Athens Early Bird

Description:

Downtown Athens is a blur of exotic colors, smells, sounds, that seem much more like a city of the Orient than the city that birthed western culture. From dawn until dusk, workers shout their specials from the lines of stalls where you can, like it or not, know EXACTLY what your food looked like before it ended up on your plate. Go early to watch all of the cleverest cooks of the city taking the best cuts. Sit in one of the many tavernas or cafeneios in the afternoon and watch the hubub from the peace of your table. There is an excellent souvlaki place just across the street. For a surreal experience, go to the 24 hour taverna inside just before dawn and watch the meat be hung. From Monistiraki Square, facing Ermou street, go straight on Athinas and continue on, past the countless shops and kiosks selling all sorts of things from chainsaws to rubber boots to wooden ships, until you come upon some herb shops on the right. You're almost there. First comes the meat market, than the fish market. Across the street is the fruit and vegetable market. You can also buy some great cheeses, dried fruits, nuts and coffee. For vegetarians or those who would prefer to remain ignorant about what a skinned lamb looks like, just keep walking. *Ignore the map. It's wrong. Tried and tried but can't get it to recognize the address, but it is Sofokleous and Evripidou streets on Athinas.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best place to swing by for breakfast if you're out and about before 8am.

Description:

As far as originality goes, Regal Cafe has not done much to make herself rise above the superfluous numbers of cafe-bars in Athens. It is the standard high design tables, chairs and lighting, ultra-chic bathroom and discotech soundtrack that you'll find anywhere. What she has done is make herself very practical to out-of-towners by opening early, providing free wifi, having friendly, multilingual staff, breakfast specials in a non-breakfast eating city, etc. The outdoor seating is clean and comfortable, serving as a great base for people watching the pedestrianized street of Makrigianni.

Prices are average with the standard cafes; not great but not gorging you, either. Very close to the Acropolis Metro and the New Acropolis Museum.

Description:

The Acropolis (Akropoli) station, located on newly pedestrian Makrigianni Street, is on the red line one stop after the FIX station and one before Syntagma. What's so special about a metro stop? Besides giving you easy access to the New Acropolis Museum, the longest pedestrian road in Europe, Aereopagitou Street, the Acropolis, and Plaka, it has ancient everyday vessels found during digging, replicas of some of the treasures of the Acropolis and is lined with copies of the famous "marbles" taken by England's Lord Elgin in the 19th century. There's also a fantastic blown up engraving of what the old Military hospital (opposite the New Acropolis Museum) looked like during Ottoman times and a giant photograph of the modern goddess, Melina Mercouri, where you wait for the trains.

Connected to fourteen stations, near Hera Hotel, Philappos and Herodion

Our Local Expert Says:

Best view of the Parthenon! The second floor cafe is the perfect place to sit under a shady veranda and have a drink or light meal, all while gazing at one of the ancient world's greatest structures. The food highlights Greek products and the museum is proud of the low prices on the menu.

Description:

The New Acropolis Museum was conceived in 1979 in an overall effort to persuade the British Museum to return the famous marbles of the Parthenon. After changing decisions on locations and architects, on top of the discovery of an ancient settlement on the winning site, the museum was completed in June of 2009. It is considered one of the top ten museums of Europe and is unique in that all of its contents are specific to the site of the sacred rock of the Acropolis. How to deal with the ancient ruins underneath? Prop it up on columns and lay down a clear floor, giving visual access throughout the museum.

A must see.

Description:

South of the Acropolis stands the world's oldest theatre. It was constructed in the 6th century BC and rebuilt in the 4th century BC. All the works of the great ancient dramatists Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes were first performed at this location during the 5th century BC. Walking uphill towards the Acropolis, you will come across the Eumenes Arcade (constructed in the 2nd century BC) and the Asklepios Temple. Further to the west is the Odeon of Herod Atticus, a Roman theatre still used for concerts and performances.

Description:

Quite possibly the most famous symbol of Athens, if not all of Greece, the Acropolis crowns the city and provides a romantic focal point amidst the modern-day noise and mess. The word "Acropolis" comes from "Acro" meaning "High" and "polis" meaning city.

History

The Acropolis as we know it was masterminded by Pericles in the fifth century BC after the original Acropolis was burned to the ground by the Persian army. The sacred rock was dedicated to the goddess Athena since Neolithic times, but was also used as a gathering place during times of danger due to its strategic positioning. The rebuilt grouping of temples, framed by the Propylaea, or gateway, was intended to be a testament to human achievement and unique in the world in their beauty. They include the demure Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheum or Erechtheion, hallmarked by the Porch of Caryatids (maidens) and the queen of them all, the Parthenon. The Parthenon and the Propylaea were completed first, in under ten years. The temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheum were built after the death of Pericles.

In the centuries that followed, the sacred rock was used as a church, a fortress, a mosque, an arsenal, and pillaged frequently by invaders and travelers taking advantage of the instability of the Ottoman-occupied city throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The most famous of these looters was the English Lord Elgin whose grand booty is the source of a modern day controversy between the British Museum and the Greek State, who have been asking for their treasures back for the last thirty years. The New Acropolis Museum, located across from the entrance to the Dionysos Theatre, was partly created to provide a home for the artifacts. There is still no official word of their being returned to Greece.

Visiting the Sacred Rock of the Acropolis

It is one of the most memorable things you can do while in Athens, and you're sure to note the absence of ropes or glass, bringing you up close and personal with one of the greatest works of art in the Western hemisphere. Get inspired by the great humans that walked there before, the history that happened after, the mystical rumors of being aligned with the stars, or simply the breathtaking view of the city. It's a place that touches the heart of Athens and the Athenians. All of the site is encircled by a cobblestone pedestrian path, the streets of Dionysou Areopagitou and Apostolou Pavlou. Areopagitou street runs along the South slope and is where both entrances to the sites are located, the first just on the Theatre of Dionysos, the site of the festival dedicated to the god of wine, ecstasy and theater. The second is further up past the Roman-era Odeon of Herod Atticus, where the Athens Festival takes place every summer. Go up the steps or the ramp (a bit further) and you'll find the main gates.

All of these sites can be accessed with the €12 admission of the Acropolis, as well as the Temple of Zeus, Keramikos Cemetery, Roman Agora and Ancient Agora.

What's Around the Acropolis

Facing the Acropolis are Pnyx, Areopagos and Philopappou hills which offer commanding views over the city. Areopagos Hill is the site of a famous sermon from St. Paul to the Athenians. Opposite the Acropolis is the unique Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry museum. Plaka, the oldest neighborhood of Athens, sprawls out at the base of the Acropolis rock. Delve in to explore its quaint streets and shops or spend an hour walking through the Ancient Agora.

Necessary Information for Visiting the Acropolis:

Admission
€12 except for minors. Teenagers under 19 should carry an ID to prove their age.
Seniors are not offered a discounted rate unless members of the EU.
Journalists and Government officials are granted free admission.

Days the site is free of admission

All Sundays between November 1st and March 31st. After that, the first Sunday of every month except July, August and September (peak season.)
All Greek national holidays ~ all religious holidays of the Greek Orthodox Church including Easter Monday and Tuesday as well as the Monday after Pentecost.
March 6 ~ Melina Mercouri Day
April 18 ~ International Monuments Day
May 18 ~ International Monuments Day
June 5 ~ International Environment Day
September 27 ~ International Tourism Day
The last weekend of September ~ European Heritage Days

And most spectacular is the annual late-night opening for the full moon of August, an event that is usually accompanied with live music and theatrical events.

Hours
Winter (November 1 - March 31) 8:30am - 3:30 pm
Summer (April 1- October 31) 8am - 7:30pm except Mondays 11am - 7:30pm

Amenities

Both upper and lower entrances offer water fountains and toilets before entering the site. There are no opportunities once on the site. A small snack bar is just outside the upper entrance, though the prices are high and the quality poor. If you can, wait to refresh yourself with things found in the adjacent neighborhood of Thission or along Makriyannis, the road connected to Areopagitou.

A lift entrance is offered to those in a wheelchair. Ask the official at the upper entrance for assistance.

Words of Caution and Greek Reality

Please use caution while on the site, which is entirely out of marble that can be incredibly slippery! Those with limited mobility might have trouble, though it's certainly possible to see everything if you take your time and move carefully.

Be on guard for pickpockets. Keep phones, wallets, and money in places that are difficult for the nimblest of hands if not completely under your clothes.

There might be a number of vendors of cheap novelty gifts and/or umbrellas, fans, bottles of water. These are mostly illegal immigrants who are routinely chased off by the police. As of now there is no law penalizing those who patronize them but it has been discussed.

The Scaffolding

Try not to be too disappointed when you get to the Acropolis and find most of the temples surrounded by scaffolding. They are part of a restoration and conservation effort that will keep the site strong for generations to come. The Parthenon was temporarily scaffold-free in the summer of 2010, but since November is being worked on again for an indefinite period of time.

The Strikes

Greece is a country known for expressing itself and being politically active. Should you arrive and there is a strike that has closed the entrance of the Acropolis, there is little that can be done. Go to  nearby Areopagos Hill and the area of Philapappou Hill for outstanding views of the Rock and history that's equal in importance. Neither are manned by ministry officials and therefore always open, and always free.

The Dogs

Those sun-loving mongrels you'll see lounging around the entrance, while stray, are typically friendly and laid back. Still, use caution when approaching one and don't reach toward it unless it's approached you first with a wagging tail. Under no circumstances should you inspect one that's sleeping. It isn't dead no matter how much it looks the contrary. We promise.

Our Local Expert Says:

The meat, to be sure is quite fresh as it's located directly in the meat market.

Description:

Here is a place to rub elbows with the good working men and men of Greece, 24 hours a day. (Women might be a rarity but certainly their company is appreciated.) It is classically used in the wee hours of the morning by those stumbling home from a late night at the 'Bazouki" where they drink a special soup known as "patsas." There's no better preventative for a nasty hangover or even just to snap you out of a drunken blur. 

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Closest Metro: Monastiraki Station

Description:

Aereopagus Hill got its name when the god of war, Ares, was tried for the murder of a demi-god son of Poseidon. In ancient times the hill was used ever since to try murderers, and then just to allow people to speak. St. Paul is one of the more famous, his speech posted just at the base of the rock.

Just to the left of the Acropolis, Aereopagos hill remains free of charge, open at all hours of the day and night, and the perfect place to drink in the wide, white expanse of the city, listening to the distant mix of church bells and motor scooters from every neighborhood in the city center. The best is to be there after dark, when the lights are twinkling and traditional music is plunked on bazoukis in Plaka and Monistiraki. It is the ideal place to view the moon when it is full or to catch fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Description:

A popular stopping point for the night-people who are seeking something to put in their stomachs after a heavy night of drinking, this bakery is constantly pumping out fresh raisin bread, koulouri (sesame covered bread rings) doughnuts and fresh loaves of village bread.

Description:

Part of this track is the oldest in Athens, dating back to 1869. It runs the length of the Port of Piraeus to lush and pricey Kifissia, with twenty two stops in between. Among the stops, some of the more interesting include the Faliro stop, running directly underneath home to popular Olympiakos football club, Karaiskakis stadium , the Monastriaki and Thissiou stations that lead immediately to the Ancient and Roman agoras and popular flea markets, and the Victoria station, the nearest station to the Archaeological museum.

The Piraeus Station is housed in a nineteenth century building that was restored for the Olympic Games. It gives access to the train museum and the Piraeus Archaeological Museum. The Kifissia Station gives access to the Goulandris natural museum.

Description:

The Roman Agora was built as an extension to the Ancient Agora in the 1st century BC. This marketplace contained a courtyard, shops, storerooms and stoas. Not to be missed is the Tower of the Winds, an octagonal marble tower which served as a water clock, compass, sundial, weather vane and water clock. On each of its eight sides is a depiction of a directional wind. There is also a relatively intact 15th century mosque north of the agora along with the Gate of Athena Archegetis. Visit the museum of Greek Popular Musical Instruments (URL) literally down the street. Walk back towards Monastiraki metro station and view Hadrian's Library. Closest metro: Monastiraki. For a flavor of Greek island architecture, walk up to Anafiotika.

Description:

Octagonal tower known in Greek as Aeridhes, was designed by astronomer Andronikos of Kyrrhos in the 1st century BC. It is one of the most interesting sights within the Roman Agora. This marble tower served as a water clock, compass, sundial, weather vane and water clock. On each side of the tower is a relief of a floating figure personifying the eight winds (Eolou, Boreas, Skiron, Zephyros, Lips, Notos, Euros, Apiliotis and Kaikias).

Description:

From the Acropolis to Omonia Square, you'll see all the famous sites of ancient and modern Athens on this comprehensive morning tour. The tour gives you a perfect overview of the modern city, helping you get your bearings if this is your first visit to Athens and providing a striking contrast to the remains of the city's glorious past.

Your tour takes you past the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament House on Constitution Square. You'll drive past the Panathenian Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896) and see the Presidential Palace (ex Royal Palace), government buildings and elegant homes. The drive along Panepistimiou Avenue takes you past the Catholic cathedral, the Academy, university, National Library and Omonia Square.

After seeing the highlights of modern Athens, it's time to tour the past with a visit to the Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Acropolis, Athens' crowning beauty. Highlights include the impressive Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens. To delve further into the past, the tour includes a visit to the Acropolis Museum.

Description:

The construction work undertaken on the city's metro system during the 1990s brought an unprecedented number of archaeological finds to light. Some of these finds can be seen at the metro station on Syntagma Square. The exhibits include ancient grave stones, an aqueduct from the 5th century BC, pottery, a 2,000-year old beehive and a mosaic from the 5th century AD. Most interesting is the geological cross-section on display, with each layer of earth representing a different historical period. An example of this would be the grave containing a skeleton from the 4th century BC lying a few meters below a 16th-century cistern.

Description:

The decision to move the capital of the young Greek state to Athens in 1834 made it imperative to build a large new cathedral here. Construction started in 1839 and was completed in 1863. Since that time, this imposing building, decorated with fine murals and icons, has been Greece's most important church, used for official occasions. People wanting an insight into contemporary Greek culture and wishing to listen to splendid Byzantine music should attend Sunday mass which begins at 8a.

Description:

Also known as Kallimarmaro, the Panathenaic Stadium is where the First Olympic Games were revived in 1896. This u-shaped marble stadium has a capacity to seat 70,000 spectators and is used to host large-scale events. Its gates are only open when events are held, but it is still possible to view this impressive and historic structure. The Olympic marathon event which starts 42 kilometers away at Marathon finishes here. Greek runner Spiros Louis won the marathon during the 1896 summer Olympics. Opposite the stadium are the National Gardens and Zappeion Conference & Exhibition Center. During the summer, watch a film at the outdoor cinema called Aegli adjacent to the Zappeion. Other points of interest include the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch and the National Gardens.

Description:

At 360 feet long and 143 feet wide, the Temple of Olympian Zeus is said to be one of the largest temples in the ancient world. The size of the remaining colossal columns gives an idea of its scale. Adjacent to this site is Hadrian's Arch built by Emperor Hadrian to mark the boundary of his city and the classical city. On one side of the frieze the inscription reads "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus" and on the other side "This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus". From here walk into the Plaka or to the National Gardens,the Zappeion and further on the Panathenaic Stadium. Closest metro station, Acropolis or a 10 minute walk from Syntagma Square.