What economic crisis made in Greece is very sad. Now also overwhelmed by thousands of immigrants coming from east, which treat it as a gate to Europe. Even though, Greece still carries on, helps immigrants as much as possible, doesn’t get involved in the wars abroad or terrorism.
Athens is huge, dirty and messy but has charm of the city, which experienced a lot in the past. The mixture between European and Turkish city, now holding over 5 000 000 habitats. Historical part is well-preserved, pretty and hides ruins one of the biggest ancient empires.
What to see in Athens?
Acropolis, the most precious masterpiece stands on the mountain, from where you can admire the city view. The most important place Greeks built for goddess of wisdom – Athena – which is also patroness of Athens. It contains few parts from which the most renowned is Parthenon. On the entrance stands Propylaea – building with the temple of the Athena Nike. Erechtheion – building on the left of Panthenon with six massive female statues – the famous Caryatidis. Not to mention you can see Acropolis almost from every part of the city. It was and still is the ultimate achievement of the city classical and architectural glory.
You must not skip the Museum of Acropolis, where sculptures preserved from Acropolis found their shelter. Museum is well organized, each part depicts different theme with great explanations of the history. When you enter the first part, you will see exhibition of the everyday life objects. Watch out your feet, because under the glass-floor are ruins of the houses, which were on the slopes of Acropolis. Upper are Parthenon Gallery with impressive frieze from around the temple, Galleries for Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion and Ancient Gallery. Speaking about the price, for seeing world-famous masterpieces you will pay only 5€ and 3€ if you are student. Hardly recommended!
Impressive ruins
Ticket for archaeological sites of Athens will cost you 12€ for winter season and 20€ for summer. It includes: entrance to Panthenon, Temple of Olympian Zeus with 17m high columns, Theater of Dionysus, which still hosts concerts and festivals, Ancient Agora with reconstruction of Stoa of Attalos and Museum inside, as well as Temple of Hephaestus – the best preserved Doric temple in Greece, Roman Agora with the Tower of Winds, Hadrian’s Library, Ancient Cemetery of Keramikos, also with the museum. To tell the truth I cannot decide which one is my favorite, all are impressive yet deserve to be seen. Ticket is valid 5 days. HINT!!! There is free admission on every Sunday and National Holidays from November to March, along with first Sunday of each month except July, August and September. Plan well!
Touristic zones Plaka and Monastiraki are full of lovely touristic cafes and restaurants, bazaars with souvenirs and street food.
Out of the city center
Apart from the center I can recommend watching the sunset from Lycabettus Hill (also known as Lykavittós), in fact the highest hill of the city. Have a walk on the seaside with a lovely port and beach.
If you are an adventurer visit Exarchia – the anarchist district of Athens. It is the only urban place in the world where police or politicians can’t even go without fighting… Likewise, here take place all the riots. Full of graffiti on every square meter of the walls. You can find alternative pubs, used vinyl and CD’s shops, squads with artists – all provide memorable experience. Unique community, area of free expression brings young people to talk about politics, freedom and peace.
Athens made a huge impression on me. The ancient ruins were just incredible, full of history and beautiful arts. I also enjoyed other parts of the city, so vibrant, full of cafes and great food. It’s a pity that most of the tourists skip Athens as they travel directly to discover Santorini or other paradise islands. In my opinion Athens is a must-do stop while in Greece and I will surely come back there as soon as possible.
The Bee is a nature lover and tea addict. Loves the idea of slow life and responsible traveling, constantly trying to improve to bee more eco-friendly. Appreciates old cultures and traditions, loves to immerse with locals, listen to ethnic music as well as taste regional food and drinks. Her favorite spots while traveling are family houses and street markets.
Cudowny post! Na pewno będę regularnie zaglądać i już podsyłam mojemu chłopakowi, jest fanem podróży!
Bardzo się pszczoła cieszy 😛
Nigdy nie byłam w Grecji i bardzo tego żałuję. Uwielbiam mitologię i chciałabym w końcu poznać te wszystkie miejsca, o których czytałam. A że nie lubię leżeć i smażyć się na słońcu, to taki aktywny wyjazd byłby jak najbardziej wskazany.
Też nie lubię smażingu, wolę spędzać czas aktywnie, a w szczególności odwiedzać miejsca, w których nie ma turystów 🙂
Interesting write up on this place, I felt as if I saw it through your eyes. Im putting it on my to-travel-to list! 🙂
Happy to know that 🙂
Greece is my dream place together with Egypt. I really love the history behind it, and of course the Greek mythology. I think it’s magical by itself. It’s really just sad that it’s marred by terrorism. I hope to see it in its peaceful glory.
But there is no single sign of terrorism in Greece, Sam 🙂
My cousin is in Athens and she keeps inviting us. It is one of our must do destinations until end of 2017. Hopefully I will be visiting there soon. Your post is amazing and very informative.
Thank you Vishal. Wish you can go there soon and enjoy!
Athens is a strange mix for sure… but I won’t say it is dirty… here and there parts of it is neglected. But that I guess happens because some part of it more touristy. Plaka too is visit worthy here.
Touristic parts are super clean indeed, but other parts, specially those with imigrants are really messy.
It was quite sad what the economical crisis did to Greece. Athens is such an historical and incredible city. I loved the Acropolis and enjoyed revisiting my trip through your article and photos 🙂
😉
Zawsze chcialam pojechać do Aten, musze się w końcu zebrać 🙂 piękne zdjęcia
Dzięki 😉 Koniecznie się wybierz, Ateny mają urok.
Greece is still among the countries I wish to visit someday!
great post thanks! Would never have known about the anarchist district! thanks
I was pleasantly surprised by Athens. Most people seem to rate the islands first and foremost. They are beautiful, but it’s a cool and vibrant city in its own right.
With so much history Greece should be on everyone’s wishlist. It is sad to know that it is filled with immigrants and riots have have become quite a common scene now.
Greece has been rich in history and places. I’ve been wanting to visit this before I die. But I am happy that this still exist up to this moment and different pictures and point of views can help inform people of how it looks from this day and on.
Athens is somewhere I have always wanted to visit. It’s just never been possible. I have a lot of greek family and always feel such a pull to travel there. I’d love to go and do a few months island hopping and then finishing in Greece. Have you been travelling? Or just a visit to Athens?
I was just visiting Athens for over one week. Amazing place
Athens has been a hub of culture and civilization. Thats why this place has been high on my bucket list. Thanks for giving a glimpse of the place through your post
It’s refreshing to see Greece in a different light, reminds me that there is more to a country than its famous tourist destinations. Before whenever I think of Greece, images of Santorini comes to mind. But I’m happy to see posts like this that offers another view of this country. And seriously when I get a chance to go to Greece, I won’t stop at just visiting Santorini. I’d like to go to Athens too.
I’ve been to Europe a few times but always seem to skip Greece – it’s a dream destination for me for sure, I have serious wanderlust now reading about it & seeing your beautiful photos!
Athens is such an historical and interesting City that everyone should visit. I wish this have written in English. Thank you for sharing and you owned amazing photos!
All is in english as well just switch the flag 😉
Jadąc na wakacje do Grecji z biura podróży nie da się tego zobaczyć w ten sposób.. niestety 🙁 za duży tłok, hałas i napięty grafik przewodnika.
Wniosek z tego taki, że trzeba przestać jeździć na wczasy z biura podróży i zacząć organizację na własną rękę 🙂
I studied ancient greek theatre. I have never been to Greece let alone where it all began in Athens. This post just made me want to go all the more! great pics as well.
Thanks Luzel, happy to inspire you! Hope you visit there soon
Very interesting post i read here. Image and place are well describe.
piękne, pocztówkowe widoki^^
starałam się 😛
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