Athens in ancient Greece. Athens

The city of Athens (English Athens, Greek Αθήνα) is located in the central part of Greece and is the economic, cultural and administrative center of the country. Total area – 412 sq. km. The local population is 650 thousand people (according to unofficial data - 5 million).

Athens is the oldest city in Greece, which was known 3500 years ago and has a very rich history. It can be safely called the cradle of European civilization. The city got its name in honor of the Goddess of Wisdom - Athena. Athens is a must-visit with an excursion program, regardless of which Greek resort you are vacationing at. Of interest are the central areas, the Old Town, the suburbs and the port of Piraeus.

People in Athens usually spend their time sightseeing, shopping and having fun in nightclubs, bars and restaurants. Some relax on the beach in the suburbs. The tourist infrastructure in Athens is very well developed - numerous hotels, shops and entertainment venues are abundant here. Fans of active recreation will enjoy sports grounds, tennis courts and golf clubs.

Don't forget about shopping. It is better to buy local souvenirs in the areas of Plaka, Ermou and Monastiraki, and products of world brands - in the large shopping centers The Mall, Golden Hall and Athens Heart.

The bulk of nightlife establishments are located in the areas of Plaka, Kolonaki, Psirri and Thissone. In local bars and restaurants you can listen to both traditional Greek music and dance to modern rhythms.

Short story

Athens is the cradle of Greek culture. The first settlement appeared in this territory 3,000 BC. By 500 BC. the city became the largest cultural center in the region. This is the birthplace of such outstanding personalities as Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus, Phidias.

But with the rise of the Roman Empire, it gradually began to lose its importance even after the 3rd century AD. turned into a provincial town.

In 1458 it was captured by the Turks and annexed to the Ottoman Empire.

In 1833, Athens was proclaimed the capital of the Kingdom of Greece. In 1896, the first modern Olympic Games were held in the restored Panathinaikos Stadium.

The city did not suffer significant damage during World War II. Since the 70s, tourism began to develop, which peaked at the end of the 90s. Currently, for many, a visit to Greece is accompanied by a trip to Athens.

The city of Athens on the map of Greece and the world

You can buy air tickets as profitably as possible using special search engines that collect data from all airlines.

Airlines flying to Athens:

Aeroflot,
Aegean Airlines,
Air Serbia,
Alitalia,
Pegasus,
Turkish Airlines,
Lufthansa and others.

During the tourist season, additional flights are launched, both direct and with one transfer. There are a lot of offers from European airlines.

From other cities and islands of Greece, you can get to Athens by plane, bus, train and ferry.

The city of Athens is connected to the airport by public transport, at your service: metro, buses, trains, taxis. If you want to be transported comfortably to your hotel, do so in advance.

If you have international rights, then you can, the airport is the best choice.

Transport

Athens has a developed network of urban public transport, these are: metro, trams, trolleybuses, trains and buses. There are uniform tariffs for all types of transport, which is very convenient.

1. Metro.

I would especially like to note the metro, which, in addition to its direct function, also serves as a guide to the history of the country. At some stations there are various artifacts found during the construction of the subway. The metro has 3 lines in total and covers the main areas of the city.

2. Trams.

Tram routes run from the city center to its southern outskirts, all the way to the sea coast. This is the cheapest way to get to the beaches.

3. Buses.

Buses run not only during the day, but even after midnight, when all other transport is not running. True, this does not apply to all routes.

4. Electric trains.

Electric trains connect the city of Corinth with the airport, passing through the port of Piraeus and the central station of the capital.

5. Taxi.

If you want to move around the city comfortably, you can take a taxi. They all operate on a meter, but at night the payment is twice as high as during the day. For trips out of town, you can pre-order.

6. Car rental.

If you have an international driving license, then it is best to explore Athens on. Stock up on a navigator or map and go on an adventure!

Attractions

Athens has a huge number of ancient attractions:

Acropolis hill with the Parthenon and ancient temples,
Lycabettus hill with the Church of St. George on top,
Tower of the Winds,
theater of Dionysus,
Temple of Olympian Zeus,
Areopagus,
Attalus standing,
Odeon of Herodes Atticus,
Athens Agora,
temple of Hephaestus,
Panathinaikos stadium,
Caesariani monastery,
the first Athenian cemetery.

In addition, there are a huge number of museums introducing the history, culture and rich heritage of Greece.

View all interesting places You won’t be able to take a vacation in a short time, so you should choose the most interesting ones for you personally.

Resorts and beaches

Don't forget about a beach holiday in Athens. The city itself does not have direct access to the sea, but just a few kilometers away there is a coastline with magnificent beaches. Most hotels are located here. The Greek elite, who have luxurious mansions and villas, also like to relax on the coast.

Climate

The climate in Athens is subtropical. Summers are very hot and dry. May and October - best time to visit the city for the purpose of excursion recreation. At this time it is not as hot as in summer and the sights can be seen in comfort.

If you want to combine excursions with a beach holiday, then it is better to go in the summer. The temperature during this period is +26…+30 degrees. The sea warms up to +26 degrees.

In winter, the thermometer is at +10…+12. Snow occurs very rarely and almost always only at night, when it is coldest.

*Weather data provided by Weather 2 Travel.

Useful information for tourists about Athens in Greece - geographical position, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Athens is the capital of Greece and one of the most ancient European cities. The city is located in the southern part of the Attica peninsula, in a valley surrounded on the west, east and north by low mountains. From the south it is washed by the waters of the Saronic Gulf.

Athens got its name in honor of Athena, the goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology. The history of the city goes back several thousand years. After the classical golden age of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the city suffered a decline during the Middle Ages. Athens experienced its rebirth in 1834 as the capital of independent Greece. It was here that the first Modern Olympics took place in 1896.

Now Athens is a large metropolis with a population of 4.5 million. This is a huge museum ancient architecture open air. Finally, just an amazingly beautiful and hospitable city.

The central part of Athens is divided into a number of clearly distinct areas. Behind the Acropolis, which forms the core of the ancient city, lies Plaka, the oldest residential area of Athens. Here you can see monuments from the ancient, Byzantine or Turkish periods - such as the octagonal Tower of the Winds, the tiny Byzantine Church of the Lesser Metropolis or the elegant stone door of the Turkish religious school - a madrasah, the building of which has not survived.

Most of Plaka's old houses have now been converted into tourist shops, cafes, night bars and restaurants. Descending from the Acropolis in a northwest direction, you come out to the Monastiraki area, where artisan shops have been located since medieval times.

From here along University Street in a south-easterly direction, you can walk to the center of the modern city, passing the richly decorated buildings of the National Library, the University and the Academy and get to Syntagma (Constitution) Square - the administrative and tourist center of Athens. There is a beautiful building of the Old Royal Palace on it, there are hotels, outdoor cafes, many banks and institutions. Further east towards the slopes of Lycabettus Hill are Kolonaki Square, a new cultural center including the Byzantine Museum, Benaki Museum, National Art Gallery, Conservatory and Concert Hall. To the south are the New Royal Palace, National Park and the Great Panathenaic Stadium, reconstructed to host the revived Olympic Games in 1896.

Today's Athens is a modern city with a breakneck pace of life. Modern and at the same time romantic, with busy streets and squares, with bright colorful shop windows, but also with secluded alleys, with quiet and secluded neighborhoods such as Plaka and Metz. In the countless shops of the capital, the buyer will find everything he wants; Athens restaurants and taverns are able to satisfy any order.

This truly legendary Greek city is famous throughout the world. The capital of ancient and modern Greece has experienced great ups and no less epic falls throughout its history. Like a phoenix, 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 coexist with fashionable hotels and modern shopping centers. The features of the most important Greek polis will be discussed in today’s material.

The history of these glorious places goes back 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 a valley with settlements on three sides.

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

Athens reached its apogee of glory in the 5th century BC. Actually from 500 to 300 BC. All 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 rise of the Roman Empire.

In the third century AD, Athens lost its former grandeur and became a provincial town. Then there are long centuries of constant wars and conquests by foreign troops, leading to the looting, destruction and even burning of Athens. A new round of the city’s history 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 return 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 regained its former appearance and in 1896 the first modern Olympic Games were held here in the new stadium.

The 20th century is marked by the beginning of archaeological excavations, which help restore the heritage of ancient Greece. In the 1920s, the Greeks signed an agreement with the Turks on the exchange of populations, as a result of which a wave of immigrants rolled into Athens. Added to this are the treaties on the Balkan Wars that were successful for the Greeks, after the conclusion of which the territory and population of the country, incl. Athens doubles in size.

During World War II, the city fell under German occupation, but after the war it again continued 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 resolved, 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, branded stores, entertainment centers and tourist hotels. But above all this, the ancient Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Parthenon and the remains of ancient theaters still rise.

Geographical location

Athens is located on 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 practically 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 a map of the city of Athens will be useful to any traveler. The city is very large, so getting around without a street map is quite difficult.

Population

Everyone knows what a glorious capital Greece is and what the main attractions of Athens are called. But few people know that the population of the city of Athens accounts for 1/3 of the total population of the country! Just think about it: a third of the state’s residents live in one city.

The permanent population in Athens in 2017 is more than 3.5 million people, while the total number of residents of Greece in 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. Their number can be approximately estimated at another 500 thousand people. This is how capacious the Greek capital is.

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, which in fact smoothly turns into spring. Winter frosts are rare in the region.

The area where Athens is located has low humidity, so the summer heat can be tolerated comfortably. Summer temperatures reach +30°C and above. Rainy days are most common in autumn, but precipitation is very rare in summer.

How to get to Athens

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

The city's air harbor is called Eleftherios Venizelos. Upon arrival at Athens airport, it is very easy to go straight to the city center. There is a metro line from the terminal, and numerous buses and commuter trains depart from the airport to the city.

The port of Piraeus is the sea gate to the capital Athens. Foreign ships dock here, as well as an endless stream of local ferries of various capacities. Please note that in winter, ship schedules are often disrupted by the vagaries of the weather.

You can get to Athens by car or bus along numerous highways and routes. The distance, travel time and comfort of the route naturally depend on the starting point of departure.

The best time of year to visit Athens is difficult to determine. Spring and summer have the hottest temperatures and peak season, but the cost of holidays is also higher. In autumn and winter, the demand for holidays is lower, but the weather conditions are worse. However, if you look hard enough, you can find a hot offer and go on holiday in Greece and Athens at a discount. To do this, view the calendar low prices for air tickets and online services for selecting travel packages and accommodation.

Athens travel guide

Here our material about holidays in Athens comes to the equator, and from dry facts and theory we begin to move on to tourist practice, i.e. walks around the city. Next, we will tell you about the most interesting places in Athens and the unique sights of Greece that have been preserved in the capital city. We will also touch on the nuances and subtleties of Athens tourism and, of course, talk about hotels in Athens.

Sea and beaches in Athens

In the suburbs of the capital there are many coastal villages with well-groomed and equipped coastlines. The following local beaches are the most popular among tourists:

Voula;
Asteros;
Faliron;
Alimas;
Akti Vouliagmeni.

Best time for beach holiday in the Greek capital July-August. You can get to the coast by public transport. In most cases, it is more convenient to take tram No. 3, because the lines run along the coastal zone. Bus number 122 runs to Vouliagmeni.

Districts of Athens

The Greek capital city is divided into seven districts, but tourists are advised to settle only in the center of Athens. This is dictated both by the developed infrastructure and proximity of attractions, and by security issues.

Plaka

The most historically significant area of the city, located at the foot of the Acropolis. It is especially atmospheric in Anafiotika, the western part of Plaka. Here, narrow cobbled streets and low white houses traditional for Greek architecture create the impression of truly Ancient Hellas.

The area has a very developed tourist infrastructure: many cafes, taverns, shops, hotels and entertainment. The historical heritage of the area is also rich. Here you can get acquainted with ancient monuments, as well as sights from the times of Byzantine and Turkish rule.

Monastiraki

Another oldest district of the city, very close to the Acropolis.

Monastiraki is actually a large commercial and historical center of the city. Famous landmarks are located here: the Tower of the Winds, the Fethias Mosque, the Library of Hadrian. And what a beautiful panorama opens onto the Acropolis from the local Keramix (ancient cemetery). You won’t find another view of Ancient Greece like this in the entire city.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the local market and the myriad of shops on Ermou Street. Lovers of shopping and sales should definitely stay here.

Thisio

Calm and peaceful area, actually a park area. Here you can take a break from the noisy city bustle and enjoy the coolness of local parks. At the same time, the geographical location of the area allows easy access to the center of Athens, located several hundred meters to the east.

Thisio also has many cultural options. In this area you can:

look at the ruins of the Agora complex;
take a walk along the pedestrian street named after Apostle Paul;
go to Pnyx Hill;
visit the Athens Conservatory, Observatory and Dora Stratou Theater.

And don’t forget about the local shops, shops, cafes and taverns.

Syntagma

The name of the area was given by the historical square, which is called the heart of Athens. It is from here that excursions to historical Plaka and Monastiraki, as well as just walks around the city, begin.

Near Syntagma is the National History Museum, which is the former parliament building. And on the square itself there is a modern parliament, which is a kind of landmark of these places. Tourists can examine the facade and some rooms of the building, as well as follow the solemn ritual of the changing of the guard.

Syntagma is also famous for its National Park, where you can enjoy the silence and views of nature.

Safety in Athens

We have already answered the questions about when is the best time to go to Athens and where is the best place to live in the capital. Now let's talk about how to behave in this huge Greek polis.

General rules

The capital of Greece is crowded, and this circumstance sometimes plays into the hands of scammers and robbers. To avoid getting into an unpleasant situation, try to always keep an eye on your belongings and follow these small tips:

Keep bags at the front, not at the back or side;
Don't put valuables in your back pockets;
Don’t walk around the city with backpacks (it’s easier to steal from your back);
Do not wedge yourself into crowds of protesters and demonstrators so as not to be detained by the police.
When on public transport, be prepared and keep your bag in sight.

Which areas are best not to go to?

Like any large metropolis, Athens is fraught with dangerous neighborhoods and their unreliable inhabitants. There are many beggars, homeless people and thieves on the distant streets of the city. In particular, the area around Omonia Square, especially Sotheklos Street, is notorious for Athens. At night, the port streets of Piraeus, the vicinity of the Larissa railway station and Karassaki Square are dangerous for tourists.

Neighborhoods of Athens

In addition to exploring the capital itself, you can also go on a trip to the suburbs. The capital's surroundings are distinguished by both natural pearls and their own historical attractions. So, here you can see the Averof floating museum, conquer Mount Parnitha, visit the zoological park or take a sea cruise to the islands of Aegina or Hydra.

And if the distance of 70 km does not scare you, then you should go to Cape Sounion and explore the Temple of Poseidon. Even the ruins of the building make a strong impression, and what was here in antiquity is comparable only to the Parthenon.

How to get around the city

It must be said that the transport system of Athens is well developed, but it does not always save you from debilitating traffic jams.

A single ticket is valid for buses, trolleybuses, trams, metro and trains within the city limits. For 1.4 euros you can make a 90-minute trip with transfers to any mode of transport. Also on sale are daily tickets for 4.5 €, and a 5-day ticket costs 9 €.

Trams

The total length of tram lines in Athens is 27 km. A long line runs along the coast, and in the center there is a branch to the Syntagma area. There are 3 routes in the city:

No. 3 Neo-Falira - Voula;
No. 4 Syntagma – Neo-Falira;
No. 5 Syntagma – Voula.

The rails are laid along separate streets, so Athens trams are not afraid of citywide traffic jams.

Buses

By bus you can travel not only around the Greek capital, but also around its suburbs. The bus fleet consists of 1,800 vehicles, and the number of routes reaches 300.

As an important note, we note that in Greece all stops are made only upon request. You need to carefully monitor the road in order to have time to press the “stop” button and get off at your stop. If you are waiting for a bus on the street, then you should wave your hand to get the driver to stop.

Metro

Another type of transport with which you do not risk getting stuck in traffic jams. The metro connects all major transport hubs: the port, railway station and airport. There are 3 branches in total in the city:

No. 1 Piraeus – Kifissia (green);
No. 2 Antoupoli – Elliniko (red);
No. 3 Agia Marina – Airport (blue).

Please note that there are no turnstiles in the Greek metro. But the ticket must be validated and kept for the entire trip, because... Controllers work on the routes.

Taxi

Official taxis are yellow cars with checkered lines and the Ταξί sign. Cars may be of different brands, but they are all equipped with meters, which are used to pay for the trip. The main tariffs are as follows:

In the city 0.7 € per km;
Suburban 1.2€ per km;
Boarding + 1.2 € to the trip amount;
Phone call + 2 € to the trip amount.

At night, rates double. Be careful when traveling, because... There are often drivers who want to “earn extra money” from tourists by increasing their road bill.

Rent a Car

There are many rental agencies in the city, but we would recommend renting a car only for out-of-town trips. Athens has heavy traffic, frequent traffic jams and parking problems, so a rented car can only become an extra burden. Outside the city, a personal car, on the contrary, has an advantage over the confusing public transport schedule.

Sights of Athens

The Greek capital is incredibly rich in unique monuments and cultural recreation facilities.

Museums

There are more than 250 exhibitions with various exhibits in the city. But the most interesting museums This:

Acropolis;
Agora;
Archaeological Museum;
Ship "Averof";
Museum of Cycladic Art.

During high season, museum exhibitions are open to the public every day.

Tourist streets

Churches and temples

There are also countless religious buildings in the city. Has survived to this day ancient culture: Acropolis and its many temples. There are also many in Athens Orthodox churches: Cathedral of the Annunciation Holy Mother of God, Monastery of Daphne, Temple of St. George. There are also Muslim monuments in the city. A striking example is the Tsisdaraki mosque.

Excursions

From Athens you can go on an excursion to any corner of Greece. If you do not want to leave the capital for a long time, then a boat trip to the neighboring islands would be an excellent option.

Recreation and entertainment

There is plenty to do in Athens besides cultural recreation.

Shopping, shops, souvenirs

There are several dozen shops on Ermu Street, incl. brand boutiques H&M, Zara, Benetton and much more. Here you can buy quality items from European manufacturers.

It is better to buy souvenirs and gifts in small shops and local markets. Products will be an original gift self made from ceramics or textiles. Prices in Athens are high, but don't forget that Greeks are always willing to bargain.

Cuisine and restaurants

The capital's restaurants offer tourists local cuisine and popular dishes from other countries of the world. There are a lot of cafes and taverns in the city, but if you only want the best cuisine with gourmet dishes, we recommend visiting Petrino, Lalloudes, Garbi and To Kofenio.

Clubs and nightlife

At night, life in the capital never ceases to be in full swing. For regulars of dance floors and fiery parties, there are the best nightclubs in the city:

Villa Mercedes
Baronda;
Venue;

Most establishments maintain a dress code (evening wear). Entrance to the parties is paid, and on average is about 10 euros per person.

Young tourists in Athens will find it no less interesting than adults. Moreover, if the family stays in a hotel with a games room, animators and a children's menu.

In the city, children will be entertained by visiting the water park, planetarium, zoo and various attractions. The children also like to explore the ruins of ancient buildings. But here you need to carefully monitor the child so that the child does not harm either the ruins or himself.

Popular hotels in Athens

There are more than 2,000 hotels, inns and apartments of various classes in the Greek capital. It is hardly possible to select the best housing from this list. We can only note those hotels to which tourists express more trust and warm regard. These are establishments such as:

Holidays in Athens are varied and exciting; no tourist will be bored here. The disadvantages of the metropolis cannot be kept silent: crowded conditions, environmental problems, traffic congestion and street hooliganism. But if you take into account the recommendations listed in the material and carefully plan your vacation, the trip will leave only pleasant impressions in your memory. Happy travels and unforgettable adventures!

In contact with

Classmates

There is no city in Europe that is like Athens. This applies to ancient monuments and the most complex historical path along which the Greek capital passed. Having been reborn, Athens has become a modern cultural center of Greece and a major European city full of contrasts. Here, ancient ruins coexist with luxury hotels, and the bustling center is just a stone's throw away from idyllic beaches.

Geography of Athens: what the capital of Greece is like

Athens is located in Central Greece (Attica), surrounded by the mountains of Parnitha, Ymittos, Pendeli and Aigaleo. The city and agglomeration cover an area of 410 sq. km, and the population with its suburbs totals more than 3 million inhabitants. Although this figure is conditional, because numerous students, repatriates and migrants flock to the Greek capital.

The city is divided into 7 districts. However, it is unofficially 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 this is the oldest populated cities Europe. The origins of Athens are linked to mythology. According to legend, they appeared as a result of a dispute between Poseidon and Athena over the right to make the best gift to the first king of the city, Kekrop. The goddess of wisdom won, and she became the patroness of the city.

In antiquity, Athens, along with Sparta, played a leading role in the life of Greece. Here democracy was formed and the art of theater emerged. The city-state was home to outstanding creators, artists, speakers and politicians. Prosperity continued until the Peloponnesian Wars, which resulted in the defeat of Athens. They forever lost their leading position, although they finally turned into an ordinary provincial city with the rise 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 became part of 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 the National Park appeared, and the first Olympic Games of modern times were held.

Today Athens is a metropolis and a major transport hub in Greece with vibrant nightlife, ancient monuments, and a host of cultural events. The city has developed trolleybus and bus networks, 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 tourist. 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 big choice hotels, it is better to come in January-April or October-November. However, it is worth considering that during the low season, some restaurants are closed and attractions change their 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 relaxation on the coast.

Athens - attractions

The goal of any tourist in Athens is the Acropolis with its many historical monuments. Among the main ones is the Theater of Dionysus, which hosted competitions for the authors of tragedies and other cultural events in Athens. The outstanding monument of the Acropolis, the 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 religious objects.

However, beautiful ancient structures have been preserved not only on the Acropolis. On the Agora, which in ancient times was considered the center of city life, is the Temple of Hephaestus. It survived largely due to the fact that a church was organized here in Byzantine times. At the southern end of the Agora is the Odeon, which resembles a Roman amphitheater. 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 ancient buildings, narrow streets and shops. The laid-back atmosphere makes Plaka one of the most charming places in the city.

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

Athens: sea and beaches

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

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

The beaches of Vouliagmeni invite you to relax after a long day. They are 23 km away from the city. On the coast there are restaurants and tennis courts, and children's playgrounds are equipped. Fans of wild beaches on Vouliagmeni will love the town of Limanaki with its 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, several points in Athens can be reached by any of the six buses that operate.

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 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. Life in 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 with the ancient Parthenon on its deck.

Video: Athens

Basic moments

Athens has been 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 residents here doubled almost overnight as a result of a population exchange with Turkey.

Due to the rapid post-war economic growth and the real boom that followed Greece's accession to the European Union in 1981, the suburb took over 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 city's official boundaries.

The new dynamic city was greatly transformed by the 2004 Olympic Games. Years of grandiose work have modernized and beautified the city. A new airport opened its doors, new metro lines were launched, and museums were updated.

Of course, pollution problems environment and overpopulation remains, and rarely does anyone fall in love with Athens at first sight... But one cannot help but succumb to the charm generated by contrasts of this amazing mixture of the ancient sacred city and the capital of the 21st century. Athens also owes its uniqueness to numerous neighborhoods that have an inimitable character: traditional Plaka, industrial Gazi, Monastraki experiencing a new dawn with its flea markets, shopping Psirri entering the markets, working Omonia, business Syntagma, bourgeois Kolonaki... not to mention Piraeus, which is essentially an independent city.

Sights of Athens

It is the small plateau on which the Acropolis is located (4 ha), rising 100 m above the plain of Attica and modern city, Athens owes its destiny. The city was born here, grew up, and met its historical glory. No matter how damaged and unfinished the Acropolis may be, it still stands quite confidently and in to the fullest retains the status of one of the greatest wonders of the world, once awarded to it by UNESCO. Its name means " high city", from 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, for example the Parthenon or the Temple of Nike Apteros, is not yet completed; this work takes a lot of effort and time.

Areopagus and the Bele Gate

The entrance to the Acropolis is on the west side, at the Bele Gate, a Roman building from the 3rd century, named after the French archaeologist who discovered it in 1852. From the entrance, steps carved in stone lead to the Areopagus, a stone hill on which judges gathered in ancient times.

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, which they were meant to complement, the Propylaea ("in front of entrance") were conceived by Pericles and his architect Mnesicles as the grandest secular building ever built in Greece. Works began in 437 BC. and interrupted in 431 by the Peloponnesian War, were never resumed. The central passage, the widest, was once crowned with railings, intended for chariots, and steps led to four other entrances, intended for mere mortals. The northern wing is decorated dedicated to Athena images of great artists of the past.

This small temple (421 BC), created by the architect Callicrates, built on an earthen embankment to the southwest (on right) from Propylaea. It was in this place, according to legend, that Aegeus waited for his son Theseus, who had gone to fight the Minotaur. Not seeing a white sail on the horizon - a sign of victory - he threw himself into the abyss, considering Theseus dead. From this place there is a magnificent view of Athens and the sea. This building, dwarfed by the size of the Parthenon, was destroyed in 1687 by the Turks, who used its stones to strengthen their own defences. It was first restored shortly after the country's independence, but has recently been 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 itself. It was Pericles who commissioned Phidias, a brilliant sculptor and builder, and his assistants, the architects Ictinus and Callicrates, to build this temple on the site of former sanctuaries destroyed by the Persian conquerors. The work, which began in 447 BC, lasted fifteen years. Using Pentelic marble as a material, the builders managed to create a building with perfect proportions, 69 meters long and 31 meters wide. It is decorated with 46 fluted columns ten meters high, made up of a dozen drums. For the first time in history, each of the four facades of the building was decorated with pediments 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 shield - only a few fragments of the pedestal remain from this composition. They say 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, dressed in pure gold, with a face, arms and legs made of ivory 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 the Cathedral of Athens during the Byzantine era, then a mosque under Turkish rule, 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 a cannonball 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 the ancient city and took away a huge number of 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 built by the ancient Greeks on the Acropolis is located on the other side of the plateau, near the northern wall, on 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 combine three sanctuaries under one roof (in honor of Athena, Poseidon and Erechtheus), having built a temple on a site with significant differences in ground height.

This temple, although smaller in size than the Parthenon, was supposed to be equal to it in magnificence. The north portico is without a doubt a masterpiece of architectural genius, as evidenced by its deep blue marble frieze, coffered ceiling and elegant Ionic columns.

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

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

Located on the western side of the Acropolis (161-174), a 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 not far from the Odeon, although very ancient, is closely connected with the main episodes of the life of the Greek city. This gigantic structure with 17,000 seats, built in the 5th-4th centuries BC, has seen the tragedies of Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides and the comedies of Aristophanes. In fact, it is the cradle of Western theatrical art. Since the 4th century, the city assembly has met here.

New Acropolis Museum

At the foot of the hill (South side) is 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 became too cramped, opened its doors in June 2009. This ultra-modern building of marble, glass and concrete was built on stilts, as valuable archaeological finds were discovered 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, and its glass floor allows for observation of the ongoing excavations. The second floor houses the permanent collections, which include artifacts found at 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

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

Old lower town

On both sides of the Acropolis stretches the ancient lower city: Greek in the north, around the market square and the ancient district of Kerameikos, Roman in the east on the approach to the Olympion (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 going around the Acropolis along the main street. Dionysius the Areopagite.

Agora

Initially, this term meant “meeting”, then it began to be called a place where people did business. The heart of the old town, 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 were 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 main gate of the city, the Dipylon, with the Acropolis. Cart races took place here, in which even cavalry recruits supposedly took part.

Today, the agora has hardly survived, with the exception of Theseon (Temple of Hephaestus). This Doric temple in the west of the Acropolis is the best preserved in Greece. It is the owner of a beautiful ensemble of Pentelic marble columns and Parian marble friezes. On each of its sides there is an 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, patron of metallurgists, and Organ Athena (To the worker), protector of potters and craftsmen, it dates from the second half of the 5th century BC. This temple probably owes its preservation to its transformation into a church. In the 19th century, it even became a Protestant temple, where the remains of English volunteers and other European philhellenes rested. (Greco-philos) who died during the Revolutionary War.

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, towards the Acropolis, is the restored small Church of the Holy Apostles (about 1000) in Byzantine style. Inside, the remains of 17th-century frescoes and a marble iconostasis are preserved.

The Portico of Attalus, on the east side of the market square, 120 meters long and 20 meters wide, was reconstructed in the 1950s and is now the Agora Museum. There are some amazing artifacts to see here. 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 barbarian invasion of 267, the administrative center of the city took refuge behind the new walls of the decaying Athens. Here, as in the surrounding streets, you can still see many important buildings.

Built in the 11th 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 viewing... On the other side of the square, on an embankment, rises the octagonal Tower of the Winds (Aerids) made of white Pentelic marble. It was built in the 1st century BC. Macedonian astronomer Andronikos 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 the hands of an ancient sundial can be discerned. On the north side there is a small inactive Fethiye mosque (Conqueror), one of the last witnesses to the occupation of the market square by religious buildings in the Middle Ages and later under Turkish rule.

Two blocks from the Roman agora, near Monastiraki Square, you will find the ruins of Hadrian's Library. Erected during the reign of the builder emperor in the same year as the Olympion (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. There was also the largest cemetery of that time, which operated until the 6th century and is partially preserved. The oldest graves date back to the Mycenaean era, but the most beautiful, decorated with steles and funerary monuments, belonged to wealthy Athenians and war heroes from 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 prohibited after the establishment of democracy.

The museum displays the most beautiful examples: sphinxes, kouroses, 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 Pnyx Hill, the meeting place of the assembly of the inhabitants of Athens (ecclesia). 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 gave speeches here to their compatriots. Later the assembly moved to a larger square in front of the Theater of Dionysus. 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 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 there is a perfectly preserved tombstone Philopappou (or Philoppapu) 12 meters high. It dates from the 2nd century and depicts this "benefactor of Athens" on a cart.

To mark the boundary between the old Greek city and its own Athens, the Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered the erection of a gate facing the Olympion. On one side it was written "Athens, ancient city Theseus”, and on the other - “The 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 propylae at the top. The 18-meter-high monument was erected thanks to gifts from the people of Athens.

The Temple of Zeus the Olympian, 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 began 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 triple rows of 8 on the sides. The sanctuary contains a giant gold and ivory statue of Zeus and a statue of Emperor Hadrian - both were equally revered in the Roman era.

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

This is the oldest and most interesting residential quarter of the city. Its labyrinth of streets and staircases, dating back at least three thousand years, extends to the north-eastern slope of the Acropolis. It is mostly pedestrian. The upper part of the quarter is perfect for long walks and admiring the beautiful houses of the 19th century, the walls and courtyards of which are densely covered with burganvilleas 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 either quiet or very lively, it all depends on the place and time.

Churches

Although the towers of the Metropolis, Plaka Cathedral (XIX century), located in the northern part of the quarter, inevitably attracts the eye, lower your eyes to its base and admire the delightful Little Metropolis. This small 12th-century Byzantine church dedicated to St. Eleutrius and Our Lady of Gorgoepikoos (“Coming soon to the assistant!”) was built from antique materials. The outside of its walls are decorated with magnificent geometric bas-reliefs. All the priests of Greece gather on the neighboring street, Agios Filotheis, to shop in specialized stores. On the hills 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 viewing the embroideries on the ground floor and the funny carnival costumes on the mezzanine, in the Theophilos Room on the second floor you will discover wall paintings, a tribute to this self-taught artist who decorated the houses and shops of his native land. Honoring tradition, he wore fustanella all his life (traditional men's skirt) and died in poverty and oblivion. Only after his death did he receive recognition. Decorations, ornaments and weapons are displayed on the third floor; on the fourth - folk costumes of various provinces of the country.

Neoclassical on the outside, ultra-modern on the inside, this museum dedicated to contemporary art is the only one of its kind in Greece. The permanent collection is displayed here on a rotating basis, the main theme of which is ordinary people, and temporary exhibitions. 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 perpetuate this event, the philanthropist Lysicrates ordered the construction of this monument in the form of a rotunda. The Athenians nicknamed it “the lantern of Diogenes.” Initially, there was a bronze prize inside, received from the city authorities. In the 17th century

Anaphiotika

In the highest part of Plaka, on the slopes of the Acropolis, the inhabitants of the Kikpadian island of Anafi recreated their world in miniature. Anafiotika is a block within a block, a real peaceful haven where cars have no access. It consists of several dozen whitewashed houses, surrounded by flowers, with many narrow alleys and secluded passages. Arbors made of grape vines, climbing rose hips, flower pots - life here turns on a pleasant side for you. 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 some very quirky and varied collections. (who, 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 discover musical instruments and traditional Greek melodies. You will learn how bouzoukis, lutes, tambouras, guides and other rare samples sound. Concerts are organized in the garden in summer.

Syntagma Square

To the northeast, Plaka is bordered by 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 housing the offices of banks, airlines and international companies.

Here is the Great Britain Hotel, the pearl of Athens of the 19th 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 metro (1992-1994) under the esplanade, the largest excavations ever carried out in Athens began. Archaeologists have discovered an aqueduct from the era of Pisistratus, a very important road, bronze foundries of the 5th century BC. (period when this place was outside the city walls), cemeteries from the end of the classical era - the beginning of the Roman era, baths and a 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 shape of a transverse cup.

Parliament (Buli Palace)

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

In front of the building there is a monument to the Unknown Soldier, who is kept guard by the Evzones (infantry). They wear traditional Greek costumes: a fustanella with 400 folds, symbolizing the number of years spent under the Turkish yoke, woolen socks and red shoes with pom-poms.

The changing of the guard occurs 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 tranquil 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 kafenion 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, it was the headquarters of the Olympic Committee. Zappeion later 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 neighborhoods and museums

The Gazi quarter in the north-west of the city, which lives up to its name and is predominantly industrial, initially produces little pleasant impression. The former gas plant that gave the neighborhood its name is now a huge cultural center .

Just to the east lies the very lively quarter of Psiri, home to wholesalers and blacksmiths - 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 people's Athens. From here you can walk to Syntagma Square along two large streets in a neoclassical frame - Stadiou and Panepistimiou.

Neighborhood Monastiraki

Directly north of the Roman agora is Monastiraki Square, which is 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 Folk Art Museum.

The nearby pedestrian streets are filled with souvenir shops, antique shops and ragpickers who gather every Sunday at Abyssinia Square for a giant flea market.

Markets

The Grand Athenas Boulevard, linking Monastiraki with Omonia Square to the north, passes by market pavilions. The "belly of Athens", which is in constant activity from dawn to midday, is divided into two parts: fishmongers in the center and meat traders around.

In front of the building there are sellers of dried fruits, and on the nearby streets there are sellers 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, home to a fabulous collection of art from the great civilizations of ancient Greece. Don't hesitate to spend half a day here, contemplating the statues, frescoes, vases, cameos, jewelry, coins and other treasures.

The museum's most valuable item is perhaps the gold death mask of Agamemnon, discovered in 1876 at Mycenae by amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. (hall 4, in the center of the courtyard). In the same room you will see another important Mycenaean object, the Warrior Vase, as well as funerary steles, weapons, rhytons, jewelry and thousands of luxurious objects made of amber, gold and even an ostrich egg shell! Cycladic collection (hall 6) also a must watch.

As you explore the ground floor and move clockwise, you will walk chronologically from the Archaic period, represented by the magnificent kouroi and kora, to the Roman period. Along the way, you will see great masterpieces of art from the classical era, including a bronze statue of Poseidon caught in the sea near the island of Euboea (hall 15), as well as statues of the horseman Artemision on a war horse (hall 21). Tombstones are presented in large quantities, some of them are quite impressive. For example, huge lekythos - vases two meters high. It is also worth mentioning the friezes that decorated the temple of Atheia 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 items from the Geometric era to delightful Attic vases. A separate section is dedicated to the Greek Pompeii - the city of Akrotiri on the island of Santorini, buried in 1450 BC (hall 48).

Panepistimiou

The quarter, located between Omonia and Syntagma squares, gives a clear indication of the grand ambitions of the post-independence period. Definitely belonging to the neoclassical style, the trio consisting of the University, the Academy and the National Library stretches along Panepistimiou Street (or Eleftherios Venizelou) and clearly deserves the attention of city guests.

National History Museum

The museum is located in the former parliament building, at 13 Stadiou Street, near Syntagma Square, and is dedicated to the history of the country since the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans (1453). The Revolutionary War period 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 located in his former Athens residence. The exhibition consists of collections collected throughout his life. The museum continues to expand 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 jewelry and antique crowns of gold leaves. A large section is dedicated to icons. Second floor (XVI-XIX centuries) covers the period of Turkish occupation, mainly examples of church and secular folk art are exhibited here. The two magnificent 1750s reception halls have been restored, complete with carved wood ceilings and paneling.

Less interesting sections dedicated to the period of awakening of national consciousness and the struggle for independence occupy the two upper floors.

Museum of Cycladic Art

The collections of Nicholas Goulandris dedicated to ancient art are presented here. The most prominent of these is, without a doubt, on the ground floor. Here you can get acquainted with the legendary Cycladic art; figurines, marble household items and religious objects. Don't miss the plate of doves, carved from a single piece, the extraordinary figurines of a flute player and a bread peddler, and a 1.40 meter high statue, one of two depicting the great patron goddess.

The third floor is dedicated to Greek art from the Bronze Age to the 2nd century BC, the fourth floor displays a collection of Cypriot artifacts, and the fifth floor displays the finest pottery and “Corinthian” bronze shields.

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

The exhibitions 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 an excellent selection of artifacts and reconstructions. The exhibition also highlights the special role of Athens, the center of pagan thought for at least two centuries until the rise of Christianity.

The Coptic art section is worth seeing (especially shoes of the 5th-8th centuries!), the treasure of Mytilene, found in 1951, delightful 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 modernized in last years The Pinakothek is dedicated to Greek art of the last four centuries. It chronologically presents various movements, from early post-Byzantine painting to the works of modern artists. In particular, you will see three mystical paintings by El Greco, a native of Crete who, along with Velazquez and Goya, was the most famous artist of 16th century Spain.

At the northern end of Vasilissis Sophias Boulevard, the sloping 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 cafes of Filikis Eterias Square.

Mount Lycabettus (Lycabettos)

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 Lycabetus, famous for its beautiful panorama, in a few minutes. Sports fans will prefer the stairs starting from the end of Lucianu Street, a hundred meters to the west (15 minutes rise). The path, bending, leads through cypresses and agaves. At the top, 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 explore the most famous sites of Attica, the peninsula separating the Aegean Sea and the Saronic Gulf.

On weekends everyone goes to the beach. Located right next to the city walls, Glyfada stole the show during the 2004 Olympic Games: it was here that most of the nautical competitions took place. A chic suburb with numerous boutiques and a seaside resort famous for its marinas and golf courses, Glyfada comes alive in the summer with discos and clubs opening along Possidonos Avenue. The beaches here and towards Voula are mostly private, dotted with umbrellas and packed at the end of the week. If you're looking for a quieter spot, head south to Vouliagmeni, a luxurious and expensive port surrounded by greenery. The coast becomes more democratic only after Varkiza, near Cape Sounion.

The sentinel of Athens, holding guard on the top of the rock of the "Cape of Columns" at the extreme point of Mediterranean Attica, the temple of Poseidon forms one of the vertices 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 once, when entering the bay on the way to Piraeus, sailors 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 during the era of Pericles (444 BC), retained 16 of the 34 Doric columns. Once upon a time, trireme racing was held here, organized by the Athenians in honor of the goddess Athena, to whom the second temple, built 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 quiet at the end of the week when a landing party of picnickers lands nearby. In the central courtyard you will find a church whose walls are covered with frescoes (XVII-XVIII centuries), the dome rests on four antique columns, and at the other end of the monastery there is an amazing fountain with a ram's head, from which water flows, which is said to have miraculous properties.

Marathon

This place, one of the most famous, witnessed the victory of the 10,000-strong Athenian army over the Persian forces three times larger in 490 BC. To deliver the good news, as legend has it, a runner from Marathon ran the 40 km that separated it from Athens - so fast that he died of exhaustion upon arrival. The 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

Situated 10 km west of Athens, on the edge of a highway, the Byzantine monastery of Daphne is famous for its 11th-century mosaics depicting the apostles and the mighty Christ Pantocrator watching over 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 Peninsula, the Saronic Gulf - the gateway of the Corinth Canal - opens the door to Athens. Among the many islands, Aegina is the most interesting and easiest to get to. (1 hour 15 minutes by ferry or 35 minutes by speedboat).

Most of the ships are moored on the western shore, in the beautiful port of Aegina. Few people know that it was the first capital of liberated Greece. Fishermen repair their gear here in front of tourists relaxing on cafe terraces and riding in gigs. The narrow pedestrian street leading from the embankment seems to be created for walking and shopping. At the northern exit, in Colon, at an archaeological site, there are a few ruins of the Temple of Apollo (V century BC). The archaeological museum displays artifacts found nearby: donations, pottery, sculptures and steles.

The rest of the island is divided between pistachio plantations, which are the pride of Aegina, several groves with olive trees and beautiful pine forests, stretching in the east to the very seaside resort 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 shores. The splendor of this Doric monument, perfectly preserved, allows us to guess the former power of the island, which was once a rival of Athens. Built in 500 BC, it was dedicated to the local goddess Aphaia, daughter of Zeus, who took refuge in these places to escape 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 Antiquity, the town grew up during the High Middle Ages, an era when residents took refuge on mountain tops to escape pirate raids. Until the 19th century, when its inhabitants abandoned it, Paliochora had 365 churches and chapels, of which 28 have survived, and in them you can still see the remains of beautiful frescoes. Just below 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. Winter is sometimes rainy, with few snow days. But at the same time, winter can be an ideal time to visit the city, when it may be fresh, but there are no crowds.

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

How to get there

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

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