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by
September 25, 2023
There are truly so many reasons why Athens city center is a great place to live. From its historical landmarks, to the variety of happenings, to its walkability and many more. In this blog, we’ll dive deep on what we believe to be some of the best reasons to own property and live in the center of Athens.
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The city center is easily accessible from all major transportation hubs like the airport, the ports and the national railway line because of its central location and its convenient connectivity with the subway. It takes less than 30 minutes to reach any of the above, and most frequently, with no change of subway lines. In addition, the elaborate subway coverage, along with the suburban train and bus system can quickly take you to any neighborhood in Athens in a matter of minutes, without having to use a car. Importantly, the city center of Athens has everything you might need a few steps away. From everyday spots like grocery stores, to theaters, restaurants, cafes, as well as major corporate offices and government buildings. They are all walking distance away.
The center of Athens is rich in history, landmarks, cute alleys, and full of life squares. In the midst of all is the world famous Acropolis, the crown jewel of Greece that was built during the late 5th century BC during the reign of Perikles, the Golden Age of Athens. Its main temple, the Parthenon, is the epitome of ancient Greek Classical art, built in honor of goddess Athena, the city's patron. The surrounding neighborhood is called Plaka, also known as the 'neighborhood of the gods', and is the oldest and most charming neighborhood of Athens. Strolling around the winding medieval alleys of Plaka, one discovers places of untouched delight; from The Herodes Atticus Theater, to the Pikionis Road, to the Filopappou Hill with its monuments marking centuries of history. Known as 'the hill of muses' in antiquity, the hilltop is distinguished by sweeping views overlooking the Acropolis and all of southern Athens stretching to the sea. The working-class areas of Makrigianni and Koukaki are shaking off their old image and now boast must-see museums, good restaurants and ultra-hip clubs.
Walking down Dionysiou Aeropagitou, one of the most beautiful streets in Greece, among the colorful flowers and gorgeous olive trees, one returns to the hustle and bustle of life at Monastiraki square, where you can find the church of the Dormition of the Virgin or wander around the narrow alleys and open-air markets selling antiques. On Sunday mornings, Plateia Avissynias, next to Monastiraki, comes alive with Athens' biggest and most colorful flea market.
Continuing the walk, one can relive history and discover the classical monuments of the city, including the 6th-century Agora and its museum housed in the Stoa of Attalos. The Agora is one of the most interesting archaeological sites in Greece; as the heart of ancient Athens, it was the main site of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural center, and the meeting point of justice. This is where philosophers like Socrates addressed their public. This is where democracy was born and where St Paul preached. Not too far away you also see the Roman Forum and the Tower of the Winds and the Hadrian's library.
If you walk down the big pedestrian road towards Theseion, named after the ancient temple in the Agora, you will find the Temple of Hephaestus, the city's best preserved temple of antiquity and built in 460-415 BC. The Theseion area is a lively place, a fun area with great tavernas and cafes; it is a real treat to enjoy your coffee right next to history. You can cherish the Benaki Museum that houses over 100,000 artifacts from Greek history and showcases the many eras, civilizations and cultures which have influenced the development of Greece. Gazi, a neighborhood next to Theseion, is a melting pot of colorful neoclassical buildings with artsy new developments and streets full of art and fun nightlife. It is impossible not to find a place that you will love, among numerous restaurants, cafes, clubs, theaters, galleries and antique shops.
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Athens city center, and especially Gazi, has such a big variety of experiences to delve into. Gazi has an industrial aesthetic, a laid-back vibe outside the subway, the best places to eat from a hot dog to a gourmet dish, the most inventive cocktail bars, places that take us back decades, the best events of the renewed Technopolis and everything that makes the area the "island" of the city center. This is truly the place where everyone comes out!
Among all options, the cornerstone is Technopolis. The Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens is housed in the old gas factory of Athens, a rare industrial monument, which has been transformed into the most vibrant cultural multi-venue in the heart of the city, open and accessible to all, with more than 1,000,000 visitors a year. The vision of Technopolis is to strengthen the development of the different communities and to contribute in every way to the improvement of the quality of life of the Athenians and the visitors of the city. Concerts, exhibitions, performances, screenings, educational programs, actions of the Fotaeri Industrial Museum, seminars and workshops dedicated to new technologies, initiatives for the development of entrepreneurship, innovation and events of a social nature are just some of the 800 events held every year in Technopolis.
To top everything off, Athens offers 300 days of sunny weather that allows you to enjoy being outside year round. At Hellenic Residencies, we are proud to have a real estate development right in Athens city center, in Gazi, aiming to help our future property owners to get access to all the above while living in a green development with incredible design and views.
