Athens, the vibrant capital of Greece, is a city where history, culture, and modernity seamlessly blend, making it a really exciting destination. As one of the world’s oldest cities, Athens offers visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and witness the origins of Western civilization.
The city’s most iconic landmark is the Acropolis, an ancient citadel that sits high above Athens. Dominated by the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Acropolis provides a breathtaking view of the city. The Acropolis Museum, located nearby, is an architectural marvel itself. It showcases a vast collection of artifacts from the ancient site, offering deeper insight into Athens’ rich history.
But Athens is not just about ancient history. The city is a lively, contemporary hub filled with vibrant neighbourhoods such as Plaka and Monastiraki. These are crammed with charming narrow streets, traditional tavernas, trendy bars, and boutique shops, offering a mix of the old and new.
Travel
Athens Airport is located 32kms from central Athens and is a similar distance from Athens Riviera. There are direct flight connections from most European destinations, the Americas, Africa and Asia.
There is a suburban railway station at the airport which connects with Larissis Station in the city centre plus there are express bus services that stop in Syntagma Square.
Event venues
There are plenty of hotels for conferences including:
- The 553 bedroomed InterContinental Athenaeum Athens with its 35 meeting rooms
- The opulent Grand Bretagne Hotel Grande Bretagne and sister property next door, the King George both part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection
- Grand Hyatt Athens
- Athens Marriott
- The locally-owned Divani Caravel Hotel
- NJV Athens Plaza
Investment in the city continues, with the redevelopments like that of the Hilton Athens which is due to re-open in Q3 this year, as the Ilisian, which we understand will be a blend of the Waldorf Astoria and Conrad brands.
In addition, new venues both for dinners and events have opened in the past couple of years. These all provide event organisers a real choice. Whether this is a restored Greek mansion such as Amalias 36 or an ultra-modern new build like the Domus Asteria with all the AV technology in-built.
Another USP for this capital city is the nearby Athens Riviera. The Riviera is equidistant from the airport providing fabulous sandy beaches and ubiquitous water sports. There some fine resort properties with excellent meeting facilities that include:
The boutique-sized Margi The Margi Luxury Hotel with just 89 rooms but events spaces for up to 400 guests, which would be great for a buy-out. In case these are deemed ‘too expensive’, then there are other excellent alternatives. More cost-effective options that include the Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso and Dolce Athens Attica Riviera.
Group activities and incentive ideas
Visitors can indulge in delicious Greek cuisine, from souvlaki and moussaka to fresh seafood, the finest Kalamata olives, Spanakopita and Baklava and more. Some incentive ideas can involve visits to local street markets, food tastings and cooking classes.
Additional group activities, aside from the obvious historical attractions include day trips by boat along the Athens Riviera and also to the nearby islands of Aegina and Hydra.
There are dozens of group dining opportunities in the city, many with spectacular views of the Acropolis.
Sustainability
Athens is committed to promoting sustainable tourism. The city hosts over 25 Green Key establishments, which are recognized for their efforts in implementing eco-friendly policies and practices. This program encourages businesses to adopt sustainable measures, contributing to the global Sustainable Development Goals.
A significant urban development project is the Hellinikon Metropolitan Park, transforming the former Hellenikon International Airport into a vast green space. Spanning 263 hectares, the park is designed to be one of Europe’s largest urban parks, featuring sustainable landscaping that utilises natural water collection methods. Construction began in 2020, with the park expected to open in phases starting in 2025.
Want to find out more?
With its combination of ancient wonders, excellent range of hotels at various price-points, Mediterranean charm and great flight connections makes Athens a superb choice for your next incentive or conference event.
Could this be the perfect location for your next event? Get in touch with us today to learn more!
