Athens, the capital of the country, was already the beating heart of ancient Greece. The two emblematic monuments of the destination remain: the citadel of the Acropolis on its hill and the column temple of the Parthenon overlooking it. On this site are concentrated many points of interest: the temple of Athena Nikê, the Agora, the Erechtheion, the temple of Hephaestus, the Propylæae, the theatre of Dionysus, the Olympiion... The visit of the recent and splendid Acropolis Museum adds to the evocation of ancient Athens. On the way down from the Acropolis, enjoy the flowery alleys of Anafiotika and another highly touristic district: Plaka, with taverns, shops, souvenirs and museums (Jewish, Greek folk art, Frissiras). Popular and lively, discover Monastiraki, its flea market and its terraces where you can laze. For the lively evenings, head for the Psiri district and its many cafés. You will still have to visit the halls of the municipal market, attend the changing of the guard in front of the Parliament, visit other major museums (Benaki, Cycladic Art Museum, Byzantine Museum...), then climb to the top of the Lycabet for its view of Athens! The modern city also deserves to be discovered. On Sundays, go for a walk in the bazaar of Place Avissynias to browse between fleas and antiques, before sitting on the terrace to drink and snack. And every day of the week it's shopping in Ermou. For souvenirs, join the huge Vassilopoulos store in Plaka. And take the time to take a breath and read your favorite tourist guide.

When to go Athens ?

If you have the opportunity to choose, the best times to visit Athens are spring and autumn. The ideal conditions are between Easter and the end of June. The weather is mild, the tourists are still few, while the transportation is already organized for the summer season. Unfortunately, hotel prices in the city center are at their highest. The same is true from the end of August to mid-October, when the heat eases off and the climate becomes mild again. In addition, the cultural season starts again and there are more activities. In winter, the capital is also very pleasant with a dry and mild climate and a beautiful light. In July and August, the city is empty of locals, who go on vacation to the islands. It is not the high tourist season as in the islands. On the contrary, hotel prices usually drop during this period. To enjoy a great popular holiday, opt for a trip at Easter (see the Orthodox calendar). It is a big, popular and warm holiday for about ten days. Prices increase by 9% due to the religious tax. There is also the feast of Epiphany, January 6, when houses are blessed, Pure Monday, the first day of Lent, an opportunity to gather with friends around traditional dishes. On this day, young people fly their kites on the beaches. Easter (Pascha), along with Holy Week, is certainly the most important and one of the most exciting celebrations in Greece. Firecrackers and fireworks mark the end of the festival. The faithful return home with a candle lit by the flame of Jerusalem and mark the top of their front door with a black cross. Your tour guide will tell you more about the local customs and traditions.

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How to go Athens

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How to go alone

Athens is a destination that lends itself to individual travel. You have very affordable flights with several low cost companies. On the spot, no problem to find an accommodation, nor to move from one point to another, except if you take into account the traffic jams. In summer, you will suffer like everyone else from the heat and the tourist crowds. So if you want to organize your trip yourself, avoid the most touristic periods.

How to go on a tour

Athens is one of the most popular tourist destinations offered by tour operators. There are many weekend or week packages, some of them affordable, combining flight, hotel, half-board, guided tours with a guide. The assurance of not missing anything! Regular promotions in the off-seasons.

How to get around

In Athens, the cabs are yellow and the drivers are not necessarily friendly. Buses are slow. It is possible to rent motorcycles or scooters but driving in Athens is not an easy task. It is possible to rent bicycles in the city center, but pedaling is not very pleasant in Athens: it is hot, traffic is dense, bike paths are rare and the hills are steep. The city center is often pedestrianized. However, the recent metro system is efficient.

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Discover Athens

The discovery of Athens goes beyond the exploration of its ancient past. Modern and trendy, it offers itself as an open-air canvas to street artists and is covered with colors that reveal its past. With 3,000 years of history, each museum and archaeological site is a testament to its tumultuous evolution. Surrounded by mountains, close to the sea, it strives against winds and tides to breathe clean air. Mixture of architectures, from the predominance of pentelic marble to concrete, its charm is not limited to the Parthenon. Crossroads of civilizations, it is a patron of the arts without hiding its weakness for the theater and open-air shows. Gastronomic, the art of dining here is based on the pleasure of sharing. Nocturnal, nonchalant but united in spite of its urban rhythm, one can stroll around, cultivate oneself, have fun and discover a surprising and endearing capital.

Pictures and images Athens

Station de métro du Pirée. NMaverick - Fotolia
L'Olympiéion permet de découvrir le temple de Zeus olympien. iStockphoto.com/VvoeVale
Propylée de l'Acropole d'Athènes. Portokalis - Fotolia
Le Parthénon sur l'Acropole. samott_fotolia

The 12 keywords Athens

1. #Acropolis

The rock of the Acropolis stands proudly above Athens. Surmounted by the Parthenon, the site sees thousands of visitors eager to walk on this emblematic place, considered as the cradle of democracy. Over the centuries, the city developed around this rock, between its slopes and the foot of the neighboring mountains.

2. #Concrete

Known as tsimentopoli - "the city of concrete" - by its inhabitants, Athens is made up of blocks stored in an anarchic manner and of random height. However, the National Garden, located a stone's throw from Syntagma, is a real oasis, as well as the recently redeveloped Pedion tou Areos (Field of Mars), near the Archaeological Museum.

3. #Greek Coffee

You will be amazed by the diversity in the way coffee is prepared and drunk in Greece. There is of course the Greek coffee, which is similar to the Turkish coffee. In summer, there is nothing like an iced coffee: frappé (made with Nescafé) or freddo (made with espresso). Specify the amount of sugar you want, as it is added directly to the coffee.

4. #Olympic Games

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The organization of the Olympic Games in Greece, in 2004, becomes the symbol of the return of this world sporting event in its country of origin. It is Athens which, at the dawn of the third millennium, receives the Games, and offers to the whole world a ceremony of opening to cut the breath and an excellent organization in the course of the demonstration

5. #Komboloi

It looks like a rosary, but it is not, because a komboloi is used just to keep your hands busy. It is said to have genuine anti-stress properties. Kombos means "knot" and loï comes from logia, "the words"... You can find them in any tourist store, while the authentic one must be a beautiful object and made of amber.

6. #Marathon

Every year, Athens turns over a few pages of its history on the occasion of the organization of the marathon race. A worldwide sporting competition, the event commemorates the strategic victory of the Greek cities finally united against the common enemy, the Persians, and is a true symbol of the victory of democracy over totalitarianism

7. #Mezzedes

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Comparable to Spanish tapas, mezzedes (the plural of mezze) is more a Mediterranean gastronomic habit than a culinary specialty. It is a very convivial type of meal: various dishes, such as the famous tzatziki or tarama, are cooked and placed in the center of the table, letting everyone choose what they want

8. #Ouzo

An aniseed flavored aperitif, ouzo accompanies the sunny days of the Greeks and makes their everyday life festive! It is drunk dry, with ice cubes or by adding a few drops of water to the glass. All over Athens, there are ouzeries, small taverns where you can enjoy ouzo while tasting delicious mezzedes.

9. #Periptero

A must-see place, the periptero is the Greek term for the newsstand, often open late at night and on holidays. In addition to newspapers, you can find cigarettes, cold drinks, chewing gum, candy, tissues, playing cards, condoms, combs, souvenirs and even aspirin!

10. #Syntagma

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Syntagma is the mention that appears on the identity card of Athens. Between the Parliament and the commercial district of Athens, the lively Syntagma square, a landmark, for meetings, demonstrations or comings and goings without reason, is located in the heart of the city and rhymes with the vitality and dynamism of the Greek capital

11. #Street art

Athens is the city of street art. Sometimes it seems that every square inch of the walls is trying to be covered or you get distracted by trying to recognize the signature of an artist. But the best thing to do is to go and admire the most impressive works in the neighborhoods of Exarchia, Psiri, Gazi or Monastiraki.

12. #Thalassa

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I thalassa or "the sea" in Greek is a living element very present in the landscape and in the daily life. Take advantage of the fact that the riviera of the Greek capital is bordered by all these beaches with such a different character. Not far from the center of Athens, they are incomparable for a swim between two visits or long moments of relaxation.

You are from here, if...

You ignore crosswalks and weave in and out of cars stopped at the light just as they are starting!

You honk your horn in the city while stopped at a red light!

You take the time to stroll while sipping your cup of coffee or your glass on a terrace without renewing your order!

You play beach rackets by the sea, preventing everyone else from relaxing!

You rush to pay the bill for everyone or you let yourself be invited. It is offensive to want to pay only your share!

You mix with the locals at a public party, a concert, a religious ceremony... Conviviality is the password to enter the Greek atmosphere and spirit!

You defend your independence! That's why you occupy a table for four people for hours on end, especially during rush hour!

Card Athens

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