ATHENS CITY GREECE Sites of Interest

Philopappou Hill
Also known as the Hill of the Muses, the Pnyx where the Ancient Greeks used to debate politics, the Philopappos Monument, the Tomb of Gaius Julius Antiochus Philopappos, the Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris Church.

The Rock of the Acropol
The Acropol is the monument which represents the perfection of Greek architecture and spirit. The hill was first inhabited in the Neolithic period and the walls were built in the 13th cent.BC. The Temple of Wingless Niki built by Kallikrates, the Parthenon built by Iktinos and Kallikrates between 447 and 432 BC, dedicated to Goddess Athina, the Erechtion, built by Philocles, Temple shared by Erectheus and Athina, which roof is supported by the Karyatides, six female statues, the Propylaia, the Temple of Zeus dedicated to the God Polios, the Theatre of Erodus Atticus built in 161BC that can receive 5000 spectators, the Theatre of Dyonisos, erected in the 5thcent.BC consisting in 78 rows of seats.

The Ancient Agora
Political, financial and religious center of Ancient Athens, ancient market. The Temple of Hephaistos and Athena “Theseion”, the Arcade “Stoa of Attalos”, the Byzantine Church Agii Apostoli, the Mars Hill “Areos Pagos”, Court in the Ancient times.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus
Dedicated to Zeus, Father of the Gods, the city’s biggest sanctuary, consisted of 104 Corinthian columns.

The Adrian’s Arch
Facing the Temple of Zeus, it marked the boarder between the old and new city of Athens, and was dedicated to the Roman Emperor Adrian.

Syntagma Square
The Greek Parliament, the change of the Guards (Evzones) on the side of the Square guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the New Metro with its small exhibition of ancient findings.

National Park
Nice walk along the trees, flowers, little ponds and zoo of the National Park that once was the private gardens of the Royal Family Residence, leading to the congress center of Zappeion.

The Kallimarmaron Stadium
Marble stadium built in the 4thc BC with a capacity of 70.000 spectators where the first Olympic Games were held in 1896.

Plaka
Old city at the foot of the Acropol, famous for its narrow streets, taverns, Antiques, Carfts and Souvenirs shops open until late at night. The Lyssikratous Monument, the Anafistika with its small white perched houses, the Agios Nikolaos Rangavas Church, the Metamorphosis Church, the Kanelloupoulos Museum, the Horlogion or clock of Anchonikos Kyrresthes (1stBC) that was used as a water clock, weather vane with its 8 sides orientated towards the 8 different points of the Horizon, each point corresponding to a wind.

Monastiraki
Down Plaka, famous for its old houses, taverns, bars, shops and its Sunday morning flea market. The Adrian’s Library and the Staroparzaro Mosque.

SITES OF INTEREST Around Athens

City of Marathon
Tomb of Plataion ,monument dedicated to those who were killed during the Marathon Battle in 490 BC, the funeral mound has a height of 8meters and a 180 meters circumference. Tel: 0294/055462. Open from 08h00 till 14h30, closed on Mondays and Holidays.

The archeological site of Vravrona
Ancient Sanctuary of Artemis Vravronia , Godess of Childbirth. Tel: 0299/027020, open from 08h00 till 14h30, closed on Mondays and Public Holidays.

The ruins of the Temple of Amphiarius at Oropos

Cape Sounio with its Temple of Poseidon
And its beautiful seinary (to be seen at sunset) Tel: 0292039363. Open from 10h00 till sunset, closed on Holidays.

Mount Parnes
1413 meters high, the National Park is a way to escape from the city and enjoy a walk in the forest and springs of the Mount, you may go up driving with your own car or public bus of the casino, or taking the teleferic that takes you to the hotel and casino of Parnitha, (the only casino of Athens) and its typical tavernas at its feet.

MONASTERIES AND CHURCHES

Lycabettus Hill
On top of the Hill of the Wolves, is situated the Church of Agios Giorgos that can be reached by teleferic, giving a spectacular view over Athens.

Agios Nikolaos Rangavas Church
11oc, Agii Apostoli Chruch, and the Church of the Metamorphosis, 14c, all situated in Plaka.

The Agia Dinami Church
Little old red church under a modern building, on Metropoleos Street, starting from Sintagma Square, on the left side of the road, before reaching the Cathedral on Metropoleos Square.

Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris
Picturesque Church at the foot of Philopappos Hill

Kapnitarea Byzantine Church
Down the shopping street of Ermou, starting from Sintagma Square, dating of 11c

The Russian Church
11c, on Filellinon Street, close to Sintagma Square.

MONASTERIES AND CHURCHES Around Athens

Monastery of Kaisariani
Built in the 11c, one of the most beautiful area around Athens, with its ruins, Church, spring by the ruins of a Temple of Aphrodite.
Tel: 0107236619, open from 08h30 till 15h30 Mount Hymettus

Monastery of Daphne in Elefsina
Built in the 11c, it is one of the finest Byzantine Monasteries around Athens. Tel: 0105811558. Open from 08h30 till 15h00

CAVES AND LAKES

Koutouki Cave
On the Mount Hymettus, 38,5 meters depth with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
Situated 45 min drive, North of the center of Athens. From Peania (North-East suburb of Athens) follow the signs. Tel: 0106642910. Open from 09h00 till 16h00, closed on Public Holidays.

Artificial Lake of Marathon
Situated in the North of Athens, one hour drive from the center. Not far from the Marathon museum. Swimming is not allowed, as the lake is one of the sources of water supply of Athens.

BEACHES

The picturesque port of Porto Rafti with its stone beach. About two hours drive from the Center of Athens.

The sandy beaches of Loutsa.

Athens Coast by Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, all the way to Sounio with its nice sandy beaches.

Schinia

On the way to Marathon, beautiful beaches with a famous private organized beach where many VIPs meet in the summer time with music on the beach, cafeteria, basket ball, volley ball, water sports.