 >> Recommended locations by members
This site is amazingly located, overlooking the sea at 65m high, having thus, an incredible view, while the sunset there is an experience one shall remember for ever. The Temple of Poseidon was built in 444 BC, at the same time as the Parthenon, and was constructed with local marble. Its 16 remaining columns are Doric. To the north-east side one can find are the few remains of a 6th-century temple dedicated to Athena. If visiting during the summertime, one should consider a visit it early in the morning, and avoid week ends, in order to feel the quiet splendour of the site at its best.
> More...
The 11th-century monastery (see the section call “churches”)is, of course, a must see, as you will see in the “churches” section. Nevertheless, the Park surrounding the monastery is a wonderful place to go enjoy the sun and the scenery. There is a huge play park for children, a lot of great trees and numerous types of beautiful flowers. It located at only 5km east of Athens’ centre.
These caved are located at 4 km west of Peania, the town which is the birthplace of the famous orator Demosthenes (384-322 BC). One may access them only by car. The Caves are really interesting to visit because of their impressive quantity of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, and they are also the perfect place to escape the summer heat.
The town of Eleusina is neither really beautiful nor interesting, since it has now turned into an industrial area, surrounded by oil refineries and factories. The site of ancient Eleusis nevertheless, is really worth the visit. This site has been built around the Sanctuary of Demeter, during the Mycenaean times. Demeter, the goddess of crops and fertility, was the figure from who was born one of the most important cults in Ancient Greece. During the classical times, every year, thousands of pilgrims walked in procession along the Sacred Way , from the Acropolis to Eleusis , wanting to be initiated to the Eleusian mysteries. This was one of the biggest annual festivals.
The site’s museum is really interesting and will be a big help to understand the ruins left from the Sanctuary.
The town of Eleusina is neither really beautiful nor interesting, since it has now turned into an industrial area, surrounded by oil refineries and factories. The site of ancient Eleusis nevertheless, is really worth the visit. This site has been built around the Sanctuary of Demeter, during the Mycenaean times. Demeter, the goddess of crops and fertility, was the figure from who was born one of the most important cults in Ancient Greece. During the classical times, every year, thousands of pilgrims walked in procession along the Sacred Way, from the Acropolis to Eleusis, wanting to be initiated to the Eleusian mysteries. This was one of the biggest annual festivals.
The site’s museum is really interesting and will be a big help to understand the ruins left from the Sanctuary.
The little port of Rafina is the place where many ferries leave for numerous islands. What one should not omit is that it is also a good place to go at night to enjoy some delectable fresh fish in one of the many fish taverns with a view on the sea. For more information about the ferries leaving from this port, see the paragraph on the beaches.
Travelling on the way to the Peloponnese, on the direction to Olympus, Delphes, etc…, one thing that the visitor must do is stop in Corinth. This recently modern town used to be, in the 6th century BC., one of ancient Greece’s richest cities. The Corinth Canal connects the Ionian and the Aegean Seas. It was started in AD 67 by Nero and finally finished by a French engineering company in 1883-93. It measures over 23 km wide and 6km long, and is an imposing thing to see. For the extreme sensation lover, there is possibility to do body jumping.
The Ancient Corinth is a very interesting site to visit, as is the Acrocorinth, a fortified bulk which stands proudly at 575m above the ancient city of Corinth. These sites can be found at 7 km south-west of modern Corinth.
In Corinth one should not miss the numerous small taverns offering high quality fresh products.
Aegina is one of the Saronic Gulf islands. It is a lovely place to stay for a day or more, and really easy to reach, since it is located at one and a half hour by ferry (or 35 minutes by hydrofoils). According to mythology, the island took its name after the daughter of the river god Aesopus’s daughter. Zeus fell in love with her, abducted her and took her on this island to love her. There, she gave birth to Aeacus, the grandfather of the famous Achilles.
Aegina’s town is a lovely place. It is also, besides its beauty, an ideal place to eat, or take a walk. Some beaches located near by will also contribute to an enjoyable holiday. One may also visit a museum, as well as the interesting Doric Temple of Apollo.
Ferries and hydrofoils (for a very quick trip) for Aegina depart almost hourly from the port of Piraeus, making the island a very easy destination to reach.
The other Saronic Gulf islands can be equally reached daily from Aegina.
> About Aegina
The island of Poros is, generally speaking, less attractive than its neighbour Aegina. It nevertheless has some good restaurants and offers an amazing view over the mountains of Argolis. As all of the islands that are situated close to Athens, Poros is a very popular weekend destination for most of the Athenians, who greatly enjoy strolling around and its pretty little town with its white houses.
There are up to 8 ferries a day that depart from Piraeus, pass by Aegina and Methana and go to Poros. The trip lasts about three hours. For a quicker trip (40 minutes), tone can use the hydrofoils, called the Flying Dolphins, which also leave from Piraeus. They usually depart from the Great Harbour of Piraeus or the smallest one, the Zea Marina.
Daily ferries and Flying Dolphins also connect Poros to Aegina, Hydra and Spetses.
> About Poros
Hydra is the loveliest of the Saronic Gulf islands. It is as peaceful as it gets, since no motorised transports are allowed on the island, which makes it a wonderful place to enjoy a walk, a coffee, a meal or a drink. The town of Hydra is particularly beautiful, with white and pastels coloured houses perched on the rocky hillside, folding around the natural little harbour and a lot of waterfronts cafes. Quite expensive, Hydra attracts mostly wealthy visitors and Athenians, and therefore has a reputation of being expensive and cosmopolitan. Visitors will enjoy the numerous nice art exhibitions from famous Greek or international artists organised on the island.
Ferries leave daily from Piraeus to Hydra. It is a three and a half hour trip via Aegina, Methana and Poros or an hour and a half with Flying Dolphins.
Like the other islands, Hydra can be reached by the neighbouring islands via ferries and hydrofoils. You can also reach Ermioni from there.
> About Hydra
Andros is the second biggest cyclade islands after Naxos. It is situated on the north side of the island group, and is famous for being the greenest of the Cyclades. Although the port is not particularly beautiful but the main town, Chora, which can be reached in 45 minutes by bus from the port, is a pure jewel. The Venetian occupation that took place around 1200-1400 left behind it the wonderful architecture that characterize the Chora. This little marvel is an amazing place to sit for a coffee or stroll around the little streets. The town has a modern gallery often exposing the artwork of famous artists. Most of the tourism on Andros is made of Athenians coming for a weekend to relax, and enjoy its freshness and green which make its beauty.
Ferries which make a two hours trip, and Flying Dolphins which make a one hour trip, depart daily to Andros from the port of Rafina. Rafina is on the other side of Athens compared to Piraeus, and is reachable by taxi or a bus from Athens’s centre.
> About Andros
| Kea Island (or Tzia Island) |
|
Kea, like all the islands aforementioned, is another favourite weekend destination for a lot of Athenians. It is the nearest of the west Cyclades, and has some very nice beaches and an interesting architecture. The little port of the main town is often crowded with luxurious yachts, which add to it a chic and elegant allure.
Kea can be reached from the harbour of Lavrion, which is at one hour by bus from the centre of Athens, where daily ferries (one hour trip) and Flying Dolphins (30 minutes trip) are sailing to it. It can also be reached by the harbour of Piraeus, although the trip is longer from there.
|
 |
 Travel Services |
        
| Famous destinations |
|
Back:
Athens Related: