View of Acropolis. Theatre of Dionysus. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. But the first modern ones were held also in Athens, in 1896. Acropolis citadel with the Parthenon temple. It is for many years a must-visit destination in Europe for Acropolis, the history of Democracy, culture, art, monuments, and food. The most famous tragic writers were Sophocles, Euripides and Aeschylus, and Aristofanes on comedy. And don’t forget to drink a glass of ouzo or tsipouro. A hill in the centre of city, with ancient temples and buildings. Full moon as seen at Poseidon’s temple, Sounio. The Athenian Democracy was the most direct form of it, as the institutions of the city were consisted of the citizens, and the decisions were made by them for them. Near Nafplio there is also the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. From the top, you get breath-taking views of the city as far as Piraeus port and the Mediterranean Sea. If you are lucky, you can also watch a play on the Roman theatre of Irodis and feel like taking part in these ancient festivals. On the background you can see the Lecabettus hill. Visitgreece.gr is the official tourism web site for Greece, run by the Greek National Tourism Organisation, where you'll find information on the main tourist destinations, such as cities, beaches, as well as activities, events and much more! Our Athens travel guide provides you with essential information to assist you with your travel plans to Athens. Athens Solo Travel Tips: How to Keep Safe in the Greece Capital . And all of them are easily accessible by bus or the tram. I found that all the attractions are pretty much located in the center of the city and everything was within walking distance. Athenians eat late dinners (around 9 or 10pm in summer) and go to bed late, therefore there’s lots to do once the sun goes down. Or just enjoy some wine listening to traditional Greek music. The “core” of the historic centre is the Plaka neighborhood (at the eastern side of the Acropolis), which has been inhabited without interruption since antiquity. If you are in Athens and want to know more about the glorious days of Greek civilization, the Roman period, Persian invasion and many more events that make up the lively history of Greece visit this place. However, the area leading up to the Acropolis is also part of the exhibition and features various ancient relics and sculptures as well as ruins of temples and a theater. They were obviously not able to build gigantic cathedrals but built smaller ones for their communities. I worked with refugees and locals to help families and When you walk through the narrow labyrinthine streets lined with houses and mansions from the time of the Turkish occupation and the Neoclassical period (19th c.), you will have the impression of travelling with a “time machine”. This Mediterranean country has it all – Great beaches, wonderful food, friendly people, history and culture. Here you won’t find many top brands like London and stylish clothes like Rome or Milan. One of the most important things when traveling is to be able to get to the places you want to see. Another reason why you should visit Athens is that there are many breathtaking viewpoints. It’s incredibly easy to find cheap and delicious eats in Athens and you even stumble upon the most delicious fusion cafes as well as hidden local gems. You can’t take Greece back home with you, but you can take a memory of it. Travel to Greece by plane: Obviously, the fastest and easiest way to travel to Greece is by plane, especially if you live in Europe. Due to the Athenians late dinners, the city gets really lively once the sun has set. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Athens, Greece on Tripadvisor: See 276,234 traveler reviews and photos of Athens tourist attractions. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Greece’s financial troubles are not over, but the city is attracting the young and ambitious. While Greece is a relatively safe country, Athens can be an unsafe city in places and at times. It has been suggested that Athens might be the best place in the world to be a graffiti artist right now. A lot of people skip Athens when traveling around Greece and its many magical islands, but I say “DON’T”! Take the time to see the beautiful Acropolis in Athens and its stunning museum, visit the archaeological site of Delphi or the open-air island museum of Delos, the stunning Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki, the myth-laden Palace of Knossos or the breathtaking medieval Old Town of Rhodes. Something that struck me the most while exploring Athens was its abundance of stylish cafes and restaurants all over town. Since Athens is located on mainland Greece, it is even hotter here than the islands, so I definitely recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons. Of course Greek islands are a lot better than this, but if you can’t visit them, don’t worry. 5 reasons why you should visit Athens, Greece *This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a small comission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through the link! Greece’s financial troubles are not over, but the city keeps humming along, and is attracting the young and ambitious. It just feels good to be outside in Greek sunshine. With a recorded history of over 3,000 years, Athens is a great destination for a city break with its plethora of sightseeing options, including the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, the New Acropolis Museum and the Roman Agora. And if it happens to come in winter, you can visit the traditional village of Arahova (2 hours) and the ski centre of mountain Parnassos. The biggest and most important is the Parthenon, which is dedicated to the goddess Athena. The Ultimate Seoul Itinerary: 3 Days in Seoul | 2020 Edition, The 10 Best TEFL Courses for Teaching English Abroad or Online. Another great place to check out is the Ancient Agora of Athens, which was a lively market area and center of town in the 6th century BC. Here the people go out every day from dusk till dawn. Therefore, it’s important for any traveler to be able to easily navigate through a city of country they’re exploring. Athens, Greece: When To Visit. 1. Venturing off into the many small side streets around Plaka, you will come across some of the best restaurants in town at a reasonable price. Of course, the acropolis with all the wonderful buildings on it and around it, along with the agora, is so fulfilling. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Today, the Parthenon is the landmark of the Acropolis and visited from people around the world. Painting by Philipp von Foltz. Here are some safety tips for solo travelers or anyone traveling to the city. I say anything from vegan coffee shops to cozy street cafes. Other than that, you do not need to worry about spending too much money on public transportation. Take a look... Upcoming events. Yet, to visit Athens is to see a reinvented city beyond its ancient and troubled past. It’s a travel destination not to be missed for history lovers, with a vast array of majestic ruins to visit, including the world-famous Acropolis, the Ancient Agora and the Roman Agora. The mild Mediterranean climate of Greece has gifted the capital city with mellow winters, sunny summers, and soothing temperatures in between. That’s what makes Athens, or Greece in general, a great travel destination. If you’ve never tried Mediterranean food before, please go do it now In all actuality, it is truly so good, light, flavorful, and something you will love. In the reign of Pericles, in the 5th century BC, the hilltop was deemed a religious sanctuary. My first (and only) time in Athens was actually to serve local NGO’s as part of a college internship. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Open House on the 24th, - 12 mid day to 5 pm. The Eunpyeong Hanok Village - Seoul's Hidden Gem, The 15 Best Things to Eat, See and Do in Ikseondong, Seoul | 2020 Edition, The 10 Best Things To Do In Boracay, Philippines. There is really no bad time to visit Athens. Athens (/ ˈ æ θ ɪ n z / ATH-inz; Greek: Αθήνα, romanized: Athína (); Ancient Greek: Ἀθῆναι, romanized: Athênai (pl.) I have spent amazing 5 days in the Greek capital city of Athens and can truly say I’d go back any minute! We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Why You Should Visit the National Historical Museum in Athens Housed in the Old Parliament building, the National Historical Museum brings to life the story of the founding of Greece. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Athens has a lot to offer and is truly worth a visit – even if it’s just a short one! Vouliagmeni, less than 45 minutes from the centre of Athens. Across the city there are temples, libraries, bridges and a lot of other monuments. street art Location: [post_gps_latitude], [post_gps_longitude] The Greek economy might be tanking, but at least one group is thriving in Athens: graffiti artists. The Greek civilization is one of the oldest and biggest in Europe, stretching back more than 3000 years. 04 December 2020 by in Interessant 1 0 0 by in Interessant 1 0 0 The first theatrical plays were written in Ancient Athens, and were part of the festivals that honoured the god Dionysus. There are many small shops that sell jewelleries, accessories, and things made of clay. Athens has a lot more to offer than just the Acropolis. But it’s not only Acropolis. She currently works remotely in Online Marketing and also teaches various English classes in South Korea. Being such a historic city, there is a lot to see in the National Archeological Museum of Athens. Of course Greek islands are a lot better than this, but if you can’t visit them, don’t worry. The transportation for your holidays in Greece is something you should not worry about, as this is one of the most easy-to-reach destinations. Our traditional fast – food, which consists of pork meat, French fries, tomato, onions and “tzatziki”, a sauce made of Greek yoghurt and garlic. There are many places where you can have a drink. It’s true that summers are hot in summer, but you can work your schedule easily around the heat. Are you a coffee, tea or chocolate lover? Greece is blessed with sunshine year-round. The city if full of ancient landmarks and ruins that many people just pass by unknowingly. It is possible to travel to suburbs such as Piraeus port as well as the airport by express bus or subway quite easily. To enhance your experience, visitors recommended opting for a half- or full-day guided tour with an independent company like PK Travel Greece, Fantasy Travel or Timeless Athens … Pierre de Coubertin was the one who had the idea and in the spring of that year, around 250 athletes from 14 countries took part in the Games. There are plenty of beautiful coasts around Athens where you will have the feeling that you are miles away from a metropolis. ( Log Out /  For 20 days, it was the centre of the world in one of the most important moments of our modern history. The green and lovely hill is very popular with the locals and is slowly gaining popularity with the tourists as well, thanks to the amazing panoramic views of the ancient city. Our Athens travel guide provides you with essential information to assist you with your travel plans to Athens. Athens, its capital, retains landmarks including the 5th-century B.C. Athens is in the midst of a renaissance, with a slew of trendy restaurants and bars livening up the city center, giving the capital a much-needed Grecian gastronomic element despite the recession. Perhaps the easiest island chain to go inter-island hopping is the Cyclades. On our last night, we had dinner at a rather posh place and only paid about 10 euros more than our average meals. That while it’s classical highlights are a historical must-see, getting to know the city deeper will leave you with a better understanding and overall experience. A night at a 3 star hotel costs about €60 for a double room. Wikipedia So lets Jump in 5 reasons why you should visit Greece. You are in the right place. why visit athens greece. The Greek capital has everything the traveller’s heart longs for and more. “Tourists came on their way to Santorini, they saw Documenta, they got confused,” says Sandra Marinopoulos, president of the Museum of Cycladic Art, the cultural space that houses an exquisite private collection of semi-abstract figures fr… Change ), Πηλιο : Εδω που το βουνο συναντα την θαλασσα, Η Αθηνα αφ'υψηλου : 5+1 μερη για βολτα με θεα. Obviously the Acropolis is a defining feature and over a million people visit this site alone annually, but there are many other sites that deserve your attention. We are so lucky to be less than an hour away from the sea here in Athens. There are plenty of beautiful coasts around Athens where you will have the feeling that you are miles away from a metropolis. From top tier destinations such as Mykonos, to quiet authentic mountain villages, there's something to appeal to every type of traveler. Let's be honest – there's probably a million reasons why you should travel Greece! Even if during our stay in Athens and our travel around Greece nothing bad happened to us, we were not feeling confident to walk in certain areas. I kept seeing “mastic” pop up in cafes and ice-cream parlors and when I asked what kind of flavor it is, turns out it comes from the mastic tree in forms of “tear drops” and is very healthy for your body. I love to explore temples in the different regions of Asia. Travel and food go together like peanut butter and jelly in my book. The closest one is the ancient Temple of Poseidon in Sounio (1 hour), where you can enjoy the amazing sunset over the Aegean Sea. Compared to other European destinations, such as Paris, Rome or Barcelona, Athens will allow you to travel more comfortably while not paying too much attention to what you are spending. There were three types of plays: tragedies, comedies and satyr. The Parthenon temple sits atop the Acropolis, one of the must-sees in Athens But if you only visit one landmark during your stay, make it the Acropolis, an awe-inspiring ancient citadel which overlooks the city. Athens today is what Berlin was like 20 years ago — or at least, so say my middle-aged Berlin friends. I also managed to visit your top 10 sites in Athens – and they were wonderful, with my favourite being the Athens Market (even though I am a vegetarian, it was a great atmosphere!!). There are many reasons to visit Greece, including the delicious cuisine, world-class beaches, rich history and gorgeous islands. Sometimes they will even feel insulted if they offer you something and you kindly refuse. Its port, the Piraeus, was home to Greece’s largest fleet of ships. But if you choose to visit between December and February (Athens' winter season), don't fret. Did you know that it first appeared in the city of Athens, around 500 B.C. Athens, Greece is a capital city that has it all: ancient monuments, gritty side streets with Instagrammable street art, and nearby ocean views. Also be sure to try out local dishes such as moussaka, gyros, feta cheese in all variations as well as local seafood. On the hot days of summer, we have the chance to go to one of the many beaches around the city. Osulloc Tea Museum in Jeju: Is it worth a visit? Similarly to Santorini, peak time for visitors in Athens is also during the summer months. Soak up the energy. The options for eat-outs will not disappoint you here. ( Log Out /  From public holidays in Greece, to moving around the city, we've outlined all the things any visitor to Athens should be aware of. On Syntagma Square, Athens’ central gathering place, the Old Royal Palace houses the Greek parliament and you can see the changing of the guard in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Jul 7, 2020 - Wondering why you should be visiting Athens, Greece in October? This means the city is equally interesting in its choice of watering holes. And of course there are two museums that you can’t miss : the Archaeological museum and the museum of Acropolis, one of the most astonishing in the world. Greater Athens has an area of 165 square miles (427 square km). That’s what makes Athens, or Greece in general, a great travel destination. By Maria D. Efthymiou* | March 27th, 2019. I always got up early in the mornings and visited major tourist attractions as the heat was still bearable (and the masses of tourists didn’t arrive yet). Where to eat, drink, and swim, top archaeological sites and museums to visit, plus all the essential tips to help plan your trip. The best time to visit Greece is during shoulder season April- June, and September – October when both prices and weather are good. ( Log Out /  Today you can take a walk to the hill of Pnika or to the area of the Ancient Market, places where people used to meet back then to discuss about the important public issues and make the decisions. This means the city is equally interesting in … If you want to have a longer trip, you can go to the Mikines (2 hours) to watch the remains of one of the most glorious ancient Greek cities and Nafplio (just 30 – 45 minutes from Mikines), a beautiful town with two fortresses (the one on an island), which was the first capital city of Modern Greece. Maybe you haven’t tasted the Greek cuisine as much as you have done with the Chinese, the Italian and the Mexican, but I can guarantee that it is so unique. By the time of … There are only a few days out of the year that might not be pleasant but these days are truly rare. One of the most famous site is the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which was constructed in the 6th century BC. Best Time to Visit Athens. Get Your Guide offers guided tours that include both. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone theater, built in 161 AD by Herodes Atticus, who constructed it in memory of his wife, Regilla. They are so interested in learning more about you and show you their country. The sudden prevalence of geeky foreign curators and conceptual sound sculptures seemed jarring at first. So if you feel like there is something missing, feel free to leave a comment with your tips and suggestions on why you think everyone should visit Greece … When there is a wish to find out as much as possible about Ancient Greece, then a visit to the Acropolis Museum in Athens is a must. Greeks are so kind with the strangers that even Zeus had a label associated with our hospitality. , 2019 saint would help them with their problems we don ’ t ” and troubled past unsafe... 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