"Athens, a city of many charms" Athens by OiKnow

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

Venture to Athens

For well over 2000 years people have been venturing to Athens to marvel at the glories of the city. Athens will thrill, enthrall and enchant you. Athens is an easy city to visit; it has a new well designed airport connected to the city by an extension of the excellent Metro subway system. The Greek language is very challenging, but the majority of the adults speak at least some other language (mostly English.) As world cities go, Athens is affordable, accessible and great fun. Make plans, pack and go.

Acropolis

When most people think of Athens they think of the Acropolis hill and the Parthenon on the hill. The Acropolis has been the center of the city of Athens for well over 2000 years. The Parthenon was built as a pagan temple, was converted to a Christian church, used as gun powder storage (and blown up) and through it all has been the landmark that visitors and residents to Athens have used to find their way around. The hill is a bit of a climb, but well worth it. The Parthenon is the best know temple on the hill, but a couple of lesser known temples are also located on the hill. There is a small, but rich museum on the hill. A new and much larger museum is under construction in the Acropolis Metro Station. Climb up one side of the hill and go down the other. Take the time to stop and see the sights along the way up and down.

Agora

An agora is a market and Athens is host to several of them. The Ancient Agora is the oldest of them; it contains the remains of a market, several temples and important government buildings. I even found an olive tree with olives still on it that I could shake gently and stand in the rain of olives from the tree. The Roman Agora is slightly newer. The Roman Agora contains the tower of the winds, and remains of several public structures. The Roman Agora is one of the few sights in Athens that allow visitor a close up and intimate visit with the ruins. The “modern agora” or Athens Central Market it located between Monastiraki Square and Omonia Square on Athena Street. The central market still functions as a main city market (not as a tourist attraction.) All three agora are worth the visit.

Pros and Cons

Pros:2000 plus years of history, easy to visit
Cons:Crowded and foul air
In a nutshell:Athens will answer questions you never knew you should ask.

Last visit to Athens: May 2006
Intro Written May 20, 2006
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Reviews (31)

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Transportation (4)
See All Driving and Rental Cars
Hotels (2)
See All Why Rush to the Airport?
Restaurants (5)
See All Quiet and leisurely
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Comments (10)

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bakalapoe Jun 25, 2012 at 11:10 PM

Happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip in Athens and to read positive comments on my country! Timeless traditions photo is one of my favourite not to mention the others. Have a nice day!
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mindcrime Feb 27, 2010 at 10:14 AM

without the signs in latin it would be even worst for tourists! big surprise you met polite drivers here! :)
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Dester Jun 30, 2008 at 6:40 PM

Very good tips for the first time visitor which I plan to be some day :o)
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johngayton Jan 1, 2008 at 7:37 PM

Great page!!! Love the restaurant and transportation tips especially. Yep, the various transliterations are even more confusing than the Greek alphabet!!! Yamas, John.
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EFI-K Jun 9, 2007 at 4:23 PM

I am so proud to be greek when I see other people looking my country in a way that you did. Hope you can come again and meet each other so I can give you any local advice you want and find out that the famous greek hospitality exists even in 2007. efi
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Manara Jun 4, 2007 at 10:53 AM

You've done a great job!
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nygaston Mar 21, 2007 at 1:29 PM

Beautiful photos ! Thanks ! Tom
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roamer61 Nov 10, 2006 at 9:13 AM

Good info, thanks.
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NatassaPL Nov 5, 2006 at 1:29 AM

Hi, i really like your page, but i think that you have to change the Athens title into Greece travel page.
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starstudio Oct 17, 2006 at 7:10 AM

you talk like a Greeceman. everytime wellcome back.