Athens, Greece

Acropolis of Athens

For the past 1500 years, on this rock sticking up in the center of Athens, there has been no end to what has been here: a Christian temple, a Muslim mosque, the Turkish pasha’s harem, and a gunpowder storehouse. And once, dozens of temples to Zeus, Aphrodite, and other ancient Greek gods crowded the hilltop. The colonnades, walls, and statues standing today under the blazing sun are a sorry trifle compared to the grandeur that existed here in the days of the Hellenes. Most of the local antiquities are now on display in the British Museum and the Louvre, while Athens is viewed from above by modern replicas dating to the late 19th century. Still, the sense of a thousand-year history is no weaker for that.

Dionysus Theatre

The Theater of Dionysus was originally made of wood and served as a venue for celebrations. Performances there took place twice a year-during the Lesser Dionysia and the Greater Dionysia. Only in 330 BC did the rows and the stage of the Theater of Dionysus become stone. At that time, it consisted of 67 rows that could accommodate up to 17,000 spectators at once-half of the population of Athens. The stone benches rose up to the very base of the Acropolis. Today, you can still see the remains of the last rows. The first row had 67 marble seats-for VIP spectators. Their owners’ names and titles are carved into them. The projecting seat in the second row was the bed of the Roman emperor Hadrian, who was passionately fond of Greek culture.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

The construction of the most imposing structure of the ancient world-the famous Temple of Zeus Olympian-began long before our era on the initiative of the then ruler of Athens, the tyrant Pisistratus. The ruler’s plans were truly ambitious: the new giant structure was supposed to, without fail, outshine all the wonders of the world existing at that time, in particular the unmatched Temple of Artemis. The project was brought to completion by the celebrated admirer of Greek culture-the Emperor Hadrian. But time proved merciless. The Temple of Zeus Olympian lasted only three centuries before being thoroughly destroyed by an earthquake. To this day, only ruins remain of the once great temple-although they are very impressive.

Erechtheion Temple

Erechtheion is an outstanding monument of ancient Greek architecture, one of the main temples of ancient Athens, located on the Acropolis north of the Parthenon. The construction dates back to 421-406 BC. It was built in the Ionic order. The temple is dedicated to Athena, Poseidon, and the legendary Athenian king Erechtheus.

Roman Agora

During the era of Roman rule, a wide marketplace square-the Agora-was built in the heart of Athens. Here, residents gathered to discuss important civic issues, visited local temples, socialized, and went shopping. To this day, a magnificent portico in the northern part of the square has survived, decorated with the inscription “To Athena the Leader,” as well as fragments of the Ionic colonnade dating back to the 1st century AD. But the true highlight of the Roman Agora is the Fethiye Mosque (Fethiye-Jami), built in 1458 in honor of Mehmed the Conqueror, who captured Constantinople. This Muslim place of worship is recognized as the oldest monument from the Turkish period in Athens.

Take a stroll through the Plaka neighborhood.

Plaka is considered the oldest quarter of Athens; it has practically retained its original look, the features of Greek culture, and its unique charm. And although there are quite a lot of tourists here and a fairly large number of restaurants and souvenir shops, peace and calm prevail-it's as if time stands still on these cozy, well-kept streets lined with rows of houses from ancient times.

Athens Archaeological Museum

To get to know Greece better, you must certainly visit the National Archaeological Museum, because here there is a huge collection of exhibits from all historical eras-though some Greek relics are now kept in the British Museum, where they were taken by the ambassador of the English kingdom, Lord Elgin. Nevertheless, there is plenty to see and marvel at in the Archaeological Museum.

Benaki Museum

Benaki Museum is one of the most visited attractions in Athens. At the Benaki Museum, there is truly plenty to see-highly valuable exhibits are kept here. The archaeological finds presented in the Benaki Museum cover a vast span of time, starting from the Paleolithic. In addition, the exhibitions are devoted not only to Greek culture, but also to Chinese, Islamic, and Andean cultures. The Benaki Museum is full of fascinating things. Sculptures, paintings, textiles, icons, gold jewelry, tableware-after seeing all this, you will be able to imagine, in your mind, how people lived in Ancient Greece. Special attention should be paid to items from the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, as well as objects from the early Hellenic period.

Vouliagmeni Thermal Lake

Yellow cliffs rise around the lake, covered with coniferous forest. The lake is connected to the bay by a six-meter channel, so its waters are salty, mixed with seawater. The waters of Voulgamení, whose temperature does not fall below 20 °C even in winter, are rich in sulfur and other minerals, which helps treat rheumatic, skin, gynecological conditions, respiratory system diseases, and nervous disorders. Admission to the lake beach is paid. The ticket will cost €4,5. According to one of the versions, the lake was formed at the bottom of the crater of an old volcano; according to another, it appeared after the collapse of a cave ceiling. Legends say that the goddess Athena herself loved to swim in it. Not only swimming in the lake is beneficial, but also walks in this area.

Glyfáda

The southern suburb of Athens is often called “Greek Beverly Hills.” There is not a hint of exaggeration in this loud name: here, amid the most expensive boutiques, restaurants, and discos in Athens, stand the villas of the capital’s wealthy and of celebrities. The area’s “American” atmosphere is owed to a U.S. naval base that once stood nearby, and to its fame as the country’s most luxurious place-thanks to shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. In the early 1970s, the richest Greek in the world was the first to settle in Glyfada with his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy. The Aegean Sea coastline near Glyfada is one of the largest areas in Greece where sea turtles nest. To protect these reptiles, a branch of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Sea Turtles has even been opened here.

Monastiraki Flea Market

The largest and most famous “flea” market in Athens. Wandering through the narrow aisles between its eclectic stalls can keep you busy all day long. Here you’ll find everything from old vinyl records and vintage clothing to antique trinkets-and truly worthwhile items for collectors. The market reaches its peak on Sunday evenings, when all the nearby cafés fill up with people, and in the Monastiraki area there’s a real festive atmosphere.

Athens City Sightseeing Tour

The capital of the Greek state is named after the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and knowledge, Athens. Here, democracy was born; here, art became an integral part of everyday life. Wherever you go, wherever you find yourself, - everywhere history comes alive before you. This excursion will give you the opportunity to get in touch with the life of a unique city, where antiquity coexists with modernity, churches from the Byzantine era - with the neoclassicism of the past century. Among many sights, you will see the “evzones” - soldiers of the National Guard of the Presidential Palace, a white-marble stadium - the venue for the first modern Olympic Games of 1896, the oldest buildings of the Athens University, the Academy of Sciences and, of course, you will visit the majestic ancient Acropolis with its magnificent temples of the 5th century BC and a museum where authentic masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture are kept. Group 1 - 3 people: price from 300 €. Group 4 - 7 people: price from 500 €. Group 19 - 48 people, price from 1 200 €.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can check after booking the cruise in your “Customer Personal Account”.