ATHENS HISTORIC CENTRE SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Departing from Athens Int. Airport, this scenic helicopter flight will take you over Central Athens. After departure, you will witness the countryside to gradually build up and transform into the outskirts of one of the most historic cities in the world. Flying over and passing Mount Hymettus you will witness the panoramic landscape of the attic basin. The city lies between mountains ending in the sea and one of the biggest ports in Europe: the port of Piraeus. Some of the famous landmarks you will have the opportunity to see from a bird’s-eye view are the Olympic Complex, the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Panathenaic Stadium and the Port of Piraeus. The duration of the tour is approx. 35 minutes.

Route Details

Athens airport – Athens Olympic Complex- Lycavittos Hill – Ancient Agora-Acropolis-Panathenaikon Stadium (Kalimarmaro)- Port of Piraeus – Athens airport

The Athens Olympic Sport Complex (Olympic Park)

The OAKA is the Athens Olympic Sport Complex and is seen by many as a work of art in every respect, not only is it the main Olympic complex of the Greek capital, comprising of some of the most important sports facilities, but it is also one of the most important monuments of Athens after the Acropolis.

The Olympic park is in the modern quarter of Marussi 10km north of the centre, it is a huge architectural complex that sums up the skills and creativity of the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The park has been reconstructed to house the Olympic games of Athens 2004 and the architect has created an unprecedented spectacular project, letting his imagination loose.

Lycabettus Hill

Mount Lycabettus, also known as Lycabettos, Lykabettos or Lykavittos is a Cretaceous limestone hill in the Greek capital Athens. At 300 meters (908 feet) above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Athens and pine trees cover its base. The name also refers to the residential neighbourhood immediately below the east of the hill.

The hill is a tourist destination and can be ascended by the Lycabettus Funicular, a funicular railway which climbs the hill from a lower terminus at Kolonaki. At its two peaks are the 19th century Chapel of St. George, a theatre, and a restaurant.

Ancient Agora of Athens

The ancient Agora of Athens (also called the Classical Agora) is the best-known example of an ancient Greek agora, located to the northwest of the Acropolis and bounded on the south by the hill of the Areopagus and on the west by the hill known as the Agoraios Kolonos, also called Market Hill.

The Agora’s initial use was for a commercial, assembly, or residential gathering place.

Acropolis

The Acropolis of Athens and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world. In the second half of the fifth century bc, Athens, following the victory against the Persians and the establishment of democracy, took a leading position amongst the other city-states of the ancient world. In the age that followed, as thought and art flourished, an exceptional group of artists put into effect the ambitious plans of Athenian statesman Pericles and, under the inspired guidance of the sculptor Pheidias, transformed the rocky hill into a unique monument of thought and the arts.

The most important monuments were built during that time: the Parthenon, built by Ictinus, the Erechtheon, the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis, designed by Mnesicles and the small temple Athena Nike.

Panathenaic Stadium

Athens’ Panathenaic Stadium or Panathinaiko, is also known as the Kallimarmaro, which means “beautifully marbled” and is the world’s only stadium made entirely of marble which comes from nearby Mount Pendeli. It was built in 1896 for the first modern Olympics in the ruins of the ancient marble stadium that was built in 329 for the Panathenaic Games, by Lycurgus, replacing an even older stadium made of wood.

In 140 AD it was enlarged and renovated by Herodes Atticus and it seated 50,000 people as it does today. (During the 1896 Olympics it held 80,000 people!)

Port of Piraeus

Piraeus, located in the southeast of Greece, is home to Europe’s biggest passenger port and as such is a huge draw for cruise ships from around the world bringing tourists eager to explore this centuries-old city.

With a population of more than 160,000, Piraeus has many attractions to fill an entire vacation including religious and historic landmarks and fantastic restaurants. Yet another major draw is the fact that it is easy to visit Athens because it’s located nearby. The Greek capital city of Athens is just 12 kilometers (7 miles) from Piraeus.

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