Athens

The City of Athens

Within the sprawling city of Athens it is easy to imagine the Golden Age of Greece when Pericles had the Parthenon built, when the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were performed in the Theater of Dionysus and when democracy brought all citizens together to decide their common fate on the Pynx Hill. Each year, more and more travelers are choosing Athens for their leisure and business travel all year round. There are several reasons; Athens offers a variety of things to see and do, and most of the times, under favorable weather conditions. Athens is considered one of Europe's safest capitals; its transportation network is user-friendly; there are numerous museums and archeological sites and hundreds of restaurants to satisfy every taste.

Characterized by a culture and people that are welcoming and hospitable, every visitor just feels at home in Athens. The glorious Athens of antiquity is becoming synonymous with that of its contemporary counterpart.

Athens is an ideal congress destination, combining state-of-the-art infrastructure, excellent conference facilities and easy access from all over the world with world-class cultural attractions, modern amenities, diverse entertainment and natural beauty. Most hotels in Athens underwent extensive renovation in preparation of the 2004 Olympic Games, a great benefit for contemporary visitors that can enjoy comfortable and stylish accommodation combined with outstanding services.

Surrounded by a lining of stunning seas and mountains, Athens is filled with gems just waiting to be discovered. The Saronic Gulf, which, due to its proximity to Athens, is the prime yacht charter area in Greece, surrounds the west coasts of Athens and Attica.

During the last two decades, a construction of advanced wastewater treatment facilities has resulted in a spectacular recovery of water quality in the Saronic Gulf. Visitors can now enjoy numerous beach and bathing establishments which are in operation from Palaio Faliro to Sounion.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Language

The native language is Modern Greek. English is widely spoken as a second language by the majority of Greeks, while French and German are also spoken at a good extent.

Time

Greece is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time GMT+2

Greece 12:00 - London 10:00 - New York 05:00 - Sydney 20:00

Electricity

The electricity current in Greece is 220v, 50Hz and the socket type is European Standard.

Health

Public hospitals work on a rotation basis with regards to dealing with emergency incidents. To find out which hospitals are open for emergency incidents at a specific time, dial 14944. Treatment in public hospitals is free of charge.

Currency & Banking

Greece is a full member of the European Union since 1981 and its currency is the Euro (€). All major credit cards are widely accepted in Greece. ATMs and Exchange Offices are widely available. Foreign currency may be exchanged to Euros at most Greek and foreign banks and at exchange bureaus located in the city centre. Travellers are kindly requested to bring their passport when exchanging money as they will need it for the transaction. Traveller’s checks and credit cards issued by major companies are also widely recognized and an accepted means of purchasing items in Athens. Banks are open to the public Monday through Thursday 08:00 to 14:30 and Friday 08:00 to 14:00, except for public holidays. The "Open24" Bank (Eurobank) is open mornings and afternoons, as well as on Saturdays.