Attica is a historical region and the heart of Greece. Holidays in Athens and Attica Sights and excursions
Attica is a peninsular territory with an area of approximately 2,200 sq. km, constituting the southeastern tip of mainland Greece, bordered to the north by Central Greece, and to the south by the waters of the Saronic Gulf. In the north of the nome there are mountains Kiferon (1400 m) and Parnifa (1413 m), forming its natural border. The relief of Attica is mostly mountainous. The small rivers Illissos and Kafissos flow through the Athenian plain. Athens, Eleusis and Marathon are located in the flat part of the region. To the southwest and south a low range of hills slopes gently towards the sea. Athens, which is the capital of the country and its main administrative center, is also located in the Attic region.
Attica has a mild, dry Mediterranean climate. The small plantations of Attica are densely covered with vineyards, fruit trees, not to mention the olive trees that grow everywhere.
Attica was formed around the 4th-5th centuries AD. This region was greatly influenced by Greece's stay under the Byzantine Empire, which is reflected in the architecture, painting and sculpture of Attica. Attica survived many wars and battles, famine, economic crisis, and at the same time retained its greatness and uniqueness.
Today Attica is the most industrialized region of Greece. The bulk of production is concentrated here and more than half the population of the entire country lives here. In addition, it is a major tourist center. Tourists coming here from all over the world have a unique opportunity not only to relax and enjoy the wonderful nature, clear sea, sandy beaches, services of modern hotel complexes, amazing hospitality of local residents, but also to get in touch with the great past of this extraordinary country.
Attica has many interesting sights, many of which are not inferior in importance to those in Athens - for example, the famous Temple of Poseidon (440 BC) at Cape Sounion, one of the most impressive images of Greek architecture. The powerful columns of the temple, standing on a cape open to all the winds, are an unforgettable sight. The temple is located 69 km from Athens.
The Temple of Dimeter at Eleusis is an ancient temple dedicated to the mysterious cult of the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone. The famous Eleusinian mysteries took place here: everyone knew about the rituals performed there, but the details of the ceremony and sacred texts were passed down orally; it was forbidden to write them down. Therefore, the essence of the mystery is still unknown to modern scientists. There is an archaeological museum at the temple. The temple is located 22 km from Athens.
The Daphne Monastery is located 11 km from Athens. Built on the site of the former sanctuary of Apollo and surrounded by a fortress fence. The 11th century church is very picturesque from the outside and attractive with its mosaics decorating its interior.
Nearby is the Kutuki cave. A natural cave with several halls in the vicinity of the town of Peania. The visitor can see the most beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes.
Fans of active recreation can go horseback riding, mountaineering, tennis, and sailing. There is a golf club in Glyfada.
Lake Volyameni is a miracle of nature. It is 50 centimeters above sea level and constantly overflows its banks due to the waters of hot springs filling it. The waters of the lake have healing properties; you can swim here all year round.
Piraeus has been the country's main port since ancient times. Now it is a beautiful city, famous for its fish restaurants and entertainment venues. In summer, the Kastella Summer Open Theater (Veakio) is open, and in winter you can visit the Piraeus City Theater.
The beaches of Paleo Faliro, Kalamaki, Glyfada, Voula, Kavouri, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, Lagonisi are magnificent.
The resort of Palio Faliro is located in close proximity to the sea. Convenient location, proximity to the center and the sea make this area attractive for lovers of active recreation. Tourists can enjoy: beaches, fish and meat taverns, restaurants, nightclubs, yacht clubs, cafes and bars. Here you will find everything you need for a comfortable holiday at sea.
The resort of Glyfada is one of the most fashionable coastal areas of Athens, located 15 km from the center, a favorite vacation spot for the Greeks themselves and tourists. A large number of hotels, restaurants, bars, taverns, sports centers and nightclubs are concentrated here. There is Luna Park on the coast. Glyfada has excellent shopping: many large shopping centers and boutiques. To get to the center of Athens you will need only 20 minutes by bus.
Vouliagmeni resort - located in a green bay 24 km from the center of Athens, on the seashore. This is a picturesque, fashionable area with comfortable beaches, fish and meat taverns, restaurants, bars, yacht clubs, and an abundance of greenery - one of the most popular resorts among tourists. By regular bus you can reach the center of Athens in 35 minutes. In Vouliagmeni there is a unique radon lake.
The resorts of Kavouri, Varkiza, Voula - these resort areas follow one after another along the highway leading to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. There are beaches, cafes, taverns, restaurants and other entertainment venues. Abundant coniferous groves along the coast give the air unique properties.
Lagonissi resort - the luxurious Lagonissi peninsula enchants with picturesque landscapes and azure sea waters. The attractive proximity to Athens (the capital of Greece can be reached by bus) makes this peninsula so attractive for tourists. The shallow coastline of Lagonissi is perfect for those vacationing with children, so this resort is ideal for a family holiday. While relaxing in Lagonissi, you can easily get acquainted with the sights of Athens.
Anavyssos resort is a picturesque green village on the southern coast of Attica, located 49 km from Cape Sounion. This is a great place to vacation. It attracts tourists with its amazingly beautiful nature, clear sea and sandy beaches.
The Greeks themselves love this corner very much. Evidence of this is the many dachas, including government ones. The convenient location allows you not only to relax, but also to get acquainted with the sights of Greece. And the shallow sea and convenient shore created a good atmosphere for a family holiday with small children.
Sounion is a resort on the cape of the same name. Cape Sounion, or Cape Kolones, is one of the easternmost capes of Attica, stretching towards the Aegean Sea. In ancient times, a temple dedicated to the god of the sea, Poseidon, was built here. Cape Sounio is a landmark of Athens Attica, a beautiful and fertile land. It has a mild climate, generous soils with olive groves, clean coastline and beautiful views of the surrounding islands.
The resort of Sounion is located near the capital of Greece, thanks to which there is a great historical heritage and the rapid development of hotel infrastructure. Sounion is an expensive and well-kept resort, whose sandy beaches will give you an unforgettable experience of the sea, sun and Greece.
The resorts of Mati - Nea Makri are perhaps the most popular resorts in the eastern part of Attica. These resorts are located in the Marathon Valley area, where in 490 BC. e. The famous Battle of Marathon took place. Nature itself provides excellent conditions for relaxation here: beautiful beaches, clear sea, healing aroma of pine forest.
Nea Makri is one of the very first resorts in Attica, located 33 km from Athens. The history of Nea Makri began in ancient times, during the Stone Age. Now this resort area, located near the capital by the sea, is experiencing an economic and tourist boom. In Nea Makri you will find a lot of entertainment: discos, nightclubs, numerous bars and restaurants.
Mati is an area that is located 5 km from Nea Makri, 27 km from Athens. This is a quiet resort place suitable for a good rest. On the rocky pine coast you will find small, hidden gorges with sandy beaches.
The close proximity of the resorts to Athens will make it easy to complete the “obligatory” program for every tourist to explore the sights of this wonderful city.
A vacation in Attica is a great opportunity to combine acquaintance with Athenian antiquities and relaxation at sea.
The Attica Triangle is a tiny but very rich concentrate of Greece. Here there was a place for ancient gods, brave heroes, outstanding philosophers. Democracy was born here and culture was created. A peninsula with stunning history and picturesque nature. The southeastern tip of the Balkan Peninsula, washed by three gulfs: Euboean, Saronic and Corinthian. Cape Sounion, which is the tip of the triangle, completes the beautiful picture of nature. Three mountains separate the base of Attica from the mainland: Pastras, Parnitha and Kythenonas (all over a kilometer high).
The peninsula is part of Central Greece. Attica is one of seven administrative-territorial units, which is also a historical and geographical region. Attica consists of the southeastern part of Greece, Peloponnesian Trizinia (the Argolid peninsula, the vast majority of the Argosaronic islands, as well as Kythira and Antikythira. The peninsula shares its western border with the Peloponnese. The area of the region is 3808 sq. km (this is about 3% of Greek lands). By There are two rivers flowing through the territory: Kafisos and Ilisos.
The population density of Attica is the highest among Greek regions. This is explained by the fact that the capital Athens is located on the peninsula, where a third of the state’s population lives. From a geographical point of view, Attica is divided into the Athenian periphery and other lands of the peninsula. The first category includes all metropolitan municipalities.
Attica is an extremely important region for the country's economy. More than a third of the national gross product (38%) comes from the peninsula. The largest share here is the service sector, which is not surprising for a tourist country. Industry occupies a little less, and a small, but not least important, part is the agricultural sector (almost 2% of cultivated land is located here). Attica accounts for 71% of the country's construction companies, 69% of processing companies and 58% of commercial organizations. Guests of the country also often choose Attica as their place of residence.
Story
Historical data indicate that the settlement of Attica occurred during the Neolithic. Then its name was slightly different: Akti, Aktiki. The first king of the lands was Kekrops, who united 12 separate tribes. It was then that the capital Athens was created.
The history of the region, by and large, represents the history of Athens. Then Athena argued with Poseidon over the patronage of the city. By presenting the inhabitants with an olive branch as a gift, she earned the favor of the people, and the city was named after her. No less useful was the gift from the god Dionysus, which became a real symbol of Attica - the grapevine.
Finds discovered on the Acropolis and in the numerous city-states located here only confirm the various myths telling about the ancient history of the region. The lands near Athens united around 800 BC. e. Starting from the 8th century, Attica became the largest maritime and economic center. Under the tyrannical rule of Pisistratus, the active development of the region began thanks to the promotion of trade to Sicily, Pontus Euxine (now the Black Sea) and Egypt. Athens reached an artistic and cultural flowering during this period; numerous monuments were erected to decorate the city.
Under a democratic government, Athens becomes the main city of Greece, being the center of the Attic state. This is where the fighting with the Persians breaks out. The “golden” period of the capital is considered to be the era of the reign of Pericles. Science, art, culture, power - everything has reached its peak. Ancient Greek civilization received the most powerful centers: Eleusis, Megara, Egosthenon, Pages. It was destroyed during the Peloponnesian War, and at the same time the naval power of Athens also declined. From now on, Salamis and Attica were subordinate to the capital. Such a weakening of the Greek forces led to the conquest of territories by Macedonian troops. Almost 200 years later, the state passed to the Romans, who, however, treated Athens with great respect, recognizing their significant contribution to the development of education.
The advent of Christianity became a difficult period for Attica. Numerous destructions due to the raids of the Goths affected the appearance of Athens. The introduction of the Byzantine religion led to the closure of philosophical schools, and ancient temples became Christian shrines. After this, Attica passed into power many times to various conquerors: Catalans, Neapolitans, Venetians, Turks. The latter went beyond what was permitted, making the Parthenon a mosque and the Erechtheion a harem. 1834 was the year when Athens was declared the capital of Greece. At that time the city was a small village, and the number of inhabitants did not even reach a thousand. All that was visible around was ruins and stones. However, it was on the ruins of its former greatness that they began to rebuild the city. New buildings harmoniously intertwined antiquity with modernity, and restored the Acropolis. Following Athens, they began to bring back to life other parts of Attica, the importance of which was great in the ancient period: Sounion, Ramnund, Thorikos, Vravron, Eleusis, Marathon, Oropos, Porto Rafti.
Attica combines all the elements of Greek history. The Romans, Byzantines, Franks, Ottomans left their mark here, and modernity has also touched the region. These prints are fresh, as if history is moving along with the present time.
The proximity of beautiful resorts is a feature of Attica that tourists will appreciate. Paleo Faliro is located just 5 kilometers from the capital. There is not only a magnificent promenade and wonderful beaches, but also numerous cafes, bars, taverns, and restaurants that open their doors to everyone who wants to have a good time. The resort's shops allow you to find souvenirs that will remind you of your trip when you return home, local goods and products renowned for their quality. Organized excursions to the Greek islands are another advantage of Paleo Faliro.
Vouliagmeni
Vouliagmeni is a luxury resort. Luxury hotels, luxury apartments, expensive villas are not the only advantage. A unique lake with mineral healing springs allows you to relax with health benefits. Coniferous trees make the air clean and rich in healthy aromas.
Those wishing to receive treatment can go to Loutraki. There are healing springs here, and the wonderful beneficial climate helps you feel complete fusion with nature. An interesting location is Cape Sounio. The extreme southern point of Attica gives the opportunity to see the Temple of Poseidon, especially beautiful at sunset.
Useful information for tourists about Attica in Greece - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.
The region of Central Greece, located in the southeast of the Balkan Peninsula and washed by the waters of the Aegean Sea. Three bays approach the shores of this peninsula - Euboean, Saronic and Petalian. A significant part of the peninsula is covered with low mountains of limestone and marble. The mountains are covered with coniferous forests.
Attica is a historical region of Greece; on its territory are the capital Athens, the legendary city of Marathon, the city of Eleusis, where the inhabitants worshiped Demeter, and the port of Piraeus. The first settlements on this land date back to the Neolithic era (3rd millennium BC). The ancient historians Plato and Herodotus wrote that the inhabitants of Attica were autochthons - that is, not alien conquerors, but original inhabitants who literally came from the land itself. In ancient times, on the territory of Attica, each city or region represented a small state that worshiped its own deity. There were 12 such states; they were united, according to legend, by King Theseus. Athens, the cradle of Greek statehood and democracy, became the main city of Attica. Already in ancient times, Attica was governed by nine elected officials, in whose hands the executive, military and judicial powers were concentrated. A year later, these nine transferred power to the newly elected magistrates, and they themselves transferred for life to the Areopagus - the body of power of the aristocracy. Athens itself became a place for the development of culture, arts, and philosophy.
The climate of Attica is mild, temperate Mediterranean. Average temperatures in summer are almost always above +30 degrees. The rainy season begins here at the end of September and lasts until April. The swimming season lasts from April to September; the sea warms up to its maximum by August (up to +26). In winter, despite above-zero temperatures, snow can fall here, melting almost immediately and not forming a snow cover.
Transport
Athens is home to the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, opened in 2001, serving as the air gateway to Greece and Attica in particular.
Inside Attica you can travel by rail (trains) and intercity buses. Buses to the eastern and western parts of Attica depart from two different bus stations in Athens. The first is located near the Acropolis, the second - on Egyptian Square. Ferries transport tourists to the islands of Aegina and Salamis. One of the fastest ways to travel around Athens is the metro with three lines, one of which is above ground. Athens also has express bus routes leading to the airport, city bus, trolleybus and tram routes.
Resorts of Attica
Administratively, Attica is divided into four nomes: Eastern and Western Attica. The most popular, both in terms of beach and cultural and historical recreation, is the city of Athens. The suburbs of the capital are resort towns with the general name “Athenian Riviera”. They are located along the coast and, in addition to hotels and beaches, contain yacht clubs, night clubs, golf clubs, and have their own specifics. Thus, it is considered a resort for the wealthy, Lagonissi - for families with children. Specialization and Vouliagmeni - health improvement.
A holiday in Piraeus will cost less than in Athens. Due to the location of the port, there is only one beach, but Piraeus guarantees beautiful views and ancient sites.
Sights and excursions
Let's start getting acquainted with the rich heritage of Attica from Athens and its sacred hill, the Acropolis. The second name of the hill is Kekropia, in honor of Kekrops, the first king of Athens. Acropolis was also called a well-defended place and a settlement located inside this fortress. In ancient times, the main city was located in the Acropolis. According to legend, it was the residence of Theseus, the collector of the lands of Attica. When the cult of the goddess Athena was established in Athens, a temple was erected here in her honor - the Parthenon.
On the territory of Attica, many sights from different eras have been preserved. The heritage of Hellas is the ruins of ancient cities and temples dedicated to the gods of the Greek pantheon. For example, at Cape Sounion, on the shore, the remains of the Temple of Poseidon have been preserved. Christian monasteries and temples have been preserved from the Byzantines. One of them is the Daphne monastery near Athens. At the base of the monastery lie the remains of the Temple of Apollo. Near Mount Imitos, surrounded by coniferous and cypress forests, is the Kesariani monastery, also of the Byzantine period.
The island of Aegina is visited to see Paleochora. It is called an abandoned city, but in fact it is a valley in which the buildings of about seven dozen churches and chapels from the Byzantine and later periods have been preserved. It is believed that each of these structures was built in fulfillment of a vow made for the salvation of a loved one. Relatives, wives of fishermen and warriors came to this place to pray.
Salamis, although it is called a "dacha" island, has such attractions as the cave of Euripides, another ancient Greek playwright. It is located at an altitude of more than a hundred meters; in the city of Salamis, a theater festival is held annually in honor of the ancient author. On the island you can also visit a museum dedicated to folk art and the history of the ancient fleet, the Faneromeni monastery and the ancient city of Ambelakia with the ruins of the acropolis.
Wellness holiday
Loutraki, Vouliagmeni, Sounion are resorts where people come for health and beauty treatments. In Loutraki there is a hydrotherapy center that specializes in the treatment of diseases of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system. Springs gushing out from underground are saturated with radon and microelements.
The resort of Vouliagmeni grew up next to the lake of the same name, which is filled with water from thermal springs. Skin problems, joint problems, and diseases of the female reproductive system are treated here. The air is saturated with the aromas of coniferous forests and helps strengthen the respiratory system and nervous system.
Sounion specializes in cosmetology using preparations based on local herbs and minerals. Methods using sea salt and seaweed are also used here.
Beach holiday
Many Attica beaches have the highest European award for the cleanliness of the sea and coast - the Blue Flag. Many of the beaches are free. In the vicinity of Athens (the so-called Greater Athens), all the beaches are well-maintained - Faliron, Glyfada, Rocket and others. The beach in Piraeus is called Votsalakia. On the west coast, the sandy beaches of Lagonissi are good; on the east, Schinias near the city of Marathon is recognized as the best.
In Loutraki the beaches are covered with small pebbles. This resort features a variety of accommodation facilities: from five stars to inexpensive family hotels. The resort of Loutraki is also chosen due to the proximity of the cities of Corinth and Delphi with their famous attractions.
There are beautiful sandy beaches on the island of Aegina, located in the Saronic Gulf. It is a half-hour ferry ride away from Piraeus. Another Attica island that can be reached from Piraeus is Salamis. This island is popular primarily among the Greeks themselves. Salamis has beaches, but few hotels.
Vacation with children
Activities for children in Attica are mainly found in Athens. Perhaps it is worth starting with a sightseeing trip around the city on a sightseeing bus to get to know Athens as a whole, and then move on to activities that interest your child. As part of your educational leisure, it is worth planning a visit to the main Athenian attractions of the Acropolis and the Parthenon, to see with your own eyes household items and art created by the ancient Greeks.
Further relaxation may depend on the preferences of the child: animal lovers can visit the sea turtle rescue center and even feed them there, as well as visit the Attico Zoo. Young artists will be interested in the interactive museum of children's creativity. A visit to the Charimidos puppet theater can be combined with a tour of the Agora, the ancient city square located nearby. The Athens Planetarium awaits young astronomers.
And, of course, any child is unlikely to refuse visiting Athens confectionery shops, the National Garden with a park and a zoo, the Flisvos city park, the Allou Fun Park and water parks, two of which are located in Athens itself, one in the suburbs, the third near the city of Isthymia 20 km from the capital. Not far from Athens there is an Adventure Park with a rope course.
Active recreation and entertainment
Attica will offer the restless a variety of active leisure options. On the coast these are water sports: rafting, windsurfing, scuba diving. The ancient city of Megara, about 40 km northwest of the capital, is known to extreme sports enthusiasts as a center for parachuting. There is a parachute school here.
Tourists will be offered to explore mountainous Attica on foot and with the help of off-road vehicles: the routes are designed in such a way that they have the opportunity to see the history of this part of Greece, and the modern life of the inhabitants of small villages, and admire the beauty of nature. Some of the routes are laid along ancient roads.
The foot of the Acropolis, a 156-meter hill in Athens, serves as the starting point for the Acropolis racing competition, which takes place in early June.
Club life is in full swing in Athens and resort suburbs, for example, in Glyfada. Nightclubs host discos, concerts of world stars, parties and shows. Fans of gambling come to Loutraki - there is a casino there.
Throughout the tourist season, festivals are held in different cities of Attica. The largest of them is the Festival of Athens and Epidaurus in the capital. From June to September, performances and concerts take place in Athens, world stars come and Greek artists and groups perform. From April to October, the Acropolis hosts light shows dedicated to the history of the Greek capital. Eleusis becomes the site of a theater festival in honor of Aeschylus, the ancient playwright.
Kitchen and souvenirs
Called Greek in Russia, and peasant salad in Greece itself, this salad is served here with local kolomata olives. For dessert - local figs. Attica's rocky soils are best suited for growing olives and figs, and local honey herbs add their flavor to the honey produced here.
Residents of this part of Greece prefer avgolemono soup with egg and lemon juice, dolmadakya - a local version of dolma, grilled seafood, hot peppers stuffed with cheese. Among the alcohols here, it is worth trying, in addition to raki and ouzo, the liqueur mastiha, which acquires a special taste after adding resin from a tree from the pistachio family.
Clay is mined on the coast of Attica, so ceramic products here are beyond praise. The souvenir trade is concentrated mainly in Athens. Very often people come here to buy fur coats, leather clothes, and jewelry. Less expensive will be the purchase of natural cosmetics, herbal infusions, ceramics, gastronomic souvenirs - oil, olives, cheese, honey and traditional honey desserts.
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Attica / Attica
Coastal Attica is located in the southern part of mainland Greece and is washed by the waters of three bays of the warm Aegean Sea (in the south - Saronic, in the east - Petalian, and in the northeast - Euboean). Its area is slightly less than 4 thousand square kilometers, and its closest neighbors are Boeotia, Megaris and.
Holidays in Attica (Greece) will allow you to immerse yourself in the amazing world of ancient Greek myths and wayward ancient gods, enjoy indescribably beautiful landscapes and get acquainted with many historical monuments.
The region is warm and sunny all year round. From June to September the average temperature is +28 degrees. In December-February the thermometer does not drop below +15.
Attica (Greece): attractions
Particular attention should be paid to the following places:
- Located approximately 11 kilometers from Athens monastery of Daphne. The church was built in the 6th century on the site of the sanctuary of the god Apollo and is surrounded by a small fortress. The main decorations of the interior are picturesque mosaics.
- Eleusinian Temple of Demeter with an archaeological museum (22 kilometers from Athens). Here travelers can feel the special atmosphere and get acquainted with ancient rites performed in honor of the gods.
- Unique sanctuary of Poseidon at Cape Sounion (69 kilometers from Athens). Since 440 BC, sacrifices have been made here to the angry god of the sea. The massive building of the temple is framed by tall narrow columns, which personifies the union of the earth and the sea.
In addition to the historical monuments of travelers who chose tours to Attica, Greece. will amaze you with its nature.
Thus, the island of Hydra with its elite resorts is chosen as a holiday destination by celebrities and wealthy Athenians. The island of Aegina is famous for its luxurious beaches with clear sea water, the ghost town of Paleochora and many ancient temples. And on Mount Immitos there is a temple with a healing spring hidden by a cypress grove.
In the Penteli Cave you can see the marble from which the Parthenon was created and stalactites. Near the town of Peania there is a natural cave called Kutuki.
The water of Lake Volyameni, located half a meter above sea level, is considered healing. Thanks to the hot springs, you can always swim here.
Where to stay
The region's coastline is lined with beautiful beach resorts.
