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Athens City Overview

The most important site of interest in Athens (Greece) is the Parthenon on the Acropolis. This structure dominates the area of central Athens. From the midst of modern Athens rises the Acropolis and sitting prominently atop lies the Acropolis. Built over 2,500 years ago, the Acropolis has survived pollution, invasions, thieves to still stand proudly overlooking modern day Athens.

Athens, Greece is home to well over 40 excellent museums. The most popular museum is the National Archaeological Museum located in the heart of Athens. This museum is full of interesting artifacts covering some of the more interesting periods of Greek history. To fully appreciate the museum could literally take days. However a few hours will allow the visitor to take in some of the more important collections the museum houses.

A popular stop for many is the Chapel of St George which is located atop Lycabettus Hill in central Athens. The views of the city of Athens (Greece) from the top are excellent. On a clear day one might even see some of the nearby islands. Immediately below the hill is a popular district of Athens known as Kolonaki. The name Kolonaki literally means "little column". Kolonaki is home to an abundance of shops, restaurants and bars. If you want to see what the locals are up to, Kolonaki should be high on your list of places to visit.

If you are interested in shopping, Athens (Greece) has quite a bit to offer. It is possible to buy the latest fashion designs from European designers to local items made by local designers. If one street stands out for shopping it would have to be Ermou. Located a few steps from the Greek Parliament building, this street is home to an abundance of great shops. If you are in the area it is also recommended that you spend some time in the Flea Market. There are some great buys in this area, and of course it is a great place to soak up some of the Greek culture.

The Flea Market is open every single day of the week. However it is recommended that you stop by on a Sunday. The market offers a wealth of things to see and buy. Items range from jewelry, to clothing, to antiques. By ready to bargain. Even if you don't purchase anything, this area of Athens is still worth a visit.

Close to the Flea Market lies the Monastirake Square. This area is busy day or night, full of locals and tourists. From the square it is just a short distance to a quaint area directly underneath the Acropolis known as Plaka. This old part of Athens is full of winding little streets and beautiful old buildings. Take some time to explore the area or just stop by one of the outdoor cafes to enjoy some local food and wine.

There are a variety of interesting areas within Athens to visit. One area very worthwhile is the Metz, located just behind the Olympic Stadium which was used to restart the Modern Olympics in 1896. The area of Metz is a beautiful neighborhood well known for some nice restaurants and friendly taverns.

Finally, from a night life standpoint one can visit countless nightclubs, taverns, restaurants, a magnificent Concert Hall worthy of any European capital, an Opera Company (the Lyriki Skini), theater and cinema, plus much more! Variety is the key, ancient or modern, it's all here, in some cases as it has been for thousands of years, in others, perhaps since last month.