Athens Travel & Photography Guide
Athens, Αθήνα, Atina
A short and concise guide about Athens I have been many times. For more information, you can contact me by e-mail. I organized many PhotoWalks in Athens with the Greeks and foreigners.
Athens has a distinctive charm, with hilly areas, lowlands, and Aegean Sea. The people in the city are known for their congeniality and hospitality. With a vast history and unique cultural elements, the city leaves a lasting impression. Athens offers travelers the opportunity to experience Ancient Greek and Ottoman culture, aegean cuisine, sunny coasts, and cityscapes.
Athens, capital of Greece, is one of the most visited cities in Europe. Every year 5 million people visit this city. General tour route starts and/or ends from Athens. The other main tour routes are Mykonos and Santorini.
General Information – Athens Travel & Photography Guide
Athens … A 2,500-year-old Acropolis in one side, a strangely cluttered, strange-looking apartment buildings, and a mass of white concrete in other side…. That’s Athens.
Getting away from the Acropolis and more touristic areas provides a much more authentic Athens city experience. It might not be pretty, but it comes with character and a real picture of the city, past and present.
My first impressions of Athens : Quite Relaxed, Noisy and Fun
Language: Greek
Population: 4 million people
Currency: Euro
Visa and Entry: Schengen Visa is required for non-EU. Passport control is smooth.
- Athens was founded in 1000 BC.
- The city takes its name from Athena, the mystic goddess.
- Architectural structure 6-7 story reinforced concrete apartments and tents in every balcony.
- In 1458 it passed to the Turkish sovereignty, and in 1833 it became the capital of Greece.
- It was occupied by Germany in 1940.
- Between 1941 and 1943, 100 thousand people starved to death in Athens.
- Athens hosted the Olympic Games of 1896 and 2004.
Best Places for Photography in Athens – Athens Travel & Photography Guide
1. Acropolis – Yes, so touristy…. But you shouldn’t care how crowded with tourists it is, it’s a must see for a reason. Entrance fee is 12 eur. Summer can cause annoyance in extreme temperatures. There are dressing booths on the exit that will change your clothes. Ideal for taking photos of both Acropolis and Athens at the same time.
2. Monastiraki – Monastiraki is one of the busier neighborhoods and it’s always full of life. It is famous with Flea Market, Historical Mosque and view of Akropolis Athens. A for Athens Bar next to the square offers a roof-bar and wonderful Acropolis and Square view. Can be evaluated for photography.
The Monastiraki Mosque in Athens is a historic mosque located in the Monastiraki area, which is one of the most vibrant and popular districts in the city. Built in the early 18th century during the Turkish rule of Greece, it is one of the few mosques still standing in Athens today.
3. Calatrava and Olympic Architecture – Futuristic architecture. Athens Olympic Sports Complex is a collection of structures belonging to the Spanish architect Calatrava. It is a good opportunity to see impressive modern architecture of the city with its ancient masterpieces. Great place for architecture photography.
Monastiraki Square – Athens Travel & Photography Guide
4. Faros Psychio – The Faros Neo Psychico neighborhood, just outside the city. It is renowned for its small streets of cafes and bars known to the Athenians, unknown to tourists. Especially on weekends, the nights are very attractive.
5. Plaka – A great place to photography, the Plaka neighborhood just below Acropolis. If you are following a few greek instagramers, you will immediately recognize the photos. Plaka is a very charming neighborhood with old Athens narrow streets, small houses and small cafes.
6. Syntagma Square – Syntagma Square in which the Parliament of Greece is located takes its name from the Constitution. The classic location of the photographers is the soldiers waiting in front of the Parliament and its guardian changing ceremonies.
Accommodation in Athens – Athens Travel & Photography Guide
There are diverse options for accommodation in the city. It can range anywhere from $20 to $500 per night depending on the type of place it is. There are some amazing places to stay in the city. Cheapest accommodation will be for around $25 and a 3-5 star hotel will be for $75-$990. If you want affordable accommodation, you can easily find some options at Airbnb as well.
Hilton Athens : Hilton Athens is more than a hotel. A favorite among locals and guests alike, our landmark hotel is a destination itself as the hub for Athens’ business, cultural and social life. Explore our unique architectural and artistic style and relax at the spa. View the Acropolis and city skyline from the private balcony of your guest room. Our prime location in the heart of Athens is the perfect home base for discovering the city’s world-famous attractions.
Syntagma & Plaka Area
New Hotel : Offering an entirely New approach to young interior design, energetic hospitality, and seductive customer-centered services. New Hotel is the first ever hotel project of award winning designer duo, Fernando and Humberto Campana. New Hotel is located on 200 meters from Constitution Square and within walking distance from the city’s main attractions. Both leisure and business travelers will enjoy this enviable NEW hotel, right at the centre of Athens.
http://www.yeshotels.gr/hotel/new-hotel
Kolonaki
Coco-Mat Hotel : Coco-Mat Hotel Athens is an understated luxury, design hotel that sits in the heart of Kolonaki, perhaps the city’s most exclusive district, and offers relaxing sleep, delicious breakfast and selected services for its esteemed guests.
Explore Nearby Places around Athens
It is very possible to find affordable flights to surrounding countries from Athens International Airport. For example, Istanbul, the world’s most popular tourist attraction, is only 1 hour and 20 minutes flight away from Athens. Beautiful Izmir, located right across the Aegean, is 50 minutes away by flight and is very attractive for a short trip. The flight to Rhodes Island, where you can also go to Marmaris by ferry, takes 1 hour.
Nightlife in Athens
Many people in Athens living stressful lives, and an active nightlife allows them to let loose. Some like to shop and eat, while others bring out the party freak in them. They like to connect with different people, and also find potential romantic partners. Following are some places where you can find nice music :
- 40 Watt Club
- Half note Jazz Club
- Dybbuk
- Little King’s Shuffle Club
- Steam Athens
- Ragnarok Club
- Lohan
There is both local & international drinks available at bars and clubs that you can indulge in your heart’s desire. The partying spots mainly start to get filled from around 9-10pm, and the party goes on until the sun comes up!
Casinos and Gambling in Athens, Greece
There are lots of Casinos in the city where you can gamble and play various casino games. Few of the casinos are:
- Casino Syros – Ermoupoli, Athens
- Club Hotel Casino Loutraki – Loutraki, Athens
Stay Safe in Athens, Greece
Take care of your passport and money. Beware of pick pockets and thieves.
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