Athens City Guide

The city that holds the roots of Western civilization, today, the capital of Greece, Athens, with its glamorous history is the perfect place to dig into the past, discover mysteries while enjoying the present. This amazing city, home to some of the greatest legends, myths that inspired culture, art and the whole world, putting his fingerprint on our history, it is one of the most interesting tourist destination.

Athens started with a legend and even today, the city somehow preserved that mythical atmosphere, even though it has suffered great losses and damages through history. According to the legend, king Theseus unified ten tribes of early Athens into one kingdom, creating the largest and wealthiest state on the Greek mainland.

In the middle of the 19th century, when Athens became the capital of Greece, it was just a tiny village in a modern world, a reminder of its prestigious past by holding on to some classical ruins. When the decision was made, to turn Athens into a capital, a new city was built right next to the old ruins, an in no time became an attractive cosmopolitan metropolis. World famous for its seven historical hills, (Acropolis, Areopagus, Hill of Philopappus, Observatory Hill (Muses Hill), Pnyx, Lycabettus, Tourkovounia (Anchesmus) that provide a refuge from the noise and commotion of the crowded city streets, offering amazing views down to Saronic Gulf. The Acropolis - the ancient "high city", crowned by marble temples sacred to the city's goddess Athena, the Plaka, Monastiraki and Thissio - charming historic districts at the foot of the Acropolis, and Syntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos).

When it come down to weather in Athens, the best time to visit is either spring or late autumn, as summers are extremely hot while winter season is chilly, rainy, snowy, actually the perfect time to have Athens all for yourself! Most of the times considered a very safe city; Athens is home to several pickpockets. Also due the fact that Athens is one of the most political cities in Europe, demonstrations and riots integrated into the day to day lives of Athens inhabitants. Try to be informed of where demonstrations will take place in order to avoid any inconveniences. Another good advice is not to park your car near McDonald’s, police stations or bank as they can be a part of the target of Anarchist and leftist groups.

Other cities you may like: Amsterdam - Ankara - Antwerp - Barcelona - Berlin - Cologne - London - Pamplona - Paris

Athens guide