Greek SunHolidays in Athens Greece

Athens was home to the Greek philosophers Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates. Named after goddess Athena, Athens is one of the most famous cities in the world and one of the oldest too. As a city-state, it figured prominently in the ancient history as well as in the most myth and legends of the ancient world. The Greek capital is now home to almost four million people and one of the top vacation spots in Europe, being visited by tourists seeking cultural holidays. Birthplace of the Ancient Olympic Games, Athens features a large number of artistic and architectural treasures, including the famous Acropolis.

Athens is visited nowadays by numerous holiday makers looking for a lively city with rich culture & history and excellent accommodation offered by comfortable budget & luxury hotels. The best time to take trips to the Greek mainland, where is located Athens, is late summer (after mid-August) or fall (the weather is just gorgeous in Greece in September, October and even in the first days in November). Winter is also a good period of time to visit it because then are fewer tourists and the weather is generally good, maybe with the exception of a little rain. Also, most luxury resorts and hotels practice lower room rates and are available many attractive discount packages.

Greek SunBest Tourist Attractions in Athens - Tours to Acropolis & More

Perhaps the first spot that should be visited when going holiday in Athens is Acropolis, in the ancient part of the city, where are located the remains of some of the most beautiful temples built in ancient Greece. This place is so imposing that vacationers can truly appreciate the ancient Greek architecture only when see Acropolis! Agora Market is a another attraction of old Athens worth for a visit because in antiquity this zone was center of the commercial and political activity of the city. It has been also the place where Socrates hold his speeches and St. Paul searched for potential adherents to Christianity.

In Athens are settled some of the best luxury hotels and resorts in the whole Europe, but unfortunately Athens is no longer a cheap city! Vacationers can expect to spend at least 40 € (almost $50) per day by staying into a cheap hotel! Still, vacations in Athens are unique life experiences and memories gained there last for lifetime! Tourists taking tours in Athens are advised to use comfortable shoes and carry serious water reserves because visiting most top tourist spots involves climbing on hills or walks along stony paths!

Greek SunTop Tourist Spots in Athens

Acropolis
Acropolis is the most famous vacation spot in Athens and is in fact the name of the hill that hosts three of the most important temples located on the Greek continental part: Parthenon, Erechteion, and Temple of Athena Nike. The hill is also home to the Acropolis Museum and to Propylaea, which was once the original entrance to Acropolis.

Temple of Zeus
This temple is one of the only two remaining artifacts on the original Olympieion site and has an incredible size! An interesting fact about Temple of Zeus is that its construction stretched on almost 700 years! It was started in 515 B.C. by Peristratos and completed in 125 A.D. by the Roman emperor Hadrian. Close to the temple is located a another valuable monument - Hadrian's Arch, built a few years later by the same emperor.

The Agoras - Ancient and Roman
The Ancient Agora - Arkhaia Agora in Greek - was the gathering place of the ancient Athenians. Connected to this spot are the Hephaisteion - Temple of Hephaistos, which is probably the best conserved Greek temple in Athens, and Stoa of Attalos (entirely reconstructed), that houses the museum of ancient Agora and most artifacts found there.
The Roman Agora - Romaiki Agora in Greek - is situated near the other one, being much smaller and much younger. Interesting things to visit there are a Turkish mosque - Fethiye Djami - and the Tower of Winds.

The Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium was the place of the first modern Olympic Games, in 1896. It was reconstructed on the place of the original stadium of ancient Olympic Games. At the front of the stadium is a statue of the Discus Thrower, the symbol of the Olympic Games.

The Ruins of Delphi
Trips to Delphi are very popular among tourists spending holidays in Athens. They are advised to reserve a whole day for this visit because it is located at three hours drive by car or bus to the capital city.
Temple of Apollo is the main attraction of the site. This magnificently preserved construction is the place where Pythia, the "High Priestess of Apollo", predicted the future.
The Theater and The Stadium are located close to temple. Also, the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, housing valuable artifacts found at site, should be visited by tourists.

Plaka
Plaka belongs to the most visited tourist attractions in Athens and can be compared to the Montmartre district in Paris. There are thousands of souvenir stores, taverns, small churches, and open-air stands where vacationers can buy a lot of products such as ceramic vases, olive oil soap, and many others. Attention! Plaka is like a labyrinth, being a network of streets, so tourists are advised to buy a map of Athens!

National Archaeological Museum of Athens
It is the largest and most inspiring archeological museum on the mainland. The museum has a few different exhibits, but the most interesting one is the Greek pottery and sculpture section, that occupy most of the space.

National Gardens
National Gardens is a nice oasis of peace in this bustling city where can be taken walks or eat a tasty lunch. In the heart of the park is a neoclassic structure called Zappion, used for important political and cultural events.

The Constitution Square
The Constitution Square is centrally positioned in Athens and the main point of interest is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, watched by guards wearing traditional costumes.

Other valuable museums in Athens are:
- The Benaki Museum
- The Goulandris Museum of Cycladic and Ancient Greek Art
- Kerameikos Museum
- Museum of Greek Folk Art
- Jewish Museum
- The National Gallery
- The National Historical Museum
- Museum of Popular Musical Instruments
- The Byzantine Museum
- The War Museum
- The Greek Historical Costume Museum
- Frissiras Museum of Contemporary Greek and European Painting

Greek SunFeatured Hotels in Athens

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Greek SunFeatured Tours in Athens

Delphi Day Trip from Athens - Tour Delphi's Museum, Temple of Apollo & Athenian Treasury!

Hydra, Poros and Egina Day Cruise from Athens - Full-day cruise to Hydra, Poros and Egina from Piraeus!

Athens Half-Day Sightseeing Tour - Four-hour morning sightseeing tour of Athens!

4-Day Classical Greece Tour - Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora!

2-Day Tour to Meteora from Athens - Unesco World Heritage-listed rock-tower monasteries at Meteora!

Athens Night Sightseeing Tour with Greek Dinner Show - Sightseeing & Live show in Plaka!

Mycenae and Epidaurus Day Trip from Athens - Explore the remains of the ancient Greece!

Private Walking Tour to Acropolis - Discover Athens' ancient history!

Private Walking Tour to Ancient Agora, Plaka and Monastiraki Monuments - One of the BEST tours of Athens!

Private Walking Tour "Best of Athens" - Experience the best Athens has to offer!

4-Day Santorini Excursion - Santorini is by far the most spectacular of the Greek Islands!

4-Day Rhodes Excursion - Visit the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage City of Rhodes!

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