A quick look at Athens

 I had a view of Athens from the hop on hop off bus. There are 3 companies running these buses, I chose the red one as I had a coupon for 10% off the fare!

My first stop was at the Acropolis complex. The Acropolis, or Highest Point, is an ancient citadel that sits on a rocky outcrop above the city. It contains the remains of several ancient buildings, the most famous being the Parthenon. These buildings are of great architectural and historical significance. The rock is about 150 m high and is formed of schist over limestone. 

The Parthenon is a temple that was dedicated to the goddess Athena during the fifth century BC. It is currently undergoing renovation -

There were long queues to enter the site so I didn't bother to go in, as I wanted to see more of Athens. 

Entrance to the Temple of Zeus. Constructed was started in 174 BC. It had very tall columns but most of them have fallen down due to various earthquakes.

The Greek Parliament building, Syntagma -

This is a modern building, first used as a palace, from 1843. It was used for the Hellenic Parliament from 1929 and the building has been adapted over the years. The changing of the guards outside the palace is quite a tourist attraction. The soldiers come from a special unit of the Hellenic Army and guard the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Hellenic Parliament and the Presidential Mansion. Their unique uniform has a special meaning. They wear a Greek kilt, white tights and shoes with pompoms. Each hour they change guard. See more here.

The Panathenaic Stadium. It was built for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and remains the only stadium in the world built entirely out of marble. The word “stadium” comes from the ancient Greek measure of length, where one “stadion” was approximately 185 m and equivalent to the length of the track. See more on the stadium

The Academy of Athens is one of three buildings, along with the National Library and University. It is neoclassic, from 1859. It is made of marble. The two tall columns with Athena the defender on the left and Apollo the guitar player on the right -

Next door is the National library -

Omonia Square is one of the oldest squares in Athens and is in the shopping centre. It was built in 1846 but has been renovated over the years and the fountains redesigned -

Athens Central Market, or Varvakeios, is the biggest food market in Athens. It is situated between Monastiraki Square and Omonia Square on Athinas Street.

Monastiraki Square is a plaza surrounded by restaurants, bars and a Byzantine church (church not in this photo). The building with the brown dome is Tzistarakis Mosque. Built in 1759 it is one of the few Muslim monuments remaining in Athens. It is built with limestone -

Some other churches

The archaeological museum

And finally some street Christmas decorations in September -