Athens,

It feels good in Athens : city of contrasts of excellence; it combines both, the cradle of the ancient Briante civilization (that shaped European civilization), and a modern city kid, who knows how to love all its visitors.

Where is Athens  in Greece :

• It is situated in the prefecture of Attica and extends to the peninsula that reaches up to Central Greece.
• It is surrounded by mountains Ymmytos, Pendeli and Parnitha, northwards and eastwards, and the Saronic gulf southwards and westwards.
• It is located just a few kilometers from the port of Piraeus, the port of Rafina and the international airport of Venizelos.
• The sun is shining over Athens all year round. The climate is one of the best in Europe, with mild winters and very hot summers, ideal for tourism.

 Some good places to go :

With its mixture of modernity, tradition and relaxed atmosphere, Athens makes its visitors to want to stroll through its streets, all year round (no matter what season it is), and to sit in hospitable terraces of cafes and restaurants, just to enjoy that marvelous moment.We offer some places ideal for walking in Athens.

The Plaka area.

• It is probably the oldest area of Athens. Cars are not allowed in most of the streets, but one must watch out for small motorcycles and delivery trucks, as they are often in use, just like in Naples. At one time, concerts were held in clubs and coffee houses, but this is not currently the case. Nowadays, there are countless tavernas and cafes, with their sunny terraces and amazing souvenir
• It is a very touristic and charming area, well appreciated by the tourists. With a little search, and maybe some bargaining, you will find gifts, you wish to give to your friends and family. Prices are, more or less, the same everywhere. You will be able to admire antiques, hand-painted icons and wood carvings. There are some famous galleries, such as the Moraitis gallery, and of course, many jewellery stores, selling not only costume jewellery, but also original hand-made pieces and copies of ancient museum pieces. Gold jewellery in Greece is inexpensive, not because the price of gold is cheaper, but because labor is cheap.

The Monastiraki Flea Market.

• Either to walk through the streets, or to purchase gifts, the Monastiraki Flea Market, is a place not to be missed, especially on Sundays, when the Athenians love to walk and do good business. You must arrive as early as you can, because after 11, it becomes really crowded. Much of the flea market, is not really a flea market, but rather a collection of small touristic shops, that you can find on Adrianou street, in Plaka. The follow the normal opening hours. However, during on weekends, particularly on Sunday, the place turns into a real third world flea market, where people can sell anything, from their worst to their best piece. Going to the flea market is easy. If you come from Syntagma Square, you take the Metropoleos street and you pass the cathedral and its shiny marble. There is a small Byzantine church, called “Agios Eleftherios”, hidden in the shadow of the cathedral, where we advise you to take a glance. On the square, there is Pondrossou street, with a few coffee shops. This section is Pondrossou (the top section of Monastiraki). Following this street, you will the shops, selling various products, different from each other, on their sidewalks, (particularly on Sunday)

• Overlooking Monastiraki, there is the square. In front of the metro station, you will see the restored Turkish Mosque, which is now a museum of traditional ceramics. On the right side, there are the large columns and ruins of the library of the Roman Emperor, Hadrian, and the Roman Agora. This is where you will find most of the street venders.

Mount Lycabettus

• In the evening, we advise you to visit Mount Lycabettus, a true escarpment that rises up to 277m, above Athena, offering a clear view of Attica basin and the Aegean Sea. Facing the platform observation, you will find a small white chapel of ” Agios Giorgos “, called “stucco”. There is also a very nice café (although prices are in harmony with the altitude). In order to get there, you have the options between the funicular, that leaves the crossings of Ploutarchou and Aristippou streets, or, if you are a sportsman, you begin walking up the Aristippou street, in Kolonaki, hoping that the wind will take up to the top.

The Anafiotika district.

• Anafiotika, is a great neighborhood, where you can walk and dream that you are on a Greek island. Indeed, this area, of the 19th century, situated on the northern slopes of Acropolis, next to the entrance of Agora, was built by masons from the island of Anafi, who were brought to Athens, by king Otto I, at the time of the construction of his palace.
• Nestled above Plaka, in the center of Athens and Monastiraki, Anafiotika is like an island of peace. You’ll come across whitewashed walls with creeping plants and cats mewing on the sunny streets, depicting the life of the islands.

The new museum of the Acropolis.

• An archaeological museum, may seem an unlikely place to have lunch, or breakfast. However, the terrace restaurant of the new Acropolis museum, is outstanding and the menu is extremely tempting.You can start out with the smoked salmon, then try the spinach salad, the Sausage basil from Lefkada island and the cream pie. Proposals for a decidedly Mediterranean breakfast are equally enticing and really Greek.
• The new Acropolis Museum, which opened its doors in 2009, has very refine architecture and is the response of the architect’s argument, that nothing is too good to house the famous ancient treasures. Built on stilts, the museum preserves and integrates a recently unearthed archaeological site. It has an area of 25,000m2, including 14,000 m2 of exhibition space, and it is also surrounded by 7,000 m2 of parkland. The museum houses artifacts from excavations and monuments from the Acropolis ruins: bass-reliefs, statues and ceramics.

Athens The City of History :

Athens. The city with the most glorious history in the world, a city worshipped by gods and people It is the city where democracy was born and most of the wise men of ancient times. The most important civilization of ancient world flourished in Athens and relives through some of the world’s most formidable edifices.

Acropolis.

• The wonderful Acropolis will live up to its reputation and you will fully appreciate its visit.
• To get there, a short walk in the pedestrian Dionysiou Aeropagitou street, is perfect , to get you in the mood of these magical places.
•  You will pass by the theater of Dionysus, built on the north side of the Acropolis.
• One last stop, to admire “Herod Atticus” theater, also called the “Odeon of Herod”. It is built at the foot of the Acropolis of Athens.
• The term “acropolis”, means upper city and most of the cities of ancient Greece, are built around an acropolis, where the inhabitants could take cover, in case of invasion.
• The Acropolis is currently one of the world’s most visited touristic sites and is nominated to be one of the 7 wonders of modern world

L’Agora.

• After Socrates and Plato, the Agora is the heart of public life, and on the site, you will find temples, a concert hall and long, colonnaded arcade
  

  The National Archaeological Museum.

• The National Archaeological Museum is found to be in the top ten best museums in the world.
• Its impressive collection is housed in a beautiful neoclassical building at the corner of “Alexandras” Av.and “Patission”str.
• The museum is located within a 5 min. walk, from the metro station and a 10min. walk from Victoria st. , in Omonia Square. Many buses stop there.

• nightlife :

Athens is a city of a large night life. It offers endless possibilities of a safe night life.

• This is certainly the city in the world that has more theaters, than any other city, and can host all year round quality performances at affordable prices.
• The Opera of Athens is a modern and luxurious building which offers all the year-round many concerts and shows high quality
  it is essential to attend a concert or a show at the famous Odeon of Herod. The Magic atmosphere and sound of this place have no equal in the world.
• Movie buffs will love the open-air cinemas in the summer time, which are plenty, and can enjoy the movies in original version with subtitles.

The Psiri.

is an original Greek area and popular to many people, where you can see the bustling activity of the famous central market of Athens. Once lowered storefronts, restaurants and bars come alive late into the night, to the delight of lovers of nightlife.

The district of Gazi.

• This old neighborhood of gas, became the cool, trendy district of Athens, supplanting Psiri area in the heart of Athens. During day and night, it is a lively and safe area.
• Around the beautiful new metro station, called “Keramikos”, there are countless bars and restaurants, that can satisfy people of all ages and with different tastes.
• However, do not just come to Gazi, for its bars. The former gas-plant area that dominates the skyline, has been transformed into a vast multi-cultural technopolis center. It has concert halls, exhibitions, libraries and cinemas. You can also go and sit at the bar of the large flowered terrace, called “Gazarte”, and admire the beautiful view.
  

  The neighboring Thissio Area.

  Even if it is a touristic place, it still remains a favorite destination for the Greek inhabitants.
  Walking through the small pedestrian streets of the illuminating Acropolis, it really is a delight.
  The terraces of the cafes and restaurants are crowded and you will find all kind of places, where you will be able to enjoy your favorite music and dance to the rhythms of salsa and tango.