Today's Athens has been cleared of its air pollution, its noise and its ugly sites and is now working fast to enter a new era and become a well-known modern city.

Would you like to make the most of the Athens metro network? Navigate through our interactive Athens Metro map to discover interesting sites, beaches, turistitic ports, parks, etc.

It was one of the first areas in Athens to be inhabited and the first settlement is thought to have been nearly 7000 years ago. It is mostly pedestrianized, renovated and isolated from both the traffic and noise of the city, which makes it a real oasis in which to discover ancient Athens.

In fact for more than one thousand years, Athens not only ceased to become a capital city, but was reduced to a small village huddled on the northern part of the Acropolis hill, while its ancient monumental areas were being used by the invaders as forts, headquarters and arms storage.

The historical centre of Athens has developed around 7 hills that are all used as green areas or archaeological sites. What catches the eye among these is the Acropolis hill, the adjacent hills of Filopapou, Water Lilies and the hill of Likavitos, which is 263 metres and is the highest.

Your alternative guide to the contemporary Athens! Discover our exlusive photos and services.

The coastline of Athens stretches along the gulf of Saronik for 20 kilometres with breathtaking views. During the day the ultramarine blue of the sea contrasts with the pure white of the houses which completely cover the Castella peninsula (Pireaus), while at night 20 km of lights embrace the wonderful bay.

They are practically the institutional and political centres, the spinal cord of the "new area" of the historical centre of Athens! Along these roads are housed the main banks of the country, the seats of ministries, universities, agencies and the most important boutiques.

Piraeus is densely inhabited. It has about 175,000 inhabitants and as in most quarters of Athens, there is a vital autonomous commercial centre, a great night life around the areas of Zea and Microlimano, an important archaeological museum and some sports facilities which will be used during the 2004 Olympics.

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 …