 Country: Greece Capital: Athens Language: Greek Currency: Euro |
Modern Athens has only been in existence since 1834. Despite only being Greece’s capital for this short period of time, there are countless monuments and historical buildings to see. The famous Acropolis contains buildings dating back to the 5th century BC. The marble Partenon, widely regarded as a symbol of modern Western civilization is here, along with various temples and the Acropolis museum.
Athen’s bustling streets are often gridlocked, and the busy summer months mean that pollution levels are high, however the government are determined to change this. The busy season lasts from April to October, when the city’s markets, tavernas and nightclubs are full to the brim.
The Agora market was once the political, cultural and administrative centre of Athens, as well as containing a busy market. The temple of Haephaistos, one of Greece’s best preserved, sits here. To the east, the Plaka Quarter contains more tavernas and souvenir shops.
To see relics and artifacts from Greece’s ancient past, head to the National Archeological Museum, however bear in mind this museum is extremely busy in the summertime. There are guided tours in English to assist you with your visit.
During a visit to Athens it’s worth taking the ferry from main port Piraeus to one of Greece’s many small islands.