Advantages: Vibrant, cheap excellent public transport. Famous historic sites. Eating out Disadvantages: Not as 'Greek' as it used to be. Poor air quality. The drivers!
I'd been to Athens before, but not since 1973 so I was fully expecting a lot of changes, and to a greater extent I was right.
For example, I was probably amongst the last tourists to be allowed full access to wander all over the famous Parthenon on the Acropolis hill. Since then it has been fenced off and variously concealed behind one piece of scaffolding or another, and is rumoured to stay that way for decades.
I remember that summer of '73 with ... ...takes 20 minutes from central Athens to the port area of Piraeus. Getting to Athens from southern England takes anywhere between 3.5 to 4.0 hours depending on flying conditions, so there's a hint of the 'long haul' to the flight, complete with movies. Greece has never been 'big' on railways so it would be a real labour of love to get there by train.
The newer Athens International Airport is a lot slicker than the old Kalamaki on the coast, but its ...
BNibbles 30.11.2007 (06.09.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Athens in general
Advantages: Fun, fascinating and altogether fabulous Disadvantages: Chaotic and confusing for the first time visitor
...is that I never visited Athens purely as a tourist. I lived in Greece for three years, and spent the first two in Halkida, on an island called Evia, about an hour and a half north of Athens (well worth a day out for seafood lunch, the beach and the bars but that is another review). We didn't go to Athens often, and when we did the first stop was usually Marks and Spencers to stock up our small English community on tights and underwear! After two ... ...truer picture of the real Athens than the pure tourist trail.
Now you may notice there is a distinct lack of ancient ruins in this list. There are two reasons for this. The first is that with the exception of the Acropolis and the Agora alongside it, ruins are pretty much par for the course in Athens and you can find them all over the place - you don't really need to make a special effort to seek them out. The second is that they really don't change ...
Agglida 11.06.2005
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Advantages: Hundreds if you love history. Disadvantages: I found none.
...Others who have written about Athens in Ciao found it noisy and dirty, but I did not. Possibly this was because the tourist season was virtually over, but I think it’s also an attitude. I wanted to love the place, and I knew a lot about it beforehand, which always helps. Ted and I agreed that our first impressions were of a vibrant, colourful, good humoured city, bursting with history at every turn.
We took another bus to near the Acropolis. Both ... ...one with Pericles, who founded Athens as a city, at one with Aristophanes, Sophocles, Socrates, Plato, all the great names who shaped European thought and culture. I felt small, totally insignificant as a single thread in this vast tapestry of history, and yet, paradoxically, important, for each of us has a part to play in shaping that history.
Ted asked me what I was thinking. I tried to tell him, but he did not comment. I had to wonder if he thought ...
Schmutzie 09.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Athens in general
Advantages: History, humour, food, weather, nightlife Disadvantages: Pollution, congestion, too many Man Yoo fans ;-)
I went to Athens having never particularly wanted to go there and came away loving the city. I spent the best part of a year there, mostly on a Mon-Fri basis, but with several weekend stays.
The bad things first. The traffic is incredible. Forever busy, noisy and smelly. (You'll see many cars you thought had completely disappeared from the road. Wrong: Athens is the car retirement home of Europe.) But it is also highly entertaining. It somehow works. ... ...good things. Geography. Athens is spectacularly located in a basin, surrounded by many mountains and the sea. The Acropolis rises up above Plaka, near the centre of the city and provides an astounding backdrop to much of city life, and is a sight of which you never tire. Lykabettus rises high to the northern edge of the centre and provides many of Athens best views (try to visit it at sunset, if you're not used to hills, take the funicular or a taxi).
...
KungFuJoe 19.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Athens in general
Advantages: Vibrant, lively, good food, great sights. Disadvantages: Some dodgy bits!
...a four day break in Athens with my wife and thirteen year old son. Like all cities, we found it had good and bad bits, but on the whole, I would highly recommend a visit.
Our hotel was located just off an area called Omonia Square. The guide book described this area as 'gritty'. I guess we should have read into that what we actually found. There are men with obvious Heroin addictions wandering around the area day and night. Prostitutes can be seen ... ...Once you get into central Athens then you enter a bustling, exciting, clean, and vibrant city centre. I suppose the only real disappointment is that it is in some ways just like any other city centre throughout Europe.
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating, but the area known as The Plaka is definitely aimed at the tourist market. The food is fine, but the prices are high. It is a lovely area, but I don't think you would find many locals ...
GF1124 12.12.2007
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Advantages: Splendid historical thingies everywhere Disadvantages: It's a city - rush rush rush
...had reservations about going to Athens - I'd heard about the choking pollution and was dreading arriving there in the middle of an August heatwave. But it was remarkable - hot, yes, but not as polluted as London, I would say. So here are the advantages and disadvantages of Athens:
Advantages: loads to do - amazing historical stuff from the Acropolis (take lots of camera film) to the first Olympic Stadium ; seeing their guards in traditional dress; ... ...Disadvantages: the heat in the summer (so go sightseeing early); a very corrupt police force, according to a local guide, because of their poor wages; refugee children trying to sell you tissues and waving bits of card under your nose all the time.
But do go, if you get the chance - just one word of advice: do not go to the Acropolis with a hangover cos there's not much shade! ...
Advantages: A great deal of History Disadvantages: Overpowering weather conditions
...a guided tour as finding your own way around Athens can be a nightmare ( the traffic is the most dangerous I have ever seen, including Paris and London)
All in all, there are many sights well worth looking at, but be very aware of the oppresive heat and humidity. ...
maccer01 19.07.2000
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Review of Athens in general
Advantages: excellent cousine Disadvantages: not suited for vegetarians
Greek food is simply delicious. So if anyone has the chance to get to Greece you better experience some of the delights offered at their restaurants. My recommended ones are Giros, Pasticio and Souvlaki (check the spelling!). Being one of the cheapest countries of the EU, dinning out is a treat that will not affect heavily the pockets of most tourists. I have eaten a massive sea-food dinner for 4 for a mere £25 (impossible to get those prices in ...
pelasnet 12.07.2000 (06.12.2000)
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Athens, in the scorching heat of July, I must admit, was a somewhat daunting proposition. However, surely anything could have been an improvement from the dully, grey and overcast weather of West London. I arrived to find temperatures surprisingly pleasant, and found that, during my stay, they remained so. Although warm in the middle of the day, humidity was low and a cool breeze would often spring up from the meditteranean, especially in the Port ... ...and such sights as 'The Temple of Zeus', the Acropolis and Mt. Lekavitas were breathtaking, especially at sunset. All in all, a wonderful place to visit, my only reservation being the traffic and air pollution encountered in the centre of the city.
I look forward to travelling there one again. ...
AdonisC 14.08.2000
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...Also, if going to Athens , take quite a lot of money with you. As it is a real tourist resort expect to pay around 2000 drachma( 4 pounds) for a voddie and coke - I , as a student found this to be especially extortionate, especially as it is a necessity!
For an escape from the bustle of Athens why not take a trip to the island of Aegina, which was absolutely gorgeous. Oh , and don't forget to buy some pistachio nuts while you're there , they're ...
sheeg 30.07.2000
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Advantages: enjoy the city without having to drive! Disadvantages: not very well organised, rather simple
I've been in Athens several times and everytime I go I can feel the contrasts of a country that is modernising quickly, but that keeps strongly to its past.
Transport in Athens is one of those aspects that shows a huge contrast. You may well use an extremelly modern bus or a tram with wheels that should better be kept in a museum.
Generally, transport in the centre and towards the main (rich) suburbs is quite good, but once you need to get to smaller, ...
pelasnet 12.07.2000
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Advantages: Cosmopolitan, good sightseeing Disadvantages: Smelly, dirty
I have just returned form my trip to Greece, and spent a total of 5 days in Athens. Yes, I was approached by many a greasy haired, moustachioued native, but they are generally less aggressive that their London counterparts, and when I remembered my "wedding" ring, left me alone completely.
As far as cheap drinks is concerned, I would suggest anyone on a budget aquires a taste for beer(£1 for 500 mls) or wine (as little as £1 per 500mls, but very ... ...area the other side of Ermou St than Plaka. This is cheap,due to local punters, but nice enough for a dressy night out. Lastly, vodka is £3-4 per shot in a bar, but £4-8 per bottle in an offy- go figure
Lastly (sorry for going on), regarding accomodation, older hotels weren't that much more than hostels, considering they charge per room only, and usually provide a hearty breakfast as well ...
LoxleyLozenge 02.08.2000
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Advantages: WEATHER-WAY OF LIFE-CHEAP COST OF LIVING Disadvantages: CARS
ATHENS THE BIRTHPLACE OF SOCRATES,ARISTOTELIS, AND MINE!THIS OPINION IS GONNA SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT YOU HAVE COME ACROSS FROM A TRAVEL AGENT.ATHENS IS A PLACE FULL OF LIFE AND TO KNOW WHERE,HOW AND WHEN TO DO THINGS IS PRICELESS.FIRST OF ALL ,WHEN TO GO?ALL THE TIMES OF THE SEASON ARE GOOD, DEPENDS YOUR TASTE IF YOU WANT AN EMPTY CITY JULY-AUGUST ARE THE BEST MONTHS WHERE YOU CAN GO EVERYWHERE VERY QUICK.HOW TO GO? EASY JET IS A GOOD DEAL BOOKING ... ...THING YOU WILL SEE IN ATHENS IS THE BRAND NEW AIRPORT ELEVTHERIOS VENIZELOS, GRAB A TAXI ( YELLOW COLOUR) AND OFF YOU GO FOR THE CENTER.THE TAXI DRIVER SHOULD NOT ASK FOR MORE THAN 5000 DRACHMAS.GENERALLY THE TAXIS IN ATHENS ARE EXTREMELY CHEAP COMPARE TO ENGLAND.NOW THAT YOU LEFT STAFF IN THE HOTEL TIME TO PARTY ATHENS IS A CITY WHERE NO ONE SLEEPS,AND AS A GREEK PROVERB SAYS...GREEKS GO TO BED EARLY..IN THE MORNING!!! CAFES ARE OPEN FROM 11 OCLOCK ...
fibaref 16.04.2001
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Advantages: Luxury, air-conditioned travel. English explanations of what we were seeing Disadvantages: Not all of the Taxi drivers might be as honest as this one
As we all know Athens is a wonderful place to catch up on all of the great sights of antiquarian history. But how best to do it?
When we were there last August it was very hot and humid and the last thing we wanted was to traipse around on buses and metro to see everything, but did not think there was an alternative.
But we were lucky as when we arrived at Omonia Square to start looking for transport a yellow Mercedes taxi pulled up and the driver ... ...his business card and numbers. We will be contacting him this year to pick us up from the Airport, and to give us a different tour.
If you are going to Athens it is worth considering this method of sightseeing. There are no guarantees but it worked for us. ...
damaj 06.03.2001
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Advantages: great history,fun and food Disadvantages: heat,pollution
Everybody should go to Athens at some point!!!!IT is amazing how you feel that you travel back in time and how much you learn!! Ok, it is not the most beautiful city of the world. Greece is great, but Athens is not beautiful. It is very interesting though. Akropolis and Parthenon, surrounded by the old town of Plaka, are the most important reasons for visiting athens. Whilst on Akropolis, you can see the whole city underneath. Reading and learning ... ...thing is the story that lies behind every exhibit. Sunio is a lovely place to go too, the temple of Apollo is a wonderful architectural structure. And of course, don't forget to see Athens by Night. I can tell you that much: Greeks know how to have fun!!! ...
manosst 04.07.2001
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