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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.
Syntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos) is dominated by the old Royal Palace ; Syntagma Square is the business district of Athens, complete with major hotels, banks, restaurants and airline offices. The Plaka is the district at the foot of the Acropolis ideal for shopping and wandering through cobblestone streets.
The Acropolis is the ancient "high city" of Athens . Monastiraki is bohemian district with many tourist stores. Omonia is a seedy district with pickpockets and prostitutes. Piraeus is the port of Athens with ferries to Crete and the Aegean Islands .
Agorá
The Agora covers 10 acres of land and it as the centre of life in Athens. Adrianou St , (Thissio) Athens.
Anafiotika
The Anafiotika is a small section of the city close to the Acropolis. Rangava streets, Athens.
Lykavittos Hill
The Lykavittos Hill has a cable car and one of the highest points in Athens. Corner of Aristippou & Ploutarchou Streets, Kolonaki Athens.
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