Discover Athens

(10 Minutes) That was one the most important hill for the ancient Athenians (second to importance only to the Acropolis maybe) because this is where the body of citizens used to meet to discuss, vote and decide about affairs of the State. This is where direct democracy was actually happening. That was the first real (open-air) parliament. You can actually stand where Democracy was born! Some really important decisions -that influenced the history of the West- were taken there. You also have a solemn and imposing view of the Acropolis herself from up there.

(10 Minutes) As everyone knows, the most important hill of Athens was -and always be- her acropolis. The meaning of the word is citadel, fortress. Almost all cities had one. The acropolis of Athens is famous for one reason: the Parthenon. This huge temple dedicated to Athena, the beloved goddess of the Athenians, constructed entirely out of marble. What many scholars described as nothing less than the symbol of Western Civilization.

(10 Minutes) The Arch of Hadrian most commonly known in Greek as Hadrian’s Gate monumental gateway resembling a Roman triumphal arch. It spanned an ancient road from the center of Athens, to the complex of structures on the eastern side of the city that included the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It has been proposed that the arch was built to celebrate the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and to honor him for his many benefactions to the city, on the occasion of the dedication of the nearby temple complex in 131 or 132 AD. It is not certain who commissioned the arch, although it is probable that the citizens of Athens or another Greek group were responsible for its construction and design.

(30 Minutes) A favorite for both locals and tourists. Towering 300 meters (almost 1000 ft) above Athens it offers a unique panoramic view of a large part of the whole region of Attica. Hey… You can even see a couple of islands far away in the distance. If you’re too lazy to walk all the way up to the top (it’s give or take 25′ hiking uphill) you can always use the Lycabettus Funicular. Owning a telephoto zoom lens to capture the city from above is ideal.
(We stop for 30 minutes and walk 10 minutes to the top were saint George church is standing and we offer you a soft drink. )

(30 Minutes) This is probably the shortest hill of Athens, quiet and full of pine trees. It’s famous for the highly impressive Panathenaic stadium that is built on the slope of that hill and the tiny hill of Agra. The biggest (and actually the only) marble stadium in the world. Home of the first modern Olympic games back in 1896.