Athens Travel Guide (1)
Acropolis is the “must see” for every body who visits Athens, the historic rock which rises above the centre of the city and is visible from all parts of the centre just keeps reminding to the visitors that Athens is the cradle of civilization. Visitors can combine a visit to the Acropolis with some other historical sites of the classical period which are near by. The ancient theatre of Dionysus, which was the theatre of the Acropolis. The rock of Areios Pagos which was in fact the supreme court of Athens and is located just under Acropolis, visitors can have a panoramic view of the ancient agora and Monastiraki area. Also must see Pnyka, the ground where Athenians practiced democracy by voting in their assemblies, which is located at Thiseio on Dionisiou Areiopagitou street. Walking down on the same street visitors can enter Ancient Agora and its museum hosted inside the stoa of Attalos.
This small tour can easily be combined with a walk at the streets of Monastiraki where visitors can bargon at the bazaar or walk towards Plaka at the picturesque alleys full of traditional cafes, taverns and shops.
The National archeological museum of Athens which is the most important museum of Greece, it is located on Patission street 44 at the centre of Athens.
Within the museum’s collection visitors can see:
prehistoric items
sculptures
Egyptian art
Bronzes
Pottery and minor art
Another important museum which shows a different part of Greek history and culture is the museum of Greek folk art which is located at Kydathinaion 17 at Plaka.
Visitors can see representative samples of modern Greek culture, also activities regarding seasonal customs such as the carnival e.t.c. Visitors can also see samples of woodcarving, shadow theatre, folk painting works of Theofilos Hatzimichail and many more samples of folk Greek art.
Also worth visiting the constitution square, it can be easily combined with a walk at the parliament and the national garden which used to be the palace and its garden.
Visitors can end their tour at Zappa’s mansion, which nowadays operates as a conventional centre.
Just opposite from Acropolis rock there is Lycabetus hill in the top of which visitors can have a great view of Athens day and night.
For travelers who want to see something more than the historical centre of Athens, we suggest a small excursion at the temple of Poseidon located at Sounion which is practically built at the edge of the cliff and will give a wonderful sensation with its panoramic view of the Aegean sea to the visitors. The way to go to Sounion is also very beautiful as it spreads across the coastline of northeast Athens, although a car is necessary because it is 50 kilometers from the centre of Athens, this small excursion can be combined nicely with a short stop on one of the many cafes and taverns that are on the way to Sounion or even with a few hours at one of the sandy beaches across the coastline.
Athens is a European capital, therefore the state has managed to make important steps in the section of business tourism the past few years.
There is a large number of first class hotels which operate fully equipped convention rooms in their facilities. Apart from that a number of facilities previously used for the Olympic games, are now leased as conventional centers and exhibition centers. These facilities have hosted conventions and exhibitions of international interest with great success.
Continue to Athens Greece travel guide part 2 >>
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