Surrounded by a lining of stunning seas and mountains, this safe and travel-friendly city is filled with treasures just waiting to be discovered: renowned archeological sites, modern and classical art museums and galleries, spas, chic shops, restaurants and bars, street markets and bazaars, open-air cinemas, sandy beaches, picturesque Greek islands in close proximity and 300 sun-drenched days.
The city's rich classical tradition and its geographical location - at the crossroads of cultures - have always lent it a formidable platform for artistic expression. That high regard for the arts continues today, with a mushrooming of modern innovations. Every year, the city's cultural calendar presents exhibits and festivals of international scope, original productions and notable artistic happenings.
The Acropolis - The Parthenon
A monument that constitutes the symbol of Greece worldwide, stands on the “sacred rock” of Athens, the Acropolis. The Parthenon, a marble temple dedicated to Goddess Athena, along with the other monuments of the Acropolis, are all excellent pieces of art, reflecting the Classical period and the Golden Age of ancient Athens in the 5th and 4th centuries BC.
Panathenaic Stadium
Originally built in the 4th century BC for the athletic competitions of the Great Panathinaia (ancient Greek festivities), the Panathenaic Stadium took its final form during its most recent restoration at the end of the 19th century. It is made of marble and the Greeks also call it “Kallimarmaron” (meaning “made of beautiful marble”). It was the venue for the first modern Olympic Games, in 1896.
Olympic Athletic Center of Athens
The Olympic Athletic Center of Athens, also known as OAKA, is one of the most complete European athletic complexes. The Main Olympic Stadium was designed in 1979 and inaugurated in 1982 at the 13th European Athletics Championships. The Olympic Athletic Center of Athens hosted the Mediterranean Games in 1991, the World Championship in Athletics in 1997 as well as other important athletic and cultural events, the most significant of which remains the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.
Gastronomy
Gourmet and traditional Greek cuisine, in the past decade, has become one of the most popular in the world as it has been proven to provide a flavorful healthy and balanced diet. Culinary aficionados are encouraged to delight in the myriad of sophisticated restaurants that boast tastes and interiors inspired from all parts of the world. The local and traditional outdoor seaside taverns and cafes are plentiful and a cultural mainstay.
The peninsula of Attica has much more to offer, apart from the city centre of Athens. The Athenian Riviera, the south coastal road from the centre of Athens to Cape Sounion, has many luxurious hotels and lovely beaches. You will swim and enjoy a multitude of water sports at beaches with crystal clear waters, awarded with the blue flag distinction. Visit archaeological sites all around the peninsula, including the Marathon Tomb, Ancient Elefsina and the Sanctuary of Amphiarion. Therefore, holidays in Attica combine beach and culture holidays.
At the modern marina facilities along Attica’s coastline, you may rent any type of yacht or sailboat you like and set sail for a wonderful cruise along the Greek islands. You can also visit Piraeus, the main port of Athens, the biggest one in Greece and one of the most prominent ports of the Mediterranean, a major shipping, industrial and transportation center of the country. City life focuses on the three parts of the port: the central one, the Zea marina and Mikrolimano.
The multidimensional Attica’s culinary scene, with its enormous selection of good food, will satisfy even the most sophisticated taste palates. Greek meze tavernas, seafood & ouzo tavernas, traditional Greek or international cuisine restaurants to beer houses, wine bars and all-day café-restaurants, will welcome you here. An extraordinary experience awaits you at the many visitable wineries in Attica, where you will be introduced to the tradition of the famous Attica's vineyard. Taste some of the most delicious local varieties, starring the refreshing and aromatic Savatiano.
Temple of Poseidon-Sounio
The Temple of Poseidon in Sounio, located at the southern tip of the Attica peninsula, is an ancient monument dedicated to Poseidon, the god of the sea. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea, the temple was constructed during the Golden Age of Athens. Built in the Doric style, the temple's elegant columns once formed part of a larger sanctuary complex, serving as a vital religious site and a strategic lookout point for approaching ships. Today, it stands as a popular archaeological site, renowned for its breathtaking views, especially at sunset, and its historical significance as a testament to ancient Greek architectural prowess and devotion to the gods. The temple is a cultural landmark that continues to attract visitors with its blend of history, myth, and natural beauty.
