1. The Acropolis
Seeing the Acropolis is essential and the epitome of a visit to Athens.
An unprecedented conceptual design embodied in architectural excellence that challenges all photographers! A “must” visit in some of our Photo Walks and tours!
The history of the Acropolis of Athens is long, with ages that democracy, philosophy and arts thriven, leading to its creation. But there were also times when its most excellent standing pieces were removed and shipped away from the country, dividing the monument in two forever. The international community today wants to reunite all of the Acropolis sculptures in Athens and restore both its physicality and meaning.
The Acropolis, and the Parthenon in particular, is the most glorious and characteristic monument of the ancient Greek civilisation. It still stands as a symbol of democracy and of the whole Greek civilisation. It also symbolises the beginning of the Western civilisation and it is also an icon of European culture. The Parthenon was dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the patron goddess of the city of Athens and goddess of wisdom. It was built under the instructions of Pericles, the political leader of Athens in the 5th century BC. The Parthenon was constructed between 447 and 438 BC and its sculptural decoration was completed in 432 BC. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site In 1987. Uniquely, capturing the gravity of the Athenian Acropolis as a symbol, UNESCO recognises that “… the Acropolis, the site of four of the greatest masterpieces of classical Greek art – the Parthenon, the Propylea, the Erechtheum and the Temple of Athena Nike – can be seen as symbolizing the idea of world heritage…”
The Acropolis of Athens is the rocky remains of an ancient Greek city, located at the top of a hill overlooking the current city of Athens, Greece. Although it is believed that its location was inhabited in the 4th millennium BC, construction of its buildings began circa 460 – 429 BC. Some of its most notable buildings include the Propylaia, the Parthenon, and the Athena Nike.
“Acropolis” comes from two Greek words meaning “edge” (acro-) and “city” (-opolis). Literally, it means “city on the extremity.” While the term can apply to any hilltop structure, the Acropolis of Athens is so well-known and iconic that it is assumed that when someone says “acropolis,” they’re talking about the one in Athens–the one that houses the Parthenon and other culturally significant structures.
This jewel of Athens served as the preeminent sanctuary of the ancient city of Athens, according to the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. Its primary purpose was to provide sacred grounds dedicated to Athena, the city’s matron deity. The Acropolis played host to festivals, cults and historically significant events during the peak of Athens’ power. Today, it serves as an architectural masterpiece and source of national pride: it is the most famous site in Greece, it was a runner up for the New Seven Wonders of the World, and it provides a living monument to the splendor of Greece’s golden age.
One of our popular Photo Walks!
Live the experience of this Photo Tour and photograph one of the most iconic monuments of the world up and close and in a creative and inspirational way under the friendly expert guidance of PhotoWalksinAthens!
Additionally, we throw in some Street Candid Photography taking advantage the tourism scene and the crowds consisted by very interesting characters that provide photo opportunities and interesting juxtapositions. Also, great panoramic views of the city of Athens will give a nice background to it and impressive urban landscape photos.
2. Anafiotika
An island in the city!
It is called Anafiotika, (“little Anafi”) after the Greek island of Anafi and here time stops…
The neighborhood was built to resemble the architecture of the Cyclades islands with stark white-washed cubic houses built of stone, flat roofs and brightly painted shutters and doors, so you get the feel of being in an island village. Wonder amongst the labyrinth of narrow alleyways that connect the whitewashed houses where bright magenta bougainvillea spills over their walls and the narrow alleyways often end in dead end terraces. Some of the houses have roof-top patios with gardens of potted plants and the occasional shade tree. If you want to step back in (the Athenian) time walk this piece of Cyclades islands situated at the foothill of Acropolis!
PhotoWalk Athens with us and discover the hidden island look alike area of Anafiotika.
Our classic Photo Walk will get you there in a Photo Tour to capture the contrast of old and modern Athens in a creative and inspirational way under the friendly expert guidance of PhotoWalksinAthens!
3. The Flea Market.
The perfect Athenian Sunday morning!
The Monastiraki traditional flea market has a festive atmosphere and is the place to be on a Sunday morning in Athens. Streets are filled up with collectibles and antique shops, vendors selling jewelry, handicrafts and bric-a-brac all ready for a bargain shopping!
They say “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and that definitely stands for true in the Athenian Flea Market. A fascinating complex of people and objects; a photo takers’ paradise!!
PhotoWalksinAthens.com couldn’t have left this adventurous photo tour out of its route!
Join us in this exciting Walk and photograph the heart of Athens in a creative and inspirational way under the friendly expert guidance of PhotoWalksinAthens! Ancient ruins, shopping area, busy passersby, street vendors and lots of graffiti will provide witty and lively scenery for plenty of candid and street photography!
http://www.photowalksinathens.com/photo-walks/sunday-flea-market/
4. The neighborhood of Plaka.
The old Athens untouched by time!
Plaka is the old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, and incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. Plaka is built on top of the residential areas of the ancient town of Athens. It is known as the “Neighborhood of the Gods” due to its proximity to the Acropolis and its many archaeological sites.
The name “Plaka” was not in use until after the Greek War of Independence. Instead, the Athenians of that time referred to the area by various names such as Alikokou, Kontito, Kandili, or by the names of the local churches. The name Plaka became commonly in use in the first years of the rule of King Otto. The origin of the name is uncertain: it has been theorized to come from the Arvanite dialect “Pliak Athena”, meaning “Old Athens”, or from the presence of a “plaque” which once marked its central intersection.
Book our Photo Walks and explore the tucked-away areas around the slopes of the Acropolis and uncover their ancient and recent past. Our Photo Walk will pass by the most picturesque spots and reveal fantastic photographic opportunities on a Photo Tour to capture the contrast of old and modern Athens in a creative and inspirational way under the friendly expert guidance of PhotoWalksinAthens!
http://www.photowalksinathens.com/photo-walks/classic/
5. The Athens Riviera
Did you know that Athens’ prefecture Attica (‘Attiki’ in Greek) derives from the ancient word “Aktiki” meaning a land with many “aktes”, meaning shores? Why not explore them while visiting Athens with PhotoWalksinAthens.com, for an alternative photographic discovery of Athens!
Ok. You’ve seen the magnificent Acropolis; you walked the picturesque labyrinth little streets of Plaka, visited museums and archaeological sites, had delicious Greek food at a tavern, enjoyed a glass of wine on one of the many rooftop bars overlooking the city or the illuminated Parthenon and wondered around Monastiraki and its Flea Market, seen monuments and landmark buildings of Athens, even seen the breathtaking magical sunset from Lycabettus Hill!
You think you are done with Athens? Definitely not!
Few visitors to Athens realise that less than 15 miles south of the city center – and still defined as Greater Athens – lies this photogenic Athenian coastline with seaside resorts, mountains, mineral lakes, and sandy beaches with blue flag certified clean waters. Combined with the known, ideal Mediterranean climate, the Athens Riviera makes you feel the kind of island magic that many people come to Greece for, without having to set foot on a ferry.
The words are few to describe the 70 Kilometers (43 miles) of coastal road that connect the romantic and relaxing region of Piraiki to the known for its industry and mining operations from ancient times, town of Lavrio, on the tip of Attica peninsula.
Explore the city’s coastal line while visiting Athens with PhotoWalksinAthens.com, for an alternative photographic discovery of Athens!
http://www.photowalksinathens.com/photo-walks/athens-riviera/
6. Coffee Culture
Drinking coffee in a slow, relaxing pace is the norm in the Athenians culture. Youth, couples, students skipping school, friends, creatives and business people flock to the most on-trend establishments in the city where outdoor tables are hot property. If you’re lucky to get a table, sit comfortably, order yourself a ‘freddo’ coffee, have long, meaningless discussions with your travelling partners or relax for hours enjoying (and photographing) the Athenian life passing by.
7. The Rooftop Bars
Although scattered throughout the city, Athenian rooftop bars are hard to find. Often hidden away, each one feels like a secret society for people in-the-know. You’ll have a different perspective of the Acropolis and the city below them no matter what time of the day you will visit one! Do your internet research, ask locals and find yours to either observe the everyday Athenian life passing by below or to enjoy a panoramic view of the city washed in the magic Athenian sunset light!
8. Sunshine
Don’t go to Athens without your sunglasses! Greece has over 300 days of sunshine per year and even if you travel in January you can expect highs of 10 degrees Celcius. March and May, September and October is an ideal time to travel to Athens when the skies are deep blue as the Greek flag (!) and temperatures are tolerable.
9. The Food
The Mediterranean area is home to sun and sea and delicious food that hold the key to good health. Greek cuisine has a culinary tradition of some 4,000 years and is a part of the history and the culture of Greece. Its flavors change with the season and its geography. Some dishes can be traced back to ancient Greece: lentil soup, fasolada, retsina (white or rosé wine flavored with pine resin) and pasteli (candy bar with sesame seeds baked with honey); some to the Hellenistic and Roman periods: loukaniko (dried pork sausage); and Byzantium: feta cheese, avgotaraho (cured fish roe) and paximadi (traditional hard bread baked from corn, barley and rye).
Spend a wonderful day discovering the heart of Athens and live an authentic Athens city experience in our “Athens Photo Marathon” Photo Tour and fill your table with succulent souvlaki, fresh seafood, mouth-watering mezzes along with ouzo drink, baked moussaka, tzatziki, yuvarlakia, keftethes, boureki, spinach rice, all kinds of pies, dolmadakia, fava, wild or cultivated greens, eggplant, soups and so on. Your options are endless! The more Greek food you eat, the healthier you become!
http://www.photowalksinathens.com/photo-walks/athens-half-day-photo-marathon/
10. Prices
Greece’s financial crisis has hardened Greeks’ life but has kept the prices of food, drink and alcohol low and extremely competitive, meaning you’ll be very pleasantly surprised when the bill comes. Local home wines are very cheap and equally (or even better) as delicious as their imported counterparts.
Take advantage of these facts and travel to Greece and Athens and treat yourself to a low budget but with high value Photo Tour with PhotoWalksinAthens.com!
http://www.photowalksinathens.com/photo-walks/basic/
You are very welcome to join one of my set Photo Walks or to throw me a line about your special photographic styles and interests and what you would prefer to see in a city and I will alter a Photo Walk for you to remember!
PhotoWalksinAthens will get you where the Athenians stroll, in and around Acropolis, old Athens, famous or hidden treasures of the city, the Sunday Monastiraki Flea Market, the Athens Riviera (Seafront), Syntagma and Omonia square, inside the lively Athens’ Central Food Market and to Peloponnesus Peninsula for a full adventurous day exploring some of Greece’s beauty and rich history!
See you in Athens!
