When in Athens
Think of Athens and it is hard not to conjure up images of imposing ancient Greek architecture and a bustling city basking in the sunshine. As the capital of Greece and one of the most famous cities in the world, Athens is home to 3.2 million people and combines a modern lifestyle and architecture within a historical setting.
Although many first thoughts of Athens automatically switch to its wealth of history and culture, the city also has a thriving and prosperous future ahead of it. The metropolitan area of the city is expanding both northwards and eastwards, while the business prestige of the capital is also increasing, dominating not only the political and economic life in Greece but also becoming one of Europe's leading business centres.
Tourists flock to Athens each year in the droves, drawn by the unique historical location and the favourable weather – rainfall is minimal and high temperatures are a year-round feature. Sun lovers are advised to visit during the summer months when temperatures range from 20 degrees C to 34 degrees C. For those who would find this heat stifling, the mild autumn and winter months may prove to be a more pleasant time of year to explore the city.
Sprawling across the central plain of Attica, the city is bound by Mount Aegaleo in the west, Mount Parnitha in the north, Mount Penteli in the northeast, Mount Hymettus in the east, and the Saronic Gulf in the southwest.
Away from the busy city centre is the ancient site of the city, which is located on the hill of the Acropolis. Known as the 'Sacred Rock', the hill is the most important site of the city and houses the remains of ancient Greek civilisation. Visitors to the Acropolis cannot fail to be impressed by the numerous monuments of bygone times. Perhaps the most famous and easily recognisable of these is the Parthenon. Built in the fifth century BC, the Parthenon is characteristic of ancient Greek civilisation. Rivalling the monument in importance are the Erechtheion and the Temple of Nike.
As well as historical monuments, the city also provides examples of fine 20th century architecture, including the American Embassy, the National Bank and the East Terminal at the former Hellenikon airport. Undoubtedly worth a visit is the vastly upgraded Olympic Complex. The redeveloped site features steel arches, landscaped gardens, futuristic passages and fountains.
Located more centrally is the Syntagma Square, or Constitution Square. As an area where most of the famous ancient monuments are located, the square attracts most of the city's tourists. With a wealth of sites to visit, the city's efficient transport system will come as welcome news to those visiting the capital. Arguably one of the most modern and efficient systems in Europe, the transport network is easy to navigate and consists of a large bus fleet, a trolley fleet, the Athens Metro, a tram line connecting the suburbs to the city centre and suburban railway services.
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Introduction
