Hotel Loutraki Palace
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Road connections
Greece 's road network covers 117,000 kilometres in total (mainland and islands) and can be divided into the following categories:
The capitals of most prefectures are connected to each other by a dense network of bus services . The intercity coach service (KTEL) operates vehicles that meet all modern technical specifications for the safe and pleasant transport of passengers. For more detailed information on bus connections, itineraries and fares, as well as on the exact departure and arrival points tel. +30-210-5124910/1
- Motorways
- National roads and highways
- Main road network (road connections between prefectures)
- Asphalted roads
- Main dirt roads (connecting communities)
- Other dirt roads (forest roads, rough roads, secondary connections)
- Athens- Thessaloniki (E 75 )
- Athens- Corinth (E 94 )
- Corinth- Patras (E 65 )
- Corinth-Tripoli- Kalamata (E 65 )
- Patras-Pyrgos-Oly mpia (E 55 )
- Thessaloniki-Kavala- Alexandroupoli (E 90 )
- Igoumenitsa-Alexandroupoli (Egnatia Odos Motorway)
- Chania-Agios Nikolaos ( Crete E 75)
The capitals of most prefectures are connected to each other by a dense network of bus services . The intercity coach service (KTEL) operates vehicles that meet all modern technical specifications for the safe and pleasant transport of passengers. For more detailed information on bus connections, itineraries and fares, as well as on the exact departure and arrival points tel. +30-210-5124910/1
Transportation
During the past few decadew the transportation network of the country was modernised and impressively upgraded and, as a result, Greece today has an integrated transportation structure allowing for fast and safe travelling all over the country. Moreover, new projects are continuously being programmed, so that the infrastructures of the transportation grid of the country become more and more reliable.
The operation of the Rio-Andirrio Bridge (connecting the western Peloponnese with western Central Greece), the longest cable-stayed suspension bridge in Europe, is of great importance for the improvement of road transportation in Greece. Parts of the closed motorway of “Egnatia Odos” in Northern Greece (total length 680 km) are still under construction, while interventions for the development of PATHE - the central road axis connecting the cities of Patras, Athens, and Thessalonica - are extremely important. Moreover, in the field of sea transport, works are progressing in order to improve the existing infrastructure in many ports of the country, and especially those of Piraeus and Rafina, the two basic ports for the connection of the Greek mainland with the islands of the Aegean and with Crete. The airports of the country were radically modernised, and so was the railroad network, where existing lines were upgraded, new ones created and highly modern and fast-rolling stock was introduced.
Furthermore, with the opportunity of the Athens Olympic Games 2004, a series of big transportation projects was planned and implemented in the prefecture of Attica. The construction of the Attiki Odos motorway radically changed the transportation map of the area. In the city of Athens, the public means of transportation were upgraded and quality of life was improved thanks to the construction and operation of the metropolitan railroad (metro), the suburban railroad and the tram. The existing mass means of transportation were considerably upgraded with the renewal of the bus and trolley-bus fleets and the overhauling of the Athens–Piraeus electric railroad stations. The connection of the electric railroad with the metropolitan and suburban network, as well as with the national railroad network created a functional transportation grid. Finally, the construction and operation of the new modern Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport, in Spata, Attica, was an important milestone in the improvement of air travel in the country.
The operation of the Rio-Andirrio Bridge (connecting the western Peloponnese with western Central Greece), the longest cable-stayed suspension bridge in Europe, is of great importance for the improvement of road transportation in Greece. Parts of the closed motorway of “Egnatia Odos” in Northern Greece (total length 680 km) are still under construction, while interventions for the development of PATHE - the central road axis connecting the cities of Patras, Athens, and Thessalonica - are extremely important. Moreover, in the field of sea transport, works are progressing in order to improve the existing infrastructure in many ports of the country, and especially those of Piraeus and Rafina, the two basic ports for the connection of the Greek mainland with the islands of the Aegean and with Crete. The airports of the country were radically modernised, and so was the railroad network, where existing lines were upgraded, new ones created and highly modern and fast-rolling stock was introduced.
Furthermore, with the opportunity of the Athens Olympic Games 2004, a series of big transportation projects was planned and implemented in the prefecture of Attica. The construction of the Attiki Odos motorway radically changed the transportation map of the area. In the city of Athens, the public means of transportation were upgraded and quality of life was improved thanks to the construction and operation of the metropolitan railroad (metro), the suburban railroad and the tram. The existing mass means of transportation were considerably upgraded with the renewal of the bus and trolley-bus fleets and the overhauling of the Athens–Piraeus electric railroad stations. The connection of the electric railroad with the metropolitan and suburban network, as well as with the national railroad network created a functional transportation grid. Finally, the construction and operation of the new modern Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport, in Spata, Attica, was an important milestone in the improvement of air travel in the country.
Museums
A great number of museums operate throughout the country. More than 207 of them are state-run or supervised by the Ministry of Culture and 107 are privately owned. Visitors are afforded the opportunity to admire unique artifacts and scientific achievements produced on Greek territory more than 6.000 years ago. On the whole, Greek museums and art collections are categorised as follows:
- Archaeological Museums and Collections
- Byzantine Museums and Collections
- Historical and Folk Art Museums
- Greek Art Museums (Ancient, Byzantine, Modern Art)
- Asian Art Museums
- Visual Arts Museums and Picture Galleries
- Theatre Museums
- Cinema and Photography Museums
- Music Museums
- Naval Museums
- Natural History Museums
- Science and Technology Museums
Opening Hours
Most state-run museums are open on all weekdays except Monday. Museums are closed on the following public holidays: January 1st, Good Friday, Easter Day, May 1st, Christmas (December 25 & 26). As regards other public holidays, check with the information centre of the museum you wish to visit to verify opening hours and days.
Photography and video recording
In general, photography and video recording are allowed provided that tripods and flash are not used. Yet, it is advisable to contact the museum in advance to check whether you need to pay an extra fee or get special permission for the use of a camera or video camera.
Contact Information
Τo view the complete list of Greek museums, as well as information on exhibits, ticketing (ticket prices), opening hours and contact information for each museum, click the following items:
Alphabetical list of state museums
Alphabetical list of non-state museums
Conventions
Greece is the ideal place for conventions, business conferences and meetings. It combines excellent conference facilities with unique museums, archaeological sites, shopping and nightlife. At present there are 13 conference centres outside hotels, with a total capacity of 12,000 persons. Over a hundred hotels at several Greek destinations offer a full range of conference facilities.
Agrotourism
Agrotourism is a mild form of sustainable tourist development and multi-activity in rural areas through which the visitor has the opportunity to get acquainted with agricultural areas, agricultural occupations, local products, traditional cuisine and the daily life of the people, as well as the cultural elements and the authentic features of the area, while showing respect for the environment and tradition. Moreover, this activity brings visitors closer to nature and rural activities in which they can participate, be entertained and feel the pleasure of touring, learning and discovering.
At the same time, it mobilises the productive, cultural and developmental forces of an area, contributing in this way to the sustainable environmental, economic and social development of the rural area.There are many businesses all over the country which offer you the opportunity to enjoy the unique advantages of the Greek countryside through special programmes of agrotourism. These businesses are listed in the following categories:
-outlets/ exhibitions of agrotourist products;
-agrotourist catering and recreation centres;
-tourist offices organising or implementing programmes offering outdoor activities and tours of ecotourist and cultural interest;
-farms;
-businesses producing traditional products;
-popular art workshops
At the same time, it mobilises the productive, cultural and developmental forces of an area, contributing in this way to the sustainable environmental, economic and social development of the rural area.There are many businesses all over the country which offer you the opportunity to enjoy the unique advantages of the Greek countryside through special programmes of agrotourism. These businesses are listed in the following categories:
-outlets/ exhibitions of agrotourist products;
-agrotourist catering and recreation centres;
-tourist offices organising or implementing programmes offering outdoor activities and tours of ecotourist and cultural interest;
-farms;
-businesses producing traditional products;
-popular art workshops
Churches - Monasteries
The churches, places intended to meet the needs of Christian worship, are a characteristic and inextricable element of the Greek landscape. From the austere, aisleless country chapels to the imposing cross-in-square types, churches are built according to specific architectural forms which were gradually established since the first centuries of Christianity. Their decoration – whether painting, mosaic or other - always reflects the Orthodox doctrine, following specific style trends and established iconographic programmes.
Over the centuries, important architects, builders or painters have contributed to the construction and decoration of the Greek churches, many of which now are scheduled monuments.The oldest churches in Greece, the most important of which are found in Thessalonica, Nea Anchíalos, Nikópoli, Athens and Corinth, date from the early Byzantine period (4th – 6th centuries A.D.).
During this period, important ancient Greek temples, such as the Parthenon, the Erechtheion or the “Thission” in Athens, were transformed into churches, while many Christian churches were built near to or on the site of known idolatric centres (e.g. in Daphní, Elefsina, Delphi, Epidaurus, Delos). Churches were also built on sites connected with people or events which were important to the Christians, such as the burial sites of martyrs.During the Middle Byzantine period (7th century A.D. -1204), Greek churches acquired an intensely local character and were quite different from the corresponding monuments in Constantinople. The most important ones are found in Attica, Viotía, Argolida, Mani et al. Some of them are the main church of the monasteries they belong to and are called Catholicon. The churches of the Late Byzantine period (1204-1453) continued to follow traditional architectural models. Some of the most important churches built in that period are found in Arta, Véria, Kastoriá, Thessalonica and Mystrás.
The churches that were built during that time in areas under Frankish or Venetian occupation adopted many western elements – whether architectural or decorative.
The churches built in Greece during the Ottoman occupation are particularly austere, with the exception of the churches in areas under Venetian or generally western occupation (Crete, the Ionian Islands). After the War of Independence, the economic recession did not allow construction of grandiose churches. An exception is the Metropolis of Athens which was built in the middle of the 19th century with the intention of being the central church in the capital of the newly established Greek state. However, ecclesiastic architecture has flourished again since the end of the 19th century, in particular during the first decades of the 20th century.
Like the churches, monasteries are closely connected with the history and tradition of Greece. By “monastery” we mean the total number of buildings in which monks or, more generally, the members of a religious community live. Monasteries comprise a central church (called the Catholicon), chapels, the monks’ cells, guest houses, the dining room (the refectory), the kitchen, the library, etc.
The institution of monasticism first made its appearance in the 4th century A.D. with the anchorites (or hermits) in the desert of Egypt, and spread very quickly to other areas of the then Byzantine empire. It reached a peak around the 10th century A.D. and this led to the establishment of many monasteries.
The largest monastic community in Greece is located on Aghio Oros (Mount Athos), also known as the Garden of Panaghía (Virgin Mary). The first monks settled there during the 5th century A.D. However, the first monastic community was created in the 10th century when Ossios Athanassios the Athonites (from Mount Athos) founded the Monastery of Megisti Lavra (963) which has had a leading status among the other monasteries of Athos since then.
The particularity of Aghio Oros (Mount Athos) lies in the fact that it is an autonomous administrative region of the Greek State which politically falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and spiritually under the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. All twenty Athos monasteries lead a communal way of life; that is, they impose common mass, prayers, accommodation, meals and work on the monks. The monks elect the person in charge of each monastery, the Abbot, who retains the title for life. The monasteries of Aghio Oros (Mount Athos), where the principle of the ávaton (inaccessible) still applies to women, possess a large number of heirlooms (manuscripts, historic documents, chysobulls, portable icons, etc). Apart from all the above, the monasteries themselves constitute unique cultural monuments, not only for Orthodox Christianity and Greece, but for the entire world as well.
The second biggest and most important monastery complex in Greece is Metéora. The first hermits settled there during the 11th century. The oldest monasteries, though, date from the 14th century. Of the 24 original monasteries there are only six in use today, while the remaining ones are deserted; the monasteries of Metamórphosis (Transfiguration), Varlaám, Ag. Nikólaos Anapafsás and Aghía Triada (Holy Trinity) are for monks, while the monasteries of Roussano and Aghios Stéfanos are for nuns. The monasteries of Metéora have been characterised monuments of cultural heritage by UNESCO.Important monastic monuments are the Monastery of Daphní in Attica (11th century), Ossios Lucas in Fokida (11th century), Nea Moní (New Monastery) on the island of Chios (11th century), et al.
Over the centuries, important architects, builders or painters have contributed to the construction and decoration of the Greek churches, many of which now are scheduled monuments.The oldest churches in Greece, the most important of which are found in Thessalonica, Nea Anchíalos, Nikópoli, Athens and Corinth, date from the early Byzantine period (4th – 6th centuries A.D.).
During this period, important ancient Greek temples, such as the Parthenon, the Erechtheion or the “Thission” in Athens, were transformed into churches, while many Christian churches were built near to or on the site of known idolatric centres (e.g. in Daphní, Elefsina, Delphi, Epidaurus, Delos). Churches were also built on sites connected with people or events which were important to the Christians, such as the burial sites of martyrs.During the Middle Byzantine period (7th century A.D. -1204), Greek churches acquired an intensely local character and were quite different from the corresponding monuments in Constantinople. The most important ones are found in Attica, Viotía, Argolida, Mani et al. Some of them are the main church of the monasteries they belong to and are called Catholicon. The churches of the Late Byzantine period (1204-1453) continued to follow traditional architectural models. Some of the most important churches built in that period are found in Arta, Véria, Kastoriá, Thessalonica and Mystrás.
The churches that were built during that time in areas under Frankish or Venetian occupation adopted many western elements – whether architectural or decorative.
The churches built in Greece during the Ottoman occupation are particularly austere, with the exception of the churches in areas under Venetian or generally western occupation (Crete, the Ionian Islands). After the War of Independence, the economic recession did not allow construction of grandiose churches. An exception is the Metropolis of Athens which was built in the middle of the 19th century with the intention of being the central church in the capital of the newly established Greek state. However, ecclesiastic architecture has flourished again since the end of the 19th century, in particular during the first decades of the 20th century.
Like the churches, monasteries are closely connected with the history and tradition of Greece. By “monastery” we mean the total number of buildings in which monks or, more generally, the members of a religious community live. Monasteries comprise a central church (called the Catholicon), chapels, the monks’ cells, guest houses, the dining room (the refectory), the kitchen, the library, etc.
The institution of monasticism first made its appearance in the 4th century A.D. with the anchorites (or hermits) in the desert of Egypt, and spread very quickly to other areas of the then Byzantine empire. It reached a peak around the 10th century A.D. and this led to the establishment of many monasteries.
The largest monastic community in Greece is located on Aghio Oros (Mount Athos), also known as the Garden of Panaghía (Virgin Mary). The first monks settled there during the 5th century A.D. However, the first monastic community was created in the 10th century when Ossios Athanassios the Athonites (from Mount Athos) founded the Monastery of Megisti Lavra (963) which has had a leading status among the other monasteries of Athos since then.
The particularity of Aghio Oros (Mount Athos) lies in the fact that it is an autonomous administrative region of the Greek State which politically falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and spiritually under the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. All twenty Athos monasteries lead a communal way of life; that is, they impose common mass, prayers, accommodation, meals and work on the monks. The monks elect the person in charge of each monastery, the Abbot, who retains the title for life. The monasteries of Aghio Oros (Mount Athos), where the principle of the ávaton (inaccessible) still applies to women, possess a large number of heirlooms (manuscripts, historic documents, chysobulls, portable icons, etc). Apart from all the above, the monasteries themselves constitute unique cultural monuments, not only for Orthodox Christianity and Greece, but for the entire world as well.
The second biggest and most important monastery complex in Greece is Metéora. The first hermits settled there during the 11th century. The oldest monasteries, though, date from the 14th century. Of the 24 original monasteries there are only six in use today, while the remaining ones are deserted; the monasteries of Metamórphosis (Transfiguration), Varlaám, Ag. Nikólaos Anapafsás and Aghía Triada (Holy Trinity) are for monks, while the monasteries of Roussano and Aghios Stéfanos are for nuns. The monasteries of Metéora have been characterised monuments of cultural heritage by UNESCO.Important monastic monuments are the Monastery of Daphní in Attica (11th century), Ossios Lucas in Fokida (11th century), Nea Moní (New Monastery) on the island of Chios (11th century), et al.
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