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Athens today is a modern city with an ancient history. Athens is bounded on three sides by Mt Hymettos, Mt Parnitha and Mt Pendeli. Inside Athens are eight hills, the Acropolis and Lykavittos being the most famous. The main monument to visit is the Acropolis, with the Parthenon on top.
The main attractions are close to the city centre at Syntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos). This epicentre is surrounded by the districts of the Plaka to the south, Monastiraki to the west, Kolonaki to the east and Omonia to the north. Further a field is the port of Athens, the Piraeus.
Athens is the capital of one of the world's most ancient civilizations. If you can look past the smog and the somewhat gritty exterior, you'll discover that Athens boasts some of Europe's most impressive treasures. From mousaka to museums to mythological wonders, this bustling city has it all.
Athens is located on Greece's mainland and has a history that spans over 3,000 years. A variety of temples, museums, and galleries pay homage to its rich history and cultural identity.
Athens is one big archaeological site, and exciting new finds are being discovered all the time. Among its many ancient treasures are the Acropolis. This massive complex is perhaps Athens's most recognizable symbol and dominates the cityscape. Within the Acropolis are the Parthenon, which was built as a temple to honor the goddess Athena; the Theatre of Herodes Atticus; and the Acropolis Museum, which includes displays of statues and artifacts dating as far back as the 5 th century B.C. Visitors can view more of Greece's art and antiquities at a number of museums, including the Greek National Gallery, the Museum of Cycladic Art, the National Archaeological Museum, and the National Historical Museum.
Like the Roman Forum, the Ancient Agora was the heart of ancient Athens's political and religious life. Within the Agora are the ruins of the Temple of Hephaestus and the Odeion of Agrippa, a covered theatre.
Athens has also played an important role in the field of athletics. The first modern Olympics were staged in Athens in 1896; the city hosted the games again in 2004. Panathinaiko Stadium, constructed of white marble, was built for the first Olympics. The stadium is one of the city's historic gems and is still used today for various sporting events.
Greece is known for its many markets, and Athens is home to some of the largest and most impressive markets in the country. One of the city's liveliest markets is the Monastiráki market, which features a myriad of items such as antiques, leather goods, hand-woven rugs, second-hand books, clothing, and gold and silver jewelry.
One of the best ways to pass the time in Athens is at one of its many local tavernas, and a trip to Athens wouldn't be complete without sampling some of its epicurean delights. Traditional Greek food includes meat (usually pork or goat), fresh fish, humus, stuffed vine leaves, olives, baklava (a sweet, gooey pastry), and Greek yogurt with honey. Two of Greece's biggest crops are olives and grapes, so visitors will find lots of local wines and liquors to try. In keeping with the true Mediterranean spirit, meals begin late in the evening and can last well into the morning hours.
Athens underwent massive redevelopment and modernization in preparation for the 2004 Summer Olympics. As a result, many of the city's most popular attractions are linked by a series of pedestrianized walkways. For those sites that are not easily accessible on foot, Athens has a system of buses, trams, trains, metros, and taxis.
Greece is a member of the European Union. The official currency is the Euro.
Athens eGuide lists the very best Athens accommodation, provides an Athens restaurant guide, details Athens attractions and Athens tours. Athens official eGuide is the primary source for Athens tourism information for Athens. For complete Athens Information please use the navigation on the left of this page, the Athens site map or the quick links below.
The team at Athens eGuide very much hope that you enjoy your Athens holidays and have a wonderful time in Athens.
The city of Athens, named after the Goddess Athena, is the financial, cultural and political capital of Greece. To experience Athens is to understand the history, spirituality and mythology of the country, one which rings with the true wisdom of the ages. People like Homer, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Hippocrates, Pericles and Sophocles walked on this land ages before us. For most visitors with eager minds, there is no other blessed place of Earth they will feel more attracted to than Athinai, as the city of Athens is called by its residents.
Athens has been the capital of Greece since the 5 th century BC. The number of people living in Athens and its periphery now number over four million. With the arrival of the International Olympics to Athens in 2004, the hospitality industry in the city as well as the entire country underwent extensive remodeling, renovation and expansion.
With a wonderful and dry Mediterranean climate year round, it is no wonder that Athens is one of the most visited places in the world. However, in the months of June and July, temperatures can climb to 33 degrees centigrade or more. Use a hat and pack lots of sunscreen along with intake of water every half hour to combat the heat. In the month of Jan, the temperatures may dip to 13 degrees centigrade or less. Snowfall is rare but may happen at least a few times in winter. The snow falling on the Acropolis hill is a beautiful and memorable sight for visitors.
For the best experience traveling in Athens, take some time beforehand to learn the simple Greek Alphabet which is unbelievably simple to learn when compared to most other languages. It's much more interesting to put the alphabets together and surprise yourself by reading the destination of buses, road names and other information without having to ask anyone. You'll feel like a pro in just minutes after you reach Athens.
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