Athens Featured Hostels
It is said that subconsciously we all have a stake in Greece. The cradle of European civilization, place where political systems, ethical norms and alphabet were developed and preserved. Various legends, Myths and folklore have mingled into our minds since the childhood. Now its time to visit a dazzling land and its classically beautiful capital – Athens. The city always evokes strong feelings, makes a deep impression and stuns you in the most unique ways. Greece can boast of having one of Europe’s most vigorous cultures perpetuated through architecture, music, crafts and dance.Athens’ old center – the Acropolis should top your sightseeing list. Impressive during both: daylight and night shadows its an amazing scenery of the city. Acropolis which translates literally to Acro (edge) and polis (city), is considered to be the ‘Sacred Rock’ of Athens. It is an important area symbolising the artistic development that took place throughout Greece during the 5th century. What is more, Agora – the stately civic center and marketplace of ancient Athens is another famous remain of the glory of previous times. Historical places like Parthenon, Platka, Syntagmatos Square, Deonysius and Irodou theaters shouldn’t be excluded as well. Even though, Athens’ historical center is tiny, but fascinating.
The Olympieon site should be the next stop on your list as the area holds many impressive and important monuments. Hadrian’s Arch is a bold statement of triumph built on the road that leads from the old city of Athens to the new. The structure is made from pentalic marble and there are two inscriptions on the arch. The first which faces the old city on reads, ‘This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus.’ On the other side and facing the new city the second inscription reads, ‘This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus.
The Poseidon Temple is not to be missed. Located at Sounion, you will need to put a day aside to travel there and see the excavations. The temple was first mentioned in Homers ‘Odyssey’ when on returning from Troy, Menelaos stopped here and chose it as the place to bury his helmsman, Phrontes Onetorides. Research carried out on the site has also concluded that there were at least two meeting points for organised cults to gather upon this site.
There is no need to mention about a wide variety of museums all over the historical center. The civilization’s birthplace has a lot to show off, just step inside Acropolis, Museum of Greek Ceramics or National Archeological Museum. In addition, take a walk in Kolonaki and along Ermou street! International labels, traditional Greek products, ceramics, food and jewelry will definitely catch your attention. What is more, the biggest shopping areas are open 24 hours a day. It’s an ever ending drug for shopoholics.
