Top Activities for a Holiday in Athens,Greece
The Ancient Greeks developed western civilisation and the modern world would have been in a very different place if it wasn’t the influence of Ancient Greece. Athens was the leading city of Ancient Greece in the 5th Century BC and is therefore a fantastic destination for the traveller interested in history. Furthermore Athens is very much still a living, breathing city and offers other activities on the holiday-maker interested in relaxation, rather than education.
The Parthenon is a must on any visitor’s itinerary to Athens. Even if you are not interested in archaeology a visit to the Acropolis and the Parthenon to view one of the ancient wonders of the world a first-hand is a must. When you are looking at the Parthenon take a moment to consider that most of the western world where living in mud-huts when the Greeks constructed this building.
Next on the agenda is the National Archaeological Museum. Housing an extensive collection of Greek sculpture, jewellery, and pottery, it is one of the great museums of the world. Included in the museum is a 2000 year old computer saved from a shipwreck off the island of Antikthera. Undisputedly the most sophisticated object to be found from the Ancient and Medieval periods, the device was used to track the position of the sun and the phases of the moon.
For something a little livelier a visit to the Agora-Athens Central Market is a great way to while away a few hours. Selling fish, meat and vegetables the market is great for viewing the modern Athenians as they go about their business. The restaurants at the back of the meat-market also offer some of the best and cheapest food in Athens at any time of day.
There is much more to do and see in Athens including; Mount Lycabettus, a walk through The Plaka, the oldest neighbourhood in Athens, and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. However any Greek holidays would not be complete without a visit to The Poet. Stavros Melissinos is a sandal-maker who also happens to be a famous poet. His best known work ‘The Rubaiyat’ has been translated into several languages and is on the curriculum of many universities around the world. Visit his statue and then join John Lennon, Sophia Loren, and Jackie Kennedy by visiting his shop and ask him to make you some sandals. A reminder that the traditions of Homer and the other ancient Greek poets live on to this day.
The Parthenon is a must on any visitor’s itinerary to Athens. Even if you are not interested in archaeology a visit to the Acropolis and the Parthenon to view one of the ancient wonders of the world a first-hand is a must. When you are looking at the Parthenon take a moment to consider that most of the western world where living in mud-huts when the Greeks constructed this building.
Next on the agenda is the National Archaeological Museum. Housing an extensive collection of Greek sculpture, jewellery, and pottery, it is one of the great museums of the world. Included in the museum is a 2000 year old computer saved from a shipwreck off the island of Antikthera. Undisputedly the most sophisticated object to be found from the Ancient and Medieval periods, the device was used to track the position of the sun and the phases of the moon.
For something a little livelier a visit to the Agora-Athens Central Market is a great way to while away a few hours. Selling fish, meat and vegetables the market is great for viewing the modern Athenians as they go about their business. The restaurants at the back of the meat-market also offer some of the best and cheapest food in Athens at any time of day.
There is much more to do and see in Athens including; Mount Lycabettus, a walk through The Plaka, the oldest neighbourhood in Athens, and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. However any Greek holidays would not be complete without a visit to The Poet. Stavros Melissinos is a sandal-maker who also happens to be a famous poet. His best known work ‘The Rubaiyat’ has been translated into several languages and is on the curriculum of many universities around the world. Visit his statue and then join John Lennon, Sophia Loren, and Jackie Kennedy by visiting his shop and ask him to make you some sandals. A reminder that the traditions of Homer and the other ancient Greek poets live on to this day.
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