Athens Walking Tour

Athens is a place of great cultural interest, as well as a vivid and modern city. The harmonious and perfectly balanced combination between the old and the new age makes this city unique. Both sides of Athens are extremely appealing to tourists. There are many interesting museums  to visit and various cultural activities to attend that cater for all tastes. The best day for this tour is Sunday, with less traffic and there is a parade with " Evzones" in front of the Parliament and a band playing the National Anthem at 10:45 a.m.

 

This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. You'll be taken to see the centre of the city. On our way to the Acropolis you will see the Old City (Plaka) the Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library, the Ancient Athenian Agora, Thesseon and the Pnyx "The hill of Democracy". You will climb on the Acropolis  to see the famous theaters of Dionysus and Herodes Atticus and the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the temple of Athena Nike, the Erechteion and finally, "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that puts "order in the mind", the Parthenon and have time to visit its Museum.

Continue city sightseeing passing by Thesseon and Monastiraki famous for it's flea market which is open every day. Pass by the Town Hall of Athens close to the meat and fish markets where Athenians from all suburbs of Athens gather to bargain for the best deals. This is the best way to see the true Athenians and their way of life.

Proceed for Omonia Square, along Stadiou Avenue, passing by the Old Parliament (now the Museum of History) and we'll arrive at Constitution Square (Syntagma) where we will view the House of Parliament and the  Memorial to the Unknown Soldier (short stop). Next we will go along Panepistimiou Avenue to see Schliemann's house (Numismatic Museum now), the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, the University and the National Library. Walking down Herod Atticus street you will see the Evzones in their unique uniforms guarding the Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every Sunday there is a parade and a band playing the National Anthem at 10:45 a.m. We will visit the Panathenaic Stadium (70.000 seats all from marble) where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896.

Next we'll see, the Temple of Olympian Zeus (the biggest temple in ancient times) and Hadrian's Arch a few miles east of Athens. The walking tour can be done in 5 or 8 hours depending on the time spent at each site. I recommend 8 hours so we will have time to have lunch in the Plaka area.

All the information & photos on this website is updated continuously. I myself visit all sites at least once the month.
You can view my portfolio of photos at www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Athens