Athens

in Attica

Information about villages, beaches, sightseeing, restaurants, activities and more...

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Map of Athens

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Athens Guide

About Athens
The city of Athens took its name in the antiquity after Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and
daughter of Zeus. She was the protector deity of the city. It has been the official capital of the
country since 1834 and is also the only city of Europe with such an oriental touch. Athens is
considered as the cradle of modern civilization and is of course one of the few capitals of Europe
with a history of thousands of years.
Besides its historic importance, it is the most important commercial centre of the country and the
main Greek port, Piraeus, one of the biggest and more important of the Mediterranean, lies a few
km to the south. Due to its rich historical past, Athens is a great place for sightseeing. Apart from
the world famous Acropolis, which stands on the highest point of the town and has become the
trademark of the whole Greece, there are many other ancient, Medieval and Byzantine remains to
see.
The city of Athens might discourage the newly-arrived visitors with its disorganised, slightly brutal
appearance. Nevertheless, it has a lot more to offer than it seems, while great efforts have been
made to reorganise the city since the Olympic Games of 2004.
Many Neoclassical buildings adorn the centre of the town, which have been renovated presently
and house mainly public services or cafeterias. Such buildings are found in Omonoia square,
Panepistimiou avenue, Thissio area and Monastiraki. These areas are also famous for their
picturesque atmosphere and many people go there, especially in Thisio and Monastiraki, to relax
under the shade of the Acropolis.
Also visitors will discover a lot of fun activities to do, apart from sightseeing, even if they travel
with kids. Besides the famous archaeological sites and museums, such as the recentlyconstructed Acropolis Museum, Athens has many pedestrian lovely streets, nice neighbourhoods,
parks and hills covered with pine trees, numerous restaurants and a vivid nightlife.
In a close proximity from the center of Athens, you will also find many nice beaches to enjoy a
swim. Most of these beaches are well organized and have calm waters. The most famous are Porto
Rafti, Lagonisi, Varkiza and Schinias.
Except for the capital of Greece, Athens is also a transportation hub, as it is so close to the Port of
Piraeus and plus it has an International Airport.

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Athens Guide

Best Villages in Athens

Plaka (Rating:

by Greeka members)
Location: Between Syntagma and Monastiraki, metro station Monastiraki
Description: Plaka is the most picturesque quarter in the heart of Athens.
Paved streets, Neoclassical houses and gift shops distinguish this relaxing
neighbourhood.
Sightseeing: Canellopoulos Museum, Children Museum, Church of Panagia
Gorgoepikoos, Frissiras Museum, Monument of Lysicrates, Museum of
Childrens Art, Museum of Folk Instruments, Museum of Greek Folk Art, Tower
of the Winds

Thissio (Rating:

by Greeka members)
Location: Close to Monastiraki and the Acropolis, metro station Thissio
Description: Thissio is a lovely neighbourhood right in under the Acropolis.
With many outdoor cafeterias, this is a favourite coffee spot for locals and
visitors. Next to Thissio, there is the Ancient Agora.
Sightseeing: Ancient Agora, Church of Agia Marina, Church of Agios
Dimitrios Loumbardiaris, Church of The Holy Apostles, Herakleidon Museum,
Museum of Alex Mylona, National Observatory, Philopappos Hill, Pnyx Hill,
Stoa of Attalos Museum, Temple of Hephaestus

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Athens Guide
Monastiraki (Rating:

by Greeka members)
Location: In a walking distance from Syntagma and Omonoia, metro station
Monastiraki
Description: Monastiraki is a picturesque neighbourhood in the heart of
Athens. It is famous for its Neoclassical houses, the ancient sites and the open
market with souvenirs and antique shops.
Sightseeing: Church Of Agia Irini, Library Of Hadrian, Roman Agora

Syntagma (Rating:

by Greeka members)
Location: The centre of Athens, metro station Syntagma
Description: Syntagma, whose name means Constitution, is the central
square of Athens. It distinguishes for the Parliament House and the beautiful
Neoclassical buildings that surround it. Most sites are within a walking
distance from Athens.
Sightseeing: Arch Of Hadrian, Church of Panagia Kapnikarea, Cycladic Art
Museum, Greek Parliament, Historical Museum, Jewish Museum, Kallimarmaro
Roman Stadium, National Gardens, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Zappeion

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Athens Guide

Best Sightseeing in Athens

Acropolis Hill
Location: Acropolis
The Acropolis is also known as the Sacred Rock. Famous all over the world as
the symbol of Greece and the Greek culture, the Acropolis stands on the
highest spot of the city. Just opposite the site, there is the new Acropolis
Museum.

Acropolis Museum
Location: Acropolis
The New Acropolis Museum was inaugurated in June 2009 and it is housed in
a modern building right opposite the site of the Acropolis. The items displayed
in the New Acropolis Museum were all found on excavations on the Acropolis.
The most famous display is the frieze of Parthenon Temple. The unfortunate
thing is that pieces of this frieze are missing, as they are housed in the British
Museum in London.

Theatre of Herodes Atticus

Location: Acropolis
The Theatre of Herodes Atticus, or else Herodeion, is one of the most
impressive monuments of Athens. Located on the southern slopes of the
Acropolis, the theatre was built in 161 BC by Herodes Atticus, a wealthy
Roman general in memory of his wife, Regilla. It has exceptional accoustic
capacities and can sit up to 5,000 spectators. Performances of the AthensEpidaurus Festival are held there in summer.

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Athens Guide

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Location: Syntagma
The temple of Olympian Zeus took 700 years to be built. The work was
completed by the Emperor Hadrian in 131 AD. The huge Temple was
composed of 104 columns of Corinthian style, 17 m high each. Today only 17
columns have survived.

Arch Of Hadrian
Location: Syntagma
This impressive arch was built by the Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD to mark the
limit between Ancient Athens and his new city. It is located at the end of
Amalias Avenue, right next to the temple of Olympian Zeus.

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Athens Guide
Kallimarmaro Roman Stadium
Location: Syntagma
The Roman Stadium stands next to the National Garden and Zappeion
Megaron. It was originally constructed in the Roman times and it is entirely
made of marble. Excavated in 1870, this stadium was renovated to host the
first modern Olympic Games in 1896. It is also known as Panathenaic or
Kallimarmaro Stadium.

Ancient Agora
Location: Thissio
The Ancient Agora was the social and political centre of ancient Athens. This
is where the people of Athens used to meet to talk about social issues. The
temple of Hephaustus is the most distinctive spot of Ancient Agora, which is
located between Thissio and Monastiraki.

Archaeological Museum
Location: Patission Ave
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the largest and most
important museum in Greece, and its exhibits are between the finest
collections of prehistoric items, sculptures, pottery and minor art, bronzes and
Egyptian art, everything followed by detailed explanations in English. It is
located near Omonoia square.

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Athens Guide

Roman Agora
Location: Monastiraki
The Roman Agora lays between Monastiraki and Plaka. In this area, the
Romans used to trade their goods, so it was used as a marketplace.

National Gardens
Location: Syntagma
Located right next to the Parliament, Syntagma Square, the National Garden
is a lush area with trees, fountains and a small zoo. Although it is right in the
heart of the town, this garden offers a nice spot to relax, away from noise.

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Athens Guide

Diving in Athens
Aqua Divers Club
Location: Anavissos
Aqua Divers Club, a Padi 5* Gold Palm Resort, located at the Calypso Hotel,
km 48.5 Athens Souniou Avenue is a stones throw from Athens. The club
offers a comprehensive selection of PADI diving courses with all the necessary
multi media equipment for teaching/training purposes, daily boat and shore
fun dives, and equipment for rental or sale. The diving club operates all year
round, seven days a week, and is situated in one of the most beautiful bays
on the Attica coast. All diving courses offered, Bubblemaker through to Dive
Master rating, follow PADI standards and lead to certification.

Credits
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Athens Guide
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