"Various Athens Sites" Athens Travelogue by Phalaenopsis03

Athens Travel Guide: 5,577 reviews and 9,962 photos

I loved walking through the streets of Plaka and Monastiraki. They're so vibrant and alive; energy just emanating from locals and tourists alike. Plus, you can do a lot of shopping in these areas. Wanna buy a bouzouki or a bottle of ouzo? Then just come here.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

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Just south of Syntagma Square and east of the Acropolis; within walking distance of both sites is the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Designed in the Corinthian style, this structure once housed a colossol gold and ivory statue of Zeus, making it one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

Like at most tourist sites in Athens when we visited in 2003, scaffolding and other construction related materials were everywhere in preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games held in Athens. They were certainly all eye-soars back then and bad timing for us, but that just means I have to return.

National Gardens

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About a 5 -10 minute walk north of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and you've reached the National Gardens. I didn't see many flowers in bloom when I was there, but it's stlll a great place to just sit and relax, especially from the scorching summer heat. Actually, I remember small pools there where local kids swam and enjoyed themselves. Boy, did I envy them at that time. I just wanted to jump right in.

Ancient Agora

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Once bustling with social, political, and commercial activity, the Ancient Agora or the Marketplace spreads out across the northern slope of the Acropolis. Key sites here are the Stoa of Attolas, which was converted into the Agora Musuem and the Temple of Hephaistos, which resembles a mini Parthenon.

Roman Forum

Souvenir shop in Plaka

Panathenaic Stadium

Peace and Friendship Stadium

Page Updated Jun 15, 2006
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Subway/Metro

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See All Monastiraki and Plaka

Comments (6)

lina112 Jun 16, 2006 at 2:23 AM Report Abuse

Very nice pic and information, I agree with you about metro is the best one. Lina
FruitLover Dec 19, 2005 at 3:00 AM Report Abuse

I agree about Evzones' pic [singular soldier]. A special one. Going to visit there next month, and you give me one more perspective.
deecat Feb 13, 2004 at 6:16 PM Report Abuse

Marvelous photograhs and an super overview of Athens, that wonderful historical city.
whitecliff62 Aug 29, 2003 at 10:41 PM Report Abuse

Ihave been to the Greek isles but never to the mainland, and the Acropolis is what i would really love to see.
dinhyen Aug 27, 2003 at 9:01 AM Report Abuse

Yes, PG seemed to have had a great eye for photography.. and people! ;) The evzones with their tights and fluffy footwear must be adorable. Not sure if that's the fearsome martial mien they'd want to project!
yen_2 Aug 26, 2003 at 12:34 AM Report Abuse

Nice pictures, Pickels..and the greek soldiers on guard looks really neat with their attires and they are dancing...for the tourist? I'll be back...