Easy A-La-Carte Tours of Athens
It's likely to have an organized tour operator set up a large part of your Athens experience making transport and access to the various interesting sites easy. But if you would like to take a break to venture a bit on your own, you may enjoy the following :
1) Athens Hop on Hop Off Tour double-decker tour bus () that covers most of Athens' top attractions with commentary in several languages. Call in advance for handicap-equipped bus schedules.
The Athens - City Sightseeing Tour operates daily between 09.00 until 18.30 (Nov-Mar) or until 20.00 (April-Oct). Each tour takes approximately 90 minutes and has a commentary in eleven languages that traces the history and culture of Athens. You can Hop On Hop Off from any one of the 15 stops as many times as you wish. The buses run every 30 minutes.
Red Route
90 minutes
Adult: € 18.00
Child: € 8.00
15 Bus Stops:
1. SYNTAGMA SQUARE - Filellinon Street, Hard Rock Cafe
2. MELINA MERCOURI STATUE - Theatre of Dionysos
3. ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
4. ACROPOLIS & PARTHENON - The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
5. TEMPLE OF ZEUS - Hadrian Arch
6. NATIONAL GARDENS
7. BENAKI MUSEUM / MUSEUM OF CYCLADIC ART
8. PANATHANAIC (PANATHENEAN) STADIUM - Kallimarmaron
9. NATIONAL GARDENS - Greek Parliament, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
10. NATIONAL LIBRARY - Part of the Neoclassical Trilogy (Academy - University)
11. NATIONAL ARCHEALOGICAL MUSEUM
12. OMONIOA SQUARE - Hondos Centre
13. KARAISKAKI SQUARE - Theatre District
14. THESSION STATION - Temple of Hephaistos, Stoa of Attalos
15. KOTZIA SQUARE - City Hall
The Athens & Piraeus Tour (Blue Route) departs every 30 minutes from our Terminal in Akti Miaouli (near the Cruise Ship Terminal) from 08.20 until 21.20 during the months of April - October. There are 27 stops for both lines that one can Hop On & Hop Off from as many times as one wishes - the ticket is your passport to unrivalled freedom - everyone can get off at any of the many stops to have a look round and then rejoin a later bus. The Piraeus Tour (Blue Route) meets the Athens Tour (Red Route) after 30 minutes at our Acropolis bus stop. For both lines commentary is available in 11 languages explaining the history from ancient times until today.
Blue + Red Route
70 minutes + 90 minutes
Adult: € 22.00
Child: € 9.00
tel: +30 210-9220604
email: info@citysightseeing.gr
2) The Athens Sightseeing with the Happy Train toy-like street train that starts its tour from the Syntagma Square and follows an amazing route through the historical center of the city and the old neighbourhoods and the hill of Acropolis is also at your convenient disposal.
What they offer :
An amazing tour in the historical center of Athens
More than 15 unique ancient sights and monuments
2 hop-on and hop-off stops at Akropolis and Monastiraki
Hostess or Steward on board
Starting Points:
a) Ermou Street in Constitution Square ("Syntagma")
b) Areos Street in Monastiraki Square
Duration: 60 minutes
Time: Starts at 9:00am until 12:00pm - Trains every 30 minutes
Prices - Fare: 6€ for adults, 4€ for children, special offers for groups
Commentary: English and Greek guided
Telephones:
0030.210.7255400,
0030.210.9211444
0030.6947566450 (mobile)
Email: info@athenshappytrain.com
Syntagma Square
The original plans for the construction of the Parliament Building in Athens were to have it built atop the Acropolis. However, quite thankfully, this did not come to happen, and the Parliament Building was instead erected at the head of Syntagma Square. Built in the neo-classical style, a style that originated in Greece and typifies many of the hallmark Athens buildings, construction of the Parliament Building began in 1836 and was finished in the early 1840"s. It was built under the rule of King Otto of Bavaria with finances produced by his father, Ludwig I.
With the Greek Revolution of 1821, the Greek mainland managed to liberate itself from the Ottoman Empire. After hundreds of years living under Turkish rule, it was decided by the ruling faction that Otto of Bavaria would become the new King of Greece. When this was decided, Otto was not of age to rule yet, and so he came with forces and three designated ruling dictators that soon took advantage of their new empire monetarily. Eventually, when Otto reached his ruling age, the Greeks had grown tired of his dignitaries and demanded they be removed and that a new constitution be written. The name Syntagma means “Constitution”, and it is from this historical perspective that Syntagma Square was named.
Syntagma Square Athens is the heart of the city and it is for all intents and purposes the most important square in all of Greece. Syntagma Square is a prime beginning point from which to access many of the main attractions in Athens, and many of the city’s most notable streets begin at the square. Vassilissis Sophias Avenue, also known as Museum Mile, is one of the prolific city arteries which runs out of Syntagma Square. Among the museums found along this strip are the Benaki Museum, the Byzantine Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art. Many of the most expensive Athens hotels are found at Syntagma Square, including the Grande Bretagne Hotel, as well as Ermou Street, the city’s most expensive shopping strip. Ermou Street connects Syntagma Square Athens to Monastiraki, where tourists and Athenians alike shop for bargains at the Monastiraki Plaka flea market. Other notable neighborhoods near Syntagma Square are the chic Kolonaki, and the neighborhood of Psirri. Within walking distance of Syntagma Square Athens are the Acropolis, the Tower of Winds, Lykavittos Hill and a series of other attractions, including many historic churches.
One of the great things to do in Athens is visit Syntagma Square for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Greece, which is located at the Parliament Building. Every hour, guards called Evzones perform the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Greece changing of the guard. The Evzones wear curious uniforms with pom-poms on the toes of their shoes and skirts with stockings. The uniforms differ in the summer from the winter garb, and on Sundays and special celebrations the uniform is the most formal. The 11 o’clock a.m. Sunday changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Greece is a more ornate ceremony, where scores of people gather to watch.
Today the Evzones form the Presidential Guard, a battalion composed of 2 Evzone companies and 1 command company. They operate out of the Georgios Tzavelas barracks on Herodou Attikou St., just behind the Parliament building.
The Guard always takes precedence in all military parades. Their march style consists in normal march time, and at intervals, for several paces, striking the ground forcefully with their right foot. Their standard marching music is the "Evzonaki" ("little Evzone") march, played at 48 beats/min. They guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier round the clock. Guards on duty perform their movements in a very slow and highly stylized manner. They switch positions with each other every fifteen minutes and remain completely motionless and at attention in the meantime. Since the Guards are required to be totally still at all times, there is one Evzone in normal fatigues uniform and police surveillance to ensure that no one approaches or harasses the Guards while on duty. The "little changes" take place every hour on the hour, and involve the two incoming and two outgoing Evzone guards, and a supervising "Corporal of the Change". The Grand Change takes place at 11 am on Sunday mornings, and involves the whole Guard with its officers and a military band, all marching from the Guard Barracks to the Tomb for the Change, and back. The Grand Change is a popular Sunday morning spectacle for Athenians and tourists alike.
During a demonstration in front of the Parliament in 2001, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at one of the guardhouses. In no time, the wooden construction was engulfed in flames. The Evzone standing next to it didn't even blink his eyes, let alone move, until the guard in standard uniform came and gave him the order to move. With a scorched and partly smoking uniform on one side, the Evzone did.
In January 2010, a makeshift bomb was placed 20 meters from where the Evzones guard the Tomb of the Unknown soldier, at Syntagma Square. Although the police informed the Evzones of the imminent threat, the Guards refused to leave their posts and remained on guard while the bomb exploded.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Greece is also the monument of choice during major holidays, where top officials of Greece lay wreaths in honor of the nameless fallen Greek soldiers from battles gone by. Found at the site are an inscription bearing the famous Funeral Speech by Pericles, and other inscriptions that commemorate past Greek army victories like the 1821 Greek Revolution.
THE ACROPOLIS
The Acropolis of Athens is the best known acropolis (Gr. akros, akron, edge, extremity + polis, city, pl. acropoleis) in the world. Although there are many other acropoleis in Greece, the significance of the Acropolis of Athens is such that it is commonly known as The Acropolis without qualification. The Acropolis was formally proclaimed as the preeminent monument on the European Cultural Heritage list of monuments on 26 March 2007. The Acropolis is a flat-topped rock that rises 150 m (490 ft) above sea level in the city of Athens, with a surface area of about 3 hectares. It was also known as Cecropia, after the legendary serpent-man, Cecrops, the first Athenian king.
Propylaea: One of the masterpieces of classical architecture. This imposing entrance was designed by the architect Mnesicles and built in 437-432 BC over an earlier propylaea. Mnesicles designed an entrance no less magnificent than that of the temples and other monuments on the Sacred Rock. The Propylaea consists of a main hall and two side wings. The north wing was to house a display of paintings and was named Pinakotheke (Gallery). The outer columns to both east and west are of the Doric order; the internal entrance way is flanked by two high inner colonnades of the Ionic order. The brilliant idea of combining the Doric and Ionic orders lifts the emotions those who enter the Propylaea, giving them a rare aesthetic experience.
In the 12th century, the Propylaea became the residence of the Metropolitan Michael Choniatis. During Frankish rule, the whole structure was used as a palace. Additions by the Franks included an extra floor and a high watchtower that was demolished in 1874.
Temple of Athena Nike: A small, elegant, Ionian, amphiprostyle temple, built by the architect Callicrates in 426-421, on an earlier tower of the Mycenaean walls. It was dedicated both to the patron goddess Athena and to the prehistoric goddess Nike, protector of the entrance. In 1686 it was demolished by the Ottomans in view of the forthcoming Venetian attack and the marble pieces were reassembled after 1835. The temple is best viewed from the Propylaea.
Temple of Brauronian Artemis: Situated to the southeast of the Propylaea, this once formed a Π-shaped stoa with ten Doric columns. The temple was used for the cult of goddess Artemis, a cult that originated from Brauron, homeland of Peisistratus, in the mid 6th century BC. Today only traces of its foundations remain.
Chalkotheke: East of the Temple of Brauronian Artemis lies just the base of a lengthy structure that dates to the 5th century BC, and is believed to have been the Chalkotheke, used for storing precious votive gifts, mostly made of metal.
Erechtheum: This temple, begun in Ionian style in 421 BC, dominates the north side of the Sacred Rock. It is complex and elaborate in its structure, and equally complex in its symbolism.
The temple was named after the mythical king Erechtheus, and is often identified with the chthonic deity Erichthonius, and later with Poseidon. Athena and Poseidon played the leading role among the other deities associated with the temple, followed by Hephaestus, Erichthonius' father, and Voutis, Erechtheus' brother, both chthonic deities.
This was also where the "symbols" of the gods were: a well-shaped opening that contained sea-water offered by Poseidon; and an opening in the roof of the north stoa, made by the god's trident. The ancient wooden image of Athena was kept in the Erechtheum, while her sacred olive tree was on its western side.
Particularly interesting is the northern porch with its magnificent entrance and, more generally, its outstanding Ionic decoration from the bases of the columns right up to the ceiling. On the east side there is an impressive series of six Ionic columns crowned by a pediment.
On the south side of the temple lies the porch of the Korai (the original statues are exhibited in the Acropolis Museum). The six Korai (female figures) that support the entablature represent an eternal symbol of the perfection of the female form; they recall a ceremonial procession. The overwhelming charm and ethereal lyricism of the Korai are typical of the elaborate style in sculpture of the last quarter of the 5th century BC. These Korai of the Erechtheum were later named Caryatids. The most likely interpretation is that the Korai were identified with the young Caryatids, the ceremonial dancers who bore baskets on their heads in rituals honouring the Caryatid Artemis.
The Erechtheum was badly damaged by fire, probably during the invasion by Sulla (86 BC). Later, in the seventh century AD, it was transformed into a three-aisled basilica, dedicated to the Mother of God. Under Frankish rule it became the seat of administration, and in the period of Ottoman rule, a harem! At the beginning of the 19th century it suffered the attentions of Lord Elgin's men. The recent restoration of the monument was honoured by the award of a special medal by Europa Nostra in 1987.
On the west side of the Erechtheum stood the Pandroseion, dedicated to Pandrosos, daughter of Cecrops.
Parthenon: A public dedication, offered by the Athenians to their patron goddess Athena Parthenos (Athena the Virgin), in thanks for for the city's salvation and Athenian victories in the Persian Wars. It was built as part of Pericles' great construction program and was the ultimate expression of this achievement, showing the Athenian people at their zenith. It was built between 447 and 438 BC.
It is the largest temple of classical antiquity - surrounded by a colonnade with 8 columns on the short sides, and 17 columns on the long sides. It represents the culmination of the development of the Doric order, although here Doric columns are combined with an Ionic frieze around the cella, or central part of the temple. A ratio of 4:9 is repeated in various parts of the temple.
The columns embody the principles of meiosis (diminution) and entasis. Meiosis is the gradual thinning of the diameter of each column as it gets higher. By contrast, entasis is the thickening of each column at about two fifths of its height; thus strengthening of the column so as to hold the weight of the entablature. By using these architectural refinements, the great masters of the Parthenon gave life and mobility to the marble, and displayed how a considerable weight can be held in place by the power of construction.
The ancient Greeks were familiar with the optical effect by which, when seen under the light, a straight line gives the impression of a concave curve. Wanting to counteract this optical illusion, Ictinus and Callicrates applied a slight convex curvature to the center of all horizontal lines on the Parthenon. The curvature ranges from 6 to 17 cm (on the long sides); it begins from the foundations of the temple, and is repeated in the krepis, the entablature, the ceiling, the roof and the ceramic tiling.
The columns, with their entablature slightly curved towards the interior of the temple, stand on the delicately curved horizontal lines, binding the structure together. The corner columns complete the curvature of both colonnades, with the result that all forces counterbalance each other, thus achieving perfect harmony and symmetry. The convexity and all other deviations, known as "refinements", contribute to the monument's high aesthetic appeal.
Inside the temple stood the gold and ivory statue of Athena by the sculptor Pheidias, which has unfortunately been lost. The patron goddess of Athens was depicted in full armor, yet peaceful, and at the same time both supernatural and human.
The metopes depicted battles: between gods and giants on the east side; between Greeks and centaurs on the south; between Greeks and Amazons on the west; and the capture of Troy on the north. The pediment on the east side is the earlier and shows the birth of Athena. The central figures were lost in the early Christian period. The western pediment is technically more advanced; it shows Athena's contest with Poseidon. When Morosini attempted to remove the marvelous central figures and take them to Venice, they were broken into fragments. The best preserved parts of the pediments can be seen today in the British Museum in London. Some fragments and a unique complex (probably of Cecrops and Pandrosos) are displayed in the Acropolis Museum. The pedimental sculptures were sculpted in the round, and represent some of the finest works ever created by the human hand.
The outer wall of the calla was decorated with an Ionian frieze of unparalleled quality that represented the magnificent Panathenaic procession: mortals and immortals together as idealized figures, processing on horse or on foot, honoring the city and lauding democratic Athens. The frieze of the Parthenon is considered to be one of the greatest moments in the history of art and of human civilization.
In late antiquity the Parthenon was damaged by fire, probably from the Heruli (267 AD). In the 6th century it was transformed into a Christian church. During Frankish rule (1205-1456) it became the Catholic church of the Virgin and later it was converted into a mosque, until the great explosion caused by Morosini (1687). At the beginning of the 19th century it was divested of its sculptures by the British diplomat Lord Elgin. The restoration of the Parthenon, which began in the 1980s, is proceeding in accordance with the highest international standards, as is appropriate to a unique monument of the world's cultural heritage.
Peripatos: Since antiquity, this has been the name for the path that runs around the Acropolis Hill. It was five stadia and eight feet (900-930 meters) long.
The beginning of the path was at the junction with the Panathenaic Way. The path continued through the ancient shrines on the slopes of the Sacred Rock, cut the Theater of Dionysus into two parts (the theater and the epitheater), passed in front of the Asclepion, and ended on the uphill path that led to the Acropolis.
Opening Hours/Entrance Fee/Useful Tips
The Acropolis of Athens is open daily. Summer opening times: 8AM-7PM, Winter opening times: 8AM - sunset. Telephone: +30 210 3214172. Get there as early as possible to avoid heavy crowds, and summer heat when relevant.
General admission is €12 but excellent concessions are available, as is free access to many categories of individuals, especially under-18s and European university students. There are also a limited number of free days for the public listed each year;
6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
5 June (International Environment Day)
18 April (International Monuments Day)
18 May (International Museums Day)
The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
Sundays in the period between 1 November and 31 March
National Holidays
The first Sunday of every month, except for July, August and September (when the first Sunday is holiday, then the second is the free admission day)
The entrance to the Acropolis is off Theorias Street. From the Akropoli metro stop and New Acropolis Museum, walk west along Dionysiou Areopagitou Street and take the first right on to Theorias; from the Thissio metro stop west of Monastiraki, walk west to Apostolou Pavlou Street, turn left on it, and walk south to turn left on Theorias. From Plaka, you can walk south up steep Mnisikleous Street as far as you can go and turn right on Theorias.
The main archaeological site is surrounded by a large public area, a plethora of trees with beautiful stone-paved paths (designed by the great Greek architect Pikionis). A canteen with a wide range of food and drink is reached before you get to the ticket kiosk - but beware: refreshments are available only at exorbitant prices. You will definitely need a bottle of water with you in the hot summer, so either bring it with you or buy it from the kiosk on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, just outside the entrance. There are water fountains within the site, but the water isn't always cold. Guides can nearly always be found offering to show you around - at a price - at the point where tickets are checked. An alternative will be to ask for the free leaflet published by the Archaeological Resources Fund (includes a ground plan of the site and valuable information on the various monuments).
Some views will be marred by scaffolding. Many portions of the site are undergoing major, needed renovations.
Following European regulations, disabled access to the Acropolis can be gained by means of special paths and a purpose-built lift on the north face of the hill. Apparently this is only for the use of those in wheelchairs.
New Acropolis Museum
Designed by Swiss star architect Bernard Tschumi at a site south of the Acropolis, this long-overdue replacement for the musty old museum opened in June 2009. Located in Makryanni just below the Acropolis, it's easily accessed from the Acropolis station of the Metro.
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Last admission: 7.30 p.m.
Galleries cleared at 7.45 p.m.
The Museum is open every Friday until 10 p.m.
Monday: Closed.
Closed: 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 25 December and 26 December
Entrance
Public entrance at Dionysiou Areopagitou Street.
Entrance for groups at Mitseon Street.
Tour Buses
A bus drop off point for groups is available at Hatzichristou Street and entrance for groups is at Mitseon Street.
Admission
General admission fee: 5 euros.
Reduced admission fee: 3 euros. (The following visitors are entitled to a REDUCED ADMISSION FEE of € 3):
a) Students from Higher Education Institutions, from non-EU countries,
with current student identification card or International Student Identity
Card (ISIC)
b) Young persons under 18 years of age, from non-EU countries, with
current identification card to confirm age
c) Greek Senior citizens and Senior citizens from EU countries, 65 years
of age and over, with current identification card to confirm age
The following visitors are entitled to FREE ADMISSION:
a) Members of the Greek Parliament
b) Young persons under 18 years of age, from EU countries, with current
identification card
c) Children under 5 years of age, from non-EU countries
d) Students from Higher Education Institutions and Tour Guide Training
Institutions, from EU countries, with current student identification card
or International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
e) Greek citizens performing their military service, with current military
service identification card
f) Employees of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, the Finance Management
Fund for Archaeological Projects, the Archaeological Receipts Fund and
the Hellenic Culture Organization, with current working identification card
g) ΙCOM and ICOMOS cardholders h) Tour Guides with professional license from the Hellenic Ministry of
Development
i) Teachers accompanying children on primary & secondary education
school visits
j) Journalists, with current journalists’ identification card
k) Members of the ‘Friends of the Acropolis’ (EFA), with current
membership card
l) Official guests of the Greek Public
m) Visitors with disabilities from EU and non-EU countries and person
accompanying them
n) Archaeologists, with current working identification card
MUSEUMS
Athens is loaded with museums. It seems like there are new museums and branches of old museums opening every week. You can check the Athens News for traveling exhibits and this page will give you information on the main museums that should not be missed. | ||
National Archaeological MuseumThe National Archaeological Museum ranks among the top ten museums in the world. Its impressive collection is housed in a beautiful neoclassic building near the juncture of Alexandras Avenue on Patission Avenue. There is a gift shop, and a cafe in the sculpture garden. Children under 6 and EU students get in free.The museum is a five minute walk from Victoria Station and a 10 minute walk from Omonia. The Trolly #'s 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,11,13, and 15 all stop there. W ell not exactly at the museum. They actually stop by Tositsa Street and you have to walk past a bunch of drug addicts to get there but they probably won't bother you. They have their own problems. If the only day you can come is Sunday don't bother. Only 8 of the 64 galleries are open due to a shortage of funds, and you still have to pay the same price. Hours:Tue-Fri: 8am-7pm Mon:12:30pm-7pm Sat, Sun & Holidays:8:30am-3pm
The new Acropolis Museum was designed to offer the best conditions for the exhibition of its exhibits. A walk through its galleries is a walk through history between the masterpieces of the Archaic and Classical periods, but also in the ancient neighborhoods of Athens whose city streets and buildings you can see below when you look through the glass floors of the museum. It was hoped that by building the Acropolis Museum, the British Museum would return the Elgin Marbles, but don't hold your breath. In the meantime there are copies of those pieces to go along with the thousands of ancient stones and statues that finally have a home, worthy of them. Don't miss this museum.General admission fee: 5 euros. | ||
Lalaounis Jewelry MuseumOpening HoursThursday, Friday, Saturday: 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. Sunday: 11.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Wednesday: 9.00 a.m. – 9.00 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and National holidays the museum is closed. General Admission: 5,00 € Students, senior Citizens, and Groups: 4,00 € The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum is a unique museum devoted to the art of jewelry and the decorative arts. The museum was founded in 1993 and opened to the public, as a non-profit organisation. Today the Museum’s permanent collection includes over 4000 pieces of jewelry and micro sculptures from over 50 collections designed by the museum’s founder, Ilias Lalaounis, between 1940 and 2000. The permanent collection is enriched with donations including jewelry and decorative arts from around the world. The museum is located on Karyatidon and Kallisperi Streets, just off the esplanade of Dionysiou Areopagitou St. on the south side of the Acropolis, below the Theatre of Dionysos. Visitors can reach the museum by taxi, bus and the subway.
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