The mountain Pendeli (antique Pendalikon) provides a city with white marble from which the Acropolis 2500 years ago has been erected, and sung ancient the mountain Gimet (modern Imitos) is famous till now for honey and spices. Besides, Gimet - a barometer of Athenes: if at mountain top there will be a cloud is, as a rule, means that will be cloudy and the rain will go.
In spite of the fact that the city is turned by a southwest part to the Saronichesky gulf of Aegean sea, it is impossible to name Athenes a seaside city. From the center to the nearest seaside area Faliron - 7 km.
Small plantations of Attica are densely covered by vineyards, fruit trees, without speaking about olive trees which grow everywhere. In spite of the fact that Attica is the most industrially developed part of Greece, here tourists have magnificent possibilities for rest - the pure sea, the equipped beaches, modern hotels.
Today's Athenes - a modern city with dizzy rate of life. Modern and romantic, with brisk streets and the areas, with bright multi-colored show-windows and with secluded lanes, with silent lonely quarters, such as Plaka and Metz. The chaos in the center contrasts with almost rural appearance of suburbs, in a city as if there were two cultures.
Athenes - the noisy southern city full of contrasts and architectural masterpieces. In Athenes you are waited by museums with the rare collections of ancient art and modern art galleries, the silent cozy areas in style of a retro and the noisy markets, huge modern shopping centers both uncountable benches and workshops where local umeltsy-handicraftsmen do every possible souvenirs.
Speaking about capital of Greece, it is necessary to mention the well-known Acropolis and majestic Parthenon - a temple of the goddess of Athena. Here before your look ancient monuments of architecture of an epoch of Perikla and the former palace of first Greek king Otona which has become subsequently by a building of Parliament will appear.
Going along the street, the leader from the area the Syntagma to the Acropolis, you will get on Plaku. The oldest and picturesque area of Athenes Plaka ("plate") is named so because of the wide stone plate found about ancient theater Dionisa in territory of church of Sacred George Aleksandrijsky. will please with buildings in neoclassical style, cozy well-groomed gardens and absolutely especial, filled with bright aromas, air. Walk on Plake will allow to plunge into the past and to receive unforgettable impressions! It is enough to visit Plaku once for ever to become its admirer. it is full of products of the national crafts executed by the Greek traditions, and also the goods for tourists. The particular interest is caused by shops of the copper and bronze things showing inexhaustible imagination of the Greek masters.
Rest in Athenes - than to be engaged
Athenes is interesting not only to fans and experts on history. On small distance from a city there is a strip of the magnificent beaches known as the Athenian Riviera.
In Glifade, one of the most subcentral Athenes of areas, there are excellent beaches, the international golf club, and also a large quantity of bars, the night entertaining centers and clubs.
It is a little further Glifady one more resort area Vuljagmeni, much more silent and quiet, also having the arranged well beaches where it is possible to be engaged in various kinds of aquatics is located.
