Why you should visit Athens
This ancient Greek metropolis is renowned for its rich history and archaeological ruins, but there’s so much more to this amazing city.
With pristine beaches, stunning landscapes, a vibrant nightlife and one of the most delicious and healthy cuisines in the world, there’s something for everyone, making it the ideal place for a getaway.
The Acropolis
Every ancient Greek city had an acropolis – a hilltop fortified with strong fortress walls to protect the temple of the patron deity and the city treasury.
Only Athens’ Acropolis is written with a capital letter, however. The reasons for this go back 2,500 years.
The Acropolis was constructed in the fifth century BC by Pericles and contained a number of world-famous buildings, such as Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.
The result was an unprecedented combination of stunning landscape, harmonious architecture, and outstanding sculptures and reliefs.
Today, the Parthenon which is dedicated to the goddess Athena, is the landmark of the Acropolis and visited from people around the world.
However, the area leading up to the Acropolis is also part of the history and features various ancient monuments and sculptures as well as ruins of temples and a theater. From the top, you get breath-taking views of the city as far as Piraeus port and the Mediterranean Sea.
The monuments of the famous ancient Greek civilization
The Greek civilization is one of the oldest and biggest in Europe, stretching back more than 3000 years, so Athens has a lot more to offer than just the Acropolis.
The city if full of ancient landmarks, ruins, temples, libraries and a lot of other monuments.
One of the most famous site is the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which was constructed in the 6th century BC. Another great place to check out is the Ancient Agora of Athens, which was a lively market area and center of town in the 6th century BC.
And of course there are two museums that you can’t miss : the Archaeological museum and the museum of Acropolis, one of the most astonishing in the world.
Monastiraki area and Plaka area
The Monastiraki neighbourhood lies along one of the most popular routes to the Acropolis, which you can admire from every corner.
Souvenir stands, little shops and immigrants take up every free bit of the central square.
Very close to Monastiraki, is Plaka, which is another beautiful and interesting neighborhood.
Walking through the picturesque streets of Monastiraki and Plaka, you will come across some of the best restaurants in town.
You can also find and buy everything, like local specialties such as olive oil soaps or handmade Greek pottery, souvenirs, clothes and shoes.
Many other neighborhoods are also ideal for strolling around, such as Metz, located right behind the Kallimarmaro stadium, Petralona, and Thissio.
The Athens Riviera
Once you get your fix of cultural and historical wonders, it is time for you to enjoy one of Greece’s most treasured features: the sea, which many Athenians can even see from their terraces!
Less than 14 km south of the city centre lies a stunning stretch of sandy beaches with blue-flag certified clean waters, a long coastline progressing all the way to Cape Sounio, where you will have the feeling that you are miles away from a metropolis.
And all of them are easily accessible by bus or the tram.
The famous Greek cuisine
The food alone is reason enough to book a trip to Athens.
It is widely known that Greece is home to one of the best diets in the world.
Part of the Mediterranean diet and characterized by ample portions of sun-grown vegetables, high quality oil, meat and seafood and many products that you can’t find easily somewhere else, Greek cuisine is so unique and definitely deserves to be enjoyed.
The Greek salad is known all over the world and is one of the tastiest and healthiest at the same time. Everybody knows some local dishes such as moussaka, gyros, souvlaki, feta, but also the traditional fast – food, which consists of pork meat, French fries, tomato, onions and “tzatziki”, a sauce made of Greek yoghurt, cucumber, oil and garlic.
But if you visit Athens you can also enjoy a wide variety of fresh fish, unique meals with meat and delicious desserts. And don’t forget to drink a glass of wine, ouzo or tsipouro.
Exciting Nightlife and fun
One thing’s for sure, when the sun goes down in Athens, you won’t get bored, as the nightlife is legendary and this city is the perfect destination for those who seek fun.
Athens is really lively and you can always find something to do.
Here the people go out every day from dusk till dawn.
There are many places where you can have a drink, you can find an abundance of pubs and bars, lively or more relaxed, stylish but also cozy street cafes and restaurants all over town. The options for eat-outs will not disappoint you here.
You can also enjoy some wine listening to Greek music. And if you fancy dancing till you drop, go to a night club or one of those bars with their super parties. So you can see how hard can the Greeks party!
In a city where summer lasts more than four months of the year and where social life happens outdoors, rooftops are also a must.
Picture yourself watching the sky on a rooftop bar, a mastiha-infused cocktail in hand, with the lit-up Acropolis in plain sight.
Divine, right? and this is only a small taste of what Athenian nights are made of!!!