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Athens Tours & Travel Guide
One of the worlds oldest cities, Athens is truly a history buffs dream. A city dominated by classical ruins of a (very) bygone era, taking a history and archaeology tour will reveal the secrets of this powerful metropolis, once the heart of Ancient Greece.
Athens is the capital of Greece and is located in the southeast of Europe in the southernmost region of Balkan Peninsula. There are various ways to reach Athens, but traveling by air is the cheapest, fastest, and the most popular way for the purpose.
There are numerous airlines operating indirect flights from the USA, Canada, UK and other regions of Europe to Athens, Greece. Check with your regional airlines if they offer flights directly to Athens; otherwise, you can choose the nearest European country you can travel and then take a flight from there.
You can also choose to travel by sea if you are coming from the USA, as there are three cruise companies offering the service. Booking a cruise and traveling around the Mediterranean is a popular practice in Europe during the summer.
Traveling by road is also a good option for those residing in Europe and can drive around if with a national driving license if you are an EU national. Nationals from other countries would require an International Driving Permit to drive in Greece. There are two bus terminals in Athens for long-distance domestic buses.
These regional coaches connect Athens to all the main towns in northern Greece, Peloponnese, and Attica. The buses are comfortable, and you can have a safe and pleasant journey. However, traveling by train is not a good option for Greece to travel. It is undoubtedly a cheaper way to travel compared to the coaches but is very slow and has a limited range. The domestic railway network of Greece is limited to the mainland, and various lines were previously suspended due to a lack of financial resources.
Eating is a significant part of Greek culture hence, you will find a variety of unique and taste enriched foods around. There are a lot of dishes that you must try during your trip, but some of them are at the top.
1. Saganaki
Yellow hard cheese deep fried in a special way to make it crunchy outside and melted inside is a delicious appetizer.
2. Greek Salad
Juicy, crunchy vegetable, olives with a giant piece of feta at the top and dressed with vinegar, lemon juice, and olive oil, Greece has the best version of it.
3. Spanakopita
Made in various shapes, this delicious snack is a filo pastry that is stuffed with pita cheese and spinach.
4. Moussaka
The egg-plant dish contains minced meat at the bottom, with layers of an onion, tomato, garlic, and potato, and topped with béchamel sauce and cheese.
5. Greek Gyro
The Greek version is the original one with any variety of meat, packed with vegetables and French fries, and topped with tangy tzatziki sauce.
Explore Athens's history and visit all the important historical and archeological sites spread throughout the city.
This ancient citadel is the most important historical asset of Athens that contains the remains of numerous historical buildings of great cultural, religious, mythical, and architectural significance. The famous Parthenon, Acropolis museum, Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion Temple, Theater of Dionysus, and Propylaea are some important things to see in the Acropolis region.
2. Temple of Olympian Zeus
Built somewhere in the 6th century BC, this is the largest temple of Greece.
3. National Archaeological Museum
The museum contains precious artifacts from various archeological locations around the country.
4. Syntagma Square
The central square of the city is important in society as a well historical point of view.
5. Ancient Agora of Athens
This ancient agora was used as a residential, commercial, or assembly gathering place.
The wonderful Greece travel experience is not limited to the capital city. When you are done with Athens, set out to explore the surrounding areas, but don’t forget these places.
1. Cape Sounion
The exotic beaches, fascinating views, and calm atmosphere gives you a relaxing break out of the city confines.
2. Delphi
The beautiful town, surrounded by huge mountains, is home to various historical and mythical monuments, theatres, museums, and a stadium.
3. Halkida
This pleasant little town, also called Chalkida, is not very popular among tourists but a beautiful place with its special water-flow direction change feature.
4. Spetses
The charming little island is a four-wheeler-free area. Explore the historical region and its beautiful neoclassical houses and the cobblestone streets.
5. Parnitha National Park
Get out of the city crowd and enjoy a break close to the wonders of nature. The park consists of mountains covered with dense forests and filled with wildlife and caves, with various adventurous hiking trails.
Athens is overall a safe city, compared to other tourist destinations, even for solo female travelers. Pickpocketing and taxi scams are common, but you can avoid them being careful enough. Avoid the shady areas and be cautious in your roaming around to avoid any possible danger.
Summertime from June to August is the busiest but hottest time of the year. Winter, from November to February, is wet and cold, December being the wettest month. The best time to visit the hot Athens land is during the shoulder season from mid-March to late May and early September to early November.
The crowds are thinner, the weather is warm and sunny but still pleasant, and you will get fare prices for everything, including accommodation, food, and transport.
Christine
Oct 2024
Wonderful trip in every way! We were planning a similar trip to take independently but decided it would be easier to go with Explore. So pleased we did! We would nev...
Trusted Customer
Oct 2024
The Greek Island wanderer through the Cyclades was fantastic- the leader was flexible and positive all the way through - he really looked after our group. I can’t w...
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