Athens Things to Do Tips by Sharon

THE Acropolis Acropolis Review

Okay i guess you know that one, after all, you say Athens you say Acropolis.
Im not going to talk about its history, im not an history book and there are planty of books websites and even pages here in VT that you can read about its History and all the interesting stories..

I'll just focuse on my impressions and feeling ...

After arriving to the plaka area, where i stayed,
in the first day, i put my stuff in the room and went out to explore the area. I walked just a 2 -3 min' walk and the i saw it, it was right there above me, There it is, The Acropolis !!!
It was already afternoon and a little rainy so i decided to go up there in another day as i heard its closed at 15:00, but then no worries, in the summer its open till 19:00.
I went there 2 days after, it was a warm sunny Sunday, i found my self among so many locals and a bit of tourists, yes sunday is a day which is favorit by the locals cause its free to get in.
it was quite amazing to be up there finally, to see all this amazing historic remains, everything's so quiet but its stories screems out of it...

Directions: City center

Other Contact: Fax: +30-210-92.39.023

Phone: +30-210-32.14.172

More about The Acropolis Acropolis Review

Admission for the Acroppolis is 12 Euro except for Sundays between November to end of March which are free of admission but then much more crowded.

The ticket is valid for the Archaeological Sites of Athens:
Acropolis site and museum,
Ancient Agora,
Theatre of Dionysos
Kerameikos,
Olympieion,
Roman Agora

Directions: City center

Phone: +30 210 3214172

The Real Thing... Plaka Review

And there's another part of the Plaka, which is less known but i would say the real one, hidden up there on the way to the Acropolis.
Much much narrow alleys, So quiet, really small and crowded houses, painted with the so well known colors of blue and white, no cafe's no restaurants no souvenir shops just a real small Greek neighborhood. Anafiotika.
Walking there gives you the chance to see the real way of living there.
That captured my heart, i went there twice, had to see it again and to explore it more carefuly.

Plaka, The Magical Area... Plaka Review

... If you are at the right place in the right time.
This is probably one of the most if not The most touristy area of Athens.
BUT its also the most beautiful part of Athens.
Lots of narrow allies, beautiful and colorful small houses & terraces, small cafes & restaurants and lots of souvenir shops.
Once again i was so glad to visit there at the time i was cause such few tourist was around and mostly locals was hanging out in the cafe's.
I loved walking around, exploring the small narrow streets, looking at this houses, so peaceful so calm... sometimes made me feel like i was going back in time.....
I wouldn't want to walk there during summer time when all the mass of tourists & Locals will be out there...

Address: Ask anyone..

The Temple of Athena Nike Acropolis - Temple of Athena Nike Review

Another Impressive remains of those amazing times.... All made of Marble, amazingly curved... Simply beautiful.... and imagine it was constructed in ca. 420 B.C !
Even at this moment of writing this lines i feel again that little dream in my head... if only i could travel in the time tunnle... just for a while..

The church of Agia Triada Agia Triada Church Review

You won't miss it when waking to Keramiekos cemetary. Its there behind the Pompeion.
I didn't see it inside cause it was closed, infact i dont even know if its open to visitors. You can try.

Viewing all over Athens Acropolis Review

One of the best things you can do while you're up there - on the Acropolis - is what I did !
I just found a quiet corner, set there watched all over the city and totally relaxed my self.
It was fantastic, its a great place and moments to "clean your head" and just feel the air, look at the amazing view and think of nothing except maybe trying to imagin how it really was there So many years ago...
I took my time, was in no rush anywhere... just enjoyed those moments.. enjoying the NOW !
The view from the Acropolis is really one of the best or probably the best you can see in Athens, no words will describe that... you'll see what i mean when you'll be there or if you've been there..

Directions: City center

Pompeion

When walking to Kerameikos you'll see between the 2 gates the Pompeion, That's where the preparations were made for the Panathenaic procession which was in honor of Athena. The building was completely destroyed in 88BC and a 3 aisled building called the Building of the Warehouses was erected in it's place in the 2nd century AD

Kerameikos Kerameikos Review

That seemed to be something i want to see, i like old special cemitaries.
I packed my little bag in the second day and went to a long walk which brought me to this site. The ancient cemetery of Athens.
Everything was quiet there... too quiet... It felt like something was wrong... yes i felt right about it... it was closed ! closed ? i asked the Lady i've seen there inside, yes she said closed, for a year.
Only after a few days there i realized that everything in Athens was Either closed or (mostly) under construction...
Oh well, i wasn't about to get upset, although in this specific case i was quite dissapointed.
So check carefuly about it before you go there.

However Just a few words about this place, Kerameikos was named after Keramos, The son of Dionysios & Ariadne, hero of potters. The area was used continuously for burials from the twelfth century BC for a thousand years.

Directions: Follow Ermou street down from the Monastiraki train station and you will easily find it on your right.

THE Agora ! Ancient and Roman Agora Review

The Agora is Located down to the Acropolis,
I wasn't visiting it all but saw just a part of it.
In this photo you can see the Temple of Hephaistos or as its know as the Theseion.
The temple was dedicated to 2 gods, Hephaistos and Athena.
You can also watch it either from above when walking from the plaka area towards the Acropolis or if you walk down the Thesion neiborhood and sit in one of the lovely cafe's there.