Category Archives: Shopping
The Ancient Agora in Athens
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In the ancient times, Agora happened to be the seat of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural centre, and the seat of justice of Athens. It was only early in the 6th century, in the time of Solon, that Agora became a public area. During this time Peisistratus removed the other houses, closed wells, and made it the centre of Athenian government. He also built a drainage system, fountains and a temple to the Olympian gods. Cimon later improved the agora by constructing new buildings and planting trees. In the 5th century BC there were temples constructed to Hephaestus, Zeus and Apollo.
Buildings and structures of the classical agora included:
- Peristyle Court
- Mint
- Enneakrounos
- South Stoa I and South Stoa II
- Heliaia
- Strategeion
- Colonos Agoraios
- Tholos
- Agora stone
- Monument of the Eponymous Heroes
- Old Bouleuterion
- New Bouleuterion
- Temple of Hephaestus
- Temple of Apollo Patroos
- Stoa of Zeus
- Altar of the Twelve Gods
- Royal stoa
- Temple of Aphrodite Urania
- Stoa of Hermes
- Stoa Poikile
Many buildings were added later to this site. Those in place by the 2nd century included:
- The Middle stoa which sat across the sanctuary, in front of the Heliaea
- A small Roman temple was added in front of the Middle stoa.
- An Altar of Zeus Agoraios was added just to the east of the Monument to the Eponymous Heroes.
- The Temple of Ares, dedicated to Ares, the god of war, was added in the north half agora, just south of the Altar of the Twelve Gods.
- The Odeon of Agrippa and accompanying gymnasium were added in the centre of the agora.
- The substantial Stoa of Attalos was built along the eastern edge of the agora.
- A collection of buildings were added to the south-east corner: the East stoa, the Library of Pantainos, the Nymphaeum and a temple.
The Temple of Poseidon in Athens
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Standing amidst the hustle and bustle of the city life of Athens, is the Cape Sounion in Attica which mermerizes the tourists with its serene beauty. The area takes pride in its temple of Poseidon which stands overlooking the sea. You have to make your way up the hill through gift shops and a restaurant to this residence of Lord Poseidon.
The statue of Poseidon is now in the safe hands of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, but the temple makes the presence of the Lord felt and it seems that the Temple of Poseidon, with its magnificent view of the Aegean, serves the role of sea watcher from the high promontory. Beneath the promontory of Poseidon, there is a small resort area offering several hotels and anchorage for yachts.
The temple was built by Pericles during the Golden Age of Greece and flaunts the plain Doric style. When you reach the top, you stand at one point of a magical triangle which the ancient Greeks enjoyed – from Sounion, you could see the Temple of Aphaia on the island of Aegina, and the Acropolis itself.
Tourists can reach Sounion easily by bus from Athens, or by organized day tours. Though sunset happens to the preferred time to visit Sounion, you can be an early bird if you want to avoid rush. When going up the hill, be careful on the alternately rough or slippery rocks. Also it is advisable to be on guard as there are no guard rails, chains, or anything similar for protection against a steep fall. Again, be prepared to face strong winds on the height.
Parks and gardens in Athens
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Notoriously known as the concrete jungle, Athens, the capital of Greece, however, has no dearth of green spots where people can seek solace and refuse from the fast pace of urban life. In fact, if you take a walk in the area around the Acropolis and the large Philopapou Hill, located at a short distance away, you might as well get a feel of being in a forest. Let us take a look at some significant parks and gardens of Athens:
Philopappos Hill:
Philopappos was the grandson of the King of Commagene and a well-known donor of the city, having made a large number of significant bequests. On the top of the legendary Hill of the Muses, lies the burial monument of great Gaius Julius Antiochus Philopappos. Philopappos Hill offers enough greenery for nature lovers to take a stroll around, relax or click pictures.
Zappeion Garden:
Zappeion Garden, taking pride in the awe-inspiring Zappeion Hall (which is at present an exhibition hall), is open from sunrise to sunset. The Hall building itself was erected solely for the purpose to host the first modern Olympic Games in Athens.
Lycabettus Hill:
Lycabettus hill is an ideal starting point for many significant venues of Athens. You can view the Acropolis and the grandiose Olympic Stadium from above and then through a pedestrian path lined with century-old trees you can head towards the Mediterranean coast. The Lycabettus also has an open air theatre at the top which holds concerts and various other events during the summer months.
National Gardens:
Patronized by Queen Amalia, the National Gardens, displays a multitude of strolling paths, large shady trees, cool ponds and lots of greenery.
The Village Entertainment Park:
The Village Entertainment Park, as the name suggests, is an ideal spot for recreational activities right from shopping, dining, wellness to outdoor activities. The park features varied facilities like picnic tables, Mediterranean vegetation, spacious retail area with everything on fashion, news, books, music and electronics stores. The complex also comprises some 20 indoor cinemas, a multitude of cafes and restaurants, plus an outdoor playground for children, which annually hosts a number of children’s events.
Top 5 attractions of Athens, Greece
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Athens, the capital of Greece is considered to be the hub for arts and philosophy. It is well known for its democratic government as well as its cultural gains that influenced the whole of Europe. This city attracts a whole lot of tourists because of its wonderful beautiful monuments. The tourists are also advised to plan their trip and also book their hotels in advance before visiting Athens. It is considered to be the centre of economic, financial, political and cultural life in Greece. Basically, this city is an integral part of Greece. Below are the description of a few places that are a must watch for the tourists. One must definitely include these in their itineraries.
Lycabettus Hill
Lycabettus is basically a limestone rock with a height of around 1,000 feet. This rock gives a wonderful view of the entire city and is partially floodlit. You will have to trek a bit to reach the peak but the effort is worth it. There are small shops as well as restaurants up there. You’ll even come across a church.
The Agora
Agora is famous for its temple of Hephaestus. Earlier it was a spot where the military people assembled together to note down their duties and follow the orders given by the Emperor but now it is well known for its market place as well as minor monuments and the colonnade housing the museum.
Piraeus
Piraeus, situated in the outskirts of Greece is a wonderful port city with a population of around 175,695 people. This place can be extremely relaxing. If you still wish to explore this place then you may visit the Nautical Museum or Piraeus Museum.
National Archeological Museum
National Archeological Museum was established in 1829 is located in the Exarhia area in central Athens between Epirus Street, Bouboulinas Street and Tositsas Street. It is well known for its wonderful collection of Greek artifacts. This Museum attracts a lot of tourists and is considered to be a pride for Greece.
Cape Sounion and the temple of Poseidon
Cape Sounion is located at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula. Try to visit this particular place at the time of sunset. The view that it provides is breath taking. This spot basically contains the ruins Greek temple of Poseidon.
Electra Palace, five stars Hotels in Athens
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Electra Palace Five Star Hotels in Athens
• Overview of the Hotel: The hotel is located in the center of Plaka, with face towards the Acropolis, the 5-star hotel that even provides personalized service. It has a rooftop pool as well as quite furnished rooms. The hotel is located at the walking distance from all the prominent centers of attraction in Athens. Syntagma Square is too located at the 5 minute walk away and the parliament and shopping districts are nearby. The restaurant’s terrace provides straight looks towards the Acropolis.
• Amenities in Hotel: With reference to general amenities in the hotel the most important and imperative ones are as restaurant, bar, 24-hour front desk, grounds, terrace, non-smoking rooms, elevator, safe, soundproofed rooms, heating, baggage storage and air conditioning. The activities that a guest can get indulged into hotel are as sauna, fitness center, spa & health club, massage, jacuzzi, turkish/steam bath, hammam, indoor swimming pool and outdoor swimming pool. The set of services in the hotel is included of things as room service, meeting/banquet facilities, business center, babysitting/child services, Laundry, dry cleaning, breakfast in the room, ironing service, currency exchange, Shoe shine, car rental and fax/photocopying.
• Hotel Rules: There are some general hotel rules and policies in the hotel Electra Hotel Athens. And these hotel policies even can change as according to the type of room. The check in time into hotel is 13:00 hours and the check out time is until 12:00 hours. Cancellation and prepayment policies there vary as according to the room type. Pets are allowed in the hotel. Hotel too accepts the cards like American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard and Diners Club.
• Hotel Room Type and Rates:
Single Room: € 123(Per Night)
Special Offer Double Room: € 143(Per Night)
Triple Room: € 186 (Per Night)
Superior Double Room: € 185(Per Night)
Junior Suite: € 235(Per Night)
Suite: € 320(Per Night)
Presidential Suite: € 1900(Per Night)
Mare Nostrum Hotel Thalasso, Athens hotels near Airport
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Mare Nostrum Hotel Thalasso, Athens hotels near Airport
Overview of the Hotel: The city of Athens contains a variety of different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman, Neo-Classical, to modern. They are often to be found in the same areas, as Athens is not marked by a uniformity of architectural style. Many of the most prominent buildings of the city are either Greco-Roman or neo-classical in styling. The Mare Nostrum Hotel Thalasso is located by the beach in the beautiful Vravrona Bay. It offers a sea-water pool with sun terrace and poolside restaurant. The hotel has airy guestrooms and bungalows with balcony with sea views. Each air-conditioned room has private bathroom with hairdryer. The on-site spa offers thalassotherapy treatments and features an indoor thermal pool and Jacuzzi. Bathrobes and slippers are complimentary.Buffet-style breakfast is served each morning at the main restaurant. The hotel’s restaurant serves Greek and International cuisine. The main bar is open from 11am to 11pm serving local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Pelagos Pool Bar opens daily from 10am to 6pm and serves coffee, refreshments, drinks, fruit juices and ice creams by the swimming pool. El. Venizelos international airport is 7 miles from the Mare Nostrum. Free shuttle bus service is provided. The airport currently has two terminals: the Main Terminal, and the Satellite Terminal accessible by a foot-tunnel from the Main Terminal.
Amenities at the Hotel: The hotel offers Restaurant, Bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, Grounds, Terrace, Non-Smoking Rooms, Rooms/Facilities for Disabled Guests, Family Rooms, Elevator, Express Check-In/Check-Out, Safe, Heating, and Baggage Storage. The guests can enjoy Tennis Court, Sauna, Fitness Center, Spa & Health Club, Massage, Playground, Ping Pong, Windsurfing, Darts, Jacuzzi, Canoeing, Hammam, Ski School, Indoor Swimming Pool, and Outdoor Swimming Pool. Other services offered by the hotel are Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Airport Shuttle, Babysitting/Child Services, Dry Cleaning, Hair/Beauty Salon, Honeymoon Suite, Currency Exchange, Souvenirs/Gift Shop, Car Rental, Tour Desk, and Fax/Photocopying. Wireless Internet Hotspot is available in public areas and costs EUR 4 per hour. Wi-fi is available in the hotel rooms and costs EUR 4 per hour. Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).
Hotel Rules: The Check-in time for the hotel is 24/24 and the Check-out time is from 12:00 – 13:00 hours. Cancellation and prepayment policies vary by room type. All children under 2 years stay free of charge when using existing bedding. All children under 2 years stay free of charge for cots. All older children or adults are charged 50 % of the room stay per night per person for extra beds. Maximum capacity of extra beds/babycots in a room is 2. Any type of extra bed/cot or crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by the hotel. Supplements will not be calculated automatically in the total costs and have to be paid separately in the hotel. Pets are allowed for free. Accepted credit cards are American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Carte Bleue, Diners Club, JCB, ATM card, and Maestro. The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards prior to arrival.
Hotel Room Types and Rates:
Double room single occupancy: € 125
Included in room price: 11 % VAT, 0.50 % city tax, Buffet breakfast
Double or Twin Room: € 95
Included in room price: 11 % VAT, 0.50 % city tax, Buffet breakfast
Double/Twin Room – Sea View: € 100
Included in room price: 11 % VAT, 0.50 % city tax, Buffet breakfast
Triple Room: € 120
Included in room price: 11 % VAT, 0.50 % city tax, Buffet breakfast
Suite: € 200
Included in room price: 11 % VAT, 0.50 % city tax, Buffet breakfast
Amalia, 4 star hotel in Athens
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Amalia, 4 stars hote in Athens
- Overview of the Hotel: 98 rooms centrally located Amalia Hotel in Athens provides spacious and comfortable rooms having the free internet service and triple glazed windows. The rooms in the Amalia Hotel are quite spacious. The Deluxe Rooms in the hotel provides with balcony gives sights of the National Gardens, the Lycabettus Hill and the Parliament. One can have a rich American buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch or dinner in Amalia’s cosy and lovely restaurants. There light snacks and drinks are yet served at the Chrysalis Lobby Lounge bar. Amalia Hotel is about 10-minute walk from the Acropolis and Plaka, next to the commercial district of Ermou and Syntagma Square. It is easily approachable fromthe main metro and tram whereas the airport express is located just fifty meters away from the hotel. The hotel is awarded as the Green Key eco-label. Amalia Hotel employs environmental friendly toiletries and cleaning products, and serves the quality organic foods and drinks.
- Amenities in Hotel: Among the general amenities in the hotel, includes restaurant, bar, 24-hour front desk, non-smoking rooms, elevator, safety deposit box, sound proofed rooms, luggage storage and air conditioning. The hotel also offers many services like room, meeting/banquet facilities, business centre, babysitting/child services, laundry, dry cleaning, breakfast in the room, ironing service, currency exchange, packed lunches, car hire, tour desk, fax/photocopying. It also has wi-fi that is also available even in public areas and is completely is free of charge. Wired internet is even too available that too is free of charge.
- Hotel Rules: The general hotel rules in Amalia can also vary from hotel rooms to hotel rooms. Check in timings in the hotel room is 14:00 hrs whereas the checkout timings from the hotels are 12:00 hrs. The cancellation and repayment policies there are differentiate on the basis of room type All children under 6 years stay free of charge for extra beds and the children under 2 years even can stay free of charges for cots. Older children and adults are, however, are charged Euro 20 per night per person for extra beds. No more than extra bed or cot is allowed in a room. Supplements, there are not be measured in the total cost and are to be paid separately in the hotel bill. Pets are not allowed in the hotel. Hotel also accepts the credit cards like American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club and Maestro. The hotel reserve the right to pre authorizes credit cards.
- Hotel Room Type and Rates:
Standard Double: Single occupancy - € 95 Double occupancy- €98,
Superior Double: Single occupancy – € 100
Double occupancy – € 110
Deluxe Double or Twin Room: Single occupancy – 120
Double occupancy – 130
Some popular restaurants in Athens to enjoy traditional Greek food
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There are good number of restaurants in the Athens Plaka, Psiri and surrounding area. If you try these out you will know what a good restaurant should look, taste and feel like, and be less likely to get a disappointing meal in one of the tourist joints. It is quite famous for its fish items.
• Byzantino restaurant in the Plaka: This is a preferred restaurant of choice for a good number of locals as well as tourists. It is situated in e Small Park on Kydatheneon Street, but the food is good enough to rouse your appetite and Greek clientele who throng the restaurant through out the year. The famous delicacies at the restaurant are the spinach pie, fish soup (psa- row -soupa) which you can get it with or without a plate of fish. More you can enjoy there the Greek salad (hor-ee- ah -tiko), eggplant salad (mel-eetsana salata), yogurt dip (sa-tzi-ki), and all the tourist standards. This all there is served on a very reasonable rates and it is not either expensive. One can also enjoy there their roast potatoes (fourno pahtahtes) and chicken (kotopoulo). They also serve bottled wine and cold beer and ouzo and mezedes. Lamb fricasse is good and as healthy as it gets for carnivores.
• Hani Restaurant in the Plaka: Hani is a type of inn for travelers and the most of the customers here are mixture of Greeks as well as tourists from all around the world. With live acoustic bouzoukia music, an outdoor garden in the back and tables right on Adriannou Street where you see people moving forth and back. On can dien herea nice mezedes platter, fresh fish, grilled meats, oven cooked meats and vegetables and salads and appetisers and wine by the carafe or bottle. It is indeed is a nice spot for trying up good Greek food and here after you can start your journey to other places of city. Hani is situated at 138 Adrianou street. More you can have their Psaronefi (roast pork loin) and their Rouqforte Salad at the restaurant.
• Psaras Fish Taverna: It is one of the oldest restaurant Tavernas in the Plaka that started back to 1898. Its menu is in English and the waiters and staffs are generally pleasant and helpful. It’s on the corner of Erotocritou and Erehtheos streets up the steps that lead from the Plaka to the Acropolis. It is a grilled soup.
• To Kioupi: This restaurant is rather famous among locals and businessmen who loves dining here for half a century and may be a longer period. Apart for food it is too good for an excellent wine. It is indeed is a Good place for lunch but there is no provision for outdoor seating. If you are staying in Kolonaki then it is the cheapest spot to dine in entire area. It is also a sort of place for visiting scholars and archaeologists.
• Vitro: If you roam through the heart of the historical location of Acropolis, 20 meters close to the metro and across the new museum of Acropolis, you will find out there the famous restaurant “VITRO”. The entire restaurant is filled with tasteful decorated interior lounges that in fact are called “VITRO”. In that romantic atmosphere you can relish a delightful meal that comprises of an amalgam of tastefull dishes and a big variety of wines. The restaurant serves the traditional Greek cuisine, as well as the imaginative recipes and the high quality ingredients that are mixed up of immaculate delicious menu that definitely satisfy your appetite and taste. There at the restaurant you can select from variety of spaghetti, fresh fish some of our specialties are special “exohiko” lamb, mix soublaki, stuffed egplants and spaghetti.
• Ideal: It is the oldest of operating restaurant in Greece. It since for the last 80 years provides the Athenians and the visitors of the city, a wide menu of great quality and tasteful food. One can enjoy it there in a friendly relaxing environment at various centers of Athens. It works on the trend and philosophy of mixing up Greek traditional cuisine with present dinning requirements of the people. One can enjoy there a coffee, a dessert from its menu, or a Greek traditional plate that is rare to see at any other restaurant in the city.
• Petrino: The first ever Petrino restaurant was founded in one of the most elegant old buildings in Athens in 1990. It has an exclusive reputation for being serving excellents snacks and food. It serves international cuisine in a huge variety of our excellent snacks and foods. Celebrities from the political, the art and the academic fields come here to enjoy the days over here. Petrino, also caters to the business meals and receptions of the highest quality and is staffed and organized in manner to fulfill the desire of most demanding of clients.
• Zorbas Tavern: This restaurant is in operation for 40 years under the Acropolis, and is one of the most historical and interesting places in Athens. The restaurant is known internationally for its reputation. One can enjoy at restaurant the traditional Greek meals like as casserole stamnas and lamb Zorbas in tomatos, delicious snacks as well as the best and most tasteful wines on the reasonable prices. More it is added with an excellent service and the quality cusine.
• Erato: It is a beautiful traditional restaurant situated under the Acropolis in the beautiful Plaka, which is one of the most beautiful spots in Athens. Here you can enjoy the traditional Greek cuisine, delicious snacks as well as the best and most tasteful wines. The most favorable period of the year to sit at this restaurant is winter where you can amidst bon fire outside in a green garden full of plane trees, flowers and arbours. The restaurant has a separate room of recreational activities like air conditioning with comfortable spaces and luxury.
Enjoy and have fun of some exotic shopping experience in Athens
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With its experience to shopping, Athens comparatively has a few shopping malls or large departmental stores instead it is quite popular for small, family run shops. And one can even get ample souvenirs out there. There is ample shopping opportunity is available to people in terms of antiques, museum reproductions, embroideries and other folk art and goods, and Greek food and drink products.
For articles by street vendors who sold those out on the pavement the tourist congregate can reach out at Plaka and Monastiraki. There vendors items consist forgeries, cheap knock –off and illegal CDs. However with purpose of shopping in Athens downtown is a shopper’s paradise. In the areas of Plaka and Monastiraki there is a large variety of tourist shop situated there. Along with that there is central Athens which is too popular for shoppers for having shopping and other activities. The area of central Athens has been closed down for all motor vehicles and has become an interesting area for walking shoppers with every kind of shopping items being available over there. There you can have street merchants selling out everything from scarves to devices that make out stuffed grapes leaves or hollow out a zucchini. There are also quality clothing shops where one can get variety of men and women’s apparel from all across the world.
Spiliopoulos towards the bottom of Ermou and at the right side of on Athinas Street there are a number of clothing shops where one can get more casual stuff, jeans, T-shirts and the Polynesian shirts in branded category. Next on Athinas street between Ermou and Agia Erinis there are cloths even available. On the same street you can buy cool souvenir shirts, not like the ones they sell in the flea market or the Plaka.
There at Syntagma Square there is situated electronics video-CD-DVD-electronics shop called Public. In downtown Athens, one can get an entire block of stores that sells out doorknobs. And there doorknobs are known even from the ancient period to modern times. More you can get here are different types of lights and furniture at streets around Syntagma Square.
More at Ermou streets in Athens one can get good numbers of quality shoes or clothes and if you are found of expensive clothes then even you can have branded clothes like Benneton, Zara and other international shops. There is even a Bodyshop. Ermou that once was Main Street for traffic is been now closed to cars and now is like street fair of any metropolitan city. There thousands of shoppers, street musicians and people selling hot chestnuts in the winter and corn-on-the-cob in the summer. It’s like a high-class bazaar. They also sell out fabric, silk flowers, all kinds of tailoring supplies, buttons, costumes, and other items.
Other important shopping streets in Athens are Eolou and Agiou where one can find out incredible bargains in clothes, fabrics, yarn, shoes and cafes. These markets are sometimes even run by young men and women from Russia and Persia who sometimes sells out silks shirts, socks and underwear on the street. Another place worth visiting is Athens Central Market. If you go down Evripidou Street and cross Athinas street you will come across to an area which is known to be the Athenian Eqiuvelant of China town.
Kolonaki Athens is the city’s most fashionable neighborhood and is home to Italy’s Aristocracy. Kolonaki shopping is interestingly would be nice example for someone who is found of and have taste for the finer things in life. Along the streets of Kolonaki there are located some posh designer shops from both international and Greek designers that provides the latest fashion and styles. If you have an appetite for a classic Greek dish, then Kolonaki’s beautiful streets there are lined with one of the best restaurants in Greece. Cafes and bars are very common object to be observed.
Even one can reach Kolonaki by an easier means in Athens as is being situated at the southwest of Lykavittos Hill. Kolonaki too is close and is in within walking distance from Syntagma Square that is the main plaza in the city. Some of the best museums in Athens can be get at Kolonaki, the prominent museums there includes the Benaki Museuem, the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art, the Byzantine Museum, and the Athens War Museum. Many of the museums and art galleries situated around Kolonaki are housed in impressive neo-classical buildings. The History Museum of Greek Costume and the Theater Museum are two smaller Kolonaki Athens museums are for the person suffering with a bite a bite of a creative bug.
Being situated at the posh location, Kolonaki not only attracts a number of high-class restaurants and stores, but also presents options for luxury Kolonaki hotels. In the area there are found around both 5-star and 4-star Kolonaki hotels where you can enjoy world-class amenities and comfort as well you can have in reach there some of the best shopping, dining and monuments in Athens. For another different type of shopping experience near to Kolonaki there is situated Plaka flea market close by Monastariki where both Athenians and foreigners look for antiques items for discounts and reasonable rates and price.