Athens Travel Guide, Greece

 Athens is the largest city and the cosmopolitan capital of Greece. Situated in the Attic Plain in the southeastern Greece, it is one of the world’s oldest cities and now a leading business and financial economic hub in the European region. It is also the country’s political and cultural core.

The city is arced by the peaks of Parnitha, Pendéli, and the Hymettos Mountains and is only a few miles from the country’s largest seaport, Piraeus.

The greater city area has a recorded population of 3.2 million. The city’s rising population density has contributed to urban problems like overcrowding, pollution and traffic.

An Archeological Center

Athens is one of the world’s major locations for archeological research. Aside from the presence of national institutions like Athens University, the Archeological Society and a number of archeological museums, the city is also the seat to Demokritos’ Archaeometry laboratory and other archeological sectors that form the Greek Department of Culture. The city also has more than a few archeological libraries and hosts specialized lectures, conferences and seminars on archeology.

Economy

A huge percentage of industrial business activities in Greece are focused around and within the city of Athens. Manufacturing remains to be one of its primary economic industries. Textiles and leather, cement, chemicals, paper products, alcoholic beverages, soap, flour and pottery are commodities manufactured in Athens.

Athens is also supported by industries like machinery, printing and publishing. Piraeus port is the country’s chief shipping and transportation equipment center that also contributes to the city’s economy.

The majority of Athen’s workforce is involved in services, namely the government, banking, education, healthcare and transportation sectors.

The tourism industry also played a role over the years in the city’s economy. Tourism also boosted the economic standing of Athens especially during the 2004 Olympic Games.

Sports

Athens has three prominent multi-sports clubs, the Olympiacos, Panathinaikos and the AEK Athens.

Beach Volleyball and Windsurfing are famous local sports in outer areas of Attica. Surfing is also a favorite local water sport.

Athens is a well-loved location for famous international sports events. The city already hosted the Olympic Games twice, in 1896 and 2004; hosted the UEFA Champions League Finals twice, in the year 1994 and 2007; and the UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup in 1971.

Transportation

Athens is the center of the country’s national transportation system. The city’s urban and suburban railway network is managed by three companies, the ISAP, Attiko Metro, the city’s main metro subway, and the Proastiakós. Each has a different railway line route throughout Athens.

Thermal Bus Company, operated under Ethel, is the main bus operator in Athens. What’s unique about Athens’ bus system is that more than 200 of its buses are run on natural gas. The metropolitan area is also served with electric buses or the ILPAP. These buses are able to run on diesel in case of power failure.

Taxis are common modes of transportation in Athens. They are inexpensive and in demand especially during rush hours.

The Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is Athens’ state-of-the-art air terminal located near Spata. It services international and domestic flights and has gained recognition as “European Airport of the Year” in 2004.

Ferry transports are also available from the major port, Piraeus, traveling to several Greek islands.

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Read our members' reviews about Athens

• My third trip in Athens
  review by angel posted more then 30 days ago
  This was the second guided trip we chose. We had to be on the bus at 12:30 a.m. but even with this early start we reached Athens, the capital of Greece only at about 7:30 a.m. Our first stop was the city's harbor where we made some photos of the ships but we were too tired to really enjoy it. The...
• Don't miss it in Athens
  review by cipristb posted more then 30 days ago
  Probably the main point of atraction when you visit Greece capital, Athens, may by the Acropolis where the visitors can see the Parthenon. The Acropolis has become during the time a Greek simbol. It is situated in the center of Athens, at the height of 180 m from the sea level. It was biult in...
• What to visit in Athens
  review by Wazling posted more then 30 days ago
  Athens as a city, is a big fat man, who's dirty and not able to move. Culture of course you can have there a lot, for example with the Parthenon, the Agora and so on. You can spend days there, only visiting ancient Greek places and museums, mostly close to areas with ancient ruins. There're a...

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Read our members' travel tips about Athens

• What you can see at the birthplace of democracy
  travel tip by Wazling posted more then 30 days ago
  Visit the museums of Athens in the lunch time, because the heat is at it´s maxmium during that time. PLan to visit all the other ancient buildings in the afternoon, but take a look at the opening times.
• Guard change attraction at the Parliament
  travel tip by angel posted more then 30 days ago
  If you are in Athens and you have a little time, go to the Parliament and watch the guard change. This happens in every hour if I remember well.
• Bring water with you to the Parthenon
  travel tip by MadSuh posted more then 30 days ago
  Athens is extremely hot, so make sure that you always have enough to drink with you. Especially when you are climbing up to the Parthenon.

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