Why April is the best time to go to Athens
Once the centre of the Ancient World, Athens is the perfect place to connect with history and simultaneously enjoy one of Europe’s cultural capitals. But when’s the best time to visit?
In this extract from Where to Go When, your guide to the most amazing places in the world and the best time of year to visit them, we find out what visitors have to look forward to if they visit in April...
Why go: Dynamic and diverse, crumbling structures and contemporary sights live cheek-by-jowl in Athens. If this heady mix isn’t enough, the Greeks embrace Easter with great fervour at this time of year.
Greece’s capital is nothing short of captivating. The historic centre is an open museum, with a treasure trove of ruins and Byzantine churches sitting alongside apartment buildings and office blocks. Atop the imposing Acropolis is the majestic Parthenon – the symbol of the city. This titanic temple watches over the likes of the Ancient Agora, the Theatre of Dionysus and the Sanctuary of Zeus, plus the Greek people milling about in the cobbled streets, as they did thousands of years ago. Today, though, the view also takes in striking street art, myriad bookshops and cute cafés around every corner.
If you’re in Athens at Easter (Pascha), you’re in for an extra treat. Holy Week begins on the Monday before Easter with a strict fast, and houses traditionally get their yearly whitewash. On Good Friday, church bells toll eerily all day, and at around 8pm candlelit processions wind slowly through the streets. At midnight on Saturday, locals meet outside churches with candles and watch fireworks. Celebrations culminate on Easter Sunday, with music resounding through the streets and the aroma of lamb from rooftop spit-roasts permeating the air.
When else to go
August: Ancient sites stay open for the full moon.
September: The Athens Classic Marathon is based on the original route from Greek legend.
How to get to Athens
Getting there: Athens International Airport is about 45 minutes by taxi from the centre. There’s also a metro link which takes 40 minutes.
Getting around: Sights are closely packed and easily walkable, though there are also buses and a useful metro system.
Weather: Sunny and pleasant. Average temperature 20°C / 68°F.
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