Welcome to Athens
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The capital of Greece took its name from the goddess Athena, the goddess
of wisdom and knowledge. This is where democracy was born. This is where
that marvel of architecture, the Parthenon, was created. This is where art
became inseparable from life, and this is where Pericles gave the funerary
speech, that monument of the spoken word.
Athens the symbol of freedom, art, and democracy in the conscience of the civilized world.
In Athens memory never fades. Wherever you stand, wherever you turn, the city's long and rich history will be alive in front of you.
In the center of town are two hills, the Acropolis with the monuments from the Age of Pericles, and Lycabettus with the picturesque chapel of Ai Giorgis.
In the countless shops, the visitor will find whatever he may need. In the tavernas and restaurants he can enjoy any taste sensation, in the night clubs, discos and bars he can drink and dance the night away. Because in Athens, the fun never stops before daylight.
Archeological
Sites
- Acropolis (tel: 3236665)
- Areopagus (NW of Acropolis)
- Ancient Agora, (below the Acropolis, tel: 3210185)
- Hadrian's Library, (near the Roman Forum)
- Keramikos Cemetery, (148 Ermou)
- Philopappus or Muses Hill (opposite the Acropolis)
- Lysicrates Monument or Diogenes' Lantern, (corner of Lyssicratous & Vyronos str., Plaka)
- Pnyx (small hill opposite the Areopagus)
- Hadrian's Arch (corner of Vassilissis Olgas & Amalias str.)
- Roman Market (east of the start of Aiolou str.)
- Clock of Andronikos Kyrrhestes or Tower of the Winds (outside the west gate of the Roman Market)
Museums and Galleries
- Acropolis (tel: 3210219)
- Anthropological - Ethnological (47 Mikras Assias, Goudi tel: 7771193)
- Ancient Agora (Stoa of Attalus, south slope of the Acropolis, 24 Adrianou, Thissiou Sq. tel: 3210185)
- Vorre (modem art) (4 Diadochou Konstantinou, Paiania, tel: 6644771)
- Byzantine (22 Vassilissis Sofias, tel: 7211027)
- Byzantine Art, Loverdou (58 Akadimias) Private collection of Byzantine and postByzantine art
- Goulandris, (natural history) (13 Levidou, Kifissia, tel: 8015870)
- National Archaeological (1 Tositsa and Patission, tel: 8217717)
- National Gallery (50 Vassileos Konstantinou Ave.,tel: 7211010)
- Greek Folk Art (17 Kydathinaion, tel: 3213018)
- Greek Folk Musical Instruments (1-3 Diogenous, Plaka, tel: 3256198)
- Epigraphic, (1 Tositsa, tel: 8217637)
- Zoological (Athens University, University City - Panepistimioupoli, tel: 7243244)
- Theatrical (Municipal Cultural Centre, 50 Akadimias, tel: 3629430)
- Goulandris Museum of Cycladic and Archaic Greek Art (4 Neofytou Douka, tel: 7228321)
- Holy Icons (Archbishopric, 21 Filotheis, tel: 3237654)
- Historic and Ethnological (Old Parliament, Stadiou & Kolokotroni Sq., tel: 3237617)
- Kanellopoulos (Theorias & Panos, Plaka, tel: 3212313) Private collection
- Kerameikos (148 Ermou, tel: 3463552)
- Folk Art Collection of the Centre of Research and Greek Popular Art (129 Syngrou Ave.)
- Benaki Museum (Vassilissis Sofias & Koumbari, tel: 3611617)
- Numismatic (1 Tositsa, tel: 8226798)
- Shells (14 Pindou, Moschato, tel: 9412393) Private collection
- War (Vassilissis Sofias & Rizari, tel: 7290543)
- City of Athens (7 Paparrigopoulou & Klathmonos Sq., tel: 3246164)
- Municipal Cultural Centre (50 Akadimias, tel: 3621601)
- Gennadius Library Collection (61 Souidias)
- Planetarium, Eugenidis Foundation (387 Syngrou Ave., Amfithea, tel: 9411181)
- Postal (Panathinaikou Sq., 5 Stadiou & 2 Fokianou)
- Trains (301 Liossion, tel: 5246580)
Byzantine
Monuments
- Agii Apostoli (within the Ancient Agora south the Stoa of Attalos)
- Agios Eleftherios (next to the Cathedral, Mitropoleos str.)
- Agii Theodori (Klathmonos Sq.)
- Kapnikarea (in the middle of Ermou str.)
- Dafni Monastery (10 km west of Athens at the corner of Iera Odos & Kavalas Ave.)
- Kaisariani Monastery (7 km SE of Athens on Mt. Hymettus)
Artistic Events
- Herod Atticus Odeum from June to September, includes productions of ancient plays, opera, music and dance. Greek and foreign groups and artists of international renown participate. Information : Athens Festival, tel: 3221459
- Athens Concert Hall Grand orchestras and solists, tel: 7282333.
- Sound and Light tel:3221459.
- Dora Stratou's folk dancing group Filopapou Theatre, tel: 3244395.
Where to Shop
At shopping centers in downtown Athens and the suburbs, in the commercial areas of Athens, such as Syntagma, Kolonaki, Ermou, Omonia, Monastiraki and Plaka, where you will find folk art shops as well. Sales occur twice a year, in Augast and February.Useful Telephone Numbers
- Police: 100
- Emergency Medical Assistance: 176
- First Aid Center: 166
- Poison Treatment Center: 7793777
- ELPA Tourist Information Service: 174
- ELPA Road Assistance: 104
- Fire Department: 199
- Tourist Police (GNTO): 171
- Announcements On Telephone Calls Abroad: 161
- Information On Calling Abroad: 162
- Instructions for International Calls: 169
- Telephoned Telegrams Abroad: 165
- Directory Assistance Athens-Piraeus-Suburbs: 131
- Directory Assistance Rest of Greece: 132
- General Information Service (OTE): 134
- Wake up & Message Service: 182
- Accident Hospital - KAT: 8014411
- GNTO Offices: 3223111/9
- Greek Railways Organization (Ticket Office): 5222491
- Greek Coach Services (100 Kifissou st.): 5124910
- Greek Coach Services (260 Liossion st.): 5124910
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