Hello Monday, hello spring, hello friends! Let us start into a new week invigorated by ideas, creativity and the insatiable desire to discover new places, new cultures new concepts of aesthetics and happiness. Probably today’s virtual trip won’t be all too new to everyone of you, but it is a personal return for me, a visit to a city I called home for an entire year as a student: my Athens!
As usual, I will try to tell the story visually through my snapshots. Since I took quite a good number of shots I’ve decided to split them up and make two parts for the blog so expect next Monday part two. But let us see what I want to share with you in this part one.
Almost all pics in today’s blogpost about Athens were taken at the main touristic sights of the Greek capital. Now you might wonder why I am showing the obvious places instead of unknown corners. Let me explain: I lived there for an entire year. My apartment was a 10 minutes walk from the Acropolis. And yet I enjoyed every single day the view of the ancient city. And every time when I’m back to Athens, I must go there, take in the smell of pine trees, gaze at the stones of a metropolis built thousands of years ago, overlooking the numberless houses of modern Athens, looking at the blue horizon and the flickering waters of the Aegean Sea. However, I do have some favorite spots for the best views of Athens that I will share with you here.
If you intend on visiting or revisiting Athens soon, consider these two options for amazing bird’s eye views of the capital of Greece: First, if you head to the Acropolis just continue the main path, passing the entrance to the Acropolis and you will arrive at one of the most magic places of Athens – the Areopagus hill. In ancient time this rock functioned as the high Court of Appeal, nowadays it is the famous spot of couples, few tourists and locals to sit, have a drink and chat while overlooking the endless metropolis (tip: go there at dusk, the atmosphere is enchanting).
The other ‘hot spot’ for a perfect view of the city and the postcard view of the Acropolis is the opposite hill called ‘Philopappous’. I actually used to live right under that hill. The hill’s top is marked by an ancient monument. Actually, it’s the name of the monument and the hill is officially called Mouseion hill, but believe me, everyone calls it Philopappous. It will take you 10 minutes to climb up (take the stairs just underneath the Areopagus hill) and you will have the most stunning view of the landmark Acropolis. Plus the Aegean Sea will open up in front of you, to all sides you will overlook the city that used to be the birthplace of democracy. Sit down, take in the views and think of how amazing our world is and how much beauty there has been throughout times on this rock that we call Earth and home.
P.S. The amazing restaurant on the pic above is a great suggestion for dinner: It’s called ‘Kuzina’ and is located in the Thisio area. It interprets traditional Greek cuisine in a refined, modern way and offers a delightful interior design and stunning views of the Acropolis and Ifesteio temple. Go there for a great dinner!
Happy new week, friends!
Photography by Igor Josifovic
34 Comments
Oh, I love this series. Bonus is to see your smiling face. As I’ve never been to Athens I’m happy with the tourist spots. Thank you for showing me around, can’t wait for part 2:-)
Hi I am Stella and I am living in Athens … i love to see my beautiful town through your happy eyes!
I am waiting for part two!
Kisses from Athens!
Thank you Stella for the nice comment! Filakia apo to Monaxo!
More greetings from Athens! 🙂 Yes, you caught the best spots! 🙂 Looking forward to next week!
Euxaristo apo to Monaxo! I love to see so many readers from Athens!!
Never been to Athens Igor & love what you’ve showed us so far. Will look forward to part II 🙂
Looks like you have a better head for heights than me 😉
Great pics!
Ηello Igor! I’m so excited to read this post today and I want to thank you so much. Greece, Athens, Greeks it’s GREAT and I am a little surprised by the way you can like a foreign country. I’m your newest follower and I’m so glad to discover your delightful blogspace.
Warm regards!
Kalos irthes & thank you for taking the time to visit my blog! I love Greece and Athens because I lived there and I feel a strong bond with the Greek people!
thanks for that post … I love Athens … your pictures are stunning
lgr, ute.
What a gorgeous place…every view is breathtaking! That first shot of you makes me very nervous, ha–right on the edge, eeek!
Thank you for showing me the colorful (and sunny) side of Athens, Igor! I visited Athens once in the middle of the summer with a friend (we were only 17 back then: http://www.joelix.com/Back-to-Greece) and it was a little culture shock to us… very grey-ish and dominated by men and a lot of monuments were closed. Your images make me want to go back and discover this brighter side of Athens 🙂
Someday…. I’d love to visit Greece, but for now I’ll have to follow your posts. Wonderful pictures and commentary.
Perfect! You make Athens almost look like a beautiful city =P
Kidding.. I knew you were going to have a great time, can’t wait for part2! xoxo
Ah Eleni, Athens has grown close to my heart – with all its aspects, positive and negative:-)
Tolle Bilder Igor! Das macht richtig Lust mal nach Greece zu fahren!!
Vor allem bei unserem Wetter hier;-)
I’d love to visit Athens! This whole trip looked like a lot of fun.
It looks like you got some sun there! Love all your shots, especially the last one and looking forward to part two! /maria x
Great shoots Igor! Love your colorful outfits!
Thank you for the visual tour!
I have never been to Athens and it’s wonderful to see it with your eyes.
Already waiting for part 2!
Ah! Looks like you had so much fun! And the weather was so lovely! I came back from Athens on Monday and I’m already counting the days until I go back in a few weeks time for the Greek Easter! I love the view from Acropolis!
Hey. Tolle Bilder. Auch mein Athen…
Ich habe ebenfalls in Athen ein Jahr lang gelebt und studiert und die Stadt ist bis heute ein wichtiger Ort für mich. Athen hat etwas Magisches und ich wollte damals gar nicht mehr weg von dort… die Menschen und dann das Essen und noch wichtiger, die Sonne!
Wundervoll. Wann hast du da gelebt? Und wo hast du studiert?
Filia apo SB
Izabella
Das ist ja cool! Ich dachte immer, ich bin der einzige ‘Freak’, der in Athen studiert hat:-)) ich war dort 2001/02…lang ist’s her! Du?
LOve it so – have never been – want to big time now:)
Hope Spring comes to you soon Igor,
Ax
Πολυ ωραίες φωτογραφίες… να μας ξανάρθεις!
Epomeni fora pame gia kafe!
Great view from our Greece!! Thank you!! I lived in Athens for 2 1/2 years, but I am from Corfu, next time visit my island! I am waiting for the second part!!
Epomeni fora tha’rtho kai stin Kerkyra, Christina! Den exo paei pote!
Hey Igor. What a positive blog and so inspiring. You made me want to go to Athens immediately! I love my city whatever they are saying. Never mind. i’m waiting for the second part and I’m very happy found your blog….Yiota from Chania – Crete
Geia sou Giota, geia sou Kriti! I’m so happy you stopped by on my blog! I hope you will come back again! And now I am off to check your blog!
Looks like a beautiful trip. Stunning images-thanks for sharing.
Kalispera, i am Sonia and i am living in Athens.Your post is lovely!
Thank you!
Geia sou Sonia! Euxaristo poly! You know, I love Athens:-)
Thanks Igor for the tour! Now I know where to get the best view of the ancient city!