Athens
City with history
Categories: Athens Attic Greece
Surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges, the capital of Greece lies in the middle of a vast plain. Athens' fourth side turns towards the sea. The city looks back on a very old history and already played an important role in Greek mythology. Today it is the economic, cultural and social center of Greece - an open, open-minded and modern metropolis. Every year, the old city, which bears the name of the goddess of wisdom, justifiably attracts numerous vacationers.
© YK / Fotolia
Warm climate
A special feature of the city is its climate. Before Athens became a metropolis, it was even considered one of the best in the world. Many celebrities visited the city or even lived there. Among them were the Austrian Queen Elisabeth or the German writer Ernst Hardt. Due to the scenic conditions, the climate is drier and warmer than in other Greek regions. Still in November it is mostly considerably warmer in Athens than in other southern European cities. In contrast, it takes until May for the air to warm up again. But even in winter the temperature hardly ever drops below 10°C. Frost is very rare, but there are 348 sunny days.
Long and eventful history
According to legend, the capital of Greece was founded by King Kekrops. The former name of the city - Kekropia - might be an indication of this. The fact is that the history can be traced back to the Neolithic Age. Today, the cityscape consists of buildings that were constructed in the individual epochs of thousands of years of history. Visitors to Athens can thus experience a journey from antiquity to the present.
Temple complex Acropolis
The highlight of every sightseeing tour is certainly the Acropolis. It is a city fortress of ancient Greece and includes several buildings and temples built on a flat mountain. Since 1986 the complex of buildings is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The god Zeus has always been considered the protector of the city of Athens. His former temple is the Olympieion. It was once one of the largest temples of ancient Greece and was built in the 6th century B.C.
Places of interest in the city center
Inside the city, Syntagma Square invites you to events throughout the year. This is also the location of the Parliament building and the National Garden. In Athens, antiquity does not even stop at the subway. Thus, visitors can view underground antique objects found during construction. Also worth seeing in the city center is the Athens Trilogy, a classicist building complex. It consists of a university, library and academy.
Shopping in Athens
However, Athens is not only reserved for culturally interested visitors. The Greek metropolis is almost a shopping paradise. The shopping districts captivate with small boutiques as well as large stores. Each district has its own character and appeals to completely different clientele. The most popular shopping miles are in the Kolonaki quarter, at Monastiraki Square and in Monastiraki. "The Mall" is the largest shopping center in the city and is located near the Olympic Stadium. In Athens, tourists can find everything their heart desires - jewelry, antiques, souvenirs or handicrafts.
© milangonda / Fotolia
Visit to the beach
If you need a break after sightseeing or shopping, you should take a trip to the sea, which is right outside the city gates. Pine trees, white sandy beach and crystal clear water give you an idea why this region is called Riviera Attica. The beaches in front of Athens are ideal for a day trip and are an excellent contrast to the bustling metropolis.
