

Agora

Initially, this term meant "assembly", then it began to be called the place where people did business. The heart of the old city, filled with workshops and stalls, the agora (market Square) was surrounded by many tall buildings: a mint, a library, a council chamber, a court, archives, not to mention countless altars, small temples and monuments.

The first public buildings on this site began to appear in the 4th century BC, during the reign of the tyrant Pisistratus. Some of them have been restored, and many were built after the sack of the city by the Persians in 480 BC. The Panathenaic Road, the main artery of the ancient city, crossed the esplanade diagonally, linking the city's main gate, the Dipylon, with the Acropolis. Wagon races were held here, in which, presumably, even cavalry recruits took part.

To date, the agora has hardly survived, with the exception of Teseon (Temple of Hephaestus). This Doric temple in the west of the Acropolis is the best preserved in Greece. He is the owner of a beautiful ensemble of Pentelian marble columns and Parian marble friezes. On each of its sides, the image of Hercules in the east, Theseus in the north and south, battle scenes (with magnificent centaurs) in the east and west. Dedicated to both Hephaestus, the patron saint of metallurgists, and Athena Organa (Worker), the protector of potters and artisans, it dates from the second half of the 5th century BC. Probably, this temple owes its safety to its transformation into a church. In the 19th century, it even became a Protestant church, where the remains of English volunteers and other European philhellenes rested. (Greek-Filov) who died during the War of Independence.

Below, in the center of the agora, near the entrance to the Odeon of Agrippa, you will see three monumental statues of tritons. In the most elevated part of the area, in the direction of the Acropolis, there is a restored small church of the Holy Apostles (around 1000) in Byzantine style. Inside, the remains of frescoes of the 17th century and a marble iconostasis have been preserved.

The portico of Attala, on the east side of the market square, 120 meters long and 20 meters wide, was renovated in the 1950s and is now the Agora Museum. Here you can see some amazing artifacts. For example, a huge Spartan shield made of bronze (425 BC) and, directly opposite, a piece of clerotherium, a stone with a hundred slits, intended for the random selection of jurors. Among the coins on display is a silver tetradrachm depicting an owl, which served as the model for the Greek euro.

roman agora

In the second half of the 1st century BC. the Romans moved the agora about a hundred meters to the east to create their own central market. After the invasion of the barbarians in 267, the administrative center of the city took refuge behind the new walls of decaying Athens. Here you can still see, as well as on the nearby streets, many important buildings.

Built in the XI century BC. The Doric Gate of Athena Archegetis is located near the western entrance to the Roman Agora. During the reign of Hadrian, a copy of the order regarding the taxation of the purchase and sale of olive oil was placed here for public review ... On the other side of the square, on the embankment, rises the octagonal Tower of the Winds (Aerids) in white Pentelian marble. It was erected in the 1st century BC. Macedonian astronomer Andronik and served simultaneously as a weather vane, compass and clepsydra (water clock). Each side is decorated with a frieze depicting one of the eight winds, under which one can discern the hands of an ancient sundial. On the north side is a small inactive mosque of Fethiye (Conqueror), one of the last witnesses to the occupation of the market place by religious buildings in the Middle Ages and then under Turkish rule.

Two blocks from the Roman Agora, near Monastiraki Square, you will find the ruins of Hadrian's Library. Erected during the era of the reign of the emperor-builder in the same year as Olympeion (132 BC), this huge public building with a courtyard surrounded by a hundred columns, was at one time one of the most luxurious in Athens.

The Keramik quarter, located on the northwestern border of the Greek city, owes its name to the potters who made the famous Attic vases with red figures on a black background. Here was also the largest cemetery of that time, which operated until the 6th century and is partially preserved. The most ancient graves belong to the Mycenaean era, but the most beautiful, decorated with steles and tombstones, belonged to wealthy Athenians and war heroes of the times of tyranny. They are located in the west of the cemetery, in a corner planted with cypresses and olive trees. Such displays of vanity were forbidden after the establishment of democracy.

The museum exhibits the most beautiful specimens: sphinxes, kouros, lions, bulls... Some of them were used in 478 BC. for the hasty construction of new defensive fortifications against the Spartans!

To the west of the agora and the Acropolis rises the hill of Pnyx, the meeting place of the assembly of the citizens of Athens. (ekklesia). Meetings took place ten times a year from the 6th to the end of the 4th century BC. Famous orators such as Pericles, Themistocles, Demosthenes delivered speeches here to their compatriots. Later, the assembly moved to the square in front of the theater of Dionysus, a large one. From the top of this hill, the view of the forested Acropolis is amazing.

Hill of Muses

The most beautiful panorama of the Acropolis and the Parthenon still opens from this wooded hill in the southwest of the old center - the mythological bastion of the Athenians in the fight against the Amazons. At the top is a well-preserved tombstone of Philopappos. (or Philoppapu) 12 meters high. It dates from the 2nd century and depicts this "benefactor of Athens" on a wagon.

To mark the boundary between the old Greek city and his own Athens, the Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered the erection of a gate facing Olympeion. On one side was written "Athens, the ancient city of Theseus", and on the other - "City of Hadrian, not Theseus". Apart from this, both facades are absolutely identical; striving for unity, they combine the Roman tradition at the bottom and the Greek form of propylaea at the top. The monument, 18 meters high, was erected thanks to the gifts of the inhabitants of Athens.

The temple of Olympian Zeus, the supreme deity, was the largest in ancient Greece - erected, as legend has it, on the site of the ancient sanctuary of Deucalion, the mythical forefather of the Greek people, who thus thanked Zeus for saving him from the flood. The tyrant Peisistratus supposedly started the construction of this gigantic building in 515 BC. in order to keep people busy and prevent a riot. But this time the Greeks overestimated their capabilities: the temple was completed only in the Roman era, in 132 BC. Emperor Hadrian, who got all the glory. The dimensions of the temple were impressive: length - 110 meters, width - 44 meters. Of the 104 Corinthian columns 17 meters high and 2 meters in diameter, only fifteen have survived, the sixteenth, knocked down by a storm, still lies on the ground. The rest were used for other buildings. They were arranged in double rows of 20 along the length of the building and in triple rows of 8 on the sides. In the sanctuary, a giant statue of Zeus made of gold and ivory and a statue of the emperor Hadrian have been preserved - in the Roman era they were revered equally.

This stadium, nestled in an amphitheater with marble steps near Mount Ardettos, 500 meters east of the Olympion, was rebuilt in 1896 for the first modern Olympic Games in place of and on the site of an ancient one built by Lycurgus in 330 BC. In the 2nd century, Hadrian introduced games to the arena, bringing thousands of predators for bestiaries. This is where the 2004 Olympic marathon finished.

This is the oldest and most interesting residential area of ​​the city. The labyrinth of its streets and stairs, dating back at least three millennia, extends to the northeastern slope of the Acropolis. It is mostly pedestrian. The upper part of the quarter is made for long walks and admiring the beautiful houses of the 19th century, the walls and courtyards of which are densely covered with burgenvilleas and geraniums. Plaka is dotted with ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, and at the same time there are many boutiques, restaurants, museums, bars, small nightclubs... It can be both quiet and very lively, it all depends on the place and time.

Churches

Although the towers of the Metropolis, the Cathedral of Plaka (XIX century), located in the northern part of the quarter, inevitably attracts glances, lower your eyes to its base and admire the delightful Small Metropolis. This small 12th century Byzantine church dedicated to St. Eleutrius and Our Lady Gorgoepikoos (“Help soon!”) was built from antique materials. Outside, its walls are decorated with magnificent geometric bas-reliefs. All the priests of Greece gather in the nearby street, Agios Philotheis, to shop at specialty stores. On the high ground of Plaka is the charming little Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis Theologos (XI century) also worthy of your attention.

This museum in the eastern part of Plaka presents an interesting collection of folk art exhibits. After examining the embroideries on the ground floor and the amusing carnival costumes on the mezzanine, in the room of Theophilos on the second floor you will find wall paintings, a tribute to this self-taught artist who decorated the houses and shops of his native land. Honoring traditions, he wore a fustanella all his life (traditional men's skirt) and died in poverty and oblivion. Only after his death did he receive recognition. On the third floor, decorations, ornaments and weapons are exhibited; on the fourth - folk costumes of various provinces of the country.

Neoclassical on the outside, ultra-modern on the inside, this contemporary art museum is the only one of its kind in Greece. Here, the permanent collection, the main theme of which is ordinary people, and temporary exhibitions are exhibited alternately. Visitors are given the opportunity to look at the great events of the 20th century through the eyes of Greek artists.

In 335 BC, after the victory of his troupe in a theater competition, in order to commemorate this event, the patron Lysicrates ordered the erection of this monument in the form of a rotunda. The Athenians called it "the lantern of Diogenes". Initially, inside was a bronze prize received from the city authorities. In the 17th century

Anafiotika

In the highest part of Plaka, on the slopes of the Acropolis, the inhabitants of the Kykpadian island of Anafi have recreated their world in miniature. Anafiotika is a block within a block, a real peaceful haven, where there is no access to cars. It is a few dozen whitewashed houses, buried in flowers, with many narrow alleys and secluded passages. Arbors made of vines, climbing rose hips, pots of flowers - life here turns to you with a pleasant side. Anafiotika can be reached from Stratonos Street.

This museum is located in the westernmost part of Plaka, between the Acropolis and the Roman Agora, in a beautiful neoclassical building and houses a very bizarre and varied collection. (which, however, are united by belonging to Hellenism) transferred to the state by the Kanellopoulos spouses. Among the main exhibits you will see Cycladic figurines and antique gold jewelry.

Museum of Folk Musical Instruments

Located on Diogenes Street, in the western part of Plaka, opposite the entrance to the Roman Agora, this museum invites you to get acquainted with musical instruments and traditional Greek melodies. You will learn how bouzouki, lutes, tamburas, guides and other rare examples sound. Concerts are organized in the garden during the summer.

Syntagma Square

To the northeast, Plaka borders the huge Syntagma Square, the heart of the business world, an area that was built according to a plan drawn up the day after independence was declared. The green esplanade is surrounded by chic cafes and modern buildings that house offices of banks, airlines and international companies.

Here is the hotel "Great Britain", the pearl of Athens of the XIX century, the most beautiful palace in the city. On the eastern slope is the Buli Palace, now the Parliament. In 1834 it served as the residence of King Otto I and Queen Amalia.

Subway

Thanks to the construction of the subway (1992-1994) under the esplanade began the most extensive excavation ever carried out in Athens. Archaeologists have discovered a Peisistratus aqueduct, a very important road, bronze foundries from the 5th century BC. (the period when this place was outside the city walls), cemeteries of the end of the classical era - the beginning of the Roman era, baths and the second aqueduct, also Roman, as well as early Christian ossuaries and part of the Byzantine city. Various archaeological layers have been preserved inside the station in the form of a cross cup.

Parliament (Buli Palace)

The name of Syntagma Square evokes the Greek Constitution of 1844 proclaimed from the balcony of this neoclassical palace, since 1935 the seat of Parliament.

In front of the building there is a monument to the Unknown Soldier, who is guarded by Evzones (foot soldiers). They wear traditional Greek costumes: fustanella with 400 folds, symbolizing the number of years spent under the Turkish yoke, woolen knee socks and red shoes with pompons.

The changing of the guard takes place every hour from Monday to Saturday, and once, at 10.30, on Sunday. The entire garrison gathers in the square for this beautiful ceremony.

national garden

Once a palace park, the National Garden is now a peaceful oasis of exotic plants and mosaic pools in the heart of the city. There you can see ancient ruins hidden among shady alleys, a small botanical museum located in a pavilion, a zoo and a pleasant cafe with a large covered gazebo.

To the south is the Zappeion, a neoclassical building built in the 1880s in the form of a rotunda. In 1896, during the first modern Olympic Games, the headquarters of the Olympic Committee was located there. Later, Zappeion became an exhibition center.

To the east of the garden, on Herodes Atticus Street, in the middle of the park, is the Presidential Palace, a beautiful baroque building guarded by two evzones.

Northern quarters and museums

Justifying its name, the Gazi quarter in the north-west of the city, predominantly industrial, does not make a very pleasant impression at first. The former gas plant that gave the neighborhood its name is now a huge cultural center .

A little to the east stretches the very lively Psiri quarter, where wholesalers and blacksmiths have settled - and, for some time now, a growing number of bars, nightlife and trendy restaurants. Its small streets lead to the markets and Omonia Square, the heart of the people of Athens. From here you can walk to Syntagma Square along two large neoclassical-framed streets - Stadiou and Panepistimiou.

Neighborhood Monastiraki

Directly north of the Roman Agora is Monastiraki Square, crowded with people at any time of the day. Above it rises the dome and portico of the Tsizdaraki mosque (1795), which now houses the Plaka branch of the Museum of Folk Art.

The nearby pedestrian streets are crammed with souvenir shops, antique shops, and junk dealers who gather every Sunday at Abyssinia Square to host a giant flea market.

Markets

The large Athinas Boulevard, which links Monastiraki with Omonia Square in the north, passes by the market pavilions. The “belly of Athens”, which is in constant activity from dawn to mid-afternoon, is divided into two parts: fish merchants in the center and meat merchants around.

In front of the building there are sellers of dried fruits, and on the nearby streets - merchants of hardware, carpets, and poultry.

Archaeological Museum

A few blocks north of Omonia Square, on a huge esplanade lined with cars, is the National Archaeological Museum, which has a fabulous collection of artifacts from the great civilizations of ancient Greece. Do not hesitate to spend half a day here contemplating the statues, frescoes, vases, cameos, jewelry, coins and other treasures.

Perhaps the most valuable exhibit of the museum is the posthumous golden mask of Agamemnon, found in 1876 in Mycenae by amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. (hall 4, in the center of the courtyard). In the same room you will see another important object from the Mycenaean era, the Warrior vase, as well as funerary stelae, weapons, rhytons, jewelry and thousands of luxurious items made of amber, gold and even an ostrich egg shell! Cycladic collection (hall 6) also a must see.

Looking around the first floor and moving clockwise, you will pass chronologically from the archaic period, represented by magnificent kouros and kors, to the Roman. Along the way, you will see great masterpieces of classical art, including a bronze statue of Poseidon fished out of the sea near the island of Euboea. (hall 15), as well as statues of the rider Artemision on a war horse (hall 21). Tombstones are presented in large numbers, some of them quite impressive. For example, huge lekythos - vases two meters high. It is also worth mentioning the friezes that adorned the temple of Afeia on Aegina, the friezes of the temple of Asclepius (Aesculapius) in Epidaurus and the magnificent marble group of Aphrodite, Pan and Eros in Room 30.

On the second floor, collections of ceramics are exhibited: from products of the geometric era to delightful Attic vases. Greek Pompeii - the city of Akrotiri on the island of Santorini, buried in 1450 BC - is dedicated to a separate section (hall 48).

Panepistimiou

The quarter, located between Omonia and Syntagma squares, gives a clear idea of ​​the grandiose ambitions of the post-independence period. Definitely neoclassical, the trio of the University, the Academy and the National Library stretch along Panepistimiou Street. (or Eleftherios Venizelou) and clearly deserves the attention of visitors to the city.

National History Museum

The museum is located in the building of the former parliament, at 13 Stadiou Street, not far from Syntagma Square, and is dedicated to the history of the country since the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans (1453). The period of the War of Independence is presented in great detail. You can even see the helmet and sword of Lord Byron, the most famous of the philhellenes!

Founded in 1930 by Antonis Benakis, a member of a prominent Greek family, the museum is housed in his former Athenian residence. The exhibition consists of collections collected throughout his life. The museum continues to grow and now offers visitors a complete panorama of Greek art, from the prehistoric period to the 20th century.

On the ground floor there are exhibits from the Neolithic period to the Byzantine era, as well as a fine collection of jewelry and antique gold leaf crowns. A large section is devoted to icons. Second floor (XVI-XIX centuries) covers the period of Turkish occupation, mainly samples of church and secular folk art are exhibited here. Two magnificent reception halls from the 1750s have been restored, along with ceilings and carved wood panels.

Less interesting sections, dedicated to the period of awakening of national identity and the struggle for independence, occupy the top two floors.

Museum of Cycladic Art

Here are mainly the collections of Nicolas Goulandris dedicated to ancient art. The most prominent of them is, without a doubt, on the ground floor. Here you can get acquainted with the legendary Cycladic art; figurines, marble household items and objects of religious worship. Don't miss the dove platter, carved from a single piece, the extraordinary figurines of a flutist and a bread peddler, and a 1.40 meter high statue, one of two depicting the great patron goddess.

The third floor is devoted to Greek art from the Bronze Age to the 2nd century BC, on the fourth floor there is a collection of Cypriot artifacts, and on the fifth - the finest ceramics and "Corinthian" bronze shields.

The museum later moved to a magnificent neoclassical villa built in 1895 by the Bavarian architect Ernst Ziller. (Palace of Stafatos).

The expositions housed in the museum cover the period from the fall of the Roman Empire (5th century) before the fall of Constantinople (1453) and successfully illuminate the history of Byzantine culture through a fine selection of exhibits and reconstructions. The exhibition also highlights the special role of Athens, the center of pagan thought for at least two centuries, until Christianity reigned.

Worth seeing section of Coptic art (especially the shoes of the 5th-8th centuries!), the treasure of Mytilene, found in 1951, amazing crossbars and bas-reliefs, collections of icons and frescoes exhibited in the church of the Episcopia of Eurytania, as well as magnificent manuscripts.

National Pinakothek

Significantly upgraded to last years, The Pinakothek is dedicated to the Greek art of the last four centuries. It chronologically presents various movements, from early post-Byzantine painting to the works of contemporary artists. In particular, you will see three mystical paintings by El Greco, a native of Crete, who, along with Velasquez and Goya, was the most famous artist of Spain in the 16th century.

At the northern end of Vassilissis Sofias Boulevard, the rolling streets of the Kolonaki quarter form a chic enclave famous for its fashion boutiques and art galleries. All morning, and especially after lunch, there is nowhere for an apple to fall on the terraces of the cafe in Filikis Eterias Square.

Mount Lycabettus (Lycabettus)

At the end of Plutarch Street there is a long line of markets leading to an underground cable tunnel with a funicular that will take you to the top of Lycabettus, famous for its beautiful panorama, in a few minutes. Sports enthusiasts will prefer the stairs starting at the end of Lukianou Street, a hundred meters to the west (15 minutes rise). The path winds its way through cypresses and agaves. Above, from the porch of the chapel of St. George, in good weather, you can see the islands of the Saronic Gulf and, of course, the Acropolis.

Around Athens

Situated between the sea and the hills, Athens is the ideal starting point to conquer the most famous sites of Attica, the peninsula that separates the Aegean from the Saronic Gulf.

Everyone goes to the beach for the weekend. Located right next to the city walls, Glyfada turned everyone in the belt during the 2004 Olympics: it was here that most of the nautical competitions took place. A chic suburb with numerous boutiques, as well as a seaside resort famous for its marinas and golf courses, Glyfada comes alive in the summer, when discos and clubs open on Possidonos Avenue. The beaches here and in the direction of Voula are predominantly private, dotted with umbrellas and packed to the brim at the end of the week. If you are looking for a quieter place, head south to Vouliagmeni, a luxurious and expensive port surrounded by greenery. The coast becomes more democratic only after Varkiza, not far from Cape Sounion.

Sentinel of Athens, holding guard on the top of the rock "Cape of Columns" at the extreme point of Mediterranean Attica, the temple of Poseidon is one of the peaks of the "sacred triangle", a perfect isosceles triangle, the other points of which are the Acropolis and the temple of Aphaia on Aegina. It was said that sailors once entered the bay on their way to Piraeus and could see all three buildings at the same time, a pleasure now inaccessible due to the frequent smog that descends over these places. Sanctuary restored in the era of Pericles (444 BC), preserved 16 of the 34 Doric columns. Once upon a time, trireme races were held here, organized by the Athenians in honor of the goddess Athena, to whom the second temple, erected on a nearby hill, is dedicated. The place acquires strategic importance: its fortress, now disappeared, made it possible to simultaneously control the silver mines of Lorion and the movement of ships to Athens.

Built on the pine-clad slopes of Mount Hymetos, a few kilometers east of Athens, the 11th-century monastery is no longer quiet at the end of the week when picnickers land nearby. In the central courtyard you will find a church whose walls are covered with frescoes. (XVII-XVIII centuries), the dome rests on four ancient columns, and at the other end of the monastery there is an amazing fountain with a ram's head, from which flows water, which is said to have miraculous properties.

Marathon

This place, one of the most famous, in 490 BC witnessed the victory of the 10,000th Athenian army over the Persians, which outnumbered it three times. To deliver the good news, legend has it, a runner from Marathon ran the 40 km separating it from Athens so quickly that he died of exhaustion upon arrival. 192 Greek heroes who died in this battle were buried on the mound - this is the only credible evidence of this famous event.

Monastery of Daphne

Located 10 km west of Athens, on the edge of a major road, the Byzantine monastery of Daphni is famous for its 11th-century mosaics depicting the apostles and the mighty Christos Pantokrator watching them from the central dome. Having received significant damage from an earthquake in 1999, the building is now closed for restoration.

Pressed on one side by Attica and on the other by the Peloponnese, the Saronic Gulf - the lock of the Corinth Canal - opens the door to Athens. Among the many islands, Aegina is the most interesting and the easiest to reach (1 h 15 min by ferry or 35 min by speedboat).

Most of the ships are docked on the west coast, in the most beautiful port of Aegina. Few people know that it was the first capital of liberated Greece. Fishermen fix their gear here in front of tourists relaxing on cafe terraces and riding in gigs. A narrow pedestrian street leading from the embankment, as if created for walking and shopping. At the northern exit, in Colon, at the site of archaeological excavations, there are a few ruins of the temple of Apollo (5th century BC). The archaeological museum exhibits artifacts found nearby: donations, pottery, sculptures and steles.

The rest of the island is divided between the pistachio plantations, which are the pride of Aegina, several groves with olive trees and beautiful pine forests, spreading in the east to the very seaside resort of Agia Marina, on whose beautiful beaches life is in full swing in summer.

From there you can easily reach the temple of Aphaia, built on a promontory visible from both banks. The splendor of this Doric monument, perfectly preserved, allows one to guess the former power of the island, which was once a rival of Athens. Erected in 500 BC, it was dedicated to the local goddess Aphaia, the daughter of Zeus, who took refuge in these places, fleeing the persecution of King Minos.

If you have some time, visit the ruins of Paliochora, the former capital of Aegina, built on a hill in the interior of the island. Founded in the era of Antiquity, the town grew up during the high Middle Ages, an era when residents, fleeing from pirate raids, took refuge on the tops of the mountains. Until the 19th century, when the inhabitants left it, Paliochora consisted of 365 churches and chapels, of which 28 survived, and you can still see the remains of beautiful frescoes in them. A little lower is the monastery of Agios Nektarios, the largest on the island.

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When is the best time to go to Athens

Spring and late autumn are the best times to visit Athens. Summers can be very hot and dry. Winters are sometimes rainy with few snowy days. But at the same time, winter can be the perfect time to visit the city, when it is cool, but not crowded.

Very often there is smog over the city, the reason for which is in the geography of the city - due to the fact that Athens is surrounded by mountains, exhausts and pollution from cars very often linger over the city.

How to get there

What are the ways to get to Athens from the airport? First of all, a direct metro line (blue) was laid from the airport to the city. The final station in the city center is the Monastiraki metro. You can get to the railway station in Athens by commuter train. A convenient and comfortable way is to call a taxi. A more economical land transport is a bus; buses follow four routes from the airport.

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