The best of Athens

In this blog, I want to write about some of Greece's sights, depending on the city you choose to go to. Some destinations are perfect for roadtrips or accessible via train or bus, while anyone can visit the islands through one of Athens' ports, Peireaus or Rafina. I am mentioning Athens, for potential erasmus students in Athens, since it is the capital of Greece, as well as my hometown, so I can give better advice with it being the point of reference.

So, let's start from Athens itself:

• You should definitely visit the Acropolis. I know that it is the most cliché and touristic sight I could ever mention, but there's a reason for that. The Parthenon is definitely worth a visit and if I were to visit Greece from another country, I would definitely make it my priority to visit it. It is constructed in the highest place of the city -this was all a strategy which served the purposes of each city's defense, back in ancient times. You probably know that there are some statues and marbles missing, but still the Parthenon is a magnificent construction with a lovely view of Athens. A metro station was made right under the monument, so that it is easily accessible through any part of the city. The station is called “Acropolis” and it is my personal favourite metro station regarding its decoration. Apart from the ancient findings one can see throughout the station, downstairs there is a picture of Melina Merkouri, holding some flowers, smiling and waving hello -with the Parthenon as background. Melina Merkouri was one of the best and most known greek actresses who had fought strongly for the return of the Parthenon's missing marbles.



Source

• Right next to the Acropolis, one can find the Filopapou Hill. It is an ideal place for a walk -especially on a sunny afternoon, maybe on a Sunday. The view is great and there is this feeling that you're back in Athens of ancient years. And this brings me back to the Acropolis -this time, its museum. The Acropolis museum is rather new -it opened a few years ago. It is one of my favourite museums. There are many great findings, together with their history and I absolutely love the building -a big part of it is transparent and made of glass and this gives you the impression that it is even bigger than it already is. I have mentioned the word “view” a lot, but I must say that the best view of Athens is the one you get if you go up Lycabettus. It is amazing and I love the fact that many events and concerts are planned there.



Source

• An important meeting point of Athens is Syntagma Square. Since many lines of metro transfer there, it is easy to make plans with your friends right in the heart of Athens. Around Syntagma Square there are plenty of cafes and hotels -like the famous Great Britain next to the metro station. Right across the street is the greek Parliament. A couple of years ago, during the protests in Athens, many people gathered in Syntagma square to express their disagreement and complaint to the economic measures which brought changes to living conditions and the quality of life of greek people. This was a whole movement, inspired by the one that had started in Spain. Many people even stayed the night right there, in Syntagma Square, in tents they had brought.
• One metro station after Syntagma, one can find “Panepistimio”, which means University -and, yes, my own University is situated right there. One can also find cafes there, and also the University's Library -for which I will write in a separate entry.
• Another square full of people, especially on a saturday evening, is Monastiraki. It is a rather big square and there are many bars and restaurants there. This area is famous for its souvlaki -and I tend to agree with that.



Source

• Plaka is one of the best neighbourhoods of Athens, where someone can take a walk, thinking he is back to “old” Athens, the traditional classic one. It is wonderful!
• Thissio is another nice neighbourhood, well known for its cafes. Families or large groups prefer it during the weekends and they usually spend the whole day in this area.
• Another really popular area is that of Gkazi. One can easily spend a whole day there without getting bored. There are many-many-and I do mean MANY cafes, bars and restaurants and the amazing thing is that each one of them is of a different style, so that you can see all types of people walking on the little streets of Gkazi. A well known place is called "Technopolis" and it is a big spacious area, where many events are held -concerts, parties, even seminars. One of my favourite memories of Gkazi, though, is going to watch concerts of my favourite artists in its music bars -the atmosphere is very nice and one can have a very good time there.
• Regarding the suburbs: on the south, where there is also sea, there are many cafes, restaurants -especially with fish- and also night clubs. Many people go there in order to be closer to the sea. Vouliagmeni is full of places to go, but so is Glyfada, which is my own town. On the north, the most popular area is Kifissia, but I've never really gone out over there, so I'm not quite sure about the best of its places. Same is for the area of Peiraeus, which does have a night life, as well as many restaurants -especially for fish and seafood, since it is near the port, but I've been there too little to actually say something more!
• Another area that I like is Exarhia. It is also a square and there are many cafes, bars and restaurants all around it -and nearby. I can't pick my favourite place to write here, because I like them all -my favourites vary depending on each day's mood... What I can say without a doubt is that I have some amazing memories of my friends and me walking in the square afterhours, tired but smiling and talking about the party we'd just been to -our laughs were breaking the silence, since most people who were in Exarhia when we'd first gotten there, had already left, since it was late and the street-lights showing us the way.

  I'm sure I've forgotten to talk about places that I love in Athens, but I am sure that you will soon discover them yourselves... If you do, tell me about them -I might not even know them myself: Athens' greatest beauties are the hidden ones!

Photo gallery