Must-See Archaeological Sites in Athens
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A view to the Acropolis, from the Hill of the Muses (Philopappos Hill). Mt Penteli rises in the distant background.
Must-See Archaeological Sites in Athens
Chalking up memorable experiences and appreciating history is really what visiting this city is all about.
Visitors with an appetite for Greece’s ancient past will discover a virtual smorgasbord of experiences to choose from, given all the archaeological sites, scenic historic spots and freshly refurbished museum galleries now available around Athens. Even with only a few days of “site-seeing” time, there are certain key places not to be missed, as you explore the narrow streets, piney slopes and marble monuments that give the city a sense of timelessness. Εven visitors who think they already know what to expect will discover Athens holds many archaeological surprises and opportunities for new understandings, from inspiring hilltop ruins, to towering Corinthian columns, to richly illustrated Byzantine manuscripts, all in the midst of the bustling modern city cityscape.
Topping the list is the Acropolis: one should always begin with a pilgrimage to the most perfect marble temple ever built, or to have survived condemning Christians, destructive conflagrations or Venetian bomb blasts. But don’t make straight for the Parthenon and miss all the intriguing other details to be noted during your walkabout. The Theater of Dionysus and the stone arches of Herodes Atticus’ music hall lie just beside the path, as you tread up the South Slopes in the footsteps of probably every prominent ancient Athenian to have left their mark on history.
The Roman-period orchestra of the Theater of Dionysus, where dramas, gladiators, wild animals and mock sea battles were regular fare.
“Εven visitors who think they already know what to expect will discover Athens holds many archaeological surprises”
Beginning about 2,500 years ago, this was an area of Athens frequented by playwrights, city leaders, social critics, would-be brides and many other inhabitants or visitors seeking musical entertainment, drama, laughter, religious fulfillment or medical relief. The diminutive Sanctuary of Asclepius, once something of a hospice or health clinic, recalls to mind the terrible plague that swept through the walled-in, war-torn city of Athens and claimed the life of its great leader Pericles in 429 BC.
As you climb higher, catch another glimpse of the Herodeion from above, with its rising tiers of marble seats: a benefaction Herodes made to the city in the name of his late Italian-born wife Regilla—herself a great public benefactress and the head priestess of Fortuna’s temple, whose ruins lie hidden on the wooded knoll beside the horseshoe-shaped Panathenaic Stadium, easily distinguishable from the Acropolis. On another pine-clad hill, as you look out to the sea, stands the curving, partly preserved facade of a monumental tomb belonging to Gaius Julius Antiochus Philopappos, a distinguished Athenian citizen and the exiled ruler of a Roman-occupied kingdom in Asia Minor.
The Parthenon, aglow as dusk falls in Athens, with its beautifully restored north colonnade.
Passing upward through the Propylaia, be sure to notice its coffered ceiling and the exquisite Ionic styling of the Athena Nike Temple to the right, both newly restored by the present-day Acropolis team of cutting-edge architects, engineers, conservators and stonemasons. On emerging from the colonnaded gateway, there lie before you the jewels of the Sacred Rock: the Parthenon with its refined Doric architecture; the Erechtheion with its elegant Caryatids and moldings; and, from the Belvedere, one of the most panoramic views of age-old Athens and its surrounding hills.
Equally impressive experiences can be had at lower altitudes all around the Acropolis, especially at the Acropolis Museum. Here, you will reenact your earlier Acropolis ascent, as you move upward through the galleries, culminating with an opportunity to view the Parthenon’s remaining marbles up close and personal.
Plaka’s 19th- and early 20th-century townhouses, overshadowed by the rocky Areopagus Hill, the seat of ancient Athens’ highest court.
The Roman Agora, erected by Julius Caesar and Emperor Augustus; once the haunt of peddlers, prostitutes and ordinary Athenians.
“In the Athenian Agora one can almost feel the presence of Socrates, philosophically sparring with the city’s youth…or of Thespis, the world’s first award-winning actor…”
West of the Acropolis is the Hill of the Muses, whose summit carries the Philopappos monument and offers more inspiring views of the templed Sacred Rock. Also visible are the blue Saronic Gulf and Piraeus, home to ancient Athens’ triple-basined military/commercial port. Adjacent is the Pnyx Hill, which still retains the speakers’ rostrum and hillside auditorium of the popular assembly (Ekklesia), once echoing with the speeches of Pericles and Demosthenes.
On the north side of the Acropolis, in the Athenian Agora, the ancient city’s main public square, one can almost feel the presence of Socrates, philosophically sparring with the city’s youth in the House of Simon the Shoemaker, or of Thespis, the world’s first award-winning actor who performed along the Agora’s lanes. The Temple of Hephaestus and Athena (Hephaisteion), the best-preserved temple of ancient Greece, also deserves a visit, while the Stoa of Attalos and its galleries of objects illustrating daily life and the ways of democracy in ancient Athens should not be missed.
Sculptural displays in the Stoa of Attalos, an ancient, colonnaded shopping mall enclosing the east side of the Athenian Agora.
East of the Acropolis, as you meander through the winding streets of Plaka, the solitary Lysicrates Monument—a marble trophy-stand recognized today for its pioneering external use of the Corinthian style — not only stands as a tribute to past wealthy sponsors (choregoi) who financially backed ancient Athens’ theatrical performances, but also calls to mind Lord Byron. The flamboyant English nobleman once used this diminutive monument’s internal space as a study — in the early 19th century, when a Capucine convent had grown up around the 4th century BC structure and rented rooms to visitors. Further east tower the massive Corinthian columns of the Olympieion, beside which one feels dwarfed in the shadow of such an ambitious building project. As recently as the mid-19th century, a monk still carrying on the ancient Stylite tradition sought a secluded refuge atop the columns, closer to God, and had his daily sustenance raised to him in basket.
The city’s most notable museums include the foremost National Archaeological Museum, where you will meet such prototypical works of art as the handsome Zeus/Poseidon, the Boxing Boys of Akrotiri and the amused Aphrodite slapping at Pan. Perhaps Athens’ most visually striking museum experience, however, can be had at the Byzantine and Christian Museum, where a resplendent array of artifacts are notable for their rich colors, golden surfaces and enormous spiritual and historical value.
Info
ΤHE ACROPOLIS Tel. (+30) 210.321.4172 • Open daily 8:00-15:00 (winter) 8:00-20:00 (summer) • Admission full €20, reduced €10 (This ticket allows admission to all main archaeological sites, seven days a week)
ACROPOLIS MUSEUM 15 Dionysiou Areopagitou • Tel. (+30) 210.900.0900 • Admission €5 • Open April 1 – October 31 Mondays 8:00-14:00, Tuesdays-Sundays 8:00-20:00, Fridays 8:00-22:00; November 1 – March 31 Mondays-Thursdays 9:00-17:00, Fridays 9:00-22:00, Saturdays & Sundays 9:00-20:00 (Last admission is half an hour before closing)
ATHENIAN AGORA AND MUSEUM 24 Adrianou • Tel. (+30) 210.321.0185 • Open daily 8:00-15:00 (winter) 8:00-20:00 (summer) • Admission full €8, reduced €4 (Includes admission to all the main archaeological sites in the historical center)
OLYMPIEION Entrance from Vassilissis Olgas Avenue • Tel. (+30) 210.922.6330 • Open daily 8:00-15:00 (winter) 8:00-20:00 (summer)
• Admission full €6, reduced €3
BYZANTINE AND CHRISTIAN MUSEUM 22 Vassilissis Sofias • Tel. (+30) 213.213.9500 • Open Tue-Sun 9:00-16:00
• Admission full €8, reduced €4
NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM 44 Patission • Tel. (+30) 213.214.4800 • Open Mon 13:00-20:00, Tue-Sun 9:00-16:00
• Admission full €10, reduced €5
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Αlekos Fassianos' "The Myth of my Neighborhood",
Metaxourghio station
GREECE ISATHENSDISCOVERPRESENT
Athens Metro Makes Top 10 in US Travel Guide
Art exhibits, unique archaeological displays and easy accessibility at Athens' immaculately maintained metro transport passengers to a bright underground world.
Giorgos Lialios | November 3rd, 2015
Athens commuters may take it for granted on a day-to-day basis, rushing through its stations on their way to their destination, but for visitors to the Greek capital the metro is one of the sites worth visiting. Recently, in fact, travel magazine Frommer’s ranked the Athens metro (or Attiko Metro as it’s officially called) among the top 10 in the world because of the archaeological exhibitions held at a number of its stations. The article by Charis Atlas Heelan compares different subway systems around the world, asking: “What makes the world’s best subway, Metro, and Tube systems? Other than safety, cleanliness, and cost, it doesn’t hurt to have amenities like great architecture or underground shops and eateries. Bonus points if the transit stations aren’t too crowded or have endless staircases.”
Aghios Dimitrios station
The Athens metro is presented among the world’s top 10 in most flattering terms: “One of the crowning achievements of this city’s Olympic bid was the creation of Attiko Metro, a system with stations housing archaeological exhibits and items that were uncovered while digging (walls, cisterns, urns, and even sarcophagi). Even if you don’t need to get to any of the 50-plus stations, it’s well worth a visit to Syntagma Square or Akropoli stations to see the relics or Ethniki Amyna station for more contemporary art installations. Though the trains aren’t that modern or efficient, the visual surroundings make it all worthwhile,” the writer says. Also in the top 10 list are Moscow, which has the oldest subway system and indisputably the most glamorous, London, Stockholm, Tokyo, New York, Paris, Dubai, Hong Kong and Beijing.
“ Even if you don’t need to get to any of the 50-plus stations, it’s well worth a visit to Ethniki Amyna station for contemporary art installations.”
"Dexileos" by Dimitris Mytaras, at the Dafni station,
is a bas relief inspired by ancient funerary steles.
Frommer’s was founded in 1957 and has published more than 350 travel guides, selling over 75 million copies worldwide. So, on the occasion of the Athens metro’s distinction, let us remember a few historical facts: Construction began in 1992 and the first two sections – Syntagma-Sepolia and Ethniki Amyna-Syntagma – started operating in January 2000. Today, the metro’s two lines (red and blue) cover a distance of 59.7 kilometers (including the 20.7k from Doukisis Plakentias to the airport) with 40 stations (four shared with the Proastiakos suburban railway). The Athens metro serves 938,000 passengers a day and the older ISAP electric railway about 460,000 passengers. The metro is currently in the process of being extended to Piraeus with 7.6 kilometers of new track and six new stations.
Originally published in Kathimerini newspaper
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GREECE ISATHENSEXPERIENCECULTURE
Art in the Athens Underground
A brief tour of the antiquities and modern art that’s on display at the Athens metro.
John Leonard, Margarita Pournara | December 16th, 2015
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Something we might take for granted these days, but shouldn’t, is the Athens metro. Anyone who remembers how difficult and tiring it once was to navigate through Athenian streets can tell you what an enormous, positive change the metro system has made to life here. The metro – even while still expanding its reach – has been praised by visitors as the best available in both Europe and America (“…from Boston to Budapest…”) for its efficiency, economy and ease. Moreover, the network offers numerous stations that contain unique archaeological mini-museums and modern art installations. These stations represent nodes of both transportation and enlightenment – where Greek culture past and present intersect for the appreciation of passersby.
ACROPOLIS
Temple preview
The first decorations to strike your eye at the Acropolis Station are sculptures (casts) from the Parthenon. Mounted riders in carved relief from the temple’s north and west friezes stream along the platforms, while mythological figures from the east pediment (including Helios’ four horses, Dionysus, Demeter and Kore) adorn the ticket hall. A stratigraphic display of ancient “Road 1,” a wall-sized photograph of spilled artifacts from “Well 68,” along with displays of ancient pottery, children’s toys and weaving equipment all attest to the station-area’s past – first as a prehistoric/Iron Age cemetery, then as an Athenian neighborhood inhabited for nearly 2,000 years.
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EVANGELISMOS
Chryssa, Mott Street
The only artwork in the Athens metro not created in situ is the sculpture Mott Street by Chryssa (1933-2013). After studies in Paris and San Francisco, the Greek sculptress settled in New York, where she became internationally renowned. Like Stephen Antonakos, she was influenced by the city’s lights and neon signs, especially those filling Times Square. The work at the Evangelismos station draws its inspiration from Manhattan’s Chinatown and its unofficial main street.
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AMBELOKIPI
Stephen Antonakos, Procession
Consider this… The Greek-American artist Mark Hadjipateras created an intriguing series of mosaics in the subway station at 28th Street in New York, while Stephen Antonakos (1926-2013), the Greek-American artist who grew up and lived in Manhattan, contributed an excellent work to the metro in Athens. Antonakos emigrated to the US with his family at age 4 and one of his most vivid memories from his village in the Peloponnese was the church lit up at night with candles. Influenced by this experience, and by his life in the Big Apple, he transformed those faint flickerings into dazzling neon, as anyone who views the display Procession in Ambelokipi station will see.
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SYNGROU - FIX
Takis, Light Signals & Photovoltaic Energy
In 2015, two major exhibitions were held in Paris and Houston, Texas to honor the pioneer sculptor Panagiotis “Takis” Vassilakis (born 1925), whose works are displayed in various places around the world – ranging from his own longtime place of residence, France’s City of Light, to Seoul, South Korea. In his birthplace of Athens, one can see his well-known creations at the National Sculpture Gallery in Goudi, as well as outside the Benaki Museum Annex on Pireos Street. Be sure to see his installations Light Signals and Photovoltaic Energy inside the Syngrou-Fix station, which draw their inspiration from traffic lights, lamps and bulbs.
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OMONIA
Pavlos, Football Players
Imagine a vast surface covered in places with adhesive that does not easily dry. Then… people flying over it, men from confetti… sticking… and revealing an entire scene. This is how the installation Football Players appears to have been created by the artist Pavlos Dionyssopoulos (born 1930) in Omonia station. Having lived in Paris and consorted with advocates of the Nouveau Réalisme movement, he discovered that what interested him most was not the brush, but the scissors. Using paper as his primary material, his works are as recognizable and they are endearing.
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OMONIA
Nikos Kessanlis, Queue
Nikos Kessanlis (1930-2004) came of age artistically in Rome and Paris during the restless years of the 1950s and 60s, absorbing all the shockwaves that dispelled The Old Ways in art. Though an artist with international reach, he devoted his entire energy to Greece, as a heretical voice, art activist and emblematic dean of the Athens School of Fine Arts. In the city’s most central spot, Omonia Square, silhouettes of men and women waiting in a Queue (the title of the installation) appear to mingle daily with the station’s thousands of passengers.
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MONASTIRAKI
A river runs through…
The charm of Monastiraki station begins outside, where the Church of the Pantanassa stands as the sole remnant of a 10th century monastery. Nearby, an opening in the pavement allows a bird’s-eye view down into the metro station, with its preserved antiquities. This was an area at the heart of ancient Athens, crossed by the Eridanos River. The age-old watercourse still flows through the station, where metro riders can see close-up its Roman-era, stone-built channel and vaulted cover. Large information panels illustrate the chronology and complex urban development revealed during the station’s excavation.
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EGALEO
Rural industries revealed
The metro’s most extensive archaeological exhibition is located at Aigaleo. Seventeen display cases highlight the results of excavations at both Egaleo and Eleonas stations, which lie along the ancient Sacred Way linking Athens to the Sanctuary of Demeter at Eleusis. The cases line two hallways: one featuring a range of thematic displays and the other focusing on cemeteries. Info panels offer a comprehensive view of this industrial district, characterized in Classical-Hellenistic times by olive production, metal working, pottery making and weaving. Displays include a horse that drowned in a seasonal flood. Outside the Egaleo and Eleonas stations respectively are a preserved section of the sacred roadway and the piers of an ancient bridge.
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SYNTAGMA
George Zongolopoulos, Atrium
This is certainly one of Athens’ lesser-known, must-see sights. The installation titled Atrium, by George Zongolopoulos (1903-2004), in the city’s busiest station, Syntagma, reaching 20 meters in height and 8 meters in diameter, steals the show. The sculptor had a remarkable sense of space and always worked closely with architects. He produced this work at an advanced age, in 1999, using his trademark umbrellas as protagonists, together with elements of water and movement. Atrium represents the only work of art not purchased for the metro, as it was donated by the artist himself.
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SYNTAGMA
Layers of history
One entire wall of Syntagma Station’s main hall is devoted to an enormous archaeological section illustrating the ancient site’s complex stratigraphy. Visible within this chronological layer cake are walls, drains, a roadway and a 4th century BC slab-lined tomb complete with a skeleton. Displayed nearby are artifacts ranging from clay oil lamps to wine amphoras, terracotta water pipes and a mosaic floor. Info panels describe investigations outside the station, which unearthed (among other things) a Roman bath and a section of Athens’ 6th century BC aqueduct. Additional displays at the Evangelismos, Panepistimiou and Daphne stations similarly remind us that everywhere beneath our feet lies rich Athenian history.
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The beauty of Plaka and Anafiotika in the foothills of the Acropolis. Photograph: Anastasios71
What to do in Athens – beyond climbing the Acropolis
Unmissable moments and experiences to have in Athens, Greece
Ancient and modern Athens co-exist in perfect harmony with each other. Wherever you stand in the Greek capital, the Parthenon will always be in view as a constant reminder of the city’s history and where it all began over two millennia ago. So after you’ve climbed to the top of the Acropolis and marvelled at this remarkable temple, built to honour the patron goddess Athena, filled your camera with the sprawling view of Athens, as she stretches out to the port of Piraeus, what’s next? Beyond the well-known cultural attractions, here’s a round up of what to do in Athens, that will get you in touch with the modern side of the city.
What to do in Athens – beyond climbing the Acropolis
Enjoy the Greek way of life
When considering what to do in Athens, getting a taste of Greek culture, which is full of life and music, should be on the top of your list. Athenian summer nights are best enjoyed outdoors and you can see live Greek dancing beneath the glow of the Acropolis (until 25th September) or one of the scheduled performances from the annual Athens and Epidaurus Festival. Movie screens move to the open air too from May to October and Cine Paris in Plaka is one of the oldest in town bringing out the golden oldies, but it’s less about the movie and more about the killer views of the Acropolis in the background. Tuck into meze with live Greek music along the steep walkway of Mnisikleous or Erechtheos in Plaka. Live rebetika music or the ‘Greek blues’ is currently having a resurgence in the capital. A short taxi ride to the old gasworks precinct of Gazi will get you to Gazarte, who schedule weekly musical acts (from all over the world) on their rooftop stage.
Keep your nights going until the wee hours of the morning down the lengthy road of Kolokotroni in central Athens, lined with trendy bars with imaginative names such as Barley Cargo, Booze Cooperativa and The Bank Job.
Eat like a local
Many affectionately refer to Athens as the largest village in Greece and when it comes to food that is very true. Freshly baked bread is always within reach and the famous Koulouri is how most like to kick off the day. Follow the aromas of home cooked “paradosiakos” food in non-touristy tavernas that are scattered all around town including Diporto where there is no menu and only a handful of dishes served every day. It doesn’t get any more rustic, authentic or delicious. This very mercantile part of Athens is where the city’s buzzing central market is located with home grown organic produce that is bursting with colour and local flavours. A short walk to Athinas St is the coffee micro-roastery Mokka,where you can enjoy a shot of Greek coffee, prepared the old fashion way. Closer to the Acropolis in the very picturesque area of Thissio, you can devour a kilo of lamb chops at To Steki tou Ilia and then walk it all off in the surrounding pedestrianised walkway with market stalls along Agias Asomaton.
Explore ancient cities in the centre of town
Bon vivants and travellers are lured to the cobbled streets and tiny white washed homes of Anafiotika on the northeast side of the Acropolis. Follow the narrow cobbled paths as they zig zag down towards the ancient city of Plaka where the Greek island atmosphere continues.
Witness a fiery sunset
There are many hills to climb in Athens and not all lead to the Acropolis, one in particular frames the Parthenon perfectly against the background of the Aegean Sea. Jump on the funicular or railway carriage that leads to the top of Lycabettus Hill and cold beer will be waiting for you as the unofficial street vendors (who have fought tooth and nail to be there) await to greet you. Otherwise, bring your own picnic and grab a spot for the spectacular sunset.
Discover the hidden pearls of the Attica coastline
Organised city beaches line the Athens Riviera south of the city. If you want to escape the city entirely, keep heading south to Cape Sounio where you can spend the day basking in the crystal clear waters of the many secluded coves, before making the pilgrimage up to the Temple of Poseidon at sunset that is dedicated to the mythological God of the Sea. To experience the very best of the Aegean, let the others do the hard work and relax on board a catamaran that will take you to the best swimming spots where you’ll feel like you’re back in the islands. After you’ve splashed around, an authentic Greek lunch will be waiting on board.
Dip your toes beneath a limestone cavern
Athenians in the know skip the crowds and head to the thermal waters of Lake Vouliagmeni for peace and tranquility. Just 30 minutes from town, relax on luxurious day beds set beneath a limestone cavern. Garra rufa fish will nibble at your toes or you can explore more of the sea life by signing up for a day of snorkelling.
Take home some Athenian treasures
Head to the very hip area of Psirri close to Monastiraki station and find everything handmade and authentic including Greek fisherman’s caps, bouzoukia, ceramics and copper wares. Look out for vintage clothing and vinyl records through the labyrinth streets and graffiti sprayed buildings. Calm the soul with the clink, clink, clink of Greek worry beads and head to Kombologadiko at the boundary of Syntagma and Kolonaki for a special set made from semi-precious stones. If you’re looking for authentic ceramics, by- pass cheap imitations and visit the Attic Black store who hand make every object using authentic and traditional techniques.
For something a little different
Take a break from all the splendid ancient antiquities and stop by the Hellenic Motor Museum with a private collection of more than 110 cars from the late 1800’s until the end of the last century. The Ilias Lalalounis Jewelry Museum housed in a neo-classical building at the base of the Acropolis, is a treasure chest of precious objects and jewellery created by Athenian master goldsmith Ilias Lalaounis.
For outdoorsy pursuits, take the cable car to the top of Mount Parnitha (about 30 kilometres northwest from the centre) and hike this glorious mountain, which is the highest in Attica standing at 1400 metres. The Parnitha National Park is a blissful sanctuary of nature, filled with pine trees and indigenous animals. The trekking and mountain bike trails will get the heart rate going. Look out for the mythological God of the wild, Pan whom the ancient Greeks believed to live here.
You can explore Mount Parnitha another way and try your luck at the Regency Casino inside the Mont Parnes Hotel that was built in the 60s and perched up high above the mountain. It’s an impressive example of modern Athenian architecture. (Observe the dress code and bring your passport to enter).
Why Athens tip
You can visit museums in the early evenings until 8:00pm or 9:00pm (excluding Mondays). TheAcropolis museum remains open until 10:00pm on Fridays.
Express yourself whole-heartedly in Greek
Enjoying the Greek way of life at an open air concert. Photograph: Why Athens | What to do in Athens
Di Porto is a rustic eating experience in the centre of Athens. Photograph : Why Athens | What to do in Athens
The village of Anafiotika beneath the Acropolis. Photograph: Milan Gonda | What to do in Athens
Sunsets are unforgettable on Mt Lycabettus. Photograph: Why Athens | What to do in Athens
Sailing the Athenian coastline. Photograph: Why Athens | What to do in Athens
Lake Vouliagmeni is a natural phenomenon. Photograph: Leonid Katsyka | What to do in Athens
Hand crafted ceramics at Attic Black. Photograph: Why Athens | What to do in Athens
The Hellenic Motor Museum, with one of the most eclectic private collections in the world. Photograph: Why Athens
BY ANASTASIA MANGAFAS 4
Learn more helpful Greek phrases for travelling in Greece.
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for more information - with Greek Pronunciation - please visit the following web page
https://whyathens.com/basic-greek/
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Communicating is so much more fun. Photograph: Everett Collection/ Shutterstock.com
Basic Greek for Travelling
The Greek language is not an easy one to learn or pronounce. We’ve put together a quick guide with audio clips to help you along. Learning to say a few words like ‘hello’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ is always a nice gesture when travelling anywhere in the world and the Greeks do appreciate the effort, however good or bad the attempt.
General rules of thumb: Greetings
You would say ‘kalimera’ (good morning) up until 12:00pm, from here onwards ‘yia sas’ (hello) will be the standard greeting. You will hear ‘kalispera’ (good afternoon/evening) from late afternoon right through to the end of the day. If you are leaving a restaurant or passing by the hotel reception desk to walk back to your room, you would say ‘kalinihta’ (good night).
Responses to greetings
If you’ve put your best Greek phrases to the test, many Greeks may respond to your polite greeting with any of the following:
Kalo-so-ri-sateh – welcome (or we welcome you)
Kalo Vrathi – wishing you a pleasant evening
Kalo Xi-mero-ma – wishing you a good dawn or daybreak (usually after you’ve said “good night”)
Greek pronunciation pointers
Letter I
Pronounce the letter I
as “ee” (rhymes with “see”) as in image.
Letter G
Pronouncing the letter “g” is a tough one for those with English speaking backgrounds. The “g” or gamma in Greek can be pronounced like a “y” as in yellow and also as a soft “g” which we don’t have an exact reference for in English.
In basic terms you pronounce the “y” like “yellow” when it has an “I” or “E” after it; e.g. Giro is YEE-ROH.
You use a soft “g” when there is an “A” “O” or “U” after it. E.g. Gala (milk) is “GH-ALA”. Think of the CH in bach or the Loch Ness monster.
Listen for this soft “g” sound in the phonetic audio below in “SIG-NOMI” (sorry or excuse me).
Letter D
Pronounce the letter “d” as you would pronounce the soft “th” in “theology”.
Greek Pronunciation
Basic Greek phrases for tourists:
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for more information - with Greek Pronunciation - please visit the following web page
https://whyathens.com/basic-greek/
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Best Beaches in Athens for 2016
Our top 5 picks of where to swim in Athens
Athens beaches feature crystal clear waters and sand-fringed shorelines that are easily accessible to the public. Greater Athens features the longest coastline of any European capital and this year, 13 beaches from the broader Attica basin were awarded ‘Blue Flag’ status for their high standards in water quality and cleanliness.
The Blue Flag beach award (blueflag.org) is considered the gold standard for beaches and certifies over 4,000 beaches and marinas around the world. Awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the Blue Flag is internationally recognised and ensures best practices are upheld in water quality, environmental management and sustainability. Greece was awarded 430 Blue Flags this year, bringing it in third place out of 50 countries.
We’ve chosen the ones that are easily accessible from the centre of Athens. They are our pick of the best ‘city’ beaches that can be accessed by car or public transport. We hope you find this guide useful and hope it inspires you to get yourself into the beautiful waters of the Aegean Sea. After all, water is indeed life.
Our top 5: Athens BEST beaches and bathing spots
Astir Beach
Astir Beach Club in Vougliameni has private sun beds for groups and arm chair service. Photograph: Courtesy of Astir Beach Club
This beach club is set on 300 metres of coastline in the crystal blue waters of the exclusive Laimos peninsula. Astir is open to the public but for a significant entry fee, the upside being a less crowded and more relaxing day by the sea.
Everything you could wish for is here; small designer boutiques, massage therapists and attentive beachside food and drink service. Full dining restaurants are also a few steps away. The scattering of ancient ruins on display reminds you which city you are in.
Water sports, yoga on the beach, this is how the other half live. Bungalows can be reserved and you should call in advance. Bring your best body and gear with you.
Address: 40 Apollonos, Vouliagmeni
For the taxi driver: Astir Beach Aπόλλωνος 40, Βουλιαγμένη
Opening times: 8:00am-9:00pm Club remains open till 12.00am T: +30 210 89 01 619
Akti Vouliagmenis Beach
The clear blue waters of Akti Vouliagmenis Beach. Photograph: Why Athens | Best Athens Beaches
Large well-kept lawns surround this beach. Many play on the outdoor courts, which include tennis, volleyball and basketball. Others set up small picnics away from the busy shoreline.
Akti Vouliagmenis is an ideal location to spend outdoors if you have a family with kids or enjoy being active. Offering a full range of amenities; first aid station, a kid’s playground, elegant beach chairs and umbrellas plus free Wi-Fi.
A short walk up the beach is a seaside fish taverna ideal for lunch or dinner and basic food and drink kiosks are on-site.
Address: 2 Poseidonos Ave, Vouliagmeni
For the taxi driver: Ακτή Βουλιαγμένης, Ποσειδώνος 2 & Απόλλωνος
Opening times: 8:00am-8:30pm
Asteras Beach – The House Project
Asteras Beach in Glyfada has some of the best facilities for families and groups. Photograph: Why Athens | Best Athens Beaches
An upmarket complex offering good value for money. For an 8 Euro entry fee Asteras offers beach chairs and umbrellas, lockers, changing rooms, showers, trampolines, a kids playground, a self- service restaurant, three bars and water sports.
Choose between the sandy beach or ritz it up at the Balux seaside pool, bars and restaurants and stay long after sundown.
Address: 58 Poseidonos Ave, Glyfada
For the taxi driver: Αστέρας Γλυφάδας Ποσειδώνος 58
Opening times: 9.00am-7.00pm, Restaurant 9.00am – 3.00am T: +30 210 898 3577
Yabanaki Beach – Varkiza Resort
The Varkiza resort has over 20 activities in its beach park. Photograph: Why Athens | Best Athens Beaches
Having recently undergone a refurbishment, the Varkiza Resort offers a selection of restaurants and facilities that make it a comfortable day at the beach.
With a beachside souvlaki eatery, pizzeria and sushi bar, it makes every effort to please. Beach tennis and a children’s water park are also available along with a quiet area used for wellness and massage. There’s a big take up of water sports such as windsurfing and water skiing.
You will need to pay extra for your sunbed and umbrella but you will find it all here in one place. Partygoers can stay ‘til late.
Address: Varkiza Coast
For the taxi driver: Ακτή Βαρκιζασ
Opening times: 8:00am-7.00pm
Lake Vouliagmeni
Lake Vouliagmeni is a natural phenomenon. Photograph: Leonid Katsyka/shutterstock | Best Athens Beaches
Although not a beach, it is worth a visit for an out of the ordinary and thoroughly enjoyable swim. Sitting beneath the remains of a limestone cavern, it offers a tranquil and peaceful environment. The lake itself is fed by underground springs and also by the sea.
The combination of salt and mineral-rich freshwater feels silky when you swim and is reportedly good for rheumatism and arthritis. The water temperature is balmy at 25 degrees celsius and is ideal to swim any time of the year. Hydro-therapy facilities along with relaxing body treatments are tempting.
Facilities include; a coffee shop, beach chairs and umbrellas. There is also an a-la-carte restaurant open each evening.
Address: Vouliagmeni Lake, Vouliagmeni Attica
For the taxi driver: Λίμνη Βουλιαγμένης, Βουλιαγμένη
Opening times: 7:00am-8.00pm, Restaurant 8.00pm – 1.00am T: +30 210 896 2237
Why Athens Tips
This post was not sponsored in any way and as always, all opinions are our own.
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WEB RING
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An orange flag means there is a lifeguard on duty usually between the hours of 10:30am-5:30pm
A red flag means there is no lifeguard on duty
Take care when sunbaking between 12noon and 4.00pm when the sun is at its hottest
Always swim clear of corridors designated for boats and avoid swimming close to marine buoys
Strong summer winds blow during the months of July and August, you should always be aware of strong tides and currents when entering the water
and for more information, please switch to the same webpage in English -
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y para más información, cambie por favor a la misma página web en español -
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et pour plus d'information, commutez svp à la même page Web en français -
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und zu mehr Information, schalten Sie bitte zur gleichen Webseite auf Deutsch -
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( English ) the StatCounter was installed on 2016-05-14, 17:30 p.m. GMT
( Greek ) ( Ελληνικά ) Ο μετρητής εγκαταστάθηκε την 14-05-2016 19:30 μ.μ. ώρα Ελλάδας
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