Weekend in Athens

Photo of Plaka, Athens

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Athens walks

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One of the most beautiful streets in Greece and, for lots of people, in Europe, is Dionisiou Areopagitou. Start from the Acropolis Metro station, and feel like walking on the paths of Socrates, right under the Acropolis. Climb up Pnyka, and imagine great politicians and retors like Themistocles andPericles would give speeches to the public of Athens, during the 5th and 4th centuries DC. Continue to Thiseion, or up to the Acropolis. This pedestrian street is an experience itself in the heart of Athens. You should not miss it. When the weather permits, book exhibitions and various expositions take place there.

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Athens airport

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From and To the airport: Athens International Airport, El. Venizelos (Eleftherios Venizelos was a very important and intelligent prime minister of Greece), is connected with Athens center by many means. The easiest way to get to the city is using the metro line 3 (Egaleo-Airport). Routes start at 05.30am from Egaleo station and the last one to the airport starts at 10.52pm. From the airport, the first train runs at 06.30am and the last one at 23.30.

Besides the metro, it is easy to use the X95 bus which departs exactly outside the arrivals hall and goes to Syntagma square. It runs 24h/day, at very frequent routes.

Here is a link for buses from and to Athens International Aiport:
http://www.oasa.gr/index.asp?asp=routes/bus_stop.asp&route_id=+%D795&rvariant_id=1&medium=0&s_t=ola

Photos

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photo by: hermenpaca

Weekend in Athens: Small statue from Cyclades

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Weekend in Athens: Cycladic Art Museum

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The greatest museum to admire a huge collection of ancient cycladic art, dating back to 3rd century BC... Watching these pieces of this art, one wonders how modern this can be, even nowadays! The museum has two branches: The central part (4 Neofytou Douka str), and the temporary collections Stathatos Mansion, which are connected to each other with a corridor. It is located in the centre of Athens, and can be reached easily both from Syntagma and Evangelismos metro stations.

Opening Hours:

Monday - Wednesday - Friday - Saturday:		10:00 - 17:00
Thursday:		10:00 - 20:00
Sunday:		11:00 - 17:00
Tuesday:		closed

Public Holidays (museum is closed):
1 January, 6 January, Shrove Monday, 25 March, Good Friday, Easter Monday, 1 May, Whit Monday, 15 August, 28 October, 25 December, 26 December

Standard entrance fee (except for Monday)		€ 7

Reduced entrance fees
- seniors (over 65)		€ 3,5
- 19-26 years old		€ 2,5
- groups of 15 or more		**€ 5 (each)**

Monday entrance fee		€ 3,5

Free admission		- kids and young persons under 18
		- visitors with disabilities and their companion
		- members of the MCA
		- archaeologists
		- archaeology and art history students
		- members of ICOM - ICOMOS
		- journalists
		- qualified guides
		- teachers accompanying school-classes participating in educational programmes
		- parents accompanying their kids for the Saturday’s programme

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Weekend in Athens: Buses to and from the airport:

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Here is a link for buses from and to Athens International Aiport:
http://www.oasa.gr/index.asp?asp=routes/bus_stop.asp&route_id=+%D795&rvariant_id=1&medium=0&s_t=ola

Weekend in Athens: Going out in the northern suburbs...

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photo by: philos from Athens

If you have a long weekend in Athens, or you stay in the northern suburbs, explore the part of Athens in the North of the center. Head towards the north, at the areas of Kefalari and Kifissia. They are considered to belong to the poshy areas of Athens, and so do the bars and clubs over there. Take a walk in the areas of Kifisia and Kefalari (do some shopping if you want: the area feels like Milano) and, after admiring some of the most beautiful houses, have your coffe or drink at the main Kefalari Square.

Directions: Stop at terminal station (Kifissia) of line 1 (Kifissia-Pireas), and walk 15 minutes to Kefalari central square through Kolokotroni street

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Weekend in Athens: The Acropolis and the Parthenon

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No need to say a lot about the Acropolis... The cradle and symbol of civilization and democracy, standing proudly in the middle of the city, on the holy rock, as greeks call it. The Parthenon works started on 447BC by the architects Ictinos and Kallikratis. Visit the Parthenon, the old temple of Athena, the Propylaia (the gateway), the Erectheumand the Theatre of Herodes Atticus. Your weekend in Athens has to have it...

Opening Hours:
08.30am-03.00pm (winter time, 01.11-31.03)
08.00am-07.30pm (summer time, 01.04-31.10)

Tickets:
Full: 12 euro
Reduced: 6 euro
Students (EU), Journalists, people under 19: Free

For a list of the admission free days click here

Directions: Stop at Acropolis metro station (10 mins walk)

Link: http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh355.jsp?obj_id=2384

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Weekend in Athens: National Archaeological Museum

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The National Archaeological Museum is one of the most important museums of ancient art in the world. It houses very important exhibits, ranging from prehistoric years to romean times.

The museum is close to the junction of Alexandras and Ikostis Ogdois Oktobriou (Patission) Avenues, on Ikostis Ogdois Okcobriou avenue. It can be reached by metro, either from Omonoia Square station (8 min walk), or from Victoria Square station (5 min walk), or by Trolleys 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,13, 14,15.

Openinh hours:
Monday: 13.00-7.00pm
Tuesday-Sunday: 08.00am-07.30pm
(summer time), 08.30am-03.00pm (winter time)

Entrance Fees:
Normal:7 euro
Reduced: 3 Euro
Children under 18: Free entrance

Link: http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh151.jsp?obj_id=3249

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Weekend in Athens: Photo of Athens by night...

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photo by: Mendhak's Photostream

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Photos

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photo by: Serendigity

Transportation in Athens...

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Going out City centre

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Athens is a large city... Latest official results showed that the metropolitan area of Athens amounts more than 3 million, however, it is said that, there are always like 5 million people staying in Athens. One of the great things about going out in Athens is that, apart from the city center, which has really a lot to offer, there are many, but really many more neighborhoods to be explored during nighttime... And each one has its own character... A weekend in Athens or... to be more precise, a Saturday night out is Athens has to have it all!

Syntagma: At the streets around Syntagma square (Syntagma metro station) there are lots of bars, each one with its own style and music. Locals go there a lot, either for a Saturday night drink, or for a ber after work. Walk Karageorghi Servias, Voulis, Kolokotroni and Kleitiou streets and you will see some of the finest downtown places.

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Gkazi (Kerameikos matro station): The area of Gkazi, a former industrial area of Athens, is the latest trend in the City. Dozens of restaurants, clubs, bars have opened in the area that gets packed almost every night... The atmosphere is very relaxed and open, while you should not miss the roof bars if you go there anytime of the year but winter. Stop at Kerameikos metro station and walk the streets around the main square.

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Kolonaki: Kolonaki (any metro station: Evangelismos or Panepistimio, depending on where you wat to go) is the poshy area of Athens city centre. The central square and skoufa street host numerous bars, usually (a little) more expensive than usual-although thisis not the rule, but definitely kind of poshy. This is the area where it is more possible to bump into greek celebrities more than any other place in Athens!

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