Athens located at the Attica peninsula in a basin surrounded by mount Aegaleo at the north west , mount Parnitha and Penteli at the north ,mount Hymettos at the east and the Saronic gulf at the west. Athens situated at the middle of Greece between Peloponnesus and Sterea Hellas, became the capital of Greece in 1834 and it is easy to see that this choice was made because of the city’s historical importance. In the 172 years since then it has become an attractive, modern city with modern buildings and facilities that perfectly and sympathetically juxtapose the ancient. Athens has a long and glorious history. The first settlers came during the Neolithic Age but it was Solon 638 B.C.-558 B.C the first one to put the stepping stone of the Athens Democracy that reach its glory during the Golden Age under the leadership of Pericles 495 B.C.- 429 BC. During this time Parthenon was build by Callicrates ,Ictinus and Phidias.Athens with its unique values ,ideas , politics and civilization became a blueprint for future societies around the world. During this time the development of science, architecture, rhetoric ,political thought , the arts, theatre and philosophy reached its peak. After the decline of its power that caused by the Peloponessian wars against Sparta, Athens lost its former glory and later was occupied by many conquering empires including the Roman, the Byzantine and the Ottoman all of which have left their mark on the city in the guise of many splendid monuments.
Visitors to Athens Greece can experience the exhilaration of stepping back in time and seeing the places where great historic events actually took place over 20 centuries ago. Most important, of course, is the fabulous Parthenon (448-437 BC), which stands like a crown on the rocky hill of the Acropolis, dominating the city. Also here is the famous Erechteum with the Caryatids supporting the porch, the Temple of Nike (Wingless Victory) and the Acropolis Museum. North of the Acropolis is the Temple of Theseus (believed to be 437-432 BC), best preserved temple of Athens’ classic period. Other places of interest include the Temple of Zeus, the Chapel of St. George on Lycavittos Hill, the National Museum of Athens, the Benaki Museum (noted for its fine collection of Greek costumes) the Byzantine Museum and the Stadium. The Dionysos Theatre is where the great plays of Sophocles, Euripides, Aischylos and Aristophanes were first performed. The whole of the Acropolis is surrounded by the beautifully tranquil archaeological park which features many other important archaeological wonders including The Pnyx which was the meeting place of the people of Athens where they could gather to hear great orators and take part in the democratic politics and the Ancient Agora or market place. A stroll around the Ancient Agora of Athens will be walking in the footsteps of the great philosophers like Aristotle, Plato and Socrates and climbing the rock of Arios Pagos will take you to the spot that was the seat of the court and the Parliament of ancient Athens ,on Arios Pagos spoke the Apostle Paul to the Athenians.
At the foot of the Acropolis nestles one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Athens, Plaka. This tiny neighbourhood of narrow cobbled streets, is crammed with ancient monuments, churches, mosques and elegant 19th century mansions .In Monastiraki area you will find bustling markets and shops for your shopping in Athens, where you can buy new and second hand goods ranging from clothes, jewellery and furniture to books, CDs, records and musical instruments. Amongst all of this you will find a multitude o traditional Greek taverns, cafes and museums. Here you can satisfy all your needs, cultural, gastronomical or shopping .The National Garden is an oasis in the middle of the city next to the Greek Parliament. The areas of Psisri ,Plaka ,Thission,Monastiraki and Kolonaki are the most recomended for night life with numerous of bars ,cafeterias ,night clubs ,international restaurants and live music halls.The ones that travel to Athens in the summer season and want to take a brake at the sea we recommend day trips in Athens to the beaches at the coastal resorts of Athens. In the southern suburbs of Athens, along the Saronic Gulf (from the Paleo Faliro area to Vouliagmeni and further to Varkiza ,Lagonisi to Cape Sounion), and other areas of Attica, are dozens of organized and other beaches, with clean waters and easy access. Several Attica beaches have been awarded “Blue Flags of Europe”, granted every year to beaches meeting strict criteria regarding clean waters, good organization and security and the protection of the coastal environment. For the ones that want to go around by car ,in the Athens area are many reliable car rental companies, most of them located at Syngrou Avenue.Most of those resorts are less then an hour from the new Athens airport and the city center. From the port of Piraeus the largest of Greece and Zea the islands of Aegina ,Poros ,Hydra and Spetses can be reached within 1 up to 3 hours with hydrofoils and ferries. The system of Athens transport includes urban buses ,trams, trolleys ,the new Metro and the Proastiakos rail.Taxis in Athens as well all over Greece are from the cheapest in western Europe The best time to visit Athens and Greece in general is Spring when the temperature is mild and the blue sky of Attica is really blue ,if it happens to be at the Easter (the major religious holiday of Greece) ,then you will be more relaxed because the half of the Athenians are on holidays .
