About Athens
Greece is the cradle of European civilization, and Athens has been its capital since 1834. There is never time to be bored or to be at a loss for an interesting activity in Athens. Visit the flea market and the bazaar area at Monastiraki, look inside some of the hundreds of tiny Byzantine churches, shop for a few hours in the fascinating boutiques of Pláka, have a leisurely lunch in a taverna, watch the people walk by, and maybe spend a little time writing in your travel diary.
A visit to the Acropolis will include the sight of workmen and ladders everywhere. The extensive work of preservation is impressive.
Following a visit to the Acropolis, it is an easy downhill stroll to the Agora, the heart of ancient Athens's political and commercial center. The Agora is steps from the Monastiraki and Pláka districts, each filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. The next stop might be the National Archaeological Museum to see the Mycenaean gold, the classical bronze statues, and the beautiful frescoes from Akrotiri, the Minoan Pompeii on the island of Santorini.
Whatever the season, whether you have a day, a week, or a month to explore Athens, it is time to be treasured. Athens, rich in culture and contrasts, is a city like no other in the world.
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You can also book popular sightseeing tours in Athens and save your vacation time.
Getting There & Around
Athens' International airport, Eleftherios Venizelos International, is located at Spata, 17 miles outside Athens.
Since buses run on erratic schedules, the easiest way into town is to take a taxi from immediately outside the terminal. Three 24-hour express bus lines serve the airport and connect with the Metro.
By Train : Greek trains have a well-earned reputation for being slow and having a limited network. The main line runs north from Athens to the former Yugoslavia, dividing into three lines at Thessaloniki. The main line continues on to Belgrade, a second line goes east to the Turkish border and Istanbul, and a third line heads northeast to Bulgaria.
Many of Athens' ancient sites are within easy walking distance of Syntagma and many museums are close by on Vasilissis Sofias.
Athens suffers from heavy traffic but even so, renting a car is an option because car parking is plentiful within the city. Public transport is inexpensive and reliable in Athens, especially the excellent Metro (subway) service.
Athens' taxis are inexpensive - though you should always check the meter is set to the right tariff - but hailing one can be incredibly frustrating.
Attractions
Athens is full of attractions for all ages. Below is a list of some suggested things to do in Athens. You can also book some of these attractions online and save your vacation time.
Acropolis (Akropolis)
The most famous site in all of Athens, this large hill lies in the center of the city and contains a cluster of ancient ruins.
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.
Benaki Museum
A collection of ancient and modern Greek visual culture housed in an elegant, newly renovated building.
National Archaeological Museum (Ethniko Archaiologiko Museo)
A museum featuring the art and artifacts of the Minoans, an ancient tribe of people who once dominated the Aegean Sea.
Goulandris Foundation Museum of Cycladic Art
This private collection of prehistoric sculpture and artifacts unmatched by any other museum in the world.
Acropolis Museum (Museo Akropoleos)
A museum detailing the religious history of the Acropolis, featuring a collection of ancient statues used in religious ceremonies.
National Gardens
This beautiful oasis offers a soothing respite of greenery from the big city with many benches for picnicking, cafes, duck ponds and a small zoo.
National Gallery of Art
A collection of 20th century Greek art in addition to Renaissance Western European art housed in a striking modern building.
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