It’s March 2016 outside, and I’m in yet another European capital! My colleges and I came followed by job duties, but still we do found some spare time to explore Athens! This is my first time in Greece mainland!
I’m happy to be here with my friends and all these photos were taken on their phones, cause mine was broken precisely at the Athens’s airport 🙂
Athens implies history for me, so we’ll try to visit some historical places!
Let’s start with the Roman Agora. It was located near our hotel, so we enjoyed this out entire stay 🙂
The Roman Agora was actually a marketplace, an open market, that was built in the 1st century BC. All city life was actually in and around the market! It was open-air courtyard surrounded by colonnades on all four sides.
This octagonal building in the left corner of the photo is so called the Tower of the Winds. Can you imagine that it’s potentially the very first meteorological center ever!!! As it was used as sundial and to predict the weather!
I can only imagine how many architectural treasures are here in Athens…
Here is one more beautiful work of art, that you can find at the center of Athens, just in the middle of the city’s bustling, crowded downtown Ermou street. It’s church of Panagia Kapnikarea, one of the oldest churches in Athens (early 11th century). It was built on the ruins of an ancient temple, that was dedicated either to goddess the Athena or Demeter. The church is dedicated to Panagia (The Virgin Mary). Unfortunately. there is no certainty about it.
It’s very beautiful monument of Byzantine architecture, that located among modern buildings.
Ermou street is the main shopping street in Athens. It’s pedestrian, so you can slowly enjoy your walk! A lot of small and big shops, cafes, bars, taverns and street entertainment every day round the clock can be found here:)
If you need something cheaper or some touristic staff take a quick walk on a smaller city’s streets 🙂 small shops are opened till late at night:)
You’ll find multicultural atmosphere and great opportunity to grab some local fresh fruits, veggies, nuts and spices at great prices.
Probably the best meeting point in the city is Syntagma Square also known as Constitution Square, crowned by the imposing Parliament building (great example of Greek neoclassical architecture).
It’s very lovely, huge and full of life central square of Athens:) and it’s very easy to get to the most of the city’s attractions from here.
There is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the parliament building at Syntagma square. It’s dedicated to Greek soldiers who sacrificed their lives in numerous wars.
The tomb is guarded by Evzones, the elite soldiers who also guard the Palace.
If you’ll have such opportunity try to attend it, while there is changing of the guards. You can enjoy it every day on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and there is real parade ceremony on Sunday morning at 11 a.m.
Ceremonial dress, detailed and stylized march are very unusual. Something what will stay in your mind forever! 🙂
When you have no plan for evening, just stroll around city center to feel vibe of the city 🙂 It’s marvelous!
Really, no plans at all??:) Hhmm, it’s not about me 🙂 So, today’s evening plan is to have fun and escape! If you like such kind of activities visit Athen’s great escape room! Plenty of rooms are available! It was a real challenge but we managed it! and enjoyed our escape a lot!
Probably every tourist’s plan in Athens is to visit Acropolis! Of cause it’s the place that can’t be missed during your visit!
So, Ready, Steady, Go!
Here we are, let’s admire the symbol of the ancient Greek culture!
This is that magic moment when you are standing near the Parthenon in real life, realizing that it’s not the photo in Google 😉 nothing can be compared to this feeling:)
You realize that in front of you is one of the most important ancient monuments in the world! The architectural masterpieces of the 5th century BC, that was dedicated to the goddess Athena!
One more magnificent temple is located opposite the Parthenon – the Rechtheion, it’s my favorite! It’s very elegant.
Each side of the temple has unique structure, but the most famous is south one with six female statues, the caryatides, supporting the porch. These statues are copies 😦 Real ones are in Acropolis museum and one of them is in British museum in London.
The majesty of this wonder of the world is so thrilling! It’s so incredible that you can sit and feel it’s atmosphere! Look! happy us enjoying the remaining ruins of the theater of Dionysus built in stone and marble!
There is so many things to explore! Just give yourself some time :)! and don’t miss one more touristic spot on the northeast corner of the Acropolis – the flag! 🙂 You’ll enjoy a incredible view from this area
Give yourself some time to explore this fine ancient site. Look around and enjoy the beautiful, so unique views from the area.
Yep, just photo of me:) resting on the bench near the Acropolis and thinking about it’s great mysteries 🙂 This historical place is so STUNNING!
Here is one more nice place to visit! It’s Areopagus Hill also known as the hill of Ares or Mars hill.
There is no temple ruins nowadays, that once stood here 😦 but this place has rich history!
The god of war Ares was executed here for the murder of Poseidon’s son Halirrhothius in Greek mythology and it’s a place where Apostle Paul said one of his most important speeches: “Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.”
Today it’s a great place that gives you amazing photo opportunities, iconic views of Acropolis!
It’s always open and free of charge 🙂
Here you can get perfect views over the city of Athens as well! It’s worth the little climb to the top :)!
Yep, we are in another gem that Athens has. It’s the Panathenaic Stadium.
It’s made entirely of white marble (about 90 million tons of marble!!!) and is one of the oldest stadiums in the world!!!
I run one lap around the stadium to absorb the history lying behind it!
Something you should not miss, cause it’s the birth place of the modern Olympic games and it’s a spot an Olympic fire start’s it’s journey across five continents to end up lightening Olympic torches every two years.
Athens is not only all about history! Great opportunity to feel totally relaxed and just enjoy the moment – go to the beach to catch amazing sunsets..!!!
The Temple of Zeus, this is one more thing to be amazed by! You can find the ruins of it just right in the heart of the city. They stall tall and proud to honor Zeus. Yep, there are only few columns remain, but still this place worth a visit. Walking around the temple you can imagine how huge the temple was! Very impressive!
A bit of modern street art in so historic city 🙂
Some photo-shots of the small, windy streets with tiny gift shops at the twilight. It was so nice to stroll around without any destination.
Here is one more photo of the Roman Agora 🙂 Yeah, yeah, I have a lot of them, cause our hotel is not so far from it 🙂
Here is a gate to the Roman Agora, called gate of Athena Archegetis. I considered it is the entrance to the temple, not the entrance to the market 🙂 so magical architecture.
No, no no:) I didn’t forget to take a classic shot of the local water drain:) Here you are 🙂
Our last sunset in Athens we are enjoying near the graceful Tower of the Winds dating back to the first century BC!
I’m always happy to share adventures with my friends, this time it was a perfect company. Thank’s a million! I’m always ready to enjoy great moments with you! 🙂
That’s all for today.
Tomorrow will be new day and new emotions:)
See you tomorrow 🙂
Don’t sit at home. Travel! Travel with me! 🙂 Meaww!
go and travel with me 