Table of Contents:
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE.
NEW ARCHITECTURE.
ATHEN’S NEIGHBORHOODS.
Come, see Athens ever-changing panorama of architecture, ruins, hills, and light.
Architecture spans from before 350 BC, (Athen’s Golden Age) to the modern-day.
The people are cosmopolitan. But with an old-fashion grounding in hospitality.
The food and wine scene is garnering awards from around the world. In short, you need to see Athens.
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE
For instance, structures dating back to at least the 6th century BC. (Temple of Olympian Zeus). Athens has some of the oldest structures in Europe still standing. At the same time, newer architecture like the Parthenon (447 BC), is just as impressive.
Just the area from the Hill of the Muses to the Temple of Zeus can keep you busy exploring for days. And there’s still a lot more city to see.
NEW ARCHITECTURE.
Athens and its old architecture are famous the world over. But in the last twenty years modern, design-challenging structures have gone up all over Athens.
As a result of the 2002 Olympics, the World cast its eyes upon Athens, and Greece in general. The Greeks want everyone to see a fantastic country. They did!
Surprisingly, in some places, they are building the new right around the old. Also, the city is expanding downward as well as up.
The commercial areas definitely have a mixture of the old and the new. The “cement” look of the 1950s and 60s is softening.
SEE ATHENS NEIGHBORHOODS.
Athens has charming neighborhoods, each with a definite link to the past. At least 17 distinct neighborhoods are within the metropolitan area.
Those most favored by visitors are in and between Syntagma, Monastiraki and Omonia squares.
These include the Plaka area, (old city) the Psirri district, (nightlife) and the Gazi District (nightlife into the wee hours.) Also, there are the areas around Piraeus, the port of Athens. Smell the fresh air and savor some of the freshest seafood in the Mediterranean.
As an illustration, the modern subway system displays several layers of Ancient Athens.
If you look closely, there is something around just about every corner worth seeing. The modern building next to the wonderful Byzantine structure. An ancient Greek wall under the modern walkway to a museum. See Athens with an open eye. It is a beautiful city if you approach it that way.