Official Language:
Greek
|
Currency:
EUR
|
Population:
Approximately 775,000 people call Athens home.
|
Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Athens Piraeus: The climate of Greece tends to be temperate and mild with wet winters and hot, dry summers. March through May offers pleasant and mild temperatures in Athens, while June thorugh August the temperatures rise steadily. September will occasionally have light rain. October offers beautiful summer/autumn weather, with light rain and occasional winds. Most rain falls between November and February. Average daytime temperatures range from 52°F/11°C in January to 92°F/33°C in August. Visiting during the summer can be exhausting due to the extreme heat.
|
|
|
|
Athens is named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom. According to history, won the city after defeating Poseidon in a duel. The victory of the goddess was celebrated by the construction of a temple on the Acropolis. Athens the city that Greeks love to hate! They complain that it's expensive, crowded, and polluted! More than 40% of the Greek population live here. The city is home to five million! Dont let this keep you from visiting. With it's traffic and overcroweded city comes the amazing Acropolis and the kind and courteous locals. The "Glory that was Greece," is perhaps best symbolized by the Parthenon and the fabulous statues and vases in the National Archaeological Museum. Enjoy the small cafes and the ancient monuments. Most cruise ships dock at Athens main harbor, Piraeus. It is just southwest of central Athens, and a 15-minute ride on the metro to the central part of the city. From the center of town. Taxis are used to get from place to place in Athens. But tourists are encouraged to bargain with avaricious taxi drivers who sometimes offer only a flat (and more costly) rate. If that happens, you can demand the meter turned on, and if the driver will not, simply hail another cab, which will undoubtedly be cheaper.
The main harbour where you will find ferries, cruise ships, flying dolphins(hydrofoils) to all greek islands, The second major port is Rafina. Beyond the port, the most impressive spots are the hills of Profitis Ilias and Kastela with their neoclassical mansions and modern buildings which look as they are hanging over the sea. Piraeus's little natural harbors are among its busiest and most touristic areas: Mikrolimano, Passalimani, Zea, Freatida and Hatzikiriakio.
From the cruise port of Piraeus, you can take a taxi into Athens, where a myriad of wonders awaits you. Athens' most famous sight is the Acropolis, which means "highest part of the city." On a centralized hill, during the 5th century B.C., the Athenians built a complex to honor the goddess Athena. Dominating the rocky hill and enhancing the Athens' skyline is Parthenon.
|
|
Attractions |
 |
 |
Piraeus Attractions:
Although not really attractive to tourists, the confusing, bustling port of Athens is the departure point for hundreds of island ferries and cruise ships, so most tourists pass through it while visiting Greece. Pireaus has been Athens’ port since ancient times. It actually consists of three harbours, with most of the tourist boats using the Zea Limani section. There are several fish restaurants in the harbour precincts, and a sprawling street market. Visitors with time on their hands while waiting for ferries can also explore the Maritime Museum at Akti Themistokleous, alongside the pier used by the island hydrofoils, which features models of ancient and modern ships. The museum opens Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 2pm
Athens Attractions:
Acropolis:
The Acropolis stands sentinel over Athens. The city was once a showcase of colossal buildings, lavishly coloured and gilded, and of gargantuan statues, some of bronze, others of marble plated with gold and encrusted with precious stones. Now in ruins, the cool grandeur of the bare marble is still breathtaking. Pericles set about transforming the Acropolis into a city of temples after being informed by the Delphic oracle in 510 BC that it should become a province of the gods. Crowning the Acropolis, unsurpassed in grace and harmony, the Parthenon is the largest Doric temple ever completed in Greece, the only one built completely (apart from its wooden roof) of Pentelic marble.The Parthenon had a dual purpose - to house the giant statue of Athena commissioned by Pericles and to serve as the treasury for the tribute money that had been moved from Delos. It was built on the site of four earlier temples, all dedicated to the worship of Athena. Beside the Parthenon is the Erechtheion, immediately recognisable for its much-photographed Caryatids, the six maidens who take the place of columns.
Acropolis Museum (Museo Akropoleos), The Acropolis Museum houses a collection of sculptures and reliefs from the site. The museum detailing the religious history of the Acropolis, featuring a collection of ancient statues used in religious ceremonies.
Ancient Agora:
These ruins, located in the heart of modern Athens, were once the site of the marketplace in ancient times, a political, cultural and economic center of the ancient world. The Agora (market) was the focal point of administrative, commercial, political and social activity back in the old days. All roads led to this bustling and crowded place, where Socrates could be heard expounding his philosophy and, later, where St Paul disputed daily in an attempt to win converts to Christianity.
A good place to begin an exploration of the site is in the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos, originally built between 159 and 138BC; its expensive shops were a popular stamping ground for moneyed Athenians. In the vicinity is the Agora Museum, where there's a model of the Agora upstairs along with a collection of finds from the site. The Temple of Hephaestus, onthe western edge of the Agora, dates from 449BC and is the best-preserved Doric temple in Greece.To the northeast of the temple are the foundations of the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios, one of the places where Socrates spoke to the masses.Near the southern entrance of the market is the Church of the Holy Apostles which was built in the early 11th century to commemorate St Paul and his teachings. Have a look at the Byzantine frescoes inside.
Epidaurus Festival The ancient theatre of Epidaurus is considered an architectural and acoustical masterpiece. It was built in the third century BC with a capacity of over 10,000 people. The great works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes are performed here on each weekend of July and August. A bus departs from the KTEL Terminal at 100 Kifissou Street to the Epidaurus Theatre at 5pm, and returns to Athens right after the end of the performance (Tel. +30 1 513 4588).
Anafiotika:
This is one of the most picturesque districts in the city - a labyrinth of quiet, narrow, windy streets where bougainvillea cascade over the houses and bright pots of colour decorate the balconies and rooftops. The whitewashed Cycladic-style cube houses were built by tradesmen from the small island of Anafi.The builders of Anafi were brought in to build the king's palace during the renovation of Athens after Independence, and the island is still home to the descendants of these original Anafi stonemasons, although the population has also been supplemented by artists and intellectuals.There are many meticulously restored neoclassical houses, along with their opposite - derelict old homes that are crumbling. Apart from the forever-reclining cats, washing hanging in the breeze is often the only evidence of habitation.The 17th-century church of Agios Georgios (St George of the Rock) marks the southern border of Anafiotika, with the 1847 church of Agios Simeon situated to the north. The neoclassical building on the corner of Theorias and Klepsidra is the old university of Athens, now a museum.
Benaki Museum:
This establishment was born in 1931, when Antoine Benaki turned his family house into a museum and presented it to Greece. It houses a sumptuous and eclectic collection from Europe and Asia, including Bronze Age finds from Mycenae and Thessaly, and ecclesiastical furniture brought from Asia Minor by refugees.It's the oldest museum in Greece and ranks among its best. More than 20,000 items are on display chronologically over four levels, beginning with prehistory to the formation of the modern Greek state. It has an excellent Byzantine collection and a gallery focusing on the development of Hellenism during foreign domination. The spectrum of Greek cultural history is covered, including Karaghiozi shadow puppets, a stunning array of costumes, jewellery, textiles, and paintings, including early works by El Greco.The antiquities collection includes Bronze-age finds from Mycenae and Thessaly and Cycladic pottery, while the Egyptian collection includes fayum Greco-Roman funerary portraits. Benaki's heart is immured inside the Museum's entrance, but the soul of Greece is well-enshrined in his gift to the country.The museum also features a Childhood and Toy Department (with 15,000 historic games and children's items from around the world), a Chinese Art Department (with ceramics as old as 4,000 years) and a Coptic Art Department where displays include rare textiles from Egypt. A museum shop and a roof garden with a restaurant are available to visitors
National Archaeological Museum:
Despite all the pilfering by foreign archaeologists in the 19th century, this museum still has the world's best collection of Greek antiquities. The dated premises, complete with faded handwritten labels and guidebooks that have remained unchanged for years, has been comprehensively upgraded for the 2004 Olympics.Straight ahead from the entrance foyer is the museum's tour de force, the Hall of Mycenaean Antiquities, which is filled with gleaming gold. The star attraction is the Mask of Agamemnon.
The Neolithic Collection includes finds from Thessaly, as well as pottery, figurines and jewellery from Troy. The Cycladic Collection includes a lifesize Cycladic figurine from Amorgos (the largest ever found), while other rooms hold archaic, classical, late classical, Hellenistic and Roman period sculpture, bronze and pottery.
Other exquisite objects of antiquity include elaborately decorated mummy cases. Of particular note is the Thira Exhibition, consisting of spectacular Minoan frescoes unearthed at Akrotiri on the island of Santorini.Other masterpieces include a marble statue from Delos of Aphrodite with Pan and Eros circa 100BC, and a bronze statue believed to be Poseidon or Zeus dated to 460BC. There is also an amusing sculpture of Aphrodite raising her sandal to ward off the frisky Pan.Archaeological Museum, 32 Harilaou Trikoupi (tel. 210/452-1598), to see three superb monumental bronzes, one depicting a youth (some say Apollo) and two of goddesses (some say Athena and Artemis). Open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30am to 3pm; admission is 2€.
Museum of Cycladic Art:
Among the most unusual forms of art around are the prehistoric idols found on the Cycladic Islands. These strange-looking statues dating back to the 4th and 3rd millennium BC are of an almost extra-terrestrial beauty. Splendid samples of this art form can be found at the Museum of Cycladic Art. The museum also includes a collection of ancient art dating from the 2nd millennium BC to the 4th century AD with sculptures, pottery, jewellery, coins and other items. Reproductions of Cycladic idols can be bought at the museum shop.
National Gardens:
The delightfully shady National Gardens, featuring subtropical trees, winding paths and ornamental ponds with waterfowl, are a nice refuge from the heat of the summer months. Besides the exhibits of the Botanical Museum, there's also a cafe which makes a pleasant spot for a break.
They were formerly of royal status and were designed by Queen Amalia. The Botanical Museum houses interesting drawings, paintings and photographs. A day spent here will refresh your eyes and lungs for another bout with the Athens streets.
Roman Agora & Tower of the Winds:
Under Roman rule, Athens' civic centre was moved to the Roman Agora, the partly excavated site of which features a 1st-century, 68-seat public latrine. Though little more than a heap of rubble to the average eye, the site does hold an interesting nugget or two.
The entrance is through the well-preserved Gate of Athena Archegetis, flanked by four Doric columns. To the right of the entrance are foundations of a 1st-century public latrine, and in the southeast area are the foundations of a propylon and a row of shops. The octagonal marble Tower of Winds, built in the 1st century BC by Syrian astronomer Andronicus, was several monuments in one: it served as a sundial, weather vane, water clock and compass. Each side of the monument represents a compass point and has a relief of a figure floating through the air, depicting the wind associated with that point. The weather vane, which disappeared long ago, was a bronze Triton that revolved upon the top of the tower.
The Keramikos:
The Keramikos was the city's cemetery from the 12th century BC to Roman times. It was discovered in 1861 during the construction of Pireos (the street that leads to Piraeus). Remains still stand of the city wall, which was built by Themistocles in 479 BC and rebuilt by Konon in 394 BC. The wall is broken by the foundations of the Sacred Gate, through which pilgrims from Eleusis entered the city during the annual Eleusian procession, and the Dipylon Gate, which was the city's main entrance. It was also the top spot for prostitutes, who touted their services to jaded travellers. Heading away from the city, the Street of Tombs consists of an astonishing array of funerary monuments, and their bas-reliefs call for a close look. This avenue was reserved for the city's prominent citizens, while the ordinary folk were buried in the bordering areas. To the left of the Keramikos, the Oberlaender Museum:
Displays stelae and sculpture from the site, as well as an impressive collection of vases and terracotta figurines.
Temple of Olympian Zeus Begun in 515 BC, this huge temple was dedicated to the worship of Zeus. Its perimeter included 104 Corinthian columns, with additional columns inside the building that housed a huge gold and ivory statue of Zeus. After the temple's destruction by invaders in the 4th century AD, the marble from the ruins started to vanish as it was being used as building material for newer buildings. Nowadays, only some of the temple's columns can be seen. Their immense height is a testimony to the huge size of this sanctuary.
The Theater of Dionysos and The Odeum:
Odeion; also known as the Irodio) of Herodes AtticusThis theater of Dionysos was built in the 4th century B.C. to replace and enlarge the earlier theater in which the plays of the great Athenian dramatists were first performed. The new theater seated some 17,000 spectators in 64 rows of seats, 20 of which survive. Most spectators sat on limestone seats -- and probably envied the 67 grandees who got to sit in the handsome Pentelic marble thronelike seats in the front row. The most elegant throne belonged to the priest of Dionysos, the god of wine, revels, and theater; appropriately, carved satyrs and bunches of grapes ornament the priest's throne.The Odeum (Music Hall) was one of an astonishing number of monuments built in Greece by the wealthy 2nd-century A.D. philhellene Herodes Atticus. If you think it looks suspiciously well preserved, you're right: It was reconstructed in the 19th century. Although your 2€ entrance ticket for the Theater of Dionysos in theory allows you entrance to the Odeum, this is misleading, as the Odeum is usually closed, and open only for performances -- when, obviously, you can not wander around. The best way to see the Odeum is either looking down from the Acropolis or, better yet, by attending one of the performances staged here during the Athens Festival each summer. If you come to an event here, bring a cushion: marble seats are as hard as you'd expect, and the cushions provided are lousy.
Lykavittos Hill:
In ancient times this hill was surrounded by countryside and its pine-covered slopes were inhabited by wolves (Lykavittos means 'hill of wolves'). Thesedays, surrounding countryside and wolves are no longer, but it does rise out of a sea of concrete to offer the finest views in Athens.If you are not game to walk, a funicular railway behind Kolonaki takes you through a tunnel to the peak of Lykavittos, a rocky crag that rises 273m (82ft). Floodlit at night and rising starkly from the sea of apartments below, Lykavittos is the other hill that dominates central Athens.At night the view is spectacular and the air is cool, but even during the day this is a great place to get some perspective on the Athens panorama (pollution and summer haze permitting).On a clear day you can see the island of Aegina and the Peloponnese and wonder why it takes so long to get to the beach when it is not that far at all. There are walking paths through the cypress and pine-covered hill. On the peak the white Chapel of Agios Georgios, which is floodlit at night, stands on the site of an ancient temple dedicated to Zeus. There's an overpriced restaurant on the top monopolising the superb sit-down views, with a cafe facing the other side. Further down, the shady Prasini Tenta cafe is a worthy alternative for lunch or a sunset drink.
Panagia Hrysospiliotissa:
Not far from the Theatre of Dionysos is an indistinct rock-strewn path leading to a grotto in the cliff face. In 320 BC, Thrasyllos turned the grotto into a temple dedicated to Dionysos. Now it is the tiny Panagia Hrysospiliotissa (Chapel of our Lady of the Cavern). It is a poignant little place with old pictures and icons on the walls. Above the chapel are two Ionic columns, the remains of Thrasyllos' temple.
Other museums and attractions that you may find interesting:
The Kanellopoulos Museum
The Kerameikos
The National Gallery
The Numismatic Museum
The Odeum
The Roman Agora
The Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Theater of Dionysos
Shopping:
In Athens, you will find a treasure of things to buy, from quality gold jewelry to handicrafts. The Athens jewelry stores feature designs representative of the Greek history and mythology. You'll also find the traditional evil-eye charm. Other items you will find include Greek vases, figurines of gods and goddesses, decorative plates and various ceramic items. Brass items for the home, including traditional Greek coffee sets & trays are popular items as fell as well as the shaggy flokati rugs.
Flea Market:
Stretching both east and west of Plateia Monastirakiou, the flea market is Athens at its noisiest, most colourful and chaotic. It teems with shops, restaurants and cafes, and street vendors selling nuts, coconut sticks, fruit, treasure, trash and more. Visit on Sunday morning, when the market is especially lively with all manner of things up for grabs. There's everything from clocks to condoms, trombones to gramophones, tyres to telephones, giant evil eyes to jelly-baby clones.
|
|
More Information |
|
|
|
Greek National Tourist Organization
645 5th Avenue 5th floor
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212 421-5777
Web: www.greektourism.com
Web: www.greekembassyorg
|
|
