Note:
Strikes that close museums and archaeological sites can occur without warning. Decide what you most want to see, and go there as soon as possible after your arrival. What is open today may be closed tomorrow. If you're visiting in the off-season, check with the Greek National Tourist Organization 01/331-0437 for the abbreviated winter hours of sites and museums.

Acropolis:
01 323 6665
Mon-Fri. 8-7; Sat., Sun. 8:30-3
Bus 1,5,9,230,231
The rock of the Acropolis rises up in the middle of the Athenian basin. This naturally de3fensible rock was the sacred focal point of ancient Athens. What is seen today dates mainly from the 5th century BC, an era of peace and prosperity. The summit is reached through the Propylaia, a magnificent stepped gateway, with the graceful temple of Athena Nike to the right. Ahead rises the great Doric temple of the Parthenon; built using no perpendicular lines. Its columns actually taper, giving the whole structure a feeling of superb lightness. It was decorated by the leading Athenian sculptors and dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos, whose statue by the sculptor Pheidas stood inside.

Agorá:
01321 48255
Tues-Sun. 8:30-2:45
Theseion or Monastiraki tram
The Agora was the most important part of every city-state in ancient Greece. It was the center of life, of economic, social, political and judicial activity, as well as the main commercial center. The Ancient Agora of Athens covers an area of about 10 acres. It lies below the Acropolis, south of the hill of the Areopagus. Today, the site is a jumble of tree shaded ruins, and it takes imagination to envision as it was in its glorious past. Dominating one end is the reconstructed fifth century BC Doric Temple known as the Thieío.

The National Archaeological Museum:
3-01-8217717
Patission Street 44, at the corner of Tositsa Street.
Tues-Fri 8-7 Sat, Sun 830-3
Tram: Omonia
Bus: 2,3,11,13,15,18
The National Archaeological Museum is an unrivalled treasure house of Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean, and Classical Greek art.

The Archaeological Museum of the Acropolis:
3-01-3210219
next to the Parthenon
Mon-Fri. 8-7 Sat.,Sun. 8:30-3
Tram: Theseion
Bus: 1,5,9,230,231
On the southeast side of the Parthenon is the modern Acropolis Museum. Built on a level just below that of the main monuments, the Acropolis Museum contains almost all of the portable objects removed from the site since 1834.

The Benaki Museum:
The main building is at the corner of Vas. Sofias and Koumbari Sts.
3-01-3611817
Hours to be scheduled. telephone for information.
Bus: 3, 7,8,13
The museum is undergoing a reorganization, but the contents of each floor will remain essentially the same. It contains many spectacular cycles from Greek art, in its course down through the centuries.

The Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos:
148 Ermou St
3-01- 3463552
Metro: Thissio
Tues-Sun 8:30-3
It is in the cemetery of ancient Athens, with unique exhibits of artistic and historical importance and brought to light by excavations in the area. This ancient cemetery has been a burial ground since the 12th century BC. Plaster copies of the excavated sculptures are on the site. The originals are in the National Archaeological Museum.

The Museum of Cycladic and Ancient Greek Art:
(Nicholas P. Goulandri Foundation)
4 Neofilou Dooka St
Bus 3,7,8,13
3-01-72-49-706
Mon-Fri. 10-4 Sat. 10-3 Closed Sundays
This modern museum has the world's finest collection of Cycladic art. It contains a collection of ancient Greek art with the earliest pieces from about 5000 years ago. The Cycladic figurines dating from the third millennium BC have never enjoyed the popularity of Classical sculpture. However, the haunting simplicity of the pieces inspired many modern artists, including Picasso, Modigliani, and Henry Moore.

The Numismatic Museum of Athens:
3-01- 8217760
1 Tositsa St
Has over 300,000 coins from the 7th century BC to the present.

The Byzantine Museum:
3-01- 7211027
22 Vassillissis Sofias Avenue
Tues-Sun. 8;30-3 Closed Mon. except national holidays
Has exhibits, wall paintings and portable icons from the Early Christian, Byzantine and post Byzantine period.

The Kanellopoulos Museum:
3-01- 3212313
Tues-Sun 8:30-3
Metro: Monastiraki
At the comer of Theorias and Panes Sts, in Pláka
This museum has important ancient, Byzantine and more recent finds. it is located in an immaculately restored Neo-classical townhouse. A varied collections of artifacts from all over the Hellenistic world are displayed. There are 3 floors of exhibits.

The National Historical Museum:
3-01- 3237617
9-1:30 1:55 PMues-Sun.
Bus: 1,2,4,5,9,10,11,18
In the Old Parliament building
13 Stadiou St.
Designed by French architect, Francois Boulanger, (1807-1875), this museum was originally built as the first home of the Greek Parliament. It contains rare exhibits and mementos from the Greek War of Independence, the Balkan Wars and World War. The Historical Society seeks to collect and display objects that illuminate the history of Modern Greece. The museum displays cover all of the major events from the Byzantine period to the 20th century in a chronological display.

The Military Museum
3-01- 7290543
At the corner of Vas. Sofias and Rizari Sts
Tues-Sun. 9-2 Closed Mon.
Bus: 3.7.8.13
The museum contains exhibits and mementos from the wars the Greeks fought, from antiquity to the present.

The Anthropological-Ethnological Museum:
3-01- 7771193
47 Mikras Asias St in Goudi
Has the collections of the University of Athens containing utensils, weapons and other exhibitions from all the races of the world.

The Goulandri Museum of Natural History:
3-01- 8015870
Tues-Thurs, Sat. and Sun. Telephone for hours of operation.
13 Levidou St in Kifissia
This large collection covers all aspects of Greece's wildlife and minerals.
There are over 200,000 plant specimens and over 1300 examples of taxidermy. The stuffed creatures are displayed in their natural habitats. The museum has botanical, entomological and palentological exhibits.

The National Gallery of Art:
3-01- 721 1010
Bus: 3,13
9-3 Mon., Wed-Sat
50 L. Vasileos Konstantinou St
The National Gallery is housed in a modern, low rise building that contains a permanent collection of European and Greek art. Ithas a rich collection of the works of Greek painters from the 19th and 20th century and a noteworthy collection of representative works of European painters, It also plays host to major temporary exhibitions of international importance and maintains a sculpture exhibition. Artists represented include ElGreco, Rembrandt, Dürer, Brueghel, Van Dyck, Watteau, Utrillo, Cezanne, and Braque, among others.

The Center for the Study of the Acropolis:
3-01- 9239186
2-4 Makryyianni St
9-2:45 daily
The museum is housed in a neo-classical building, and acts as a research center and storehouse of historical information on the Acropolis. Ithas copies of the statues of the Parthenon and the entire history of the Acropolis from the Penteli quarries to the present.

The Center for Folk Art and Tradition:
3-01- 3243987
Tues, Thurs 9-7 Wed,Fri, Sat 9-1 and 5-9pm Sun 9-1
6 Hatzimichali St
Metro: Monastiraki
Free admission
The Center displays a collection of ceramics, wood carvings, furniture and utensils from the collection of Angeliki Hatzimichali.

The Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos:
3-01- 7224328
Tues-Sat. 10-1 and 6-8 Sun: 10-1. Closed Monday
10 Evzonon St
The museum displays personal effects, photographs and a variety of documents from this important Greek Prime Minister. Also available is a library with books which refer to Venizelos and his activities.

The Gennadios Library:
3-01- 7210536
At 61 Soudias St in Kolonaki
Bus: 3,7,8,13
Mon,Tues., Fri. 9-5 Wed and Thurs.: 9-8 Sat. 9-2
The Greek diplomat, Ioannis Gennadios (1844-1932) spent a lifetime accumulating rare first editions and illuminated manuscripts. In 1923 he donated his collection to the American School of Classicl Studies. The collection contains over 70,000 rare books and manuscripts. The exhibits in the main reading room include a set of 192 Edward Lear sketches and the last known portrait of Byron made before his death in 1824. Researchers need special permission to gain access to the collection.

The Greek Museum of the Theater and Study Center:
3-01- 3629430
50 Akadimias St.
Bus: 3,8,13
9-2:30 Mon-Fri
This small museum traces Greek theatrical history from Classical times to the present. There are displays of original posters, costumes, and programs and designs from productions. There is also a colorful puppet theater. The dressing rooms of famous Greek actresses such as Eleni Papadaki and Elli Lampeti have been recreated to give insight into their lives.

Historical Museum of the University of Athens:
3-01- 3640861
At Tholou and Klepsidras Sts in Pláka.
It contains books, and photographs from the oldest university in Greece.

The Museum of Katina Paxinou:
3-01- 3245089
At 13 Thoukidiou St. in Pláka
The museum contains the personal effects, photographs and objects from the life of the famous actress. Also on display is the Oscar she won.

The Palamas Museum:
3-01- 3603039
3 Asklipiou St.
The dwelling where the famous poet spent 40 years of his life and where he wrote most of his poems. Visitors can see the poet's personal affects, his manuscripts and his notes.

The Roman Agora:
3-01- 3245220
Aiolou and Pelopida Sts.
Lying east of the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora has actually nothing to do with Romans, but took this name because it was created during the Roman times -1st century AD- in order to serve a growing Athens. It constitutes a self-sufficient space and is entered from Aiolou Street. Among its well-known buildings is the Agoranomeion for the Market Authorities, the Portico, and the Gate of Athena Archigetis.

The Shadow Puppet Theater:
3-01- 6127245
Tues.-Sun.
On Vas. Sofias and D. Ralli Sts in Marousi.
It contains many objects from the performances at the Shadow Puppet Theater donated by Evgenios Spatharis and his wife Fani. Shadow Theater originally came to Greece from the Far East via players who traveled throughout the Ottoman Empire from the Far East. They performed for the aristocracy in the 18th century. It was soon transformed into a popular folk art. The museum displays the history of the family, of the theater and of the puppets.

The Nautical Museum of Piraeus:
3-01- 4516822
At Marina Zea.
It contains 13,000 exhibits concerned with Greek naval activities from prehistoric times to the present.

The Athens City Museum:
7 Paparigopoulou St.
01-3230168
Bus: 1,2,4,5,9,11,12,15,18
Mon,Wed., Fri., Sat. 9-1:30
King Otto and Queen Amalia lived in this modest mansion for seven years (1831-1839) while their new palace was being completed. It was restored in 1980 and opened as a museum devoted to Royal memorabilia, furniture, family portraits, maps and prints. The museum also has a fine art collection. This includes Nicholas Gyzis's painting The Carnival in Athens.

The Jewish Museum:
Odos Nikis 39
01/322-5582; fax 01/323-1577
Mon-Fri., Sun 9-1
Beth Shalom, the Athens synagogue, on Odos Melidoni, stands in what was, before World War II, a vibrant Jewish neighborhood. Across the street from Beth Shalom is the old synagogue, which Beth Shalom, with its marble facade, replaced. You can get information on visiting the synagogue, and on services, from the Jewish Museum.

Sightseeing Tours:
Many travel agencies offer 4 hour morning bus tours, including a guided tour of the Acropolis. Reservations can be made through most hotels.

Personal Guides:
Major agencies can provide English speaking guides. The Association of Guides Apollonas 9A, tel. 01/322-9705 provides licensed guides for individual or group tours,. for a 4 hour tour of the Acropolis and its museum. It is advisable to arrange for a guide through a reliable agency; be sure to hire one licensed by the EOT Greek National Tourist Organization; tel. 01/322-2545, tel. 01/961-2722, or tel. 01/413-5716.

Special-Interest Tours:
Athens by Night tours, offered by all agencies, are a convenient way to see some of the evening entertainment, especially for single travelers who may not want to venture out alone. For those interested in folk dancing, there is a 4 hour evening tour. from April to October, which includes the Sound and Light Spectacle and a performance of Dora Stratou folk dances. Another evening tour follows the Sound and Light Spectacle with a dinner show at a Pláka taverna.

The Amphitrion Holidays agency Karageorgi Servias 2, tel. 01/322-8884 through 8887, fax 01/323-0370

Deuteras Merachias 3, Piraeus, tel. 01/411-2045 through 01/411-2049, fax 01/417-0742

Karageorgi Servias 4, tel. 01/323-0344, fax 01/323-1295 specializes in educational and offbeat tours for individuals in Athens and elsewhere, including island-hopping tours and treks in the Pindos mountains.

Excursions:
Most agencies offer excursions at about the same prices.

Taking a half-day trip to the breathtaking Temple of Poseidon at Sounion avoids the hassle of dealing with the crowded public buses or paying a great deal more for a taxi.

A one day tour to Delphi with lunch or without lunch is offered, but the two day tour is far more comprehensive.

There's also a one day tour to Mycenae and Epidauros with lunch.

There's a two day tour to ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Nauplion, and Epidaurus including half-board.

A three day tour takes in both Delphi and the stunning monasteries of Meteora with half-board in first-class hotels.

A full-day cruise from Piraeus, visiting three nearby islands: Aegina, Poros, and Hydra- and includes buffet lunch on the ship.

Parks & Gardens:
The National Garden, between Leoforos Amalias and Irodou Attikou, south of Vas. Sofias, was once the royal family's palace garden. Now a public park, the area combines a park, a garden, and a small, rather sad zoo with shady trees, benches, a cafe, and small lakes and ponds with ducks, swans, and a few peacocks. There are several cafes tucked away in the garden, and you can also picnic here. The large neoclassical exhibition/reception hall in the garden was built by the brothers Zappas and so is known as the Zappion. The garden is open daily from 7am to 10pm.

Mount Likavitos Lycabettus, which dominates the northeast of the city, is a favorite retreat for Athenians and a great place to get a bird's-eye view of Athens and its environs-if the nefos smog isn't too bad. Even when the nefos is bad, sunsets can be spectacular here. On top, there's a small Chapel of Ayios Yioryios St. George, whose name-day is celebrated on April 23. Each summer, there are performances at the Lykavitos Theater here, and the expensive Dionysos Café on the summit is usually open all year. You can take the funicular from the top of Odos Ploutarchou between 8am and 10pm it leaves every 20 min. in summer, or walk up from Dexameni Square, which is the route preferred by young lovers and the energetic.

Shopping:
The main shopping districts are in the area bounded by Syntagma, Monastiraki, Omonia, and Kolonaki. Most locals head to the shopping streets that branch off central Syntagma and Kolonaki squares. The Kolonaki quarter, has boutiques and designer shops on fashionable streets near the square like Anagnostopoulou, Tsakalof, Skoufa, Solonos, and Kanari. In general, stores are open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays 9-3, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 9-2 and 5:30-8. In summer they often stay open until 8:30, 9 or even 10pm.

Caves
Attica, Village of Peania
tel. 664-29-10
9:30-4 daily

The Peloponnese: Diros Cavern
0733-522-223
Daily 8-2:30

Entertainment:

Hellenic American Union
Odos Massalias 22 between Kolonaki and Omonia squares
01/362-9886
The Hellenic American Union, often hosts performances of English-language theater and American-style music If you arrive early, check out art shows or photo exhibitions in the adjacent gallery.

Dora Stratou Folk Dance Theater
Since 1953, the Dora Stratou Folk Dance Theater has been giving performances of traditional Greek folk dances. Athenians were alarmed in 1998 when Dora Stratou announced that she might have to close her company at the end of the 1998 season unless a promised government subvention materialized. The Dora Stratou troupe is such an institution that it's almost impossible to imagine that performances at the Dora Stratou Theater on Filopappos Hill won't continue. At present, performances take place May through September at 10:15pm, with additional performances at 8:15pm on Wednesday and Sunday. There are no performances on Monday. You can buy tickets at the box office, Odos Scholio 8 in the Pláka, from 8am to 2pm (01/924-4395, or 01/921-4650 after 5:30pm). Prices range from Dr2,500 to Dr3,500 ($8 to $12). Tickets are also usually available at the theater before performances.

Megaron Mousikis Concert Hall
Leoforos Vas. Sofias 89
01/729-0391 01/728-2333
The acoustically marvelous new Megaron Mousikis Concert Hall hosts a wide range of classical-music programs that include quartets, operas in concert, symphonies, and recitals. On performance nights, the box office is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 6pm, Saturday from 10am to 2pm, and Sunday from 6pm to 10:30pm. Tickets run Dr1,000 to Dr20,000 ($3.35 to $67), depending on the performance. The Megaron has a limited summer season, but is in full swing the rest of the year.

Olympia Theater
Odos Akadimias 59, at Mavromihali
01/361-2461
The Greek National Opera performs at the Olympia Theater, The summer months are usually off-season.

Pallas Theater
Odos Voukourestiou 1
01/322-8275
The Pallas Theater has many jazz and rock concerts, as well as some classical performances. Prices vary from performance to performance.

Sound and Light Shows:
Seen from the Pnyx, Sound and Light Shows illuminate Athens's history by telling the story of the Acropolis. As lights pick out monuments on the Acropolis and the music swells, the narrator tells of the Persian attack, the Periclean days of glory, the Turkish occupation. Shows are held April through October. Performances in English begin at 9pm and last 45 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the Athens Festival Office, Odos Stadiou 4 (01/322-7944), or at the entrance to the Sound and Light (01/922-6210). Tickets are Dr1,500 ($5) for adults and Dr600 ($2) for students. You'll hear the narrative best if you do not sit too close to the very front.