A day of history, culture and fun
Archaeological site, Museums, Cultural Centres, Churches.. are proof and testament of the life, history and culture of civilization. Without concise knowledge of the past we cannot fully understand our present nor build a successful future. The city of Athens has a rich a cultural heritage as it does a modern one and it is all here at your fingertips for you to discover. You can organize your day by choosing a tour that best suits you or integrate it with one of the more most popular tours and Fan & Relax stay. A day in the city of Athens, among the oldest and best known in the world for the birth of democracy and for having been the seat of Plato’s academy and Aristotle’s high school, as well as being the birthplace of Socrates, Pericles, Sophocles and many other philosophers and important figures of antiquity.
During the 2004 Olympic Games, the city of Athens revisited its architecture and reconfirmed itself as the most cosmopolitan city in southern Europe and always ready for change. Near Athens, the Piraeus port, considered a strategic point since ancient times, when Themistocles fortified it in the 5th century BC, nowadays is the largest one in Europe by number of passengers, as well as the third in the world, with a traffic of over 20 million passengers a year.
Places of interest
-Sightseeing-
The Greek Parlament with the two guards, called “Evzones”, who are the presidential guards. The change of the guard is every one hour. National Garden a lush paradise in the centre of the city. Beautiful and rare flowers, trees and bushes. Lycabettus Hill the highest hill of Athens (277m) offers a fantastic view of Attica. The funicular takes you up to the top of the hill. Panathinaikon Stadium this beautiful marble stadium was built in the 4th century BC. The first Modern Olympic Games were held here. Adrian’s Arch An impressive Roman monument. It marked the border between the old and the new city of Athens in the Roman period. Plaka the neighbourhood of the Olympic gods. The Monmartre of old Athens. Narrow roads lead to numerous jewellery, souvenire, leather and fur shops, tavernas, restaurant, coffee shop & small picturesque squares. Monastiraki and Psirri a crowded busy part of the city where a costant big bazaar takes place. Some columns front the Hadrian’s library are in site, a mosque which has been turned into a library & a beautiful small church are some of the interesting monuments to be found here.
-Archaeological sites in Athens-
Acropolis the holy rock of Athens, the citadel & the sanctuary of the city in antiquity. Theatre of Dionyssos where one can visit the most ancient theatre of Greece. Mars Hill ( Areopagus) the court of ancient Athens. The place where the gospel was first preached in Athens by the Apostle Paul. Filopappos Hill a hill opposite the Acropolis, the grave monument of Filoppapos, benefactor of athens, decorates the top of the hill. Pnyx Hill is located on west of the Acropolis where the Assembly of the Athenians held its meetings, it is an oper. Tower of Winds know as Aerides or Horologion of Kyrhestes, is an octagonal tower made from Pentelic marble. Ancient Agora an interesting archaeological site to thr north of the Acropolis. The political, financial and religious centre of ancient Athens. Roman Agora of Athens was built in the end of the 1st century. It was a complex, which consisted of different commercial stores. Hadrian’s Library It consist of a rectangular building with impressive façade and interior yard that was surrounded by 100 columns. Keramikos this was the cemetery of ancient Athens, an open-air gallery today. Temple of Hephaestus also know as Thission is one of the best preserved ancient temples. Temple of Olympian Zeus an impressive temple dedicated to the father of the gods – Zeus. The biggest temple of antiquity.
-Archaeological sites surronding of Athens (Attika area)-
Temple of Poseidon-Sounio It is dedicated to Poseidon, the God of Sea and awaits you with a beautiful panoramic view of the Aegean Marathon Tomb close to the location where the historical Marathon battle ( between the Athenians and the Persian, Athenians won) Ancient Eleusis (Elefsina) city-state until the 7th century BC, known for the celebration of initiation rites called Eleusinian Mysteries.
-Archaeological sites (Peloponnese area)-
Ancient Corinth the city was founded in the 15th century BC, in the full splendor of the Mycenaean civilization. Corinth Canal One of the most amazing engineering works in history. Mycene extreme historical interest and inhabited since the Neolithic age, seat of the Mycenaean Civilization, also known as Achaeans. Naplio, the first capital of Greece crowned by the imposing fortress of Palamidi. Epidaurus the place where Apollo was born. The ancient theater, one of the best preserved Greek buildings in the world.
-Archaeological site (Focide region)-
Delphi the navel of the ancient world! This place was the most visited place in ancient times.
-Museums-
Acropolis Museum is an archaeological site-specific museum, housing the most famous works of classical antiquity. National Archaeological Museum one of the largest and most significant museums of ancient Greek art in the world. National Historical Museum the collection of the Historical & Ethnological Society of Greece Archaeological Museum of Piraeus Covering a timeline that stretches from the Mycenean era to the Roman times. Benaki Museum of Greek Culture the collections that “narrate” the history of Hellenism over time are displayed in an enriched form. Museum of Cycladic art it is dedicated to the study & promotion of ancient cultures of the Aegean &Cyprus. Byzantine & Christian Museum With a collection boasting more than 25.000 artifacts, ranging in age from the 3rd to the 20th century AD. Jewish Museum with a wide selection of historical artifacts from the Greek Jewish community and other cities in Greece. Benaki Museum of Islamic art which included examples of its local variations , ranks among the most important in the world. Benaki Hadjikyriakos-Ghika Gallery the exhibition presents the work of an outstanding generation, projecting the inter-connections. The Goulandris Natural History Museum it is devoted to study, conservation and protection of natural environment. War museum presents the military history of the Greek, from ancent times to date. It is the largest war museum in Greece . Museum of Folk Music Instruments displays 1,200 musical instruments showcasing 5,000 years of Greek music history. Hellenic Motor Museum is a must-see attraction of the town. It showcases more than 115 exquisite cars. Numismatic Museum The permanent collection present the history of coins from the ancient Greek world until modern times. Benaki Toy Museum opened to the public in 2017. The collection includes toys, books, ephemera, clothing and other items. Museum of Illusions in welcomes people of all ages in a space suitable for social and fun visits to the world of illusions. Museum of Modern Greek Culture ( 2 annexes) Bath-House of the Winds the only public Bath of old Athens surviving at the present days. The house on Panos Street Permanent exhibition: “Men & Tools. Aspects of labour in pre-industrial society” National Museum of Contemporary art is formed around a very important nucleus of works by Greek and foreign artists. Ote Group Telecommunication Museum was founded in 1990, relating to communications technologies dating fron ancient Greece.
-Cultural centres-
Stavro Niarchos Foundation a project that includes the construction & complete outfitting of new facilities for the National Library of Greece & the Greek National Opera as well as the creation of the 210.000 m2 Stavros Niarchos Park .
Planetarium – Evgenides Foundation Equipped with the latest technology the Planetarium is capable to represent conviningly cosmic phenomena and movements, bringing viewers into the magic of space.
The National Gallery – Alexandros Soutsos Museum was founded in 1900. Today , the National Gallery collections comprise more than 20.000 works of painting, sculpture, engraving and other forms of art, this is the treasury of Modern Greek art, encompassing the period from the post-Byzantine times until today.
Technopolis city of Athens, culturalspace promoting art, development, entrepreneuship, innovation, education & industrial heritage.
-Churches of the Acropolis and surroundings-
Megali Mitropolis, the great Orthodox cathedral of Athens, erected in 1842/62. Dedicated to the “Annunciation of the Mother of God”. Mikri Mitropoli 12th century, Byzantine-style church built over a pagan temple, decorated with more than 80 ancient sculptures. Church of the Virgin Mary Pantanassa, also known as the “Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary” or the church of the “Grand Monastery”. Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary or Kapnikarea, one of the main Byzantine churches in Athens, now owned by the University. Agios Filippos church built on the remains of the Stoà de Poikile. the ancient church had a niche with the image of St. Phili. , Church of the Holy Apostles on the remains of a Roman nymphaeum from the 2nd century AD, a very well preserved church. Church of the Metamorphosis tou Sotiros or of the “Transfiguration of the Savior” The small church was built in the 11th century. Agios Dimitrios Loubardiaris located on the hill of Filopappos, was built on t 16th century with extraordinary frescoes. Church of the Agii Assomati, On the western wall of the Acropolis,this small church dates from the 11th century. Church of Lycodemos Sotira, called the Russian Church, is the largest and one of the oldest Byzantine churches in Athens. Church of Santa Caterina, the church was built on the 11th century, the remains of a Christian basilica. Church of Agios Nicholas Ragavas known to be the oldest in Athens. Built in the 11th century, it is located in Plaka. Church of Agia Fotini Ilissos dedicated to Fotini the Samaritan, who, according to tradition, came out of a well and gave water to Christ. Church of Agia Dynamis, a small church located under the porch of a hotel. Church of San Teodoro known for its rustic Byzantine architecture. The Christians of the Areopagus the oldest court of justice in the world and the first aristocratic senate of Athens. Cathedral of the city of San Dionigi l’Aeropagita Episcopal seat of the Catholic archdiocese of the Hellenic capital. Church of San Giorgio and Church of Sant’Isidoro on top of Mount Lycabettus, which offer some of the best views of the city and the sea.
–Monasteries-
Petraki Monastery, built between the 13th and 14th centuries, seat of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece. The Monastery of Dafni, built on the remains of an ancient temple of Apollo, is one of the most important Byzantine monuments in the Mediterranean. Its mosaics, are considered among the most beautiful and significant ever made in the Christian world. Ancient Kaisarianī Monastery founded in the 11th century and located on the northern slope of Mount Imetto, southeast of Athens.
–In the footsteps of St. Paul the Apostle-
In Athens he went to the Synagogue and the Agora on the Areopagus Hill, on many occasions to preach the resurrection of Jesus. We also find evidence in Corinth, where a church was built in his honor, the Orthodox Cathedral of Corinth. The pilgrimage begins in Samothrace and continues to Kavala, Philippi, Thessaloniki, Veria.
-The First Cemetery of Athens- It was inaugurated in 1837 and soon became a luxurious cemetery for famous people, Greeks and foreigners. Today it is an open-air glyptotheque with works by the major Greek sculptors of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; is a declared historical monument. In the cemetery there is the Curch of San Teodoro.
-Synagougues-
Beit Shalom Synagogue is the main of Athens, it was built in 1935, the architecture is in an austere neo-Greek style; the building was renovated in 1975. The synagogue is led by Rabbi Gabriel Negrin, who was elected by the council of the Jewish community of Athens following the death of the leader Jacob Arar in 2014. Ioanniotiki Synagogue The oldest synagogue in Athens, was built in 1903 by Roman Jews from Ioannina. It is now located behind the offices of the Jewish Community of Athens. The synagogue is only open during Yamim Noraïm, but is open to visitors who request it through the Jewish Community office.
-Mosques-
The Tzisdarakis Mosque is an Ottoman mosque, built in 1759, in Monastiraki square, in the center of Athens. It currently serves as an annex to the Museum of Greek Folk Art. The Fethiye Mosque is a 17th century Ottoman mosque located in the center of Athens. Restored after Greek independence in 1834, it fell into disrepair, but after renovations it reopened to the public in 2017 and is currently used for cultural exhibitions.