Athens: Culture

Cultural happenings in Athens

Mégaro Moussikis at the Music Palace. Av. Vassilissis Sophias and Kokkalis St., 115 21 Athens. Reserve by phone with a credit card : 72.82.333 (after 10am) special prices for children and students. Various programs; the best shows are usually occuring between october and may. Clasic music, opera, jazz, ballet, world music. Also organizes various exhibitions. Closed the first two weeks of august.

Herode Atticus (Odío Iródiou Atikoú). Located at the foot of the Acropole, there is a typically roman wall. The inside has been arranged to welcome shows from the Athens festival (operas, ballets, flamenco, world music) ; about 5.000 spectators can fit in . Closed from october to may.

Epidaure theater. It's sure the most beautiful theater of the world for its location and the own which has the best acoustic. Since 1954, Lyrics shows, concerts and antique musics are played there. Open from the end of june to end of august, it can receive up to 14.000 viewers.

Athens french Institute. 31, Sina St., Kolonaki. Tel : 36.24.301-5 Conferences, expositions, film projections, book presentations

Excursions

Egine, Poros, Hydra et Spetses. Closest Islands to Athens. It's possible to visit the three first ones by going to a one day tour organized by several travel agencies (Horizon: 32.33.144.). If you want to go by your own means, it's possible to get there via boat (Pyree Port) or via Flying Dolphin which is faster than the first option. (Egine: ¾ of an hour (Piree Port), Poros 1h., Hydra 1h 20, Spetses 2h (Departure from Marina Zea at Piree).

Delphes. Two and half hours from Athens. Organized excursions by Horizon. Bus KTEL.

Sounion cap. 75 km from Athens. Transportation by bus or taxi.

For more informations on museums and visits, please refer to the Michelin Guide or on www.travelocity.com

Cultural Instituts

British Council : 17, Kolonaki place. Tel. : 3606011-15

Institut Cervantes : 31, Skoufa St., Kolonaki. Tel. : 3634117

Italian cultural Institut: 47, Patission St., Athènes. Tel. : 5235630

Athens French Institut: 31, Sina St., Kolonaki. Tel. : 3624301

Goethe Institut: 14-16, Omirou St., Kolonaki. Tel. : 3608111

Helleno-american Union : 22, Massalias St., Kolonaki. Tel. : 3629886