Past and Present / Landmarks and Museums of Athens / Shopping, Gastronomy and Nightlife

A bustling and cosmopolitan metropolis, Athens is central to the economic, financial, industrial, political and cultural life in Greece. Located at the crossroads of three continents, the capital of Greece with an overall population of close to 5 million people has often been the melting pot of many cultures. Characterized by a culture and people that are welcoming, every visitor is sure receive a warm welcome.

Athens is an ideal congress destination, combining state-of-the-art infrastructure, excellent congress facilities and easy access from all over the world with world-class cultural attractions, modern amenities and diverse entertainment.

Past and Present

Boasting a history of 2,500 years with monuments incorporated into the modern city, coupled with world class museums and a vibrant contemporary cultural life, Athens is a very attractive destination. The establishment of Athens as a city dates back to mythological times. Despite the length of the city’s history, it is still evident throughout Athens in the form of many ancient, Roman, Byzantine and Modern monuments.
A center for the arts, learning and philosophy, home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum, Athens was also the birthplace of Socrates, Pericles, Sophocles and its many other prominent philosophers, writers and politicians of the ancient world. It is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, largely due to the impact of its cultural and political achievements during the 5th and 4th centuries B.C. on the rest of the, then known, European continent.
The heritage of the classical era is still evident in the city, represented by a number of ancient monuments and works of art, the most famous of all being the Parthenon on the Acropolis, widely considered a key landmark of early Western civilization. The city also retains a vast variety of Roman and Byzantine monuments, as well as a smaller number of remaining Ottoman monuments projecting the city’s long history across the centuries.
Landmarks of the modern era are also present, dating back to 1830 (the establishment of the independent Greek state), and taking in the Greek Parliament (19th century) and the Athens Trilogy (Library, University, and Academy).
Athens was the host city of the first modern-day Olympic Games in 1896. Having hosted the 2004 Olympic Games, Athens can evidently meet the requirements of the most demanding of events, always delivering an impeccable result.
Today’s capital is a result of integration of ancient and medieval history into the contemporary era.

Landmarks and Museums of Athens

Being one of the most historically significant cities is Europe Athens has much to offer to those who are interested in exploring some of the routes of our world’s civilization. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique and truly splendid monuments. Today’s capital integrates the ancient and medieval history into the contemporary era. Monuments can be found all around the city center, side by side with contemporary constructions such as buildings, roads and train stations.

Acropolis

The Acropolis is the strongest and most important monument of Ancient Greek civilization. The main building, Parthenon was dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the patron Goddess of the city and was completed in 432 B.C. Unique in its beauty, like all ancient monuments is has suffered destruction and theft, but thankfully just under the hill where the monument stands in, there is the Acropolis Museum providing all the missing pieces of information needed for someone to understand its significance and all the stories it has played a role in throughout the years.

Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus

Before starting the climb to get the Parthenon, it is impossible to miss a monument as impressive as Hadrian’s Arch. Constructed in 131 A.D. by the Roman Emperor, it was created to form an entrance for the new city and separate it from the old one. From the side of the monument that faces the Acropolis one can see the inscription “This is Athens, the former city of Theseus” while on the other side “This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus.

Behind Hadrian’s Arch, stands the captivating temple of Olympian Zeus. The building process started in the 6th century by Peisistratos and was finally finished 100 years later in 131 A.D. by Emperor Hadrian. Originally it consisted of 104 Corinthian columns of which only 15 remain standing today. Inside the temple, Hadrian built an enormous gold and ivory statue of Zeus and an equal one of himself. To this day we do not know when the temple was destroyed but like many other large buildings in Greece, it is possible that it was brought down by an earthquake during the mediaeval period and the ruins sold for other building materials.

Ancient Agora

The Ancient Agora, which means “market” in modern Greek, is situated at the footsteps of the Acropolis and in ancient times it served as the commercial center of the city but also as a political, cultural and religious center. Today it resembles a park and is a peaceful area that can be explored either on foot or by bicycle giving people a vivid visual of the everyday life of an ancient Athenian.

Panathenaic Stadium

Originally built in the 4th century B.C. for the athletic competitions of the Great Panathinaia (ancient Greek festivities), the “Kallimarmaron” Stadium was the venue of the first modern Olympic Games, in 1896.
A creation of the Athenians, as its name proudly proclaims, the Panathenaic Stadium has been the venue for noble competition and fair play, of mind and of body, since Antiquity.

Herodes Atticus Theater

Built at the base of the Acropolis, the ancient amphitheater of Herodeion, also known as the Odeon of Herodus Atticus, is one of the best places to experience a live classical theater performance. This ancient theater was built in the Roman times, in about 161 A.D. by the Roman philosopher, teacher and politician Herodes Atticus. It was built in the memory of his wife Aspasia Regilla who died in 160 A.D. and is still used for various performances.

Museums of Athens

Shopping, Gastronomy and Nightlife

The best place for high end shopping in the city with all the big fashion names is Kolonaki. However, the most well-known shopping street in Athens is Ermou Street. It is a pedestrian road full of famous brands and shops leading to the ultimate street shopping place of Monastiraki. It is situated around the Acropolis and offers a unique environment, where you may walk on the old cobblestone roads and visit the traditional flea market and bazaar. One can find all kinds of products there from clothes, shoes, cosmetics, jewelry, and bags to even decorating items. There are multiple coffee shops around the area offering a full evening experience.

Greek Gastronomy

Greek gastronomy has recorded a history of around 4,000 years, with especial characteristics based on pure and unique quality goods produced on Greek soil. In fact, it was Archestratos who wrote the first cookbook in history (330 B.C.). In truth Greek cuisine has four secrets: good quality fresh ingredients, correct use of flavorings (herbs) and spices, the famous Greek olive oil and simplicity. Olive oil, honey, salt and cheese may be the signature tastes one remembers after having a meal here but there are many more ways to impress your palette and satisfy your cravings. Due to the ever generous Mediterranean Sea, a Greek table is almost never complete without various delicious fresh fish.
Finally when it comes to drinking, wine has been imbedded in the Greek culture since the ancient times and is still taken and drunk very seriously by Greeks today as there are hundreds of wineries around the country and countless wine bars in all cities and islands. Other famous Greek drinks include Ouzo, Raki and the mysterious Mastic that can only be produced in one island in Greece as the plants of its origin are unable to grow successfully anywhere else in the entire world for reasons still unknown to this day.

Athens Nightlife, Cultural Life and Entertainment

One of the main characteristics of Greek Culture tourists notice is the vibrant lifestyle and unique hospitality of Athenians.
From jazz bars to pubs and the clubs to the traditional Greek Bouzoukia, Athens is a vibrant city offering a wide range of options that appeal to all sorts of lifestyles and tastes.
Dinner in Greece is served relatively late compared to other countries, reservations are rarely booked before 9 pm and bars never close before 2 am. Clubs in Athens can stay open until the morning hours making every night into a special occasion where one can meet new people, as Greeks have a tendency to meet, greet and include people when they are having fun.
As a night starter, Greece is one of the few countries in Europe where all cinemas play films in their original language with complimentary subtitles, therefore allowing our visitors to enjoy the pleasure of a movie the same way they would at home country.