«… but our city, at the command of Zeus, and cares of the immortal gods, will never be destroyed, just so generous benefactor, the daughter of a powerful father, Pallas Athena stretched her hands over him …» Solon

Athens — the capital of Greece , is located in the central part of the country and its political, economic and cultural center.

Athens

The city was founded about 3500 thousand years ago and has experienced its highest flowering about 4-5 centuries BC, when it became the center of the ancient Greece classical culture, which so greatly influenced the development of Western civilization. It is connected with Athens such names as Pericles, Socrates, Plato, Aeschylus, Hippocrates, Aristotle, Sophocles laid the foundations of modern democracy, theater, medicine and art.

Acropolis

The Center is located around the Acropolis of Athens, which together with areas of Monastiraki, Plaka, Sintagma Square is tourist center of the city. All the monuments are situated on the small distances from each other, which makes it possible to sightseeing the city by foot.

The Monastiraki square

However the city has a well-developed transport infrastructure. The public transport system consists of trolleys, buses, trams and metro. To move on to the city on a private transport is a little problematic, especially in the city center. You can easily get Piraeus (the city eternal companion) by using the metro.

Athens metro

In nowadays the population of the city is more than 3.5 million; it’s about a third of the total population of Greece.

Plaka

Shopping in Athens

In the city, you can buy any products — from local craft masters to well-known brands with a worldwide reputation. Malls of Athens are located in the areas of Monastiriaki, Syntagma and Omonia square.

Syntagma Square

Opening hours of shops — usually from 8 to 14 and from 17:30 to 20:30.

The Ermou Street

Leisure in Athens

In the city, there is a huge number of clubs, cinemas, discos, sports grounds. Especially the city leads in the number of activities taking place outdoors. For example, as part of the annual Athens Festival, which lasts all summer, you can enjoy by the leading opera and ballet bodies, orchestras and theater groups from around the world.

The Library of Hadrian

Performances take place on the stage very well-preserved theater of Herodes in Attica, on the southern slope of the Acropolis.

Read more: Acropolis , Around the Acropolis , Temple of Zeus , Monastiraki National Archaeological Museum , Botanical Garden

Athens on the map