Visit Athens - Greece

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The capital and largest city of Greece - cradle of political, philosophical thought and artistic and literary inspiration for Western civilization - is undoubtedly one of the most coveted tourist destinations in the world. And not only because of all its historical background and indisputable contribution, but also because of its great amount of natural beauty, impressive architecture, popular culture, exceptional cuisine and excellent weather (the Greek summer is considered one of the best in Europe).

Athens can be considered a true open-air museum. There is the most famous Acropolis in the world, where visitors can see the structure of several famous temples up close, such as the Parthenon (5th century BC), dedicated to the goddess Athena. And speaking of gods and mythology, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and Poseidon, the god of the seas, are the main characters in one of the most famous narratives about the domination of the Greek capital.

According to the myth, during a dispute, Poseidon would have hit his trident on a rock of Mount Acropolis, stirring the salty waters of the ocean, while Athena, daughter of Zeus, planted an olive tree (a tree that later became the symbol of the capital). ; after the vote given by 12 Olympian gods, Athena was declared the winner of the dispute and the city was then named in her honor.

About 100 meters high separate the Acropolis (high city, in literal translation) from the rest of Athens. The world-famous rocky hill, sanctuary for the worship of various gods, especially the one that gives the city its name, Athena, also houses buildings from ancient Greece that are important to humanity to this day. The visit to the Acropolis is a true pilgrimage to the old and, due to the amount of attractions in the place and surroundings, it is likely that the visitor will spend a good part of his time only in the region.

The tip, especially for those who intend to go in the summer, is to be very careful with the high temperatures. Climbing the rocky hill in heat of almost 40ºC is not very suitable; therefore, the ideal is to avoid the hottest hours of the day. Those who don't have time to spare, however, should prepare well to face the intense heat. Wearing appropriate clothes and shoes (preferably sneakers, as some places can be a little slippery), wearing a cap or hat to protect yourself from the sun and, of course, being careful about using sunscreen and drinking plenty of water are important measures to be taken.

Getting to the Acropolis region is easy. Just take metro line 2 and get off at Acropolis station. Buses 040, 230, 106, 126, 134 and 135 also provide access to the site. The ticket costs €12 (adult) and allows entry not only to the Acropolis, but also to the Theater of Dionysus, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Keramikos, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora and Hadrian's Library. Children and young people up to 18 years old do not pay and students have a 50% discount. The Acropolis is open from Monday to Sunday, from 8 am to 4:30 pm, from October to March, and from 8 am to 7:30 pm, from April to September.

Interesting museums, neighborhoods, markets, mouthwatering cuisine and nearby beaches make Athens a city full of options for people of all ages and tastes. The official language of the country is Greek, but the visitor who masters the English language will have no difficulty; in addition, signs with instructions in the western alphabet were installed throughout the city on the occasion of the 2004 Olympic Games, which made life a lot easier for tourists.

Set aside at least three days to enjoy this city that, at first glance, seems a bit chaotic (Greece was one of the countries most affected by the recent economic crisis), but holds one of the most important legacies of the European continent. A good tip is to take advantage of your trip to Athens to also explore the famous and beautiful Greek islands. Mykonos and Santorini, for example, are easily accessible from Athens by ferry or plane.

West of Athens, about 60km away, is the resort Agioi Theodoroi, a beautiful beach frequented by many locals during the summer. Calm, warm waters with an impressive blue tone make this a perfect setting for days of rest and fun. In addition, the friendly town, full of good restaurants, is also very inviting for several walks.

Getting to Agioi Theodoroi is easy, just follow the signs towards Corinth. To access the modern highway that takes visitors to the beach, it is necessary to pay a toll.

Accommodation options will not be lacking in Athens. This is because in practically every corner of the city, used to receiving a large number of tourists every year, it is possible to find a good variety of hotels, from the most luxurious to the simplest, bed and breakfast style establishments and hostels.

Choosing the right place to stay in the Greek capital is extremely important, as this will ensure that the visitor does not depend (or depends very little) on public transport to get around (in addition, most of the city's tourist attractions end up being concentrated in a single region).

Plaka, Monastiraki, Psiri and Makriyianni, for example, are excellent areas for those who want to be very close to the main local attraction, the Acropolis. In addition, the regions in question do not disappoint due to the large number of restaurants/bars, shopping areas, historical sites and public transport (which allow easy access to the airport and port).

A tip for those who want to save money is to look for the place of stay in advance. Some hotels in the city offer discounts for early bookings or off-season stays, such as winter. Summer (June to mid-October) is by far the most expensive time to stay in Athens; between April and June prices tend to drop a little more.

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