Best Attractions To Visit in Athens

If you are planning a holiday in the Mediterranean region, then the perfect place to visit is the beautiful and historic city of Athens.  It is one of the oldest capital cities of the world and has been inhabited for thousands of years. It is also one of the most influential cities that chartered the development of modern civilisation as we know it today. The idea of democracy was born here and the city was home to some of the most famous Greek historical figures such as statesmen, orators, sculptors, artists, philosophers and scientists.

If you do plan to spend your holiday in this charming city, you could choose from a variety of options from staying at a luxury hotel to any of the numerous low cost hotels. Being a prominent tourist destination it caters to a variety of travellers and budgets.

If you want to stay in luxury then there are a number of four star hotels in Athens, which offer the best in terms of facilities and amenities such as the properties belonging to the Luxury Hotels Group renowned for their world class services. While in Athens a few great attractions to visit are:

Temple of Olympian Zeus: One of the largest ancient temples in Greece, The Temple of Olympian Zeus is also one of the most well known. This massive edifice took an incredible seven centuries to be completed. It was originally ordered to be built by Peisistratos with work beginning in 515 BC by his order. However, construction was halted as Peisistratos and his heir were considered to be oppressive and tyrants by the Athenian populace. It was only in 175 BC that work on the temple restarted again but had to be stooped 10 years later when Cossutius, its Roman architect died. Finally in 132 BC the magnificent temple was completed during the reign of Emperor Hardian and it was dedicated to the Greek God Zeus Olympios. The temple today stands as a testimony of ancient Greek history and architectural accomplishments although only 15 of the original 104 huge columns remain. Each column rises an impressive 17 meters (57 feet) in the air and in ancient times encircled a cella, in which two massive statues were placed.

Syntagma Square: One of the prominent attractions to visit in Athens is the famous Syntagma Square. It is the location for the ceremonial changing of the guards by the Evzones, which happens at the entrance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Greece’s Hellenic Parliament Building is also located close by.  It makes for a great photo opportunity with ancient statues, a fountain and large grassy open areas which are used for picnics. It is also the venue for a number of major state functions and events. The Square was the location at which the Military Junta government was toppled in 1974. There are a number of other interesting attractions as well to be found in the area.