After having seen some of the most famous archeological sites, which are probably the first landmarks that comes to mind when we talk about Athens, let's proceed to other places worth seeing.
Syntagma Square, where the Greek Parliament is situated, is the city's central square, as well as the main meeting point of all means of public transportation. So, inevitably, you will end up there and you will pass by several times during your stay. I suggest that you start a day with a small visit to Syntagma Square, and be there about 15 minutes before the hour becomes sharp. Why? Not because Prime Minister Tsipras is offering you some Ouzo, but because you absolutely must witness the change of guards. The soldiers guarding the Parliament are really nice to watch.
They wear Greek traditional costumes and are really... unmovable. Serious, straight, no facial expression. You can take pictures of them, but without crossing a certain line. Or, when the surveillance guard allows, you can come close and photograph yourself next to them. But, beware: you must not touch them, or move around them. Otherwise, you will watch them walking around with ultra-synchronized movements, that they really look like toy soldiers. And when the guard changes, it is a real show going on. It doesn't last more than ten minutes, but it is surely very dynamic and very precise.
Athens is full of museums, from more general ones, to more thematic ones (war, Cycladic art, ceramics, folklore, musical instruments, numismatic, and so much more). Unfortunately, with such a short stay, you will not have time to visit them all, much as you probably would like to. However, I will advise you to visit two very important museums, the National Archeology Museum and the Byzantine Art Museum. Of course, beware that on Mondays most museums are closed.
The National Archeology Museum is still about rocks, of course! :) Jokes aside, it is a complete incursion throughout Greece's history, from prehistory to late antiquity.
Plus, impressive collections of vases, statues of the most important gods and mythological creatures of Ancient Greece, and so much more. Zeus, Aphrodite, Posseidon, and poor Dyonissus, who must be really suffering... from too much wine! ;)
The Byzantine Art Museum is also very emblematic as far as history is concerned, especially because it would somehow continue the historical evolution, from late antiquity to late middle ages.
It does contain a high quantity of religious art, but not only. You will also see costumes, numismatic, documents, sculptures, reliefs, and craftwork of various types. Not to mention that the building itself is a work of art.
Another museum which I came accross totally by chance is the Folklore Museum, situated in the Plaka area (we will talk about it more in the next post).
It is very small, and no entrance fee is perceived. Actually, it almost looks like a shop. Nevertheless, it is full of colour, handmade object of various types, and in various fabrics, from paper to ceramic and glass, as well as colourful paintings and dolls in traditional costumes. Apparently of an innocent simplicity, but, as you look, you start to wonder how human hands could be capable of such patience and minutiousness.
In our last post on Athens, we will talk about the city's vibe: colour, taste, noise, how to get around as a tourist, and a bonus day trip to a very charming and relaxing place.
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