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Discover Places to Go and Things to Do
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Athens, Greece
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Acropolis - Philopappou Hill - Ancient Agora
A visit to Athens will prove to be a trip back in time. You will experience the excitement of visiting places where great historic events actually happened, 25 centuries ago. You can see the  Dionysos Theatre (the world's oldest theatre where great plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were first performed), or walk around the Pnyx - the birthplace of democracy - where Athenian citizens assembled and voted on major political issues. You can also stroll through the Agora (ancient marketplace) as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle once did.
A visit to Athens will prove to be a trip back in time. You will experience the excitement of visiting places where great historic events actually happened, 25 centuries ago. You can see the Dionysos Theatre (the world's oldest theatre where great plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were first performed), or walk around the Pnyx - the birthplace of democracy - where Athenian citizens assembled and voted on major political issues. You can also stroll through the Agora (ancient marketplace) as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle once did.
All these places are located in the unique archaeological site around the Acropolis , which features famed monuments such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus , the Keramikos Cemetery , the Hephaistos Temple and the Attalos Arcade in the Ancient Agora.
The most memorable part of your visit to Athens could well be the ascent to the Acropolis. The magnificent Parthenon, built on top of the hill in the 5th century BC, is one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of all time.
Plaka
Plaka, the picturesque old town of Athens, is perched on the north and east slopes of the Acropolis. It has been continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years. You will need several days to explore all the treasures hidden in its narrow streets, most of which are closed to traffic. Few other places are so filled to brimming with historic sites - ancient monuments, Byzantine churches, mosques and stately 19th-century houses all stand side by side here. Scattered throughout these quarters are sidewalk cafés, tavernas hidden in vine-covered backyards and shops selling clothes, handicrafts and exotic souvenirs. This lively neighbourhood is an inviting place for a leisurely stroll both by day and at night.
One of the most unusual sights in Plaka is the Lysicrates Monument (dating back to the 4th century BC), as well as Anafiotika , a tiny Cycladic village consisting of picturesque white-washed houses. Plaka also features Byzantine churches from the 11th and 12th centuries - such as the Agia Sotira Church on Kydathineon Street, the Agios Nikolaos Rangavas Church on Prytaniou Street and the Church of Panagia Gorgoepikoos .
Among other must-see sights is the Roman Agora and the Tower of the Winds (dating back to the first century BC), the Kanellopoulos Museum (featuring ancient and Byzantine art) and the Museum of Greek Folk Art . The beautifully restored old mansions of Plaka also house other museums including the Museum of Popular Instruments, the Greek Museum of Childhood and the Vlassis Frissiras Museum of Contemporary European Art .
Monastiraki
The Monastiraki Flea Market is located on the narrow streets between Monastiraki Square, the Ancient Agora and Assomaton Square. Overlooking Monastiraki Square is the Tzisdarakis Mosque , which features a splendid pottery collection. A short stroll away is the Central Market on Athinas Street which offers an overwhelming variety of seafood, meat and vegetables.
Psirri, Thissio and Gazi
Psirri was once a run-down neighbourhood, but it has recently been transformed into the trendiest entertainment district in Athens. Its narrow streets are teeming with traditional tavernas, elegant restaurants, fashionable bars and art galleries.
A brief walk towards the Acropolis will bring you to Thissio, one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods. Its beautifully restored mansions now house gourmet restaurants, hot nightspots and cosy cafés.
The Gazi district is home to several large nightclubs and impressively styled restaurants. This area took its name from a former gas factory which was later transformed into the Gazi Technopolis cultural centre.
Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square is the heart of modern Athens. It is home to the majestic Parliament Building , which was built in 1840 as the Royal Palace. The hourly changing of the guard in front of Parliament by soldiers dressed in colourful traditional costumes, is a great photo opportunity. All major attractions - such as Plaka, the Acropolis , the National Garden , the museums of Vassilissis Sophias Avenue and the upscale boutiques of Kolonaki and Ermou Street - are only a short walk away. Syntagma metro station features an exhibition of archaeological finds.
The Museum Mile
The section of Vassilissis Sophias Avenue between Syntagma Square and the Hilton Hotel features several world-class museums that attract thousands of visitors each year. The newly renovated Benaki Museum contains a huge collection highlighting 8,000 years of Greek history. The Museum of Cycladic Art specialises in splendid prehistoric works of art from the Aegean Islands, while the Byzantine Museum deals with medieval Greece. The history of warfare from prehistoric times until the 20th century comes alive at the War Museum . More peaceful exhibits can be found at the National Art Gallery which features the greatest works of contemporary Greek art.
Kolonaki
The streets around Kolonaki Square feature the most elegant boutiques in Athens. The square itself (officially named Filikis Eterias) is the favourite meeting place of celebrities and beautiful people. They can be seen hanging out any of Kolonaki's numerous cafés after a shopping spree or in the excellent gourmet restaurants and chic bars at night. Kolonaki lies on the slopes of Lykavittos Hill - the city's best vantage point.
Exarhia
The scenery changes just a few blocks away from elegant Kolonaki. The area around Exarhion Square is dominated by rock music bars, jazz clubs and traditional tavernas which are frequented by students and intellectuals.
Panepistimiou and Stadiou Streets
These two streets connect Syntagma Square with Omonia Square. As well as shops and restaurants, they feature some of the city's most beautiful 19th-century buildings. Among them is the so-called Panepistimiou Street (officially named El. Venizelou Street) "Trilogy", consisting of the university, the Academy and National Library . The historic Iliou Melathron Mansion now houses the Numismatic Museum and the National History Museum .
Omonia Square Omonia is the busiest square in the city. This once neglected part of Athens has recently been upgraded with the opening of a new metro station. Many of the inexpensive but shabby stores typical of the area have now been replaced by trendy boutiques.
Patission Street
Patission Street (officially named 28 Oktovriou Street) is one of the city's major thoroughfares. At No. 42 is the majestic Technical University - a splendid example of 19th-century architecture. Next door is the National Archaeological Museum , one of the world's greatest museums, housing an outstanding collection of ancient Greek art. Many fine boutiques can be found further north, past Kodringtonos Street. The best place to rest after a shopping spree is in any one of the numerous cafés and tavernas of the Fokionos Negri pedestrian zone in Kypseli.
Piraeus
Piraeus - the port town of Athens - is located on a peninsula, 10 kilometres southwest of central Athens. It features a busy commercial port and a Sunday flea market in the streets near the metro station. The most picturesque part of Piraeus is the Mikrolimano fishing harbour, with its row of traditional fish restaurants. Other good places for eating fish are the numerous seafood eateries of Akti Themistokleous Street, on the peninsula's eastern coast. Traces of the area's 2,500-year old history can be found at the Piraeus Archaeological Museum .
Glyfada and Vouliagmeni
The city's southern suburbs are located along the Apollo Coast and feature a string of beaches as well as numerous restaurants and nightclubs. One of these suburbs, Glyfada, boasts a golf course, an excellent shopping area on Metaxa Street and elegant restaurants and bars. Further south, lies the exclusive resort town of Vouliagmeni, which is renowned for its luxurious hotels, sophisticated restaurants and sailing clubs. The resort also features excellent beaches and watersports facilities at the Astir Beach Club .
Kifissia The northern suburb of Kifissia is the destination of choice for the wealthy. This explains the horrendous real estate prices - some of Europe's highest. Visiting the district's historic landmark hotels, excellent French restaurants and exclusive boutiques is the best way to spend money in style!
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By MyEuropeanDreams
14 days
This trip takes you in a counter-clockwise direction, starting & returning to Athens. The 1st few legs of the trip will allow you to visit 3 historically significant cities in Greece. Walk among the ruins of the Gods: Athens - the capital city, Delphi - site of the famous oracle of Apollo, & Olympia - sanctuary dedicated to Zeus, site of the ancient Olympics. From Olympia, you'll continue to head in a south-easterly direction & work your way back to Athens.
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By Going Places user
30 days
A wicked long and probably painful trip through UK/Ireland/Scandinavia and then down through every country in Eastern Europe and finishing in Athens before heading home to Aus via Thailand for some volunteering with the Elephants and some fun in the sun!!! (A 90 Day Trip)
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56 people reviewed Athens (1-20 out of 56)
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Top
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at 10:41PM August 17, 2009
I really felt the antiquity in Athens - it felt "older" than any other place I've been - I could really feel the difference even from Rome. I've never felt such a historical impact from a location. Athens gets 5 stars for history and ambience. But, the food is the worst I've ever had on a trip - if you've eaten in a Greek restaurant in the US, don't be surprised to find that the actual food served in Greece in many places is nothing like your local restaurant.
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at 2:41PM July 22, 2008
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at 10:55AM May 29, 2008
Oh yes!
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at 4:11AM May 28, 2008
Great place, fab food.
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at 5:08AM October 14, 2009
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at 9:40PM June 11, 2009
I want to see the history of Greece, walk on its beaches and meet its people
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at 8:00PM January 5, 2009
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at 7:10AM December 30, 2008
Athens is a big, chaotic city, but it can be really interesting. Worth spending a couple of days in Athens if you're passing through.
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at 7:30AM December 2, 2008
Loved is. The history is amazing.
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at 6:54PM October 18, 2008
athens gets a bad rap. It's lively and beautiful with AMAZING ruins. The Parthenon and Ancient Theater of Dionysos alone are worth a trip there.
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at 9:50PM September 4, 2008
really want to go
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at 10:00AM August 20, 2008
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at 3:01AM August 12, 2008
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at 3:30AM August 9, 2008
Nice
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at 5:10PM August 2, 2008
Good to visit, but don't stop there. Mainland north and islands hold lots more
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at 11:50AM August 2, 2008
loved it
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at 7:20PM July 25, 2008
I want to see the Acropylus!!
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at 1:58AM July 9, 2008
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at 5:20PM June 29, 2008
acropolis, olimipia,
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at 9:40AM June 26, 2008
we'll get used to it, I guess
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