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ATHENS
Athens is a busy city that is never far removed from the ancient past. With a population of 4 million, Athens is a populous city. The ancient Acropolis is prominent on the skyline and reminds Athens of the nearness of the ancient past. The Acropolis is a superb vantage point, and much of Athens and the distant mountains can be seen from here. The nearness of antiquities to the bustle of present day Athens makes this a most exhilarating city to visit.
Greece was the world's first democracy, and Athens in Greece, remember that the Greeks were the ones who invented democratic politics. Greece, possibly because of geographical location, has also always both followed and been involved with great issues. Athens, as much as any city, is attuned to the great issues shaping the world beyond Europe. Greece's importance to other democracies and involvement with great issues makes Athens useful and exciting to visit.
Greek food contributes to making any trip to Athens memorable. Meats are prepared with exceptional care in Greek cooking for delicious favor. Goat cheese seems to almost always be included with the fare. Greek wine is a little sweeter and adds immeasurable to the pleasantness of dining.
Athens is still a bargain compared to some other European cities. Hotel prices in Athens are among the most reasonable in Europe. Greek goods can be acquired at good prices. Department stores offer about the same selection of goods found in the U.S.
Athens still can be somewhat unusual to the visitor. Differences in government, experience, and geography have made Athens a unique city. The first time visitor to Athens finds these differences an exhilarating experience. There is much to like about Athens and little to disappoint. Athens impressively adds to knowledge of both the ancient and modern world.
Athens, A Reasonably Friendly City on Foot
Athens' important attractions are all found in a reasonably small area. As a result, this urban hike is not very long and is all by foot. Public transportation need not be used to reach any of the destinations included on this urban hike.
Finding destinations within Athens is not abstruse either. The streets are well marked and the prominence of the Acropolis makes the Athens city plan reasonably uncomplicated to understand. Pedestrian travel is common in all areas of Athens included in this urban hike.
Public transportation can be used to conveniently return to where the urban hike began. Buses are numbered and asking which bus to take is uncomplicated. With a minimum amount of effort, one can get around Athens without walking.
Restaurants serving different cuisines are found everywhere. The availability of good food unquestionably contributes to making Athens nice to visit. Sightseeing without trying delicious Greek food is a virtual impossibility.
While Athens is a reasonably friendly city, completing this urban hiking during the day time is advised. In Athens, not uncommonly, one is solicited to enter a business from the sidewalk. To prevent feeling uncomfortable in this situation, complete this urban hike during daylight hours.
Both summer and autumn in Athens are warm and pleasant seasons. Weather in Greece during winter and early spring can be surprisingly cold. Visitors to Athens need take extra precautions for inclement weather during these months.
Discover the Ancient and Modern in Athens
The urban hike in Athens begins at the Ancient Angora, the marketplace of ancient Athens. Reconstructed temples and an antiquities museum are highlights of the Ancient Agora. There is an excellent view of the Acropolis from the Agora. Because the Ancient Agora provides a good sense of ancient Athens, the urban hike begins here.
From the Ancient Agora, walk up the hill where the Acropolis situated. One must walk up hill for some distance to reach the top of the Acropolis. This walk up the Acropolis, provides a superb sense of what ancient Athens must have been like.
The Parthenon is located on the Acropolis as well as the ruins of several other buildings. Pericles supervised building most all the structures that still remain on the Acropolis. After the Persians destroyed the Acropolis in 480 BC, Pericles directed the rebuilding effort. The Parthenon, constructed at that time, exemplifies an Ionic building utilizing the golden rectangle concept. There is not one straight line in the entire Parthenon. Columns bend inward and the roof is somewhat higher in the center than at the ends. The Erechtheion, also found on the Acropolis, is similarly an outstanding Doric building. The south portico of the Erechtheion is famous for the six maidens supporting the roof.
The Acropolis Museum should be visited before leaving the Acropolis. The ancient art displayed here includes some of the best found in the area near the Acropolis. The original six maidens
from the Erechtheion are here. Other memorable Greek sculptures are also on display in the Acropolis Museum.
Leaving the Acropolis, follow the road on the north side. This road leads to an area of Athens known as the Roman Agora. All this district is filled with fascinating shopping. Continue on Panos Street to Polignotou Street, then turn right. Again turn left at the Clock of Kyristos on to Eolou Street. Reaching Pandrosou Street, turn left and walk to the subway station. This area of Athens with numberless small shops is known as the Roman Agora. Allow some time to explore the side streets in this area. Everything one could possibly want to obtain to relive a visit to Athens can be found in the Roman Agora.
From the Roman Agora, walk north two blocks north of Pandrosou Street to Ermou Street. Turn right on Ermou and continue to Syntagma or Constitution Square. The Greek Parliament is situated on the far side of Constitution Square.
Continue following Vassilissis Sofias, the street on the north side of Constitution Square. The Benaki Museum is found
on the northeast corner of the park surrounding the parliament building. Greek art from all periods is exhibited in this exciting museum. A good collection of Greek costumes is, also, on display here.
The Byzantine Museum is several blocks further on Vassilissis Sofias. This museum, built at the first of the 19th century, reminds one of visiting a monastery. The collection on display features sculptures, wall paintings, and icons typical of those found in a Greek Orthodox monastery.
After the Byzantine Museum, continue another block on VassilissisSofias, and turn left on Ploutarchou Street. Walk to the base of Mt.Lykavitos. There is a funicular railroad here to the top of Mt. Lykavitos. From the top of Mt. Lykavitos, one can see all of Athens, the Plain of Attica, south to the islands of Aegina and Salamis,and mountains of the Peloponnesian Peninsula.
After Mt. Lykavitos, walk a block toward the Byzantine Museum and turn right on Kleomenous Street. Continue on Kleomenous Street to Voukourestiou Street, then turn right. Syntagma Square is ten blocks distant. At Syntagma Square, turn left on Stadiou Street and walk to Omonia Square. Shopping is good on Stadiou Street. Department stores and specialty stores of all kinds are found between Stadiou Street and Omonia Square. The small streets that run off this thoroughfare are similarly exceptional for shopping.
From Omonia Square take Ocktovriou Street, the first street to the east, seven blocks north. The National Archaeological Museum, the most outstanding museum in Athens, is situated here. Art from all Greek periods is displayed here. Statues, vases, and various miniatures comprise this most complete collection of Greek art to be found in Athens.
The National Archaeological Museum is the last attraction visited. An acquaintanceship with Athens has been begun while completing this urban hike. In less than a day, the city plan of Athens has become familiar. Locations throughout Athens now can be found as though one were well accustomed to the city.
Improving the Athens Experience
Athens offers excellent opportunities to be near the ancient world. Decide what about the city's past appeals most before beginning a visit to Athens. While Athens has not as many museums and ruins as Rome, make plans before hand to visit those places most liked.
Modern Greece, also, enthrals many Athens visitors. Syntagma Square and the shopping areas of Athens nearby are exciting. Athens is a large busy city and the downtown area is not dissimilar from such cities everywhere. Differences between Athens and the remainder of Europe is still significant enough to make this a fascinating city. While similar to other European cities, modern Athens is distinctively Greek. A visit to Athens is not possible without being reminded of the city's unusual location near the eastern end of the Mediterranean.
While in Athens, definitely plan to purchase Greek goods. The Roman Agora is a virtual must for shopping when visiting Athens. Unusual goods of various types are, also, plentiful in the Roman Agora. Important modern shopping areas likewise add impressively to a visit's success. Greece can be an excellent place to acquire fashionable goods.
Ancient Greece can furthermore be photographed in Athens. Antiquities are remarkable to photograph and can produce meritorious photographic results. Modern Athens is a pleasant contrast to the photographer. Laudable modern pictures can be taken throughout the downtown area of Athens.
Ancient Greece highlights most visitors' Athens. The Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, and the National Museum are the most important ancient attractions. There is more to Athens than this, though. Discovering modern Athens is surprisingly likeable. Syntagma Square, the good shopping streets, Mt. Lykavitos all make modern Athens a meaningful place to visit. This urban hike should begin an acquaintanceship with Athens.
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