• Infos
• Districts
• Climate
• Prices
• Locomotion
• Sightseeing

Athens

Athens is often associated with heat, heavy traffic and dusty ancient ruins and there might be some truth in it: The summer is incredibly hot with temperatures barely bearable, traffic jams and resulting smog polluted streets and alleys. This is however only part of the story. Far less well known however is the fact that Athens is blessed with wonderful beaches in close proximity. Contrary to prevailing persuasion these beaches are surprisingly clean and provide a perfect basis for relaxation beyond the more or less hectic inner city life. For those who visited Athens before the summer of 2004 it must be mentioned that the capital of Greece underwent severe changes making big leaps with respect to infrastructural conditions and undergrounds now certainly belonging to the most modern and best organized ones in Europe. Maybe as a result of these improvements the air quality is now better than ever before, which is also proclaimed by the urban residents. Another bonus of the charming metropolis is the short ways you have to leave behind to get from A to B in the city centre, be it for the purpose of shopping, having a drink or to go out at nights, everything can be discovered afoot.

Next to the comprehensive variety of the city’s public life one can find several cultural facilities, be it remains of the antique Greek empire, theaters, museums or the exhibits spread all over the city, even in its modern underground stations. Especially the Acropolis and the amphitheater are to be mentioned here.

Athenians are very fashionable people and very aware of new trends and seem to implement changes of our fast past environment with ease and pleasure and in surprising unity. Going there with a “normal tourist outfit” wearing white sport sneakers or sandals with white socks will ultimately deem you an outcast, so be prepared. Especially impressive is the large number of people literate in English and also the high level of the like so that language should not become a problem if you have at least some knowledge of the English language.

Next to the hip style and the affinity to spend most of the day in the city centre, Athenians particularly like to party in some of the numerous clubs, bars or discotheques, which are opening late and reach their peak times early in the morning. Many young Athenians spend part of their disposable weekend time in front of these clubs or one of many alleys of the city, drinking and talking so that it sometimes appears the streets are more crowded than the bars and restaurants themselves.

Many clubs dispose of two locations: during the hot summer months they move to the beaches opened for almost four months while they move back to their original places in the remainder of the year. An area where it is really going down, especially in numerous bars is Psirri. In Gfaldya a glamorous suburb of the city one can find the best clubs of Athens. The individual boroughs of the city dispose of their respective charm and excitement and every Athenian feels bonded and rooted with his or her own borough.