DK Eyewitness Top 10 Athens (Pocket Travel Guide)

Product Information

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is made of Pentelic marble and follows a Corinthian architectural style. Its length exceeds 100 meters, and its width is 40. As for its famous columns, they used to be 104. In total, they were 17 meters high and 2.6 meters in diameter, each weighing 364 tons! Bicycle– If you’re not afraid of navigating Athens’ chaotic traffic, bike rentals are an enjoyable way to get around. Rentals start at 12 EUR per day, though electric bicycles can be double that price. Athens By Bike and Bike Me Up are two reputable companies to use. The excessive expense for the stadium's refurbishment was mainly taken over by a national benefactor, George Averoff, for whom Athens built a marble statue that today can be found to the right of the Stadium's main entrance.

This former mansion dates to 1884 and houses a collection of over 6,500 items, including jewelry, weapons, clay-and-stone vases, Byzantine art, figurines, and furniture that once belonged to the wealthy Kanellopoulos family. The collection was bought by the government and turned into a museum in 1976. Although there isn’t much English signage, you rarely have to compete for views with other visitors. Admission is 3 EUR. 5. See the Tower of the Winds (Aerides)The shop wows its guests with the quality of its ingredients and its creativity, and it is one of the best bakeries you can find in downtown Athens that promise to change the way you look at breakfast forever! There are three buildings just five minutes walk from the Syntagma main square and are considered some of the most beautiful neoclassical buildings in the world. Designed by Danish architect Theophil Freiherr von Hansen in the 19th century, The Academy, the University, and the National Library look exactly like how you’d picture ancient Athens. The simple use of geometric shapes gives these buildings a grand, eloquent design. Don’t miss seeing them! 18. Explore the Panathenaic Stadium (Kalimarmaro) In Greece, this type of architecture was prevalent in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the most famous examples still standing today, such as the numerous neoclassic mansions in Plaka, our Parliament building, which was previously the Royal Palace, the old Parliament House, which is now the National Historical Museum, and the Zappeion Mansion in Athens. Athens' Squares The hill took its current name after Philopappos, a Syrian benefactor of Athens, who was a close friend to many philosophers such as Plutarch, who described him in his writings as an 'extremely generous person.'

Visiting Athens may either be the ultimate romantic getaway, or it could just as well be the perfect family trip to share with your loved ones. Use Ferryhopperto find all direct and indirect ferry routes for the islands of Greece, Spain, Italy & Athens' abundance of cultural stimuli is genuinely remarkable and can satisfy the tastes of even the most demanding of travelers from all around the world. Philopappos Hill is located southwest of Acropolis Hill, offering a mesmerizing, undisturbed view of the imposing Parthenon from one side and the whole of Athens from the other. The Temple of Olympian Zeus is not the only impressive temple in Athens. Approximately 2 hours outside Athen's heart, you can visit Sounio and the Temple of Poseidon, a true architectural masterpiece and one of the best places in Greece to enjoy a sunset from was built around 444-440 BC.In any case, before reaching Athens, we highly suggest you get travel insurance to travel safely and without a worry in your mind! Eating in central Athens Vezene serves regional dishes with a contemporary spin in their taste, decorated following a trendy aesthetic that matches the restaurant's profile. The chef, butcher, and owner of the restaurant, Ari Vezené, is passionate about running his restaurant sustainably and ethically and has adopted a whole animal butchery practice. You can find gyros or souvlaki for between 2-3 EUR, while a breakfast pastry with a coffee isn’t more than 3 EUR.

Bring a water bottle– The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe. Yes, the obvious choice tops this list. Positioned just 280 meters away from the Parthenon, with almost 4,000 exhibits masterfully composing the permanent exhibition, the Acropolis Museum is a must-see attraction you should make time for. If you visit Athens' famous Acropolis hill, don't forget to combine it with a visit to the striking Acropolis Museum, which is within walking distance for a comprehensive immersion into the ancient Greek world. Ancient Cemetery of Kerameikos From the awe-inspiring Athenian Trilogyto the Benizelos Mansion, the Neoclassical Architecture in Athensis probably the most prominent style you will come across, and admittedly the prettiest one.

Vibrant, lively, exuberant, buoyant; whichever word you want to use to describe it, one thing is for sure; Athens' nightlife is an integral part of the locals' life and probably nothing you've ever experienced before; what can we say? Greeks like to have a good time! After the War of Independence and the establishment of the new Greek State, the newly appointed King of Greece, Otto, declared Athens as the new capital of Greece. King Otto's rule, however, was deemed unfair by the Greeks. Apart from the numerous Greek islands, the country's mainland hides regions of incomparable beauty. What's more, Athens is a gorgeous all-year-round destination that will give you plenty of tour options and activity alternatives. Since the Acropolis' establishment in the 5th century BC in honor of goddess Athena, Athens' patron and the daughter of Olympian Zeus, it has remained the most emblematic element of the capital. Acropolis' Monuments If you're more of a practical person, here are our top Athens travel guide hotel recommendations for downtown Athens, Greece, depending on the district you choose to be based on and the amount of luxury you want. It also includes some of the best romantic hotels in Athens, the best luxury hotel in Athens,and beach hotels in Athens, so make sure to take notes!