Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state. A centre for the arts, learning and philosophy, home of Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceumit is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, largely due to the impact of its cultural and political achievements during the 5th and 4th centuries BC on the rest of the then known European continent.
Today a cosmopolitan metropolis, modern Athens is central to economic, financial, industrial, political and cultural life in Greece. In 2008, Athens was ranked the world's 32nd richest city by purchasing power and the 25th most expensive in a UBS study.
Accesibility
Mega-infrastructure improvements have made Athens a city that is easy to navigate. The fast, clean and safe metro takes passengers quickly and easily to most neighborhoods.
Athens is served by the modern Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport located 35km east of Athens. The airport has numerous flights to domestic and international destinations. In addition to the metro, the Athens Mass Transit System consists of a large bus fleet, a trolleybus fleet that mainly serves the downtown area, a tram line connecting the southern suburbs to the city center and the Athens Suburban Railway services. The Athens subway also houses artifacts found during construction of the subway.
For more information, visit the official Athens tourist site at: www.breathtakingathens.com or http://www.visitgreece.gr
Sights to See
The Acropolis is by far Athens' most famous landmark and popular tourist attraction. A number of ancient buildings and theatres are situated on or near this sacred hill, the most important of which is the Parthenon. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant walk from central Athens to the Acropolis.
Ancient Agora The Ancient Agora was the heart of ancient Athens. It was the centre for politics, commerce, law, and culture and city administration. Visitors to the Ancient Agora in Athens Greece can visit a number of historical monuments and ruins from antiquity.
National Garden The National Garden is a sprawling urban park located in the heart of Athens Greece. The garden is comprised of both natural areas and formal gardens. Many Athenians love to escape the summer heat in this beautiful green oasis located directly behind the Greek Parliament.
Olympian Zeus The Temple of the Olympian Zeus (Olympieion) is one of the greatest landmarks in Athens Greece. There are a number of key attractions located around the temple. They include Hadrian's Arch and the Roman Baths.