Monday, June 18, 2018

Athens: The city that never sleeps!

With a recorded history of 3,000 years, Athens is the capital of Greece and among the most interesting places in the world. Actually Athens is the best destination for a city break as it has amazing sightseeing to visit, including the world-famous Acropolis with the Temple of Parthenon, the New Acropolis Museum, the Theatre of Herodes Atticus, the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora and others. After a full day walking around Athens city, do not miss a drink at night in the many hot spots. Located in a central spot in Greece, the city is also very convenient for day trips to archaeological sites in the mainland and close islands in the Aegean Sea.

History
Taking its name after its protector, goddess Athena, Athens is famous because here democracy, sciences, theater and philosophy were born. The most important monument of Athens city is of course the Acropolis. There are several other important ancient sites and monuments that can be found mainly around the lovely neighborhoods of Plaka, Monastiraki, Thissio and in the vicinity of the Acropolis. They include ancient temples, ancient theaters and stadiums, public buildings and interesting museums. Athens is the capital of Greece and the most important Greek city. It has many beautiful quarters. The historical centre (Syntagma-Monastiraki-Plaka) is a gem for history lovers, as it includes monuments from all periods of time, from the Classical and Roman times to the Byzantine and Neoclassical period. Do not miss a visit to important sights, including the Parthenon and the temple of Olympian Zeus, theatres, such as the Herodes Atticus, and public buildings, such as the Agora. However, the city is not only about sightseeing and lovely restaurants. Athens holidays may also include swim in nice beaches. There are many beach resorts to enjoy a relaxing swim in the hot summer days in the peninsula of Attica. The beaches from Glyfada to the south till Cape Sounion are mostly organized and get very popular, especially in summer weekends. The present guide of Athens offers all the necessary information about a visit to this wonderful city, the birth place of the Greek history and also the seat of the modern Government. 

Do not miss!
Due to the many monuments dating from all historical periods, Athens is the best place for sightseeing. The easiest and quickest way to see all the sights in the city is to take a bus tour. Athens sightseeing tours are many and take place all year round. A bus tour in Athens takes place in modern, air-conditioned coach with all modern comforts and it is usually accompanied by a guide. This guide will explain visitors the history of the monuments and will lead a guided tour in important museums, like the new Acropolis Museum. The most popular Athens tours are the sightseeing bus tours and walking tours around the city centre. Very popular are also the day and half-day bus tours to important archaeological sites and interesting towns, like Cape Sounion, Ancient Corinth, Delphi, Epidaurus, Nafplion, Olympia and Meteora. Some multi-day tours are also arranged to northern Greece or important classical sites. These tours are great to see something from the Greek mainland before heading to the Greek islands for total relaxation.

Things to do
Although it is mostly famous as a sightseeing place, visitors can also practise many other Things to do in Athens. The city centre of Athens has many shopping streets and districts that regularly have offers. Ermou Street is the most famous shopping street in Athens, while the district of Kolonaki has shops of international brands. Over the last years, the coasts of Attica are developing as tourist places for foreigners, not only for Athenians who have holiday homes there. This is how many sports centres have made their appearance, from water sports and windsurfing centres to horse riding, diving centres and paintball.
The Greek Festival (Athens & Epidaurus Festival) takes place in various places of Athens (Herodes Atticus Theatre and other theatres or cultural venues) and also in the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus and the Little Theatre of Epidaurus. It offers a large range of performances: modern and ancient theatre, ballet, opera, jazz and classical music, dances, symphonic music and great singers and many other special events. The festival takes place from early June to late August.
Traditional Dancing Performances: Every year, from May to October, the Theatre of Dora Stratou presents performances of traditional Greek dances.


Beaches
Although the coastlines of Athens are not much developed with foreign tourists, it will be a surprise to discover that the beach places of the Attica peninsula offer many interesting activities, such as scuba diving. In fact, many Athens diving centers have their base at beaches close to the city, offering PADI courses for all ages, and interesting diving trips for beginners or experts. Important Athens diving spots around the Attica peninsula are the Kalypso Reef and the Symos Wreck in Saronida, the Car Wrecks in Legrena, and the ship wrecks SS Portugal and Apollonia II in Makronissos island.

Arrival Instructions
From Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos):
By taxi with an average cost of 45 euros (time needed approx. 35 minutes)
By bus Χ97 departing every hour to Elliniko metro station with an average cost of 6 euros per person (time needed approx. 40 minutes)
By metro direction to Syntagma departing every 30 minutes with an average cost of 10 euros per person (time needed approx. 25 minutes).

The Artist's Apartment is a wonderful 70 sq.m. ground floor apartment. It is very bright and it is located at a central spot of Nea Smirni, near the Tram Station. It is fully renovated, high ceilings, has an artisticly decorated, vintage living room whith a sofa bed for the fourth person., dining room suitable for 4 persons, kitchen with electrical appliances and vintage elements, two bedrooms, wardrobes, one bathroom with bathtub, safety glazing, located near Nea Smirni Park. All the decoration of the house is inspired by its owner who is an artist.

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