Digging into Athens, Greece 1/4 [] National Archaeological Museum, Night Viewpoints & Bustling Streets in Athens

 

✈️ A Journey Back in Time: Arrival in Athens

📌 Prologue
Greece often feels both familiar and distant. We know it through Greek and Roman mythology, the Olympics, and its temples, yet few have actually traveled there. With no direct flights from Korea and its relative isolation compared to other European countries, Greece is often overlooked as a travel destination. But I chose to embark on a bold, independent journey through Greece alone.

This series begins and ends in Athens, with stops in Heraklion and Santorini. Along the way, I will record the landscapes where Greece’s ancient past and vibrant present coexist.

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🏛️ Basic Information about Greece (Based on Wiki)

• Official Name: Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία)

• Capital: Athens

• Major Cities: Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion, Larissa, Volos

• Time Zone: UTC +2 (DST +3)

• Voltage: 220V (same as Korea)

• Currency: Euro (€)

• Climate: Mediterranean and temperate

I visited in late December through early January. Daytime temperatures ranged from 10–13°C, but once I climbed the hills, it was cold enough to wish I had packed a thicker winter jacket. At that moment, I realized Greece sits at a similar latitude to Korea.

💡 Tax Refund: 13% back on purchases over €120 at tax-free shops.
💡 Basic Phrases:

• “Thank you” → ευχαριστώ (efharistó)

• “Hello” → Καλημέρα (kaliméra)

I always try to learn basic greetings in the local language. Greek, however, was not easy to pick up — almost as unfamiliar as Portuguese. Still, thanks to the familiar math and science symbols, it didn’t feel entirely foreign.

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🛫 Getting to Athens – via Munich, Germany
There are no direct flights from Korea to Athens. I flew Lufthansa, transiting through Munich with a 4-hour layover. It was evening when I landed in Munich, and only late at night did I finally board the flight to Athens.

The turbulence was rough that night. While younger European passengers cheered as if they were on a roller coaster, I was too exhausted after wrapping up work before departure. I slept deeply through it all. The flight took about 2.5 hours. At Athens Airport, I noticed groups carrying ski and snowboard gear — a reminder that winter sports are popular in Greece too.

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🚌 From Airport to City Center

• Airport Bus (X95): Tickets €6, available at Exit 5 booth. Runs to Syntagma Square in about 50 minutes. Even after midnight, buses run every 40–60 minutes.

• Metro: €10 one-way from airport to city. 3-day pass (airport round trip included): €22. Operates every 30 minutes on the hour and half-hour.

Since I arrived at night, I opted for the €10 one-way metro ticket. If you take the airport line, regardless of where you board, you’ll need that ticket. The ticket machines sell the 3-day pass (€22), while other types are available at the ticket counters.

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🪖 The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Right by Syntagma Square and in front of the Parliament building, this monument hosts the Evzones guard-changing ceremony daily at 11 AM. On Sundays (10:45 AM), the ceremony is accompanied by a marching band — but unless you arrive early, it’s hard to secure a good view.

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🌳 National Garden & Zappeion

The National Garden sits in the heart of Athens, a serene escape within the bustling city. As you stroll among morning joggers, you’ll come across the Zappeion Hall, a neoclassical conference center built in the style of an ancient Greek temple.

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🏺 National Archaeological Museum

• Opening Hours: 09:00 – 16:00 (Mondays 13:00 – 20:00)

• Admission: €5

This is Greece’s greatest collection of ancient civilization and Hellenistic culture. Highlights include the Mask of Agamemnon, Cycladic figurines, and the bronze Zeus/Poseidon of Artemision. Though some sections were closed, the visit offered a deep glimpse into Greece’s cultural origins.

📚 GPT’s Curator’s Guide: National Archaeological Museum
(Based on the museum’s official website and supporting research)

• Rooms 3–4 (Mycenaean Antiquities): Gold funeral masks, including the famous Mask of Agamemnon (c. 16th century BCE, predating the myth itself). Also boar’s tusk helmets and ceremonial weapons.

• Room 5 (Neolithic Antiquities): Tools, pottery, and objects from early farming and hunting societies.

• Room 6 (Cycladic Antiquities): Iconic Cycladic marble figurines with minimalist, geometric forms.

• Room 45, 2nd Floor (Thera/Akrotiri Frescoes): Wall paintings from Santorini preserved by volcanic ash — Spring Fresco, Boxer Boys, Antelope Fresco.

• Rooms 8–13 (Archaic Sculptures): Kouros (male nude statues) and Kore (clothed female statues), symmetrical and rigid but foundational to classical art.

• Room 21 (Horse & Jockey of Artemision): Bronze statue of a boy riding a horse, salvaged from a shipwreck (c. 140 BCE).

• Room 28 (Late Classical Works): Sculptures from the late 4th century BCE, more naturalistic and expressive.

• Rooms 29–30 (Hellenic City Works): City-state artworks highlighting local variations.

• Rooms 31–33 (Roman Portraiture): Busts from the Roman Empire period.

• Rooms 36–39 (Bronze Collection): Includes the Antikythera Mechanism, a mysterious ancient astronomical calculator.

• Rooms 41–42 (Egyptian & Near Eastern Antiquities): Sarcophagi, funerary masks, and artifacts from Egypt and the Near East.

🌟 Other Highlights: The bronze Zeus/Poseidon of Artemision, youthful Antikythera Ephebe, and numerous kouros statues.

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🌕 Acropolis

On December 31, the site closed early. I admired the Acropolis from the outside, near the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, under a glowing full moon. The atmosphere was otherworldly — as if stepping into myth itself. The actual interior visit was scheduled for another day.

💡 Travel Tip: Plenty of restaurants cluster near Acropolis Station. It’s worth planning your meal around your visit.

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🌕 Areopagus Hill at Night

The closest hill for viewing the Acropolis at night. Crowds gather, some bringing guitars to sing under the stars. The marble rock is smooth and slippery, so extra caution is needed. I stayed seated for a long time, gazing at the illuminated Acropolis.

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🏛️ Roman Agora & City Walk

• Roman Agora: Closes early in winter (around 3 PM).

• Hadrian’s Library, Hephaestus Temple, Ermou Street: Bustling areas filled with shops, cafés, and souvenirs.

• Monastiraki Square: A lively square where spontaneous dancing breaks out with buskers.

• Ermou/Mitropoleos Street: The modern shopping district leading back to Syntagma Square.

By the time I returned to Syntagma, preparations for the New Year’s Eve celebration were in full swing. I set an alarm to head out at midnight, but exhaustion won. I ended up watching the fireworks and cheering crowd on TV — a rather quiet way to welcome the New Year in Greece.

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💡 GPT’s Travel Tips – Athens in Winter

• New Year’s Eve: Fireworks and concerts at Syntagma Square. Arrive early to secure a good spot.

• Winter Weather: Though Southern Europe sounds warm, Athens in winter is chilly, especially on windy hills. Pack a warm coat.

• Ticket Strategy: For short trips, individual one-way tickets may be more cost-effective than the €22 3-day pass. Plan your itinerary carefully.