ATHENS CLASSIC TOUR - A 3,000 YEARS HISTORY CITY ALTERNATIVE PRESENTED

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: Plaka, Athens 10556 Greece

Plaka is appropriately known as the “Neighborhood of the Gods. Visiting that scenic neighborhood is an experience that stays with travelers for a lifetime. With its colorful neoclassic buildings and ruins waiting to be discovered around every corner, there is so much to be discovered in Plaka. Let’s be sure that you don’t miss any of the attractions!
Truly, this is one of the most charming and elegant neighborhoods you will encounter anywhere on Earth.

Stop At: Hadrian's Library, Areos 3, Athens 105 55 Greece

In the heart of Athens, between the Agora and the Acropolis, philhellene Roman Emperor Hadrian 132 A.D. built, in an area of 10,000 sq m, the renowned complex of the Library that contained -in addition to the three stories housing books - reading rooms, teaching rooms, porticoes for philosophical walks, gardens and a pond for recreation. The Emperor’s goal was to create a place of academic study worthy of the reputation of Ancient Athens in Letters and Science. ​

Duration: 3 minutes

Stop At: Roman Agora, Polignotou 3, Athens 105 55 Greece

Public life in the city of Athens was concentrated in and around the Agora, the market, a large rectangular shaded with plane trees, willows and poplars, ornamented with fountains, statues, and votive offerings, surrounded by porticos where the merchants and sellers sold all sorts of goods and provisions. There were also the bankers of the time, the hairdressers, the perfumers, men of business, men of letters, artists and artisans, politicians, orators, philosophers, who walked and discussed on all issues of life and the questions of the day. ​


Duration: 3 minutes

Stop At: Stoa of Attalos, Adrianou St. 24, Athens Greece

The Stoa of Attalos is thought to have been a kind of ancient commercial center with 21 shops on each floor lining the western wall. Visitors may get an idea of everyday life in ancient Athens through the collection of everyday objects which were unearthed in excavations. The stoa's dimensions are 115 by 20 meters wide (377 by 65 feet wide) and it is made of marble from Mtn. Penteli.

Duration: 3 minutes

Stop At: Ancient Agora of Athens, Adrianou 24, Athens 105 55 Greece

The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural center, and the seat of justice.

Duration: 3 minutes

Stop At: Temple of Hephaestus, Athens 105 55, Greece

The Temple of Hephaestus is the best-preserved ancient temple in Greece. It was dedicated to Hephaestus, the ancient god of fire and Athena, goddess of pottery and crafts. According to the archeologists, the temple was built around 450 B.C. at the western edge of the city, on top of Agoreos Koronos hill, and it is a classic example of Dorian architecture. The temple was designed by Iktinus, one of the talented architects who also worked on Parthenon, However, many other craftsmen worked at this fantastic temple.

Duration: 3 minutes

Stop At: National Observatory of Athens - Thiseio, Lofos Nymfon, Athens 11810 Greece

The National Observatory of Athens is located in the hill of Nymphs in the historic area of Thissio, right across the sacred hill of Acropolis, overlooking the Ancient Agora.

The Observatory was originally founded in 1842, with the contribution of the national benefactor Georgios Sinas who was a Greek ambassador in Vienna during the time. His desire was to make a donation that would contribute to the development of the academic research in the newly founded state of Greece, and he turned to the acclaimed Greek-Austrian astronomer Georg Bouris, assigning him the direction of the Observatory. The building was designed by the famous Danish architect Theophil Hansen, is, in fact, his first construction and was completed in 1846.

Duration: 3 minutes

Stop At: Monument of Philopappos, Athens 117 41, Greece

Philopappos Hill is a green area to the southwest of the Acropolis. Well worth a visit any time of the year, a ride at Philopappos Hill is a rewarding experience. Here you will discover an unexpected park and important monuments. It is a favorite promenade of the Athenians and there you can have great views of the Acropolis, the whole city of Athens and the Aegean Sea that surrounds Attica. In 115 AD, a monument dedicated to the exiled Roman Prince Gaius Julius Antichus Philopappos of Commagene (a region in ancient Armenia) was erected on top of the hill.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Temple of Olympian Zeus, Leoforos Vasilissis Olgas Leoforos Amalias, Athens 105 57 Greece

Like the Acropolis, the temple of Olympian Zeus has been a distinctive Athenian landmark since time immemorial. Begun about 520 BC by the tyrant Peisistratus and his sons, it was left unfinished at the end of their rule until the 2nd century BC when further construction was briefly undertaken by one of Athens’ Hellenistic benefactors, the Seleucid king Antiochus. Abandoned once again following Antiochus’ death, it was ultimately finished by the Roman emperor Hadrian and dedicated in AD 132. Hadrian, an ardent Hellenophile much respected by the people of the Greek East, gave Athens the completed Olympieion.

Duration: 3 minutes