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ASTA news ASTA DESTINATION EXPO ATHENS A world of heritage and culture in Athens


Athens is the capital city of Greece and one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back to 3,000 BC. One can travel easy and quick at a very low cost on Athens’ state-of- the-art transport network (Athens Metro), which includes 61 stations. The city's geographical position makes traveling to the some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and mountains accessible and convenient. Some of the unmissable attractions include:


Acropolis & Acropolis Museum Tis hilltop Parthenon temple


dedicated to the goddess Athena is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. Go early in the morning or late afternoon to escape the crowds and the worst heat. Te admission ticket to the Acropolis will permit access to several other sites in Athens, including the Ancient Agora and open-air Teatre of Dionysus. Te Acropolis Museum provides an excellent introduction for visitors, with multimedia exhibits depicting life in Ancient Greece and a collection of treasures found on and around the Acropolis site.


National Archaeological Museum Without doubt one of the world’s


great museums, the National Archaeological Museum is home to statues, frescoes, jewelry and pottery from all over the Ancient Greek world. Set aside a minimum of two hours for a glimpse of the 11,000-plus items on display here. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for the often excellent temporary exhibitions.


Ancient Agora Once the commercial, political and


religious center of Athens, the Ancient Agora is considered to be the birthplace of democracy, where assemblies and legal proceedings were held. Tought to date back as far back as the sixth or seventh century BC, it’s one of the city’s most popular archeological sites, with visitors able to explore the striking collection of ancient courts, temples and monuments.


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Byzantine churches Visit the distinctive Byzantine


churches scattered around the central part of Athens. Pantanassa Church is sited in the ever-busy Monastiraki Square, while the 11th-century Kapnikarea Church can be found in the center of Ermou Street.


Plaka Lose yourself in the narrow lanes of


historic Plaka, near the Acropolis, and admire the impressive, if slowly fading, grandeur of the district’s neoclassical houses. Visit the Centre of Folk, Art & Tradition (free admission) to see how a typical Plaka mansion may have looked in the 19th century.


Varvakios Agora For a real taste of bustling Athenian


life, check out the vibrant markets of Varvakios Agora. In the historic market building, butchers and fishmongers lay out giant shrimp, octopus and whole lamb, while the fruit market across the street offers rows of fresh produce.


Museum of Islamic Art A pair of elegant restored townhouses


near Kerameikos are now the Museum of Islamic Art, housing tapestries, carvings, tiles and ceramics from the Muslim world. With more than 8,000 exhibits documenting over 700 years of history, the museum is one of the world’s leading collections of Islamic cultural objects.


Pantanassa Church, Athens


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