Summer view of the Zappeion Hall and Gardens, in central Athens.
Greece on this very unusual summer!
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August is here, the Summer heat is on, the archaeological sites and museums are open to tourists, hotels, restaurants and, in general most tourism-oriented businesses are reporting record low activity. The rolling suitcases of the relatively few tourists walking to their accommodation remind us all that Greece has cautiously opened its borders again and welcomes visitors from most parts of the world.
Should you be among the few select that made their way to Athens or planning to do so, remember to wear a straw hat, especially if your complexion or lack of exposure to the sun makes you vulnerable to sunburn and dehydration, and to carry a bottle of cool water while strolling the city during the day. You may find them in any kiosk or tourist shop around Athens, or any tourist destination. A high-degree of a sunscreen protection is also most advised, especially over the first days of your vacation.
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Recently, Turkey topped its aggression towards Greece by converting Agia Sophia, a magnificent cathedral church built by the Byzantines in Constantinople, into a functioning mosque where Islamic prayers were read by Erdogan himself, but also by insisting on drilling in search for oil in Greek waters indifferent to the mounting international pressure from the civilized world. Greeks, however, keep their high moral and their patriotic determination to defer any military aggression towards our sovereign rights!
During the coronavirus ordeal, Greeks, in their majority, have demonstrated an admirable sense of self-discipline and understanding of the special circumstances. This pandemic has already caused dire consequences in the Greek economy, already weakened by a decade-long economic crisis. But material and economic losses can always be regained. We now reclaim our lives, and do our best to restart our economy, taking all precautions and measures necessary to protect ourselves and society from the further spread of the virus.
All retail shops and trades, archaeological sites and museums, outdoor dining restaurants and coffee shops are now open, under strict safety rules. The use of masks is now mandatory everywhere indoors and where close encounters are unavoidable, as well as on public transportation, including taxis, shuttle buses, and tourist vehicles. |
Since July 1st, Athens welcomes visitors from most EU countries and from a list of countries that EU deems safe, or following the accepted protocol of facing the coronavirus threat. Unfortunately, the US, along with a large number of other countries are expected to follow at the end of the month. Both seasonal and all-year-round hotels are now allowed to open. Sea transportation, airports, and hotels offer their services, in accordance to Greek, European and, indeed, international directives. Organized beaches operate under density and safety regulations. Live performances take place exclusively at outdoor venues at limited capacity to allow safer distances to be kept. Most indoor sports activities, are still on hold, throughout the whole country. Please note: The European Emergency Number is 112. For any Covid-19-related inquiries, dial 1135.
Welcome to The Athens Key!
The Athens Key is a travel companion for Athens and all things Greek, in English, designed having in mind the potential visitor to our hometown. We tirelessly look for, inquire on, and suggest, places, events, services, shops, museum shows, curiosities in Athens, as if a good friend from abroad was about to visit for a short stay and was asking for our advise on how to best plan their visit.
The Athens Key is a travel companion for Athens and all things Greek, in English, designed having in mind the potential visitor to our hometown. We tirelessly look for, inquire on, and suggest, places, events, services, shops, museum shows, curiosities in Athens, as if a good friend from abroad was about to visit for a short stay and was asking for our advise on how to best plan their visit.
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For decades now, and up until recently, during the official ceremony of welcoming a foreign dignitary, the Mayor of Athens would hand them the Golden Key of Athens in a well-staged photo opportunity. It used to be a somewhat exaggerated gesture, in recognition of a goodwill visit, and signified that the guest would always be welcome back to the city as a friend. So, as citizens of Athens who love our hometown and have nothing to gain from sharing this love, to you who dropped by, we decided to offer you The Athens Key, without the hoopla and the decorum, but from the bottom of our heart!
We should note here that we are not supported from, or financially aided, in any form, by any official or unofficial state or local government agency, nor have we ties or affiliations with any enterprise that could possibly influence our opinion or alter our objectivity. At the same time, we can not and do not claim to have included all that is worth seeing in Athens, nor that our coverage of the subjects is complete.
Finally, if you come across a service or a product featured here in an advertisement by an affiliate, please purchase it through one of our links and help us support the website financially. Thank you in advance! Enjoy! |
Ion Frantzeskakis,
Editor & Publisher |
Athens: A Hot City that is always a Cool Destination!
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Recent years have seen a surge of new art galleries, collectives and nonprofit art organizations in Athens. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center has fast become a cultural beacon for the Greek capital. The newest addition is the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation Museum of Modern Art with a monumental art collection by international masters, as well as works of prominent Greek artists.
Athens was voted 2nd Best European Destination for 2020, among 355 cities, in online polls conducted by the European Best Destinations organization. Trendier than ever, Athens is an open-air museum, where tradition meets modernity, and a dynamic, lively, sparkling city of paradoxes and great contrasts. Athens is a sophisticated cosmopolitan hub with delicious gastronomic delights, electrifying nightlife, creative vibes and a booming art scene. |
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.
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Greece was voted "2019 Destination of the Year" by over 10,000 ASTA travel professionals in the U.S.A. The Greek islands topped the list of the 20 “Best Islands / Favorite Islands in the World”, by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller Annual Readers’ Awards 2018. Greece was voted as the “Best Country in the World” by the readers of the luxury travel magazine. Crete is TUI’s top holiday destination for European travelers this year, and Greece is the second country of choice, according to the holiday bookings made in 2019 through the largest leisure, travel and tourism company in the world. Three of the five most popular destinations for Germans are found in Greece: Crete, Rhodes and Kos. Greece is also very popular among Northern Europeans. For Norwegians, Swedes, Danes and Finns, Greece is the number one holiday destination.
Why Do You Travel?
In general, there are are two major factors in a person's decision to travel to a place like Greece: Leisure, or the need to escape from routine and get some well-needed relaxation, in the form of sunbathing, swimming, partying, eating well, shopping, and in general recharging one's batteries, and tourism, or the need to explore new places, see breathtaking landscapes, delve into history, admire art, visit museums, meet people, try their cuisine and their culture, see as many things as possible in the limited time most of us have, and can afford, during our vacations. The frequency in which we travel, due to the time available, and funds at hand, but also our personalities, determine the weight that each of these two major factors play in our selections.
Much the same as Northern Americans prefer Florida or Mexico for leisure, as the closest to home places to find warmth, sun and relaxation, Northern Europeans prefer Greece, or Italy for the same. These are mostly the people who may opt for an all-inclusive package, anchor in a major hotel offering all amenities, and have a good time at a mostly fixed price. They know that since the destination is relatively close to their home, they can always come back for a more thorough visit, to explore the country. The further away one visits from, the more expensive the trip generally is, the less chances that the trip may be repeated any time soon, so, the more experiences the traveler wishes to collect from the visit. This is the type of traveler the Athens Key attempts to assist, by offering information and choices, so that one may create their own menu of experiences, while in Greece to plan your travel in Greece on your own, relying on your experience and the advice of friends or trusted sources, including The Athens Key. This way, you will enjoy the absolute independence, make best use of your financial resources and utilize every single day according to your own interests and needs.
Much the same as Northern Americans prefer Florida or Mexico for leisure, as the closest to home places to find warmth, sun and relaxation, Northern Europeans prefer Greece, or Italy for the same. These are mostly the people who may opt for an all-inclusive package, anchor in a major hotel offering all amenities, and have a good time at a mostly fixed price. They know that since the destination is relatively close to their home, they can always come back for a more thorough visit, to explore the country. The further away one visits from, the more expensive the trip generally is, the less chances that the trip may be repeated any time soon, so, the more experiences the traveler wishes to collect from the visit. This is the type of traveler the Athens Key attempts to assist, by offering information and choices, so that one may create their own menu of experiences, while in Greece to plan your travel in Greece on your own, relying on your experience and the advice of friends or trusted sources, including The Athens Key. This way, you will enjoy the absolute independence, make best use of your financial resources and utilize every single day according to your own interests and needs.
Accommodation in Athens and throughout Greece
Check out prices and locations, and book your accommodation in Athens, all over Greece, and, in fact, all over the world, by using the most reliable booking engine of Booking.com. Alternatively, Agoda is one of the world’s largest online accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide providing the best deals for all travelers: business, leisure or solo or family travelers.
Check out prices and locations, and book your accommodation in Athens, all over Greece, and, in fact, all over the world, by using the most reliable booking engine of Booking.com. Alternatively, Agoda is one of the world’s largest online accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide providing the best deals for all travelers: business, leisure or solo or family travelers.
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Car Rentals in Greece
For the best prices and availability in Greece among the most reputable car rental companies worldwide, visit Rentalcars, the first ever global, fully serviced and bespoke end-to-end B2B car rental solution. Destinations within Greece
Crete, Corfu, Heraklion, Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini or any of many destinations by sea, or Corinth, Delphi, Epidavros, Olympia or Marathon by land, a multitude of destinations await your selection! Browse through select places you are able to visit on an excursion from Athens, accessible by land, sea or air. Some ports of call are popular with most cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean and certainly accessible by the sailing boat or motor-yacht you may charter! Eating Greek - The Mediterranean Diet
Greece is the birthplace of the Mediterranean Diet, the balanced diet that keeps you healthy and gives you a long life. It is a combination of indigenous, ancient practices and recipes, along with hundreds of Mediterranean influences resulting in a delicious, tasty, hearty and healthy menu. Check out our pages for Athenian Bakeries, Olives & Olive Oil, Ouzo, Tsipouro and Meze Appetizers, Farmers' Markets, Juice Bars, Greek, but also International Cuisine, Bistros, Pastry Shops, Street Food, etc., and bon appetit! |
Hadrian's Arch, Athens.
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Excursions & Tours from Athens
There are several tours and excursions, for a few hours or for a couple of days, that one can take using Athens as a base of operations. At GetYourGuide, they’re on a journey to transform ordinary trips into extraordinary ones. They are your guide, bringing you personal experiences. Wherever your travels take you, they’ll show you unique and unmissable things to do in your destination. During these hard times when actual travel is not possible for all, you should definitely try the self-guided virtual tour experiences to Greece and elsewhere by cliomusetours.com. Four Day Island Tour: Mykonos & Santorini Experience from Athens, 20% off Offered by Keytours. Or visit Athens Dream Tours. Your online tool for tours and activities throughout Greece.
There are several tours and excursions, for a few hours or for a couple of days, that one can take using Athens as a base of operations. At GetYourGuide, they’re on a journey to transform ordinary trips into extraordinary ones. They are your guide, bringing you personal experiences. Wherever your travels take you, they’ll show you unique and unmissable things to do in your destination. During these hard times when actual travel is not possible for all, you should definitely try the self-guided virtual tour experiences to Greece and elsewhere by cliomusetours.com. Four Day Island Tour: Mykonos & Santorini Experience from Athens, 20% off Offered by Keytours. Or visit Athens Dream Tours. Your online tool for tours and activities throughout Greece.
Ferries to Greece and the Greek Islands
To easily book your ferry tickets online to the islands of the Aegean Archipelago, such as Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, go to BookaWay now! Whether you want to party, explore culture and history, or simply soak up the sun and swim in crystal clear waters, the Greek islands are the perfect destinations. Booking a ferry to Greece and the Greek islands couldn't be easier than with BookaWay.
To easily book your ferry tickets online to the islands of the Aegean Archipelago, such as Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, go to BookaWay now! Whether you want to party, explore culture and history, or simply soak up the sun and swim in crystal clear waters, the Greek islands are the perfect destinations. Booking a ferry to Greece and the Greek islands couldn't be easier than with BookaWay.
Flights to Greece and within Greece
You may wish to search for and book a flight to Greece via the Greek national carrier Aegean Airlines, or within Greece via Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, an Aegean Airlines subsidiary.
You may wish to search for and book a flight to Greece via the Greek national carrier Aegean Airlines, or within Greece via Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, an Aegean Airlines subsidiary.
Sailing & Yachting
Can one charter a motor-sailer, a motor yacht or a sailing boat, barefoot or with a skipper, to cruise the magnificent Aegean Archipelago or the green islands of the Ionian sea? Need we say yes? Visit our page Sailing & Yachting in Greece!
Can one charter a motor-sailer, a motor yacht or a sailing boat, barefoot or with a skipper, to cruise the magnificent Aegean Archipelago or the green islands of the Ionian sea? Need we say yes? Visit our page Sailing & Yachting in Greece!
The Temple of Hephaestos, Athens.
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The Gate of Athena Archegetis, entrance to the Roman Agora of Athens.
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Among Our Pages
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Within the Resources of The Athens Key, take a look in the Basic Architectural Terminology as well as the 3 Orders of Architecture for better following the descriptions of the ancient temples but also the Byzantine churches. Thinking about creating some art of your own, and looking for resources? Go to Utrecht Art Supplies, now, and find everything you may need! Check our Brief History of Athens, and the Greek Pantheon pages. They may remind you of key-facts that may be useful in better utilizing information that can be found throughout our website and during a potential visit to Athens. Read a short biography of the great romantic poet and grecophile Lord Byron. For a directory page full of travel resources, including links to flights to Greece or within Greece, hotel, villa and home rentals, cruises, yachting and sailing, car rentals, tours and excursions, visit this page, and you are half-way to Greece already! For a selection of bags, suitcases and travel accessories, check Luggage, featuring some of the very best luggage products from the world's largest manufacturers, at the best prices.
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The Rider from Delphi, National Archaeological Museum, Athens.
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In our constant quest to improve and enhance the effectiveness of the Athens Key we keep making additions and navigational changes, within the technical limitations of the platform, and our own abilities. We hope you'll find the changes practical and effective, but, if not so, we would love to hear your input and suggestions!
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