189 ReviewsSome non-Greeks have told me that Athens exists because of the Acropolis, perhaps the most important ancient monument in the Western world. Still standing sentinel over Athens, it’s visible from...
55 ReviewsLike in Istanbul there are seven hills in Athens, the Acropolis is the most famous but Lycabettus is the tallest one.
Oh, what sweet memories I have from this hill! I used to live in close distance,...
53 ReviewsIt was a grey cold day at the Syntagma square, but still, as every day at 11AM, the changing guard of the Parliament building went on.
This ceremony is 24 times daily but the main one takes place each...
152 ReviewsThe entrance of this sights are included in the 12euros entrance fee for the Acropolis.In greek language ΑΓΟΡΑ(AGORA)=Market(english).But this place doesn't mean a...
79 ReviewsWill it be possible to visit Athens without entering the Acropolis? Of course not!
The Parthenon is the dominant building, but, to be honest, the visit doesn't had much to what we know from the many...
65 ReviewsThe Temple of Olympian Zeus is just behind the Arch of Hadrian from where you can see the ruins of the Temple. You can see it from here for free but you have to be close to it to "feel" the size of...
78 ReviewsSyntagma square which means costitution square is the heart of Athens, from there you can eaisly move around both walking or using public transports.You can read in cultural tips what kind of surprise...
75 ReviewsWalking west two short blocks from the south end of Leof. Amalia, one comes to the Monument of Lysikrates built in 334-5 BC. This choregic circular marble structure is covered in its upper reaches by...
34 ReviewsIf you are into sports and you like Olympic Games (I don’t!) Panathinaic Stadium is easy to visit as it is located in the center of Athens.
It is famous because it was the stadium that the first...
32 ReviewsThe Gardens were originally called the Royal Gardens because they were built for Queen Amalia during the 1840's. The gardens are just to the east and south of the Parliament. Most of the initial...
41 ReviewsTHis is actually the museum I enjoyed more in Athens and not only there, though it was also the hardest to find. Let's start saying that the museum is huge if compared with the others I have visited...
97 ReviewsAt the southeast base of the Acropolis is the ancient first theater in the world dedicated to Dionysus. It was first built of wood in the 6C BC but was rebuilt in stone in the 4C BC to hold 17,000...
24 ReviewsPhilopappou Hill is located across from the Acropolis, to the southwest.
It offers magnificent views of the whole city, and also serenity and tranquility with hardly any tourist in sight.
I climbed...
32 ReviewsThe Arch of Hadrian is at the south end of Leof. Amalia and just south of the National Gardens. The upper part of the arch holds four white marble columns with Corinthian capitals. The Arch was built...
17 ReviewsThe Theseion is a small 13.7 x 31.8 m temple, all made in marble, located on Agoraios Kolonos hill and it overlooks the ancient agora: though small it’s believed to be the best preserved of all the...
20 ReviewsThe Propylaea is the monumental entrance to the Acropolis; it dates back to in 437 and it took 5 years to complete. The structure is made of a central building and two lateral wings, with colonnades...
31 ReviewsIn my opinion, the museum itself, not considering what is exposed inside, would be worth a visit. Here you get the chance to see the original marbles and sculptures from Acropolis, and the natural...
19 ReviewsKerameikos was the area used as the cemetary of ancient Athens from the 9th Century BC through Roman times. It was just outside the city gates (which are included in the area) along the Sacred Way....
16 ReviewsPut on a toga to really enjoy the true ancient atmosphere.
There's a financial crisis going on and people seem pretty stressed and depressed. So a good thing to cheer up people, including yourself,...
21 ReviewsThe Neoclassical Trilogy of Athens consists of the Academy, the National Library and the University of Athens.
In front of the Academy (in the picture) there are seated statues of Socrates and Plato....
15 ReviewsDid you know that "symposium" in ancient Athens actually meant relaxing and drinking wine in company? Or that Athenians drank their wine diluted with water, and only Dionysos was served neat,...
5 ReviewsFor people visiting Athens and have no time at all to visit any Greek island, I suggest that they ask to be shown where the "Anafiotika" neighbourhood is.
It is on the top hill under the Acropolis....
29 Reviews The Erechtheum is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis. The temple as seen today is considered to be built in the V-th century BC. It may have been built in honor of the...
Marathon has a wonderful long beach, definately to enjoy swimming and water sports. In the area there are organized and non organized strips of the beach. You can find beach bars, small tavernas on the beach with tasty seafood and water sports. In general it is not a noisy place though. Main village of marathon is at the backyard of the beach and it is in a lovely mountaineous scenery. There is also a small village by the sea. There are frequent buses to Athens which stop to all villages along the way, not actually worth a tourist visit though. It will be easy to go to Athens by public transport and move around in the greater area. By rental car you will enjoy it more. Marathon is a lovely place but keep in mind that it is part of the greater metropolitan area of Athens, so urban landscape will be very close. For this reason, in case of Marathon, the hotel features, location and quality...
Visit Local Greek Wineries
by janetanne
The art of winemaking in Greece can be traced as far back in Greek history as the earliest known historical documentation. We know that wine in Ancient Greece was revered and written by her poets, historians and artists. More significantly, wine played a role in the religion of Ancient Greece and was associated with the god Dionysus. Not far from Athens, East of the foothills of Mt. Hymitous, can still be found the remains of a sanctuary dedicated to Dionysus, the ancient Greek god of wine. This is not, perhaps by chance, for surrounding this sacred temple are the dry fertile Attica fields nourished by the mild climate and tempered by the proximity of the sea to the South and Mt. Hymitus to the West. Here began the making of Attika wine and here too, the original barrel of Papagianakos wine was made in the first decade of the 20th Century. After 40 years of producing wine, in the...
Like a Needle in a Haystack
by janetanne
The Alkioni is so small and flies so fast, that even if it were more numerous in number one would be hard put to spot this little jewel. The myth of Alkioni is quite fascinating and goes something like this:According to the Greek myth, Halcyon and Ceyx were a couple so much in love that they bragged of their affection for one another to all who would listen, even proclaiming that their love was stronger even than that of Zeus and Hera, the almighty King and Queen of the Gods of Olympus. This was considered a blasphemy and punishable by the whimsy and wrath of Zeus and Hera.As punishment for their affront to the Gods, Hera turned Halcyon and Ceyx, into sea birds and Halcyon was further condemned to lay her eggs by the rocks in the sea during the turbulent month of January which was to prevent the eggs from hatching therefore eliminating any further offspring to prosper. Aeolos, who was...
Swim out your Aches and Pains in Vouliagmeni Lake
by janetanne
This spring-fed lake is famous amongst the locals and visitors from throughout Europe who come to swim all year round and has been characterized by the Hellenic Tourism Organization as a 'Therapeutic Hot Spring.' The water is enriched with minerals and salts that have therapeutical effects on body and muscle pains as well as dermotological conditions such as psoriasis. I can attest to the benefits personally having sprained my back lifting books. After one month of regular visits, I felt 10 years younger! This favourite swimming spot is especially recommended on windy days when the sea is rough and sand is blowing. You can relax here where the water is always calm under large umbrellas and order your favourite drink and even a light meal. Clean showers, changing rooms and bathrooms are provided without extra charge. An entrance fee is charged which is about 7Euros per day which includes...
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