European Division | GREECE
Spotlight on Athens
Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the world's most famous cities. Home to a vast number of 4- and 5-star hotels, Athens is currently the most visited capital in Europe. Over the past decade, the infrastructure and social amenities of Athens have been radically improved as a result of the city's successful bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games. Greece, aided by the E.U., has poured money into infrastructure projects, such as a new state-of-the-art international airport and an expanded metro system. As a result, the number of international visitors is expected to rise even higher in the coming years.
Guide to Athens' Neighborhoods
Whether you are visiting Athens or planning to move there, the following guide will help you navigate Athens' most popular neighborhoods.
Plaka
Lying just beneath the Acropolis, Plaka remains the top tourist destination and features numerous neoclassic buildings, making it one of the most scenic districts in central Athens.
Psirri
This centrally located neighborhood is a hotspot worth visiting for its many mainstream bars. It also boasts a number of live music restaurants called "rebetadika," after rebetiko, a unique kind of music that blossomed in Athens and Syros from the 1920s until the 1960s.
Theseum (Thission)
Lying just west of Monastiraki, Theseum is famous for its student-crammed stylish cafes and is home to the remarkable ancient Temple of Hephaestus, standing on top of a small hill.
Gazi
One of the latest neighborhoods in full redevelopment, Gazi is located around a historic gas factory in downtown Athens, which has been converted into the Technopolis (Athens's new cultural multiplex), featuring a number of expensive small clubs, bars and restaurants, as well as Athens' "gay village."
Syntagma Square (Constitution Square)
Situated in central Athens, Syntagma Square is the site of the former Royal Palace, now the Greek Parliament, and other 19th century public buildings and is the tourist core of the city. Athens' largest square, it is home to a number of luxurious hotels, including the historic Grande Bretagne, Athens' first hotel.
Kolonaki
This chic area near Syntagma Square is full of exclusive boutiques, bars and restaurants.
Monastiraki
Famous for its string of small tourist shops, Monastiraki also offers a crowded flea market and tavernas that specialize in souvlaki. Ermou Street, a short pedestrian road connecting Syntagma Square to Monastiraki, has traditionally been considered a consumer paradise for both locals and foreign tourists. Full of fashion shops and shopping centers featuring most international brands, it has become one of the most expensive roads in Europe.
The Southern Suburbs
Many of Athens' elegant southern suburbs (such as Alimos, Palaio Faliro, Elliniko, Voula, Vouliagmeni and Vari) have beautiful sandy beaches, most of which are operated by the Hellenic Tourism Organization. Expect to pay a small fee to get in.
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