Athens is one in all my favourite cities. I like the meals, the climate, exploring the outdated streets, and visiting the various vacationer sights in Athens.
About Athens, the Capital of Greece
Athens is likely one of the oldest cities on the planet and the oldest capital in Europe. It’s even older than Rome. In its greater than 3400 years of recorded historical past, Athens performed a most vital function in cultural improvement, training, and politics. That is the place the place the idea of democracy was born. Philosophy and trendy theatre additionally started in Athens.
When to go to Athens?
With all that historical past and plenty of vacationer sights, Athens is a very talked-about vacation spot. Additionally it is the warmest main metropolis in Europe, so think about that, when planning your journey there. July and August, even June currently, are too sizzling for a snug journey the place you spend plenty of time exterior. The climate from November to February isn’t very chilly, however it may be wet. Spring and Autumn are the perfect instances to go to the sights of Athens, Greece.
Vacationer Points of interest in Athens
These are my high 10 vacationer sights in Athens, Greece, together with a few much less touristy locations to find within the metropolis.
The Acropolis of Athens – Prime Vacationer Points of interest in Athens
The Parthenon on the Acropolis is certainly essentially the most well-known place in Athens and the primary landmark it would be best to go to if you first go to town. I’ve devoted a full submit to the Acropolis of Athens, a fast information that will help you plan your go to there.
The Acropolis Museum
I coated the Acropolis Museum in the identical submit in regards to the Acropolis of Athens. It’s a nice museum internet hosting many finds from the Acropolis Hill, together with the unique Caryatids of the Erechtheion. It’s best to embody the museum in your itinerary and be taught extra in regards to the golden age of Historic Athens.
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The Panathenaic Stadium – Spectacular Vacationer Attraction in Athens
This superb historical stadium might seat 50000 folks and it’s completely coated in marble. The stadium was deserted for about 15 centuries earlier than being excavated, rebuilt, and used once more as an Olympic venue, in addition to for the Olympic flame handover ceremony. Additionally it is the end level of the Athens Authentic Marathon yearly.
You possibly can go to the Stadium on daily basis beginning at 8 a.m. and even run on the observe across the stadium. The overall entrance price is 5€. Discover out extra in regards to the opening hours and occasions on the official website.
Plaka – A gorgeous neighborhood of Athens
Plaka is the perfect a part of Athens, in my view. It’s an outdated a part of town, just under the Acropolis, stuffed with eating places, cafes, and small memento and jewellery retailers. Additionally it is near every little thing you wish to go to so staying on this space might be the best choice.
I plan to discover extra of the Plaka neighborhood in a separate submit specializing in meals in Athens.
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The Agoras of Athens
There are two agoras in Athens: the traditional Greek Agora and the Roman Agora, the Roman subsequent to the Greek one, however constructed just a few centuries later. The Agora was a market, in addition to a spot of gathering. Individuals used to come back right here to fulfill and focus on. It’s what a Discussion board in Roman cities was some years later.
A must-see within the Historic Agora is the Temple of Hephaestus. It’s a really well-preserved Doric temple courting from the fifth century BC.
A ticket to enter the Historic Agora is 10€. You may as well purchase a mixed 30€ ticket, together with just a few extra websites just like the Acropolis and Olympieion.
Monastiraki and the Flea Market
Simply on the finish of the Plaka neighborhood, you come throughout Monastiraki (the small Monastery), named after the small Tenth-century basilica within the sq.. Beginning right here, the flea market occupies the entire Adrianou avenue and some adjoining smaller streets.
You’ll come throughout vintage retailers, in addition to hand-made souvenirs, leather-based sandals, bars, and locations to eat. It’s a very colourful and energetic space of town.
Olympieion: The Temple of Olympian Zeus – Vacationer Points of interest in Athens
Zeus was the king of the Gods residing on Mount Olympus. Its temple was, after all, the biggest in Historic Greece. A stroll across the standing columns of the temple will provide you with an concept of its unique grandeur. Additionally, you will get a very good view of Acropolis Hill.
Simply in entrance of the doorway to the Olympieion web site stands Hadrian’s Arch. The triumphal arch was constructed to have fun the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. It additionally divides symbolically outdated Athens to the brand new metropolis expanded by the emperor.
The Guard Change at Syntagma Sq. – Vacationer Points of interest in Athens
Syntagma is the principle sq. in Athens. It’s a big sq. in entrance of the Greek Parliament Palace, with just a few luxurious inns on both sides. On Sundays, at 11 AM, there’s a ceremonial guard change in entrance of the Parliament Constructing. Crowds collect each Sunday for this ceremony, so if you need some good images, it is best to get there early and discover a good place to look at the change.
A Journey to Piraeus
Piraeus is the biggest port in Greece, and it’s lower than 10km from Athens. From Piraeus, you may journey by boat to nearly all Greek islands. As an illustration, you may get to Santorini by ferry in about 5 hours.
The best solution to get to Piraeus from central Athens is by subway. The journey from Monastiraki station takes about quarter-hour, and a ticket is 2€.
Piraeus, nevertheless, is a large port. The subway station is near the ferry hub, the place there isn’t actually a lot to see. You possibly can take a bus and go for a stroll within the spectacular yacht marina or to one of many seashores
Non Touristy Issues to do in Athens
These above are the principle vacationer sights in Athens. Nevertheless, I’ve a few much less touristy issues to suggest.
The Numismatic Museum of Heinrich Schliemann
I’ve been wanting to go to this museum since studying Irving Stone’s – The Greek Treasure. It’s the story of Heinrich Schliemann, the person who excavated the location believed to be legendary Troy, in addition to different Greek websites. The museum is hosted in the home Schliemann constructed for himself and his Greek spouse, Sophia. The constructing itself is as fascinating because the cash collections inside. The mansion’s inside was impressed by the mosaics and colours present in Pompeii.
I most likely wouldn’t have visited this specific museum if it weren’t for the story, however I’m glad I did.
The museum is a brief stroll from Syntagma Sq., and it’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to three PM. The doorway ticket is 3€, and you’ll most likely spend about an hour and a half there. Within the courtyard, there may be additionally a pleasant espresso store. Discover out extra in regards to the collections and occasions on the museum website.
The Nationwide Gardens of Athens
This was an unintentional discovery for me. The Nationwide Backyard is a public park within the heart of Athens. It has the Parliament constructing on one facet, one exit on the Olympieion web site, and one different nook exit in entrance of the Panathenaic Stadium.
I went there for a run within the morning, however you may very properly stroll between these websites via the luxuriant gardens, avoiding the solar.
These had been my high 10 sights in Athens, Greece. In fact, there are lots of extra websites and museums to discover. Have you ever been to Athens? What was your favourite place?
So long as we’re speaking about Greece, take a look at my 3 days itinerary for Thessaloniki.
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