Athens travel guide

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 Athens is the largest city and the cosmopolitan capital of Greece. Situated in the Attic Plain in the southeastern Greece, it is one of the world’s oldest cities and now a leading business and financial economic hub in the European region. It is also the country’s political and cultural core.

The city is arced by the peaks of Parnitha, Pendéli, and the Hymettos Mountains and is only a few miles from the country’s largest seaport, Piraeus.

The greater city area has a recorded population of 3.2 million. The city’s rising population density has contributed to urban problems like overcrowding, pollution and traffic.

An Archeological Center

Athens is one of the world’s major locations for archeological research. Aside from the presence of national institutions like Athens University, the Archeological Society and a number of archeological museums, the city is also the seat to Demokritos’ Archaeometry laboratory and other archeological sectors that form the Greek Department of Culture. The city also has more than a few archeological libraries and hosts specialized lectures, conferences and seminars on archeology.

Economy

A huge percentage of industrial business activities in Greece are focused around and within the city of Athens. Manufacturing remains to be one of its primary economic industries. Textiles and leather, cement, chemicals, paper products, alcoholic beverages, soap, flour and pottery are commodities manufactured in Athens.

Athens is also supported by industries like machinery, printing and publishing. Piraeus port is the country’s chief shipping and transportation equipment center that also contributes to the city’s economy.

The majority of Athen’s workforce is involved in services, namely the government, banking, education, healthcare and transportation sectors.

The tourism industry also played a role over the years in the city’s economy. Tourism also boosted the economic standing of Athens especially during the 2004 Olympic Games.

Sports

Athens has three prominent multi-sports clubs, the Olympiacos, Panathinaikos and the AEK Athens.

Beach Volleyball and Windsurfing are famous local sports in outer areas of Attica. Surfing is also a favorite local water sport.

Athens is a well-loved location for famous international sports events. The city already hosted the Olympic Games twice, in 1896 and 2004; hosted the UEFA Champions League Finals twice, in the year 1994 and 2007; and the UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup in 1971.

Transportation

Athens is the center of the country’s national transportation system. The city’s urban and suburban railway network is managed by three companies, the ISAP, Attiko Metro, the city’s main metro subway, and the Proastiakós. Each has a different railway line route throughout Athens.

Thermal Bus Company, operated under Ethel, is the main bus operator in Athens. What’s unique about Athens’ bus system is that more than 200 of its buses are run on natural gas. The metropolitan area is also served with electric buses or the ILPAP. These buses are able to run on diesel in case of power failure.

Taxis are common modes of transportation in Athens. They are inexpensive and in demand especially during rush hours.

The Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is Athens’ state-of-the-art air terminal located near Spata. It services international and domestic flights and has gained recognition as “European Airport of the Year” in 2004.

Ferry transports are also available from the major port, Piraeus, traveling to several Greek islands.