Atina

The enchanting and historic city of Athens is situated in the prefecture of Attica and extends to the peninsula that reaches up to Central Greece. Surrounded by mountains to the northeast and the Saronic gulf to the southwest, its pleasant Mediterranean climate offers mild winters and hot sunny summers.

Athens is one of the world's oldest cities, with more than 3,400 years of recorded history. Classical Athens of the Fourth and Fifth Centuries B.C. was the center of arts and philosophy, home of Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum, and the birthplace of democracy. The heritage of this classical era is still evident in the city, represented by a number of ancient monuments and works of art, the most famous being the Parthenon. Athens’ museums, including its Archaeological Museum and the newly opened Acropolis Museum, display amazing treasures of Greek antiquities.

Plaka, just beneath the Acropolis, is the oldest neighborhood of Athens and is now a popular tourist area. Protected from the city traffic, its cobbled streets are mostly walked by pedestrians, and its fascinating architecture resembles a Greek island town. It offers a variety of traditional tavernas, as well as modern bars and cafés, jewelry shops, and boutiques.

When visiting Athens during the summer, the annual Athens Festival is a great event to attend. The festival has been organized for nearly 60 summers, hosting some of the leading lights of theater, music, and dance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an ancient marble amphitheater at the foot of the Acropolis. Callas, Rostropovich, Pavarotti, and Hadjidakis are among the luminaries who have performed on this unique open-air stage.

The Summer Olympic Games have been hosted twice in the city, in 1896 and 2004. The 2004 Summer Olympics inspired the renovation of the historic Panathenaic Stadium (also known as the Kallimármaro Stadium) in downtown Athens, which has since gained an international reputation as one of the city’s most interesting monuments. Built for the 1896 Olympics, Kallimarmaro is a replica of the ancient Athenian stadiums, and is made entirely of white marble from Mount Penteli, the same material used for the construction of the Parthenon.

Athens’ city coastline extends from the major commercial port of Piraeus to Saronida and historic Cape Sounion, along a scenic coastal route dotted with beaches, marinas, luxury villas, seaside restaurants, and legendary nightclubs. Attica’s coast has long been regarded as one of the most desirable locations in the area for both its beauty and its convenient proximity to the capital city.

How Many People Live in Athens?

Population: 3 million

What Languages Are Spoken in Athens?

Language: Greek, English widely spoken

What is the Currency in Athens?

Currency: Euro

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