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An ever-changing and vibrant metropolis bursting with creativity. From the iconic Acropolis rock and the historic neighbourhood of Plaka, to the exquisite New Acropolis Museum and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, the city offers limitless opportunities for cultural visits, entertainment in outdoor festivals and open air cinemas and all sort of activities. When your wanderings are over, you’ll be spoilt for choice for restaurants, from traditional Greek grubs to local seafood and vegetarian fares.
Enjoy a visit to the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally to the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the Parthenon. Before leaving the Acropolis area, take a tour at the new Acropolis Museum – a stunning modern piece of architecture that harmonically blends with the remains of the Ancient city – where you’ll find the Parthenon’s exquisitely carved decorations and the elegant Caryatid (the rest of the four are impounded by the British Museum). On your way to Acropolis hill, make a stop at some of the most emblematic city attractions: the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896), the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament of the Hellenic Republic and the Monument to the Unknown Soldier guarded by the Euzones, etc. Pay a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, and you will pleasantly surprise by its enormous collection made up from exquisitely sculpted masterpieces of bronze and marble; golden artifacts from Mycenaean palaces; delightful traces of Santorini’s prehistoric town of Akrotiri; painted vases featuring gods, heroes, favorite myths and fascinating glimpses into ancient life.
The contemporary urban environment of the city is not defined by a single architectural style and period. As you walk through the city center, you can feel the transformation of the city from its neoclassical era, drawing inspiration from the ancient Greece, the Byzantine and folk art, to a modern and post-modern city characterized by strict architectural lines and experimentation with new materials.
Experience the evolving cultural heartbeat of the city through art galleries, impressive museum exhibitions, theatres, music acts, collectives, or street art. At the vibrant neighborhoods of Kolonaki, Kerameikos & Metaxourgio you’ll find most of Athens’ art spaces. The National Gallery is as intriguing architecturally, as it is for its interior exhibits. Technopolis at Kerameikos has become a pole of attraction for music lovers. Onassis Stegi successfully manages to be “the place where contemporary culture meets aesthetics and science” hosting theatrical and musical performances, film screenings, art and digital shows.
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC), designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, is the city’s most recent cultural gem: apart from the Greek National Opera high-quality productions, the recreational center offers a series of exhibitions & performances open to the public, while its green surroundings and artificial canal make it the perfect destination for a relaxing break from the city.
Trying Greek cuisine should be high on the to-do list for anyone visiting Athens. Athens’ rich restaurant scene knows how to treat tradition, but also fuse it with creative gastronomy. The city’s endless culinary landscape includes both Greek and international cuisines, offering high-quality dishes combined with fresh ingredients.
Athens Riviera covers a gorgeous 68 km coastline stretching from Piraeus (the Port of Athens) to Sounio (where the Temple of Poseidon stands) and the Port of Lavrion. If you lure for a drive along the shoreline, the Athenian Riviera, awaits to indulge you with its scenic views and the unlimited options for entertainment and relaxation. Enjoy the energy and the maranitime attractions at the twin harbors of Mikrolimano & Pasalimani in Piraeus, stroll across the beautiful promenade of Flisvos Marina in Palio Faliro and admire its large yachts while enjoying a coffee or an ice-cream. Continue your drive to Vouliagmeni Lake (dates back 2,000 years ago or even later, during the early Christian times, with the collapse of the roof of a vast underground cave due to movements and the Cretaceous erosion of the limestone in the area), which on terms of location, natural beauty and facilities, is the riviera’s crown jewel. For a more casual treat, visit Varkiza, where you can enjoy a swim and a cocktail in any of the many beach bars of the region. Then, at Sounio, you will find the Temple of Poseidon. Dedicated to the god of the sea by the ancient Athenians and built on a high rock at the very tip of the Attic peninsula, this structure gazes out over the Aegean, offering unparallel views and a truly unforgettable sunset. The coastal road ends at Lavrion famous in Classical antiquity for its silver mines, which was one of the chief sources of revenue of the Athenian state. The metallic silver was mainly used for coinage. The Archaeological Museum of Lavrion shows much of the story of these mines.
Source: Discover Greece