Athens, named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom is one of the oldest cities in the world and dates its history back to 3400 years. Ancient Athens has often been referred to a place where democracy was born and which cradled Western civilization; a place that was the fountainhead of arts and culture, philosophy and learning. Home to Socrates, Aristotle and Plato; thinkers, philosophers and logicians who have influenced modern democracy in a great measure, Athens was truly an invaluable jewel in the then western world.

No other city, in the world, can boast of such archeological wonders as the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Temple of Poseidon, the Dionysos and Herodion Theaters and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, to name just a few. Myth has it that the Olympic Games owe its origins to ancient Greece and the city of Athens played host to it. However, 776 BC has been widely regarded as the genesis of the Ancient Olympics based on the findings of certain inscriptions at Olympia.

Modern Athens is an interesting fusion of the old and the new. It is as modern as any other western city and very exciting and vibrant. Its people are truly hospitable, warm and proud of their city. Despite its economic problems it is yet an inviting and very affordable city. According to a UBS study, Athens was adjudged an alpha-world city in 2008 and rated on purchasing power at number 32.

As a visitor, you not only gaze and wonder at the magnificence of the centuries old monuments but also marvel at the modern structures that rub shoulders with the old. Swanky bars co-exist with old tavernas. Night life is abundant and so are various other forms of leisure and entertainment to suit every individual taste. The Athenian is a very social person who likes to celebrate life. Socializing with friends and total strangers is normal and they love their music and dance. You will find them in the many bouzouki halls where they drink and dance to live bands all through the night.

Best months to visit Athens

Athens is an almost all weather city to visit but it would depend on personal preferences. If you are bothered by hordes of tourist then you should avoid July and August, even though this is the most popular time to visit. It is hot and happening at this time with Greek and foreign tourists flocking here. Accommodations need to be booked in advance. Restaurants, bars, night clubs and beaches would be crowded.

February to May and September to November are the best times to visit Athens. December is party time for Athenians with pre-Christmas celebrations in full steam while post-Christmas would be ideal for shopping to boot.

From June to September the temperatures range between 84°F and 90°F and other months from 54°F to 77°F. The temperature rarely goes down below freezing point, very much like California and San Francisco. Click here for more weather information

Accommodation

Athens offers a wide range of accommodation to suit your budget; from five star and luxury hotels to budget hotels and service apartments. It is advisable to book your accommodation in advance during the tourist season in July and August. For an advanced search and to make a hotel booking, click on our hotel page.

Shopping

Shopping in Athens is like in any other European city but you might want to pick up some typical Greek artifacts and curios. A nice give away which is very typically Greek is the Kolomboi, an attractive bracelet studded with colorful beads. You can also pick up stone portraits of famous Greek philosophers as mementoes of your visit or as giveaways.

Gold and Silver jewelry, designed by the much famed Greek designers are also good buys. Most jewelry shops are located in the Kolonaki areas and Syntagma Square. Be sure to browse through the shops and you may find some very typical and traditional Greek designs

If you are looking for handmade carpets, the best place would be the National Council for Social Care. These carpets, rugs and other decorative tapestries are made on wooden looms. Haggling with the shopkeepers is an interesting way to interact with the locals and a good pastime.

Kolonaki is where you will find the most haute couture shops while the Monastraki flea market is your best bet for incredible bargains. You might not want to miss out shopping in Plaka where the shops are open on all days including Sundays. You will also find vendors selling wares on the streets even at midnight and you may pick up good bargains but a word of caution here; the product may be a fake or a duplicate.

As a rule shops in Athens are open to the following timings:
Mon & Wed: 9am - 2.30pm
Tue, Thu & Fri: 9am - 1.30 and 5.30pm - 8.30pm
Sat: 9am - 3pm
Sunday: closed

However, many shops may be open from 8am to 9pm

During the festival seasons (Christmas, New Year eve and Easter) and major Greek holidays shops would be open for longer periods.

January, February, August and September are the months when everything would be available on discount sales.

What to eat

Greek cuisine today is a fusion of Italian, Turkish and Balkan culinary styles. It has been influenced by the various invasions of Greece. Moussaka and Baklava are of Turkish origin while the Pastitsada is of Italian origin.

Fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits are available in abundance and this has influenced many Greeks towards vegetarianism, naturally. The Greek cuisine also uses lamb, poultry and fish but in moderation. Since Olives are plentiful, the cooking medium is generally olive oil and this has been found to have many health benefits.

A Greek meal, typically, would start with a salad made up of feta cheese, olives and tomatoes seasoned with a dash of olive oil. For starters try Tzatziki with a yoghurt dip and eaten with Pita bread. Another popular starter is the Taramasalata made with fish roe. Dolmas is a grape leaves roll is a Middle Eastern dish where grape leaves are stuffed with rice, fennel seeds, raisins, onion and herbs like mint and parsley and cooked in a pot.

A Greek meal is incomplete without wines and each dish will have a specific wine to complement it. Like the Tzatziki is accompanied by Robolla, a white wine while the Taramasalata is always eaten with Dry Muscat and Xynomavro accompanies the Dolmas. If one has to vote on a national dish for Greece one would say it is the Souvlaki. You may also try a gyro, like the shawarma in the Arab countries, a mass of meat arranged vertically and roasted on a rotating cylinder and the meat shavings are wrapped in pita bread, garnished with onions, tomatoes and tzatziki sauce. The fun of touring a new place is partly in sampling the local fare.

Where to eat

There are restaurants and restaurants in Athens to suit many styles and budgets. Eating out in Athens is popular and a good way to meet locals and other tourists. The food quality, by and large is very good and the restaurants are clean. Even around tourist spots, you can find clean places to eat and fairly inexpensive. Or, if you fancy 5-star dining then you also have a lot of choice with most global hotel chains in operation in Athens. You must know that the Greeks eat their dinner at 10 pm and they usually wind up in the wee hours of the morning. Conversations could be loud and the ambience festive but noisy.

For the adventurous and the sea food buffs, there are the tavernas and the Psarotavernas (fish tavernas). Another important point to note is that all restaurants are mandated by law to display the menu and the prices at the entrance, although most will be in Greek. It is prudent to check the prices before you order. For the fast food addicts, there are several pizza and burger joints in the city.

Water is safe to drink even from the tap but bottled water is also available for the weak hearted.

What to wear

Most locals wear black or combination of black and so it is safe to wear black. Greek men and women are generally well dressed, especially when going to a classier restaurant so you must follow this. When going to a church of any denomination, women are expected to wear long skirts and cover their shoulders. Men must wear long trousers. Shorts and skimpy dresses are not acceptable. One should respect the sensibilities of the locals.

Bikinis and beach wear are strictly to be worn on the beach! Smoking is not allowed everywhere and it would be considered rude if you smoke in no smoking areas.

Local Transport

Athens has a modern transport system comprising of the Athens Metro, busses, trams and the suburban railway. The modernization has come within the last several years and it has eased the transport problems of the city to a great extent, besides making it less polluting.

The urban bus transport comes under OASA that overseas the routes connecting all municipal areas of Athens while the suburban transport comes under KTEL. Yellow metered cabs run by private operators with fares regulated by the government are also available and are reasonably tariffed. There are two categories of fares: 1. from 0500 hours to midnight and 2, from midnight to 0500 hours. The fares for the 2nd category are pegged higher than category 1 due to the late hours of operation.

Banks and ATM'S

TThere are many national and international banks operating in Athens and are easily accessed, Besides ATMs are also conveniently located in many areas. You will not have any problem on that score. Some of the international banks are Bank of America, Citibank, Barclays, Credit Lyonnais, Eurobank and HSBC among others.

The normal banking hours are:

Mon – Thu: 0800 – 1400 hours
Fri: 0800 – 1300 hours

Some banks may have extended working hours and may be open on Saturdays. Check with the bank concerned. Since Greece is part of European Union, the currency used is the Euro. Travelers from outside the European Union will need to exchange their local currency for the Euros. Be sure to exchange your currency only at banks or authorized money changers. You can find many exchange bureaus in Athens but it would be prudent to check the rates that are on offer. The money exchange bureaus are also available at the airport. Your passport must be produced if you want to change money.

Pharmacies and Hospitals

You will find at least one pharmacy or drug store in almost every street. It is advisable to know the generic name of the drug you need as the brand names may differ from your country. Most pharmacies are open to the following timings:

Mon & Wed: 0800 – 1400 hours

Tue, Thu & Fri: 0800 – 1400 hours and 1700 – 2000 hours

You can also find a few pharmacies open at other times and days listed in the Athens News or call the friendly Tourist Police on 171.

Athens has a number of State hospitals and private hospitals. The standard of medical care in the state hospitals is generally good but for obvious reasons it is better in private hospitals. Ensure that you are covered by medical insurance which is valid in Greece and get the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to be eligible for free medical care in state or affiliated hospitals otherwise you may be in for some trouble. There are many qualified and experienced doctors in Athens who have trained abroad. Payment for consultation and treatment is always expected in cash. Insist on a receipt for your payment if you need to claim insurance. Most doctors consult between 1800 – 2200 hours.

It is worthwhile to note the following telephone numbers as it will come in handy in an emergency:

Ambulance: 166
Tourist Police: 171
Police: 100

Tourist office contact

Greek National tourist Organization is a good place to get some reliable information on Athens and other cities in Greece. GNTO info desk, at 2 Amerikis Street telephone210-322-3111

Visa

US citizens can travel to Greece visa free for 90 days but make sure your passport is valid. It is also to check if you need a transit visa in case you are transiting another country on your travel to Greece.

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