Athens was the spiritual and artistic center of Greece, the jewel of the ancient world. It was the city where the most precious values of humanity were born. Philosophy, science, literature, art, and theater are some of the ideas that developed in ancient Athens.
Principles, considered the basis of Western Civilization and the core of today’s society such as democracy, freedom, justice and progressive thinking, first appeared and flourished in this majestic city.
A large share of Ancient Greek History is due to Athens. In the 5th century BC Athens fought the Persians twice. The Athenians who had become a great military power were victorious both times – at the battle of Marathon and at the naval battle of Salamis. The Persian War caused the Greek states to unite against the common enemy, and this event is one of the most important moments in Ancient Greek History.
Κατά τον 5ο αιώνα π.Χ., ο οποίος είναι γνωστός και ως o Χρυσός Αιώνας, ο μεγάλος πολιτικός άνδρας Περικλής ήταν επικεφαλής της πόλης.
Η Αθήνα ήταν η πρώτη Δημοκρατία και η πιο τρανή όλων των Ελληνικών Κρατών, δίνοντας ζωή σε ιδέες και αρχές που κανείς πριν δεν είχε σκεφτεί.
Την περίοδο εκείνη η Αθήνα αποτελούσε το πνευματικό και καλλιτεχνικό κέντρο της Ελλάδας, το διαμάντι του αρχαίου κόσμου. Ήταν η πόλη όπου γεννήθηκαν οι πιο πολύτιμες ηθικές αξίες της ανθρωπότητας: η φιλοσοφία, η επιστήμη, η λογοτεχνία, η τέχνη, και το δράμα. Αρχές που αποτέλεσαν τη βάση του Δυτικού Πολιτισμού και τον πυρήνα της σημερινής κοινωνίας, όπως η δημοκρατία, η ελευθερία, η δικαιοσύνη και η προοδευτική σκέψη, πρωτοεμφανίστηκαν και άνθισαν σε αυτήν την πόλη κατά τον 5ο αιώνα π.Χ.
Κατά τη διάρκεια της κυριαρχίας του Μεγάλου Αλεξάνδρου, η Αθήνα παρέμεινε σημαντικό πνευματικό κέντρο.
Η Ρωμαϊκή Αυτοκρατορία διαχωρίστηκε σε δύο μέρη – δυτικό και ανατολικό – και η Αθήνα έγινε κομμάτι της ανατολικής Βυζαντινής Αυτοκρατορίας, της οποίας η κυριαρχία κράτησε για πάνω από 1000 χρόνια. Κατά τη διάρκεια της Βυζαντινής Εποχής, οι περισσότεροι αρχαίοι ναοί μετατράπηκαν σε εκκλησίες και για το λόγο αυτό η σημερινή Αθήνα είναι γεμάτη από δείγματα θαυμάσιας Βυζαντινής εκκλησιαστικής τέχνης.
Το 1834 ο Βασιλιάς Όθωνας Ι ονόμασε την Αθήνα πρωτεύουσα της Ελλάδας.
Το 1981 ολοκληρώθηκε η είσοδος της Ελλάδας στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση και από τότε η Αθήνα έχει εξελιχθεί σε μια σύγχρονη και πολύπλευρη Ευρωπαϊκή πρωτεύουσα.
Visit Attica
Day 1: Center of Athens
Enjoy a traditional Greek breakfast in a cafe in Plaka, then you can visit the Holy Rock of the Acropolis and admire the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Propylaia.
Close to you is the Acropolis Museum, which is worth visiting.
Take a stroll through the Ancient Market, the heart of Ancient Athens and visit the Stoa of Attalos.
Time for a lunch break!
We suggest you choose a traditional tavern in Plaka, to try authentic,
traditional flavors.
Later, you can visit the Roman Agora and the Tower of the Winds.
You can take a walk in Monastiraki. There you can find special items and souvenirs.
If you want to know better the Greek culture and history of Greece you can visit the Benaki Museum.
For the afternoon, choose for your meal the rooftop of a restaurant so you can
enjoy the illuminated Acropolis.
Before returning to the hotel, take a walk to Plaka and the Anafiotika district.
Day 2: South Attica and Sounio
You can stop at Lake Vouliagmeni and have a swim before reaching your final destination.
Nearby is Asteras beach, where you can relax while drinking a coffee.
Arriving in Sounio you can visit the Temple of Poseidon and enjoy the amazing view.
For your lunch, you can choose one from the fish taverns, taste fresh fish and local wine.
In the afternoon you can relax in a beach or visit the National Park at Sounio.
For the evening we suggest you visit Mikrolimano in Piraeus known for its good restaurants and beautiful atmosphere.
Day 3: Piraeus
You can take a guided tour of the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus and take a walk in Marina Zeas (Pasalimani). It is a nice place to enjoy your morning coffee.
Then we suggest you visit the Maritime Museum and have lunch at a tavern in Mikrolimano.
In the afternoon you can have a cruise in the Port and in the Saronic Gulf.
When you return to Athens enjoy a walk to the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Foundation.
Day 4: Northern Attica and Kifissia
For the morning we recommend you a walk to Botanical Garden of Kifissia.
Then you can visit the Goulandris Museum and drink your coffee in the square of Kifissia.
If you have free time, Kifisia has nice shops.
In the afternoon you can take a walk in the Syngrou Park which has beautiful paths and a botanical garden.
When you return to Athens relax at National Garden located in the heart of the city.
In the evening we suggest you dine in a restaurant in Kolonaki and choose a
bar with a view in order to have your drink and see Lycabettus Hill. Kolonaki is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Athens.
Day 5: Eastern Attica and Marathon
Once you arrive you can visit the Marathon Tomb. It is the burial place of the Greek soldiers who fought in the Battle of Marathon. Then head to the Marathon Museum to see the exhibits from the battlefield.
For lunch we suggest you have lunch in a tavern in Nea Makri and spend your afternoon at the beach of Schinias which has crystal clear waters.
When you return back to Athens you can spend your afternoon at the Attiko Zoo
Park.
For the evening we suggest you choose a traditional tavern in Psirri. The area is
known for its nightlife.
Day 6: Culture
In the morning you can visit Panathinaikos Stadium, the place where the first Olympic Games took place.
Also, you can go to Zappeion and take a walk in the National Garden.
If you want to do your shopping, you can visit the Ermou market, which is the central market of Athens.
We wish you a safe return!