Visiting Athens (Page 2)  

The funicular train (the locals call it teleferik) for Lycabettus Hill.

View from Lycabettus Hill slightly hampered by clouds in the distance.

Big clementines hang from roadside trees near the funicular.

After your trip go down the same flight of steps and so long as you keep on going down any steps you see you will not have to worry about getting lost (you have been high up on the hill after all!) The up-and-down fare for the funicular is 7€ and it runs only half-hourly. But in case you just miss the preceding train there is a bar/restaurant just opposite where you can have a drink while waiting for the next train. The funicular runs till midnight.

Beaches near Athens

Promenade starting from the Flisvos Marina in Trocadero.

Kalamaki beach, one of many beaches that are accessible by the tram.

These veterans do not let winter stop them from their daily swim in Voula.

Although Greece too has its winter it was at the Thalassea guarded beach in Voula that I came across a group of veteran swimmers who go there to swim daily throughout the year, even in winter!

The Olympic stadiums

If you are nostalgic about the beginnings of the modern Olympic Games then you must head for the Panathenaic Stadium (also known as Kalimarmaro) which was re-constructed to host the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. And if you are an athlete, why not put on your tracksuit and see what it's like to be running there! (Yes, I have seen visitors doing just that).
More of a showpiece today, it has nevertheless been used for a few concerts and was also the venue to celebrate the homecoming of the Greek national football team upon winning the 2004 European Football Championship. The stadium is easily accessible by walking right across the National Garden which is next to the Greek Parliament in Syntagma Square. After your visit to the stadium a 15-minute walk will take you to the Acropolis.

The Greek and Olympic flags fly proudly at the historic Panathenaic Stadium, scene of the 1st Olympic Games in 1896.

The façade of the Spiros Louis Olympic Stadium which hosted the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

The Spiros Louis Olympic Stadium (first built in 1980-1982 but completely renovated for the 2004 Olympics) is a bit out of the city centre but is still accessible directly from the Omonia metro station (get down at the Irini stop). It's being regularly used for important football matches today. You might be interested to read this report about the other venues used for the 2004 Olympics and what they have become.

Day trips out of Athens City

A visit to an island is a must if you have the time. Among the islands nearer to Athens that you can easily explore in one day from the port of Piraeus are the Aegina, Hydra or Salamis islands.
Other day trips you can make out of Athens city are:
(1) Delphi
(2) Sounion for the Temple of Poseidon
(3) Nafplion

Useful Links Official website of the Greek Tourism Office True Athens Beyond the Acropolis Breathtaking Athens The Athens Survival Guide Ancient Agora The Benaki Museum

While in Athens you will have to try out the "tiropita" (cheese pie) for breakfast as well as the Greek coffee at least once, even if it might not be your cup of tea, sorry I mean coffee! (You see a glass of water in the picture. In Greece a glass of water is always supplied with every order - a welcome change from some cities where water is grudgingly given - even when politely asked.)

Survival Vocabulary Hello = Yassou  (pronounced)  YAH-sue How are you? = Ti kanis?  (pronounced)  tee-KAH-nis Fine = Poli kala  (pronounced)  po-LEE kah-LAH Thank you = Efkharisto  (pronounced)  eff-kah-rees-TOH Sorry = Signomi  (pronounced)  seegh-NO-mee Yes = Ne  (pronounced)  neh No = Ohi  (pronounced)  OH-hee Good morning = Kalimera  (pronounced)  kah-lee-MEHR-rah Good afternoon/evening = Kalispera  (pronounced)  kah-lees-PEH-rah Goodbye = kherete  (pronounced)  KHE-reh-tay What's your name? = Pos se lene?  (pronounced)  POHS seh LEH-neh My name is...= Me lene... (pronounced)  meh LEH-neh... I don't understand = Den Katalaveno  (pronounced)  then' kah-tah-lag-VEH-no

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