The city of Athens was named after Athena, the goddess
of wisdom. Considered to be the birth place of European
civilization, the city has a history dating back thousands
of years. It was here that democracy was invented
and the foundations developed of Western art, science,
philosophy and architecture. During the Classical
period it was home to such great thinkers as Aristotle,
Plato and Socrates. However the city subsequently
declined and for centuries it was inhabited by a population
of only a few thousand. This changed after Greece
won its independence and in 1834 Athens became the
Greek capital.
The traffic congestion in Athens means that the city
is best explored on foot. Fortunately most attractions
are in the center of the city around the Acropolis
and are within walking distance. This allows tourists
to see the ancient monuments, visit the markets and
souvenir stalls and enjoy the tavernas. It is not
advisable to take your own car or a rental car into
Athens, as there are many driving restrictions aimed
at reducing pollution and parking is very difficult.
Taxis are relatively inexpensive, however it is also
worth using the recently upgraded metro, as the new
stations also serve as small museums, and it is a
good means of transport to travel to Piraeus, from
where there are boats to the islands.
For many years thought of as crowded and polluted,
Athens has undergone a transformation as a result
of its hosting the 2004 Olympic Games. There is a
new airport and many of the cities hotels and museums
have been renovated. The public transport system of
buses and metro has also been greatly improved and
although inexpensive is often crowded. Daily travel
passes can be purchased and whilst the network operates
until midnight, there are night buses running to some
main destinations.
