Athens is the capital city of Greece. This is an ancient city with 3400 years of history. It is one among the most ancient cities of the world.

40% of the population of Greece live in Athens.

Athens is the cradle of democracy. The democratic principles and practices were developed around the year 500 BC. It has contributed much more to the humanity than any other city in the world.

Athens is not the first capital city of Greece. During 19^th century, Athens became the capital city after Greece attained independence.

Athens is named after Greek goddess of wisdom, Athena. Parthenon, the temple of Athena is a special attraction in Athens.

Yearly 180 million tourists visit Athens. One of the chief sources of income for this city is tourism.

The originator of western philosophy, which has influenced the whole world, Socrates, was a resident of Athens. Famous philosopher and mathematician, Plato was also a resident of Athens.

Greeks are very fond of theatres. There are many ancient theatres in Athens. Art and literature in the world owe much to the Athenian civilisation and its cultural legacy.

The staple food of Greeks is the olive. Greece is in the third place in the world in production of olive. Since thousands of years, olive trees are being bred in Athens. Some trees are 1200 years old but still producing olives.

Marathon race is born in Greece. The meaning of marathon race is long race. In 420 BC, the Greek soldier Philippides ran from Marathon to Athens to communicate the Greeks’ victory. Hence the name marathon race.

Olympic games were started in Athens in 776 BC. These were stopped in 393 BC. Again, the Olympic games were restarted in 1896 AD in Athens.

Athens of old was a city with beautiful public buildings, shops and public baths. The Athenians lived below the Acropolis, a rocky hill. The marble Parthenon, a temple for the goddess Athena, was built on the highest part of the Acropolis.

The city underwent a massive makeover during the Olympic games which were held in 2004.

The city is a world centre of archaeological research. Athens is a blend of many architectural styles such as the Greco-Roman, the Neo-classical and the modern. The octagonal, 12.8-metre-high marble Horologium of Andronicus of Cyrrhus, usually called the Tower of the Winds because each side bears a weather-beaten figure of the wind from particular compass point, is an important monument of the city.

A trip to Athens is not only a journey of history, but one of modernity and progress. After Greece’s golden age, Athens’ grandeur was squandered to nearly nothing by invaders and the sweeping tides of history. Today, the free and booming capital city is again a testament to its historic commitment to forward thinking civilization.

The best time to visit Athens is in the Spring. The weather is perfect and rates are reasonable. Beware of summers in Athens as they can reach high temperatures near 110 degrees F. So, if you plan on going to Athens in the summer please make sure to bring a hat, light clothing, sun block, and a bottle of water everywhere you go.