(Ελληνικά: Αθήνα) To tourists, Athens represents “all things Greek”, but to the residents it is the city that most Greeks hate! This is partly because an amazing 40% of the population of Greece live in Athens, and it shows. It can be quite crowded and traffic moves very slowly. So after a long day of moving around the city of 5 million you will want to find that perfect Athens hotel to rest and relax in. The good news is there are plenty of selections, and fortunately many of them are central to the downtown area. Almost all hotels in Athens are well taken care of, clean and comfortable. The Athens Hotels all have very similar designs and can be a bit ordinary with only a few of them having an individual touch. It is highly suggested that during the summer months you book your room very early or you will find it difficult to find a place at all. If you are looking for something nice or above average in Athens it is not a good idea to stay at any of the hotels on Syngrou Avenue. Syngrou Avenue is ugly, noisy and is quite a distance from all the sites you’ll want to visit.
Your first impressions of Athens might not be good, mostly because of your extremely long flight. From the airport you’ll find yourself on a boring freeway and then in maniacal traffic. But don’t get discouraged because once you get to your hotel, take a brief nap and a shower, you’ll find Athens to be an amazing city. One of the very first things you should do is to take a stroll through Syntagma (Constitution) Square. You’ll be amazed as you walk past the impressive Parliament Building, the new marble Metro Station, and the National Garden. The next day after a well-deserved rest you can start some serious sightseeing in Athens. One of the first things anybody looks for is the Acropolis, followed by a visit to the stunningly clear Aegean Sea. Don’t forget to sample as much as the local cuisine as you can. If you are a wine lover you’ll find the selection of Greek wines to be intriguing and you might want to bring some home with you. Athens is known for its strikes, which can close things down suddenly and unexpectedly. It is a good idea to make a list of the sights you want to see and go to those first, just in case.