"Contrasts" Athens by xaver

Athens Travel Guide: 4,403 reviews and 10,114 photos

It was about time

This is a city I wanted to visit for years. I do not know if it happened only to me, but any time I launched the idea of visiting Athens(not greek islands, but Athens) I got told by friends, people I knew and even travel agents: why?? It's just a dirty city, chose something else.This surprised me any time thinking of the city history and how much it could offer, but I look like to meet all the ones that didn't like this city.

athens from licabettus

Living in Italy and so not having the position to teach the rest of the world how to keep a city cleaned, this time I decided to get an alitalia flight offert and go, without telling anyone so to avoid bad pressions.

placard

As I expected I found an incredibly modern city with some of the most important archeological sites in the world and very friendly people. While I was there there were some active protests in the centre as Greek economy is not having a good time and as always people are just charged of sacrifices by those who never lose anything.

Pros and Cons

Pros:history
Cons:acropolis is really too crowded
In a nutshell:go, but don't think you cannot skip parthenon

Last visit to Athens: Jun 2011
Intro Updated Jun 11, 2011
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Reviews (25)

Exarhia area Favorites (1)

I ended up in this area while looking for the archeological museum. I stopped at viktoria metro station and Vikrìtoria... more travel advice

Centre of the city Things to Do (10)

Syntagma square which means costitution square is the heart of Athens, from there you can eaisly move around both... more travel advice

Temple of Zeus Olympus Things to Do (10)

This temple is not far from Acropolis. During ellenic and roman periods this has been the biggest temple of Greece. It... more travel advice

Panorama Things to Do (10)

This is one of the sites in Athens where you get the best view over the city. How do you get up there? Take the metro... more travel advice

Tourist Traps (1)
Parthenon
Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Technopolis
Restaurants (5)
See All tyropita
Transportation (3)
See All Taxi

Local Customs (1)
Protests
Shopping (1)
local wine & beer
Hotels (1)
Central and not expensive
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Comments (8)

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Nemorino Oct 26, 2012 at 3:26 PM

Here in Frankfurt we also had protesters living in tents in front of the European Central Bank for almost a year.
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hopang Aug 26, 2011 at 8:12 AM

The ruins of Athens especially Acropolis are certainly amazing! Your travel pages certainly bring back fond memories of our trip to Athens many years ago. Thanks for sharing this wonderful page of yours. ~ho & pang
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mindcrime Jul 9, 2011 at 12:03 PM

it seems you enjoyed your stay no matter what you have heard about the city :) and yes, 10.00am is late for going to Acropolis with no tourists around :)
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deecat Jun 17, 2011 at 10:38 PM

Super pages. Outstanding photographs. Honest restaurant tips. Excellent hotel and good location. Very enjoyable!
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SLLiew Jun 17, 2011 at 5:39 PM

Wow... Athens. Nice page with helpful tips. Like the protest picture - very current. Cheers, SL :)
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maggiolina Jun 17, 2011 at 10:37 AM

stavi in tenda???
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globetrott Jun 16, 2011 at 8:20 PM

an interesting page, Corra ! I have been in Athens, including the Akropolis lots of years ago, but I did not really enjoy it very much. Too much dust, tourists and also quite hot !!
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titti Jun 15, 2011 at 1:01 PM

:-))