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World > Greece > Athens
City Guide Athens
Overview
General Information
Athens is an ancient city which has been inhabited for more than 3,000 years. During Greece’s “Golden Age,” between around 500 - 300 BC, it was the true leader of the western world, being the most advanced city culturally, intellectually and commercially. Athens was home to famous philosopers such as Plato, Aristotle and Socrates, and is known as the birthplace of democracy. The beautiful city is named after Athena, its patron goddess, and its ancient origns are still very apparent. Its layout still centers around famous monuments such as the Acropolis, the Parthenon and Mount Lycabettus. Modern suburbs have covered the once-barren plains in all directions, and the city is now quite large and densly populated with around 5 million people. Athens has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and it has a very cosmopolitan atmosphere as well as a strong sense of local culture. Since Greece joined the European Union, Athens has changed in terms of its government structure and become more modernized. The city is still a vibrant centre for the arts, as it was in ancient days, and there is a wonderful array of cultural activities to choose from, as well as some truly dazzling sights to see.
Weather
Athens has a Mediterranean climate, which means generally mild temperatures and a good deal of sun. The most rain falls between mid-October and mid-April, and is fairly uncommon in summer. Athens has a very dry climate compared with its other Mediterranean neighbours. Summer temperatures are very hot, and average around 32º C (89º F) during the day. Winters are mild, but the temperature does fall below freezing. Average temperatures for the winter are between 6º C (44º F) and 12º C (55º F). Snow falls occasionally, but is more common in the mountainous northern suburbs than in the city proper.
Language
The national language of Greece is Greek, a language of ancient origin. The natives are proud to be speaking a variant of the region’s original language, dating back three and a half thousand years.
Religion
The majority of Greeks practice the Greek Orthodox religion, almost 97% of the entire population. Muslims make up the largest minority group, including about 1.5% of all Greeks. There is also a smattering of Roman Catholics, Protestants and Jews.
Currency
The currency used in Greece is the Euro. Notes come in denominations of €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 and the coins in use are €2, €1, € 0.50, € 0.20, € 0.10, € 0.05, € 0.02 and € 0.01.
Tipping
Tips are sometimes included in restaurant bills, but not always. In any case, it is common practice to leave a few Euros (after a full meal, for example) if the service has been good, and a bit more if no service charge is included. If you were not satisfied with the service, however, do not feel obligated to tip. Generally, tips intended for your waiter are left on the tray provided, while tips for the bus boy are left on the table itself. Bus boys usually receive very poor pay, so unless the service has been particularly bad, it is nice to tip them up to a Euro. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped as a matter of course, but customers will often round up the bill a bit. If a driver goes out of his way to be helpful, however, a tip is appropriate. Tip attendants in restrooms, coatchecks, etc. some small change.
Taxes
Most goods you can purchase in Greece include a sales tax of 19%, though for food and beverages it is lower, about 9%. For visitors from outside of the EU, money spent on taxes can be partially reclaimed. Whether or not you are entitled to tax reimbursement depends on how much you spend in one place, what kind of items you purchase, and how long the items will stay in the country. More information can be obtained from individual shops or from Greek customs officials.
Telephone
The country code for Greece is 30, and the local area code for Athens is 210. To dial Athens from abroad, dial 00 30 210 followed by the local number. Public telephones are well-distributed through the city of Athens, in booths and kiosks known as periptera. You have to pay with a telephone card, available from phone shops, magazine and cigarette shops, and OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organization) offices. OTE offices are the cheapest place to make calls, either local or long distance. Each office has a number of separate phone booths available. Greece has the highest percentage of mobile phone use in Europe and it is possible to rent a mobile phone during your stay. More information is available on this site: www.greecetravel.com/phones, or from local phone shops.
Internet
There are many internet cafés throughout the city, most of which are open late. These shops usually provide other communication services in addition to internet access, such as fax, phone and printer use. The cost for internet use is usually around € 2 - 3 per hour. Many hotels also provide internet access for their customers.
Emergency numbers
First Aid: 166 Doctors: 1535 Fire: 199 Police: 100
Opening times
Store hours in Athens may seem strange and unpredictable to foreigners, as they tend to alternate from day to day. Some days stores close as early as 3 pm, while other days they are open in the evening. Typical opening times for many businesses in Athens are: Mon, Wed, Sat 8.30 am - 3 pm, and Tue, Thu, Fri 8.30 am - 2 pm and 5 pm - 8 pm. The largest stores, such as department stores remain open every weekday from about 8 am - 8 pm, though close earlier on Sat. Banks are open Mon - Thu 8 am - 2 pm and Fri 8 am- 1.30 pm. Post offices are open from 7.30 am - 2 pm Mon - Fri.
Public holidays
On the following days, most shops will be closed, as well as banks and post offices. Public transportation may also be more limited. 1st January, New Years Day 6th January, Epiphany Ash Monday, 41 days before Easter 25th March, Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation Easter, from Good Friday through Easter Monday 1st May, Labour Day Whit Monday, 50 days after Easter 15th August, Assumption of the Virgin 28th October, Rejection of Italian ultimatum in 1940 25th-26th December, Christmas
Safety
Greece has the lowest crime rate in all of Europe, and as far as large cities go, Athens is one of the safest in the world. Crimes do of course occur, however, and pickpocketing and petty thefts are not uncommon. As a tourist, it is also important to be on the lookout for scam artists, who will lure you into their bars or other establishments and then charge you outrageous prices for what you have eaten or drunk. The violent crime rate is extremely low, however, and taking basic precautions will make it unlikely that you are targeted by pickpockets or other petty criminals.
Sightseeing
Discovering Athens
Athens is most famous for its ancient sights and its amazing cultural heritage, but the city is also a very modern one. This union of old and new gives the city a unique atmosphere, and while some might find the modern additions jarring when juxtaposed with ancient classical architecture, you are likely to forget them entirely when surrounded by some of the city’s oldest sights. Of the many famous monuments of ancient Greece, the most well-known is surely the Acropolis. This monumental structure on a hill can be seen from almost everywhere in the city, and likewise offers a wonderful view from the top. Other fascinating highlights include the Agora, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus, and the Theatre of Dionysis. The area around these central sights has recently been remodeled and improved, by allowing for a bigger pedestrian area and more room to explore. Most of the city’s attractions are fairly close together, and there are a number of beautiful walking tours possible which will take you past many classic monuments and sights.
Acropolis
One of the world’s most famous monuments, the Acropolis was a citadel of ancient Athens and the centre of classical Greek civilization. It is located at the top of a steep flat-topped rock, and is the location of a number of beautiful temples dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom. The most famous building here is the Parthenon, a magnificent temple that is the greatest surviving example of Doric architecture. The other two main temples are the Erechtheion and the Temple of Nike. The hill of the Acropolis has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, and from 650 BC it became a place of worship to Athena. Most of the ruins that are visible today are from the 4th century BC, built by Pericles after the original Acropolis buildings were destroyed by Persians. The Acropolis towers over the city of Athens, and the view from the top is breathtaking. Visitors enter the site through a grand entrance way called the Propylaia, which was present in ancient times as an art gallery. There is also a museum here, displaying mainly carvings and friezes from the various temples. Opening times: Mon - Fri 8 am - 7 pm, Sat and Sun 8.30 am - 3 pm Entrance price: € 12
Agorá
The Agorá is an area of about 10 acres of land lying below the Acropolis, and was the centre of city life in ancient Athens. It was likewise the most important part of all the cities and states in ancient Greece. Some of the greatest philosophers of the ages have spent time here, such as Socrates and Plato. It was in the Agorá that Socrates committed suicide by drinking poison, surrounded by his friends. There is a lot to explore here, and there are ruins from many ancient buildings, including the Dionysis Theatre. This was the oldest theatre in the world, and saw the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides performed. A few buildings have been restored, such as the Stoa of Attalos, originally a law court and municipal office, built in 200 BC. The reconstructed building is now a museum and includes thousands of artifacts relating to Athens’ history. Opening times: Tues - Sun 8.30 am - 2.45 pm Entrance prices: € 12 for adults, € 6 reduced fare
Syntagma Square
This square lies at the heart of modern Athens, and includes the city’s famous Parliament building, built in 1840 as a royal palace under King Otto. The magnificent building remained the royal palace until 1910, but was then destroyed by fire. It reopened in 1935 with a different function, as the seat of the National Assembly. One of the draws of the square is the chaning of the guard ceremony. The guards are unusually dressed in skirts and pom-pom decorated uniforms, and they change places every hour. The ceremony looks impressive and involves a large number of soldiers, and is probably one of the most photographed attractions in the city. Syntagma square is also a great central location from which to begin exploring the city. The musuem district on Vassilissis Sophias Avenue is only a stone’s throw away, as well as other major attractions.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
This large temple was begun in 515 BC and dedicated to the worship of Zeus. Now in ruins, it was once a magnificent structure with 104 Corinthian columns, lots of marble and a huge statue of Zeus in ivory and gold. The temple was destroyed by invaders in the 4th century AD, and has not been rebuilt since. Some of the stone and marble has disappeared to be reused in other buildings, and today only a few of the columns remain. It is still an impressive sight, however, and one can get a good feeling of the grandeur of the original. The incredible height of the still-standing columns shows how huge the sanctuary once was.
Lykavittos Hill
The highest point in Athens, this hill offers a wonderful view of the whole city. You can easily spot important landmarks like the Acropolis and the Olympic Stadium, as well as see a clear view of the coast and mountains. You can walk to the top, which takes about an hour, or take a cable car or a taxi. Once you reach the top, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery, relax in one of the cafés, and visit the chapel of Agios Giorgios. The view from the summit is particularly breathtaking at sunset. Cable car operating times: Fri - Wed 8.45 am - 12 am, Thurs 10.30 am - 12 am
Panathenaic Stadium
This ancient stadium at the foot of Ardittos Hill is one of the city’s major sights, built between 330 - 329 BC. It has served a variety of functions since it was built, and during the Roman period was transformed into an arena. It later fell into ruin, and by the mid-18th century little more remained than a wheat field. It was reconstructed, following the design of the ancient stadium, for the 1896 Olympics. These were the first Olympic Games played since antiquity. Grand and striking, the reconstructed stadium is the only stadium in the world made entirely out of marble, and is built in a large horseshoe shape. It has a capacity of 70,000 and is used today for number of different large-scale events.
Hadrian''s Arch
A famous monument as well as an important archaeological site, this arch was built in 131 AD. Full of intricate Corinthian detail-work, it was built to honour the Hellenophile emperor Hadrian, and also served the purpose of separating the ancient and imperial sections of Athens. One side of the arch faces the Acropolis, the other faces the Temple of Olympian Zeus. There are inscriptions on both sides of the arch, designating which area of the city belonged to whom. On the Acropolis side, it reads: “This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus,” but on the other side says “This is the city of Hadrian, not of Theseus.”
Kerameikos Cemetary
A beautiful cemetary of ancient Athens, this is a lovely and quiet spot full of fascinating classical monuments. The Street of the Tombs is one of the oldest sections of the cemetary, and here you will find monuments from the 4th century BC and later. Though a famous sight, the cemetary is rarely crowded, and you can sit in peaceful contemplation or take a virtually undisturbed walk among the ancient tombs. Opening times: Summer Tues - Sun 8 am - 7 pm, Winter Tues - Sun 8.30 am - 6 pm Entrance prices: € 2, or free with purchase of Acropolis ticket (€ 12)
Panagia Gorgoepikoos
A 12th century Byzantine church, this house of worship was built on the ruins of an ancient temple called Isis-Eileithyia. It is a rather humble building compared with some of the grand churches of the city, but is of great historical interest. Much of the building material was taken from the old temple and other ancient buildings in the surrounding area. The marble murals on the interior walls of the church were once part of these older buildings, and the most famous one is from the 4th century BC, showing symbols of the twelve months.
Kapnikarea Church
This church is actually two adjoining chapels, the first built in the 11th century in a cruciform shape and the second built in the 12th century with a more heavy construction and an impressive dome. The interior decoration of the church encompasses many pointy eaves and sinuously carved arches. The later chapel is built in a typical Byzantine style with raised brickwork, and the dome is supported by four grand Roman columns. This part of the church has recently been restored by the University of Athens. There is a striking modern mosaic near the west entrance of the Virgin and Child, and inside are older works of art. Among these are some sentimental and Western-style paintings, brought to the church before the 1930s. During the 30s, the city made a decision that only traditional Byzantine icons and frescoes should adorn Greek churches. Opening times: Mon, Wed, Sat 8 am - 2 pm, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8 am - 12.30 pm and 5 pm - 7.30 pm, Sun 8 am - 11.30 am
Ayioi Anargyroi
This church is also known as “Metochion Panagiou,” and according to legend was built in the 8th century at the request of empress Irene. Irene was a native of Athens who became the sole rular of Byzantium after her husband died. The exterior of the church is charming and ornate, and there is a lovely hidden garden courtyard that includes fragments of ancient ruins. This courtyard was often used as a hiding place when the city faced troubled times.
Ayios Nikodimos
This church was built in the 11th century and has had an interesting history, but is no longer in its original state. It was originally a stone convent chapel that was torn down in 1780 by the notorious governor of Athems Hadij Ali Haseki. He used the materials from the church to build a defensive wall around the city. In an interesting twist of fate, the remains of the chapel were sold to the Russian government. The Russians remodelled the building between 1852 – 1856, enlarging it and constructing it in the shape of a cross. The beautiful terra cotta frieze was also added during this period. Inside the church, a number of elaborate Russian embroidery work is displayed, as well as other works of art.
The National Garden
Once the palace garden for the royal family, this large peaceful park is the perfect place to come and enjoy some greenery. The park was created in 1860 for King Otho and Queen Amalia, and has been expanded since then. There is a lovely garden full of flowers and exotic plants, as well as a zoo, some playgrounds, and some small lakes and ponds. In total there are more than 500 species of trees and plants in the park. You will see a number of ducks, swans and peacocks roaming around, as well as stray cats that know they will be fed. There are also several small cafés where you can stop for refreshments.
Pedion Areos
This is Athens’ largest park, and includes a small theatre and cultural centre. There is a wide expanse of lawn, broken up by a number of pathways, trees and little hidden corners. The main paths display several statues of war heros from the 1821 revolution, and the park is appropriately named after Ares, the god of war, as it used to be a firing range. There are three different playgrounds within the park, and a little train that children can ride from one end to the other. Performances at the theatre are limited to summer.
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