Illustration of a man with a hat on his head, holding a branch with an orange to his nose and grimacing.

Essentials: Athens

Five facts about Athens that will surprise you

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2 min read
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1) Cinema Paradiso: Open-air movie theaters have been an institution in Athens since 1904. From May to October, more than 60 outdoor screens take over the squares and courtyards of the Greek capital. From black-and-white classics to modern science-fiction blockbusters, every movie under the stars is an unforgettable experience. 

Illustration on the left: two Greek statues holding a movie screen. Illustration on the right: an ancient Greek vase depicting graffiti sprayers.

2) Spraying allowed: Athens is a hot spot for street art. There are works of art everywhere in the capital – often with a political message. Even the mayor believes that well-done graffiti art can enhance a neighborhood and has approved areas for artists to create murals.  

3) This is where art comes into its own: As part of the city’s modernization for the 2004 Olympic Games, the Athens metro was greatly expanded. During the construction work, more than 50,000 archaeological artifacts were unearthed, some of which are now on display in six different metro stations. 

Illustration on the left: a man with a briefcase in his hand standing on a platform in Athens and looking at an excavation site. Illustration on the right: people sitting in an amphitheater, two of them are arguing.

4) Echo of the millennia: On the southwestern slopes of the Acropolis, concerts and theatrical performances still take place in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a magnificent marble amphitheater from the second century AD. The acoustics of the theater at the foot of the Acropolis are so fantastic that the performers don’t need microphones.

5) Forbidden fruit: The many orange trees you will see while walking around Athens will surprise you. But please don’t eat the fruit! They may look delicious, but they are bitter oranges and are not fit for consumption.

Illustration of a man with a hat on his head, holding a branch with an orange to his nose and grimacing.
(all illustrations © Sylvia Neuner)

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