Fascinating Athens and its Environs

Athens as we all know is the capital and the largest city in Greece, it has been a city for 3,500 years. but its greatest glory was during the classical period of ancient Greece. from now has several building and artifacts that still standing.

Metropolitan population reached 3.7 million inhabitants. The name of Athens was from its patron goddess Athena (goddess of wisdom, craft and war).

According to etiological myth its name acquired from winning the legend contest between Athena and Poseidon requested to be patrons of the city. Dedicate their names to it, she won by creating an Olive tree which Athenians accepted and named their city to her.

Athens

There are some places that I have visited in Athens, for a week spending in this enraptured city. I have learnt a lot of things culturally, and more over people in this city are much more friendlier.

I’ve heard from people’s opinion before getting here, Let me guide and show you these delightful experience of mine. considering that I didn’t visit every corner of Athens but anyways these places are 100 percent worth it to spend your time.

If you’d like to go out from the city view try to visit Top 10 Best Places To Go in Santorini

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Olympieion or Columns of the Olympian Zeus, is a former colossal at the center of Greek capital, dedicated to the olympian Zeus.

Built over several centuries and completed by a roman emperor, its unique columns and layout made it to be one of the largest built-in ancient history.

General Entrance: 2 euros,  Hours of Operation:
Winter: 08:30 – 15:00
Summer: Daily: 08:00 – 19:30

Arch of Hadrian

Commonly known as Hadrian’s Gate, it’s said that the gate built to celebrate the adventus or arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian it resemble a bit with the Roman triumphal arch.

To arrive in this Arch all you have to do is to walk until the end of the Temple Olympian Zeus. after that you will reach this place, it’s actually in the side of the road on open public so no more entrance free to pay.

Panathenaic Stadium

A multi purpose stadium in Athens means “beautiful marble” , listed as one of the main attractions of the city. to enter here is not free at all but not too expensive either you must reserve or buy ticket on the place.

Its 3 euros or 1,50 euros reduced, Open daily from 08:00-19:00 during March to October and 08:00-17:00 for November to February.

The National Garden

Inside this place you will see some remaining ancient ruins, amazing landscapes, plants, trees, and flowers. It’s a perfect place to bring your kids to enjoy and have fun. You can check here for Things to do in Athens with a toddler.

The Zappeion

Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum built to conserve and display all the artifacts, and rocks parts found in the surroundings of the treasured area of Acropolis which are essential to the Athenian’s history.

General admission fee: 5 euros,

Free entry: 6 March (In Memory of Melina Mercouri),

25 March, 18 May (International Museum Day), 28 October.

Summer season opening hours may vary from 8:am to 4, 8, or 10:00 pm

Winter season from 9:00am to 5, 8, or 10:00 pm depending on what day you will visit.

Acropolis

I have already discussed this site in my earlier article you can continue reading here  Acropolis

which consists of:

• Parthenon,
• Theatre of Dionysos,
• Theatre of Herodes Atticus,
• Temple of Athena Nike,
• Erechtheion, Old Temple of Athena,
• Statue of Athena Promachos,
• Propylaea,
• Eleusinion,
• Sanctuary of Artemis
• Brauronia or Brauroneion,
• Altar of Athena,
• Sanctuary of Pandion and many more.

Roman Agora

Roman Agor located northern part before the entrance of Acropolis, from the inside you’ll see some ancient columns like.

• Tower of the Winds,
• Gate of Athena Archegetis,
• East Propylon,
• Fethiye Mosque,
• Agoranomion,
• Vespasianae.

Areopagus

The word itself literally means “rock” people say the name of comes from Ares or Erinyes. however later Romans referred it as “Mars Hill” from Mars from the Roman God of War. Situated at the northwest of Acropolis

Mount Lycabettus

Known as Lycabettos, Lykabettos or Lykavittos the hill is one of the famous tourist spots of Athens, it’s a Cretaceous limestone hill with 300 meters high. 

There are two peaks the first is still accessible via cars or other vehicles but the highest peak is accessible only by walking its passage. From the top you’ll see a 360 panorama view of the city.

Stoa of Attalos

Arriving in the Agora of Athens, we have heard that it is Pentelic marble and limestone. the stoa identified as a gift to the Athenians for the education that Attalos received, in the inside you’ll see the museum of Ancient Agora.

Temple of Hephaestus

Referred to its  Ancient Greek name and earlier it’s called as Theseion  “Theseum”. Located at the northwest side of the Agora of Athens on top of the Agoraios Kolonos hill.

Ancient Agora of Athens

The Ancient Agora of Classical Athens an example of Greek Agora, it a huge place where various types of temple and ancient buildings like

• Peristyle Court,
• Mint,
• Enneakrounos,
• South Stoa I, and South Stoa II,
• Aiakeion, Strategeion,
• Agoraios Kolonos,
• Tholos, Agora stone,
• Monument of the Eponymous Heroes,
• Metroon (Old Bouleuterion),
• New Bouleuterion,
• Temple of Hephaestus (Hephaestion),
• Temple of Apollo Patroos,
• Stoa of Zeus,
• Altar of the Twelve Gods,
• Stoa Basileios (Royal stoa),
• Temple of Aphrodite Urania,
• Stoa of Hermes, and Stoa Poikile.

I suggest if you would visit all this places you can reserve a package ticket or reserve online. The thing is Museums and Monuments site admission fee are very cheap 2-6 euros only.

Transportation to Use

From the Airport to the city center it will take 30-40 minutes you can take by:

• Metro line 3 The trip from or to the Airport to Syntagma station to Athens Center.
• via Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) take Athens Central Railway Station (Larissis Station) and Acharnai Railway Center.
• via 24 hours Express Bus which routes Athens center and Piraeus. take port X93 to Kifissos Coach Station, X95 to Syntagma Square (subway Lines 2 and 3). X96 to Piraeus (subway Line 1) and X97 to Dafni metro station (subway Line 2) for €6 (€2.50 under 18 or over 65)
• by Taxi at Exit 3 of Arrivals Level with a fix rate of €35 from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, and €50 from midnight to 5:00 a.m.
• private airport transfer
• rent a car is more convenient for you if you’re travelling with family.

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