Essential Athens

Acropolis (includes the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Stoa of Eumenes and Acropolis Museum), Theatre or Dionysos, Theatre of Herodes Atticus, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient and Roman Agoras, Fiolopappos Hill, Zappeio and National Gardens, Parliament Building.

Quick Tips:

I would suggest not to spend more than two days in Athens (maybe stay on a nearby island and take day trip or stay for a weekend instead). Apparently Athens requires time to appreciate.

In high season, book accommodation in advance to avoid ending up in the disgustingly dirty and scary Hotel Vergina (or Hotel V*gina as I would call it).

Don't spend long in the souvenir shop-filled and touristy Plaka (old town).

Athens is not big on animal welfare. You will find dehydrated and sore-covered homeless dogs sprawled out in every alleyway and shady area.

Despite all this, Athens IS worth visiting, if not just for the Acropolis.

Best Way To Get Around:

Bus number E95 leaves Plateia Syntagmatos every 25 minutes to the airport.

All the above attractions can be reached by foot from one another. The metro is clean and frequent for travel further out. For the Acropolis, take the metro to the 'Akropoli' stop on the red line.

Aviod it like the plague. Located on the edge of Athens crime district of Ommonia this is definately one to miss. As a lone female, I found the unflushed and unlockable toilets on each floor not only disgusting but down-right scary when there were single dodgy Greek men wandering all about the hotel trying to get in my way as I walked into the bathroom. I was also quite unnerved and disgutsted to walk in on one of those men sitting on the toilet one morning (he didn't seem to mind).

I was scared to go to the toilet in the middle of the night, not only because of what state I might find the bathroom in, but also for who might be around. When leaving the hotel with my backpacks on my back, I was pushed hard out of the way as a young man who had been arguing with the receptionist ran past me. He then turned and I thought he was going to cry -- he was literally begging the receptionist (in Greek, so I didn't understand), but I wouldn't have been surprised if the receptionist would have pulled a gun out if I hadn't been standing between them. I didn't stop to find out, but as I looked back the other guy had run off.

Oh well, another story to add to my journal and another place to miss if I come back. Not worth 15 euros a night for a single.

Once Greece's largest temple, the Temple of Olympian Zeus took 700 years to complete. Now only 15 of the 104 huge Corinthian columns remain. Next to the temple on the same site are remain also some other ruins or an ancient meeting place, including baths. Worth 10 or 15 minute look.

A short walk down from the Acropolis on the opposite side to the main entrance way takes you to the Ancient and Roman Agoras were the central market places and social centre for the Greeks and Romans. The larger, Ancient Agora is where Socrates apparently spent much time, and contains the Church of the Holy Apostles at the entrance, the Temple of Hephaestus and the newly-rebuilt Stoa of Attalos, which containts the museum. The main site in the Roman Agora is the lovely Tower of the Winds.

The Roman Stadium was originaly used for the Panathenic athletic contests in the 4th century BC, and was used for the first Olympic Games of modern times in 1896.

Unfortunately at present (July 2003), you cannot gain access to the stadium as it is being reconstructed, but you can catch a glimpse of all the building melée through the fence. At present, not worth a look unless you are walking by.

For 12 euros (6 for students), you can gain entry to any six of the ancient sites around central Athens, including the stunning ancient Acropolis. Unfortunately, at the moment there is scaffolding around the Parthenon, spoiling your photo, but not minimising the sheer magnificance of this great site. I liked it so much that I went twice in the 24 hours that I had in Athens.

It is a gentle 10 minute walk passing the anncient theatres of Dionysos and Herodes Atticus (used for concerts and shows during the Athens Festival in July and August) up a landscaped hill to the top, where the view over Athens sprawling buildings is tremendous.

If there is one place you visit in Athens, this has to be it.

A 10-15 minute walk up hill from the Acropolis takes you past the Church of Agios Dimitrios, through trees and up to a stunning view over Athens and the Acropolis. It seemed to be off the beaten track as I was the only person sitting at the top taking in the view. A lovely and quiet place for a picnic and photo of the Acropolis.