ACROPOLIS
& MUSEUM |
210
321 0219
210 323 6665 |
| Nearest
Metro Station: Acropolis The Acropolis dates from the 5th
century BC when Athens set the tone for civilization in Europe.
It is a good idea to visit the museum prior to walking around
the site as you will get a better understanding of the history
of the Acropolis and enjoy it more. Guides are available for
a fee (English, French, German, Arabic, Italian & Spanish)
but a good guidebook will do. Very unsuitable for pushchairs
and small children. It is advisable to wear good gripping
shoes; it is quite a steep climb and the marble has worn very
smooth and can be treacherous when wet! Remember to go early
in the day and to take water if visiting in the summer, as
there is very little shade from the sun.
Open daily 8am to sunset Admission €12.00 adults €6.00
senior citizens children/students free Admission free on Sundays.
(Admission ticket covers other surrounding sites such as the
ancient market place) |
|
PHILOPAPPOU
HILL |
| Opposite
the Acropolis. Nearest metro station Acropolis.
The monument was built in the 2nd century AD to honour the
Roman governor Gaius Julius Antiochus, who had been good to
the city. He was also known by the nickname Philoppapos (literally
grandfather's friend). His grandfather was the last King of
Kommagene, Antiochus IV. Although it is a steep walk up to
the monument, the breathtaking views over Athens make it well
worth it. |
|
ACROPOLIS
STUDY CENTRE |
210 923
9381 |
| 2-4
Makriyanni |
|
ODEON
OF HEROD ATTICUS (BOX OFFICE) |
210 323
2771 |
| On
the south slope of the Acropolis Amphitheatre Built by the
Roman Emperor Herod Atticus in 161 AD. Still in exceptional
condition, the Amphitheatre is used every summer for the Athens
Festival and other cultural events. |
|
ANCIENT
AGORA/ MARKET PLACE |
210 321
0185 / 4825 |
| At
the foot of the Acropolis. Nearest metro station: Thission.
The ancient Agora (market place) was not only the commercial
centre of the city; it was its political, cultural and religious
one as well. The administrative buildings and temples were
built in this area, where the public services and courts of
law were also based. It was here that Paul the Apostle made
the first converts to Christianity in 49 AD. Athenians gathered
here daily, not only to buy and sell their goods, but also
to hear the news, to criticize the government, to exchange
views and just gossip. This area dates back to Neolithic times
and the site includes monuments of different periods: from
classical to the 11th century AD represented by the church
of the Agio Apostoli |
|
TEMPLE
OF HEPHAISTOS STOA OF ATTALOS MUSEUM |
210 321
4825 / 0185 |
| A
donation by Attalos III, King of the Pergamon (159-138 B.C.),
to the city of Athens. The museum exhibits are mainly items
of everyday use, found during excavations of the ancient Agora
(market). The building is thought to have been an ancient
shopping centre made up of 21 shops on each of its two floors. |
|
ROMAN
MARKET PLACE |
210 324
5220 |
| Pelopida
&Aiolou.Originally a single complex made up of a vast
rectangular court surrounded by colonnades. The arcades would
have housed shops. To the north was a library built by Hadrian.
To the east is the Tower of Winds. |
|
TOWER
OF WINDS |
210 324
5220 |
To
the east of the Ancient Agora
An octagonal tower representing the eight directions of the
wind. Andronicus, a Syrian astronomer, built it in the 1st
century. It served as a sundial, weather vane, compass and
water clock. |
|
PLAKA |
| Narrow
stone paved streets, beautifully restored buildings and the
neo-classical colours of the houses make this area one of
the most picturesque in Athens centre. Be sure to take a map,
as it is easy to get lost in the maze of tiny roads and alleyways.
Uphill leads to the Acropolis and downhill leads to
Monastiraki.
Plaka's main square is called Philomousos Etairia (friends
of the muses, the 9 patron goddesses of the arts). The square
is full of cafes restaurants and bars. The children's museum
is also located here. |
|
AVYSINIAS
SQUARE |
| The
main square in Monastiraki, the centre of the flea market.
Here you can find almost anything. Antique shops selling furniture,
books, records, pictures, etc. Monastiraki leads into Plaka,
walking around these areas takes you back in time and you
almost forget the busy city going about its business. |
|
DIONYSOS
THEATRE SITE |
210 322
4625 |
| Dion
Areopagitou. Built in the 5th century BC, it is able to accommodate
approximately 17,000 spectators. It is here that the plays
of Euripides, Sophocles, Aristophanes and Aeschylus were first
performed. |
|
ACADEMY
OF ATHENS |
210 360
0207 |
|
28 Panepistimiou.
Designed by Theophil Hansen. Displays buildings decorated
with friezes and columns adorned with statues of Apollo and
Athena |
|
THE
NATIONAL LIBRARY |
| Panepistimiou. The largest library in the country housing
thousands of books in all languages. Built by Theophil Hansen
between 1858-1884. |
|
THE
UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS |
| Panepistimiou. Designed by Hans Christian Hansen and built
between 1839-1864. Wonderful architecture and frescos by Karl
Rahl. |
|
MELINA
MERKOURI CULTURAL CENTRE |
210
345 2150 |
| Iraklidon
66, Thissio |
|
THE
PANATHENAIKON STADIUM (KALLIMAMARO OLYMPIC STADIUM) |
Opposite the National Garden on Vassilias Konstandinou and
Agras.
The first stadium to be built on this site was made of wood
in 330 BC. Herodes Atticus then built another on the same
site, which hosted the athletic games held during the feast
of Panathenaea. Today's stadium was built between 1869 and
1870 for the first modern Olympic Games held in 1896. |
|
SYNTAGMA
SQUARE & THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT |
|
Nearest Metro Syntagma.
The Parliament building overlooks Syntagma Square. Built between
1836 and1842, it served originally as a palace for King Otto,
the first King of Greece and his wife Amalia. In 1924 the
presiding Government decided that the Greek Parliament should
be housed in the building. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
lies below the Parliament building and is guarded 24 hours
a day by a pair of elite soldiers called Evzones (Tsolias).
You can visit the Parliament Buildings which house national
treasures such as the First Greek Constitution (the word Syntagma
means Consititution) and many valuable works of art. The large
library is also worth a visit. |
|
THE
NATIONAL GARDENS |
|
Nearest metro station: Syntagma.
In these large and well-kept gardens (nearly 40 acres) you
can find many varieties of trees and plants from all over
the world. Designed as gardens for King Otto and Queen
Amalia,
they were planted between 1838 and 1860. There are four entrances:
Vasilissis Sophias, Herodou Atticou St, Amalias and through
Zappeion. A playground, a small zoo, a duck pond, a botanical
museum and a children's library are located within the grounds.
When walking in these gardens you forget you are in the centre
of a busy city. Open dawn to dusk daily. |
|
ZAPPEION |
|
This is the small park area between the National Gardens and
the Olympion.
The Zappion Megaron, built between 1874-1888 by the architect
Theophil Hansen is now used as a Congress and Exhibition Hall
and has witnessed some of the most important moments in the
history of modern Greece. |
|
LYCAVITTOS
HILL AND THE CHURCH OF S.T. GEORGE |
| At
278m this is the highest point in Athens. Legend says that
the goddess Athena wanted her temple on the Acropolis to be
closer to the sky. So one stormy night, she went to Mount
Pendeli and took a huge rock, which she meant to place on
top of the existing one. Two black birds approached her as
she was carrying the rock and told her some bad news. In her
hurry, she dropped the rock right in the middle of Athens,
and then promptly forgot about it. Beautiful views of Athens
from the top where you will find a small cafe and
restaurant. It is well worth a visit. There is one road
leading to the top, but many footpaths if you fancy a steep
walk. There is also a funicular cable car that runs up
through the mountain from the corner of Aristipou &
Ploutarchou. |
|
ELEUSIS ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE AND MUSEUM |
210
554 6019, 210 554 3470 |
| The
ancient city of Eleusis dates back to Mycenaean times when
the cult of Demeter began. This cult was to become one of
the most important in ancient Greece. It was celebrated with
a huge annual festival, which attracted thousands of
pilgrims wanting to be initiated into the Eleusian
Mysteries. Museum and site open-8.30-3pm Tues-Sat |
|
TEMPLE OF THE OLYMPIAN ZEUS |
210
922 6330 |
| Vas
Olgas & Amalias. Behind Hadrian's Arch. Original temple
dated circa 515 BC, the Roman Emperor Hadrian completed
further building in 131 AD. Once the largest temple in
Greece. |
|
HADRIAN'S ARCH |
210
922 6330 |
| Located
at the intersection of Amalias and Zappeion. After the
completion of the temple of Zeus, the Athenians honoured
Hadrian by building an arched gateway in 131 AD in the
northwest corner of the enclosure of the temple. The temple
has two inscriptions, on the side facing the Acropolis it
reads '' This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus'', on
the other side, facing the extension of the city by Hadrian,
it reads, ''This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus''. |
|
LAVRIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM |
22920
22817 |
| Sepieri
Square Lavrio |
|
MINERALOGICAL MUSEUM |
22920
26270 |
| Iroon
Politechniou Sq Lavrio |
|
RAMNOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE |
22940 63477 |
| Kato
Souli near Marathon |
|
NEW DIGITAL PLANETARIUM |
210 9469600 |
Idrima Evenidou Syngrou
Ave 387, Palio Faliro.
The largest digital planetarium in the world has recently
opened in Athens.
Saturdays and Sundays 10.30 - 4.30 new show every hour. Entrance
6 Euro. Student/child/pensioners & groups 4 Euro. It is advisable to book. The show is fairly
loud and takes place in the dark and so may not be suitable for some young children. |
| |
|
LEISURE |