Athens

Athens International Airport relates to more than 30 domestic destinations and around 60 European cities. It also implements more than 15 direct flights overseas to America, Asia, and Africa.

AIA is a strong Supporter of the Congress. Its contribution will ensure the safe, comfortable, and unobstructed travel of the participants and visitors affiliated with IGARSS 2024.

For more information, please visit https://aia.gr/traveler/

Getting from the Athens International Airport to the city center

Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) connects the airport of Athens to the city center. Trains depart every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. approximately. You will need around 40 minutes to get from the Airport to Syntagma station (city center). The ticket costs 9 euros. You can use it for 90 minutes from the time you first validated it.

The Suburban railway connects the Athens airport with the Athens Central Railway Station (Larissis Station). This station gives you access to Metro Line 2 (Red Line) as well as the National Railway network. The train does this route every 60 minutes from around 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The ticket costs 10 euros.

Important note: The Suburban railway departs twice every hour from the Athens Airport to Plakentias station, where you can change trains and continue to the city center with Metro Line 3 (Blue Line), using the same ticket.

Important note: The congress venue (MAICC) is located very close to the city center, with a metro station (Megaro Moussikis) just outside the venue.

There is a bus that connects central Athens (Syntagma Square) to the Athens International Airport (AIA) “Eleftherios Venizelos”. This bus is called X95. Service is provided on a non-stop basis seven days a week (24/7 operation). This bus disembarks passengers at the Departures Level and starts its route from the Arrivals Level between Exits 4 and 5. The route lasts about one hour. Tickets can be bought directly by the driver at no extra cost. The ticket costs 5,50 euros.

Visitors to Athens can choose from a variety of taxi companies for their transportation. Taxis at the airport are available at the designated waiting area located at Exit 3 at the Arrivals Level. A taxi from the airport to the city center costs a flat rate (including luggage, VAT, and road tolls) of 35 euros from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, and 49 euros from midnight to 5:00 a.m.

There are various taxi companies operating in Athens that offer ride – hailing services, such as Uber and Free Now. Travelers have many options available to them and can head to the one that best meets their needs. Professionals offers high-level turning visitor’s stay in Athens into a unique experience.

Download the application, of the taxi service you chose, from your device’s store and register. Then, follow the instructions, call your taxi, and enjoy your stay in Athens. Through the application, you can find the best taxi drivers in Athens, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can pay easily with card or cash, with no hidden fees.

The Athens public transportation network offers a wide range of routes, combining many different means, including the metro.

The Athens Metro system encompasses three lines:

Line 1. Green Line, from the port of Piraeus in the south of Athens to the suburb of Kifissia in the north.

Line 2. Red Line, from Anthoupoli in the northwest to Elliniko in the south.

Line 3. Blue Line, from Dimotiko Theatro in the west to either the Airport or Doukissis Plakentias in the northeast

Lines 1 and 2 meet at Attiki and Omonoia stations. Lines 1 and 3 meet at Monastiraki station. Lines 2 and 3 meet at Syntagma station.

The most common tickets are:

• A regular minute single ticket for all means of public transport (Airport excluded) costs 1,4€.
• A daily ticket for all means of public transport (Airport excluded) costs ,5€.
• A day tourist ticket for all public transport means with 1 two-way ticket for the Airport included is at 20€.

For more information regarding the public transportation tickets please click here.

Taxis offer a 24-hour service and are quite cheap. They can be hailed down on the street or otherwise picked up at taxi stands around major tourist places such as Monastiraki and Syntagma. You can also book a taxi by calling on any of the following numbers: 18222, 18300, 18288 or 18180.

There is a huge network of buses and trolleys (electric buses) that operates in Athens and its suburbs. They usually operate from around 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. approximately. You may have more information on the timetables here. One ticket cost 1,20 euro and can be used for 90 minutes from the time you first validated it. It is virtually the same as the one you use at the metro. This is why it can be bought in special kiosks around town but also inside all Metro Stations.

There are more means of transportation that can help every traveler explore Athens, such as: car or motorcycle rental, bicycle, or electrical scooter rental, as well as some more touristic choices, like the Hop-On Hop-Off bus and the Happy Train.

The city of Athens is much more than what it seems

The cradle of democracy and civilization: yet, beyond its rich history, Athens is a vibrant modern European city with an old-town feel; ancient monuments fuse with a trendy, cosmopolitan scene. Masterpieces of significant architectural values stand tall today in a harmonious coexistence with impressive modern buildings.

German architect Ernst Ziller designed some of Athens’ most iconic buildings, giving the city the architectural identity and aesthetics needed as the capital of the new Greek state. The Presidential Mansion, Iliou Melathron (which houses the Numismatic Museum of Athens today), the National Theater, and the National Archaeological Museum give only a small example of Ziller’s heritage. On the other hand, modern buildings of high architectural value such as the House of Letters and Arts, the New Acropolis Museum, the Cultural Center-Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and the National Art Gallery remind us that Athens is a part of the 21st century.

In 1981, Athens hosted the ceremonial signing of Greece’s accession to the European Union, while four years later, in 1985, the city was inaugurated as the first European City of Culture. At the dawn of the 21st century, Athens hosted the 2004 Olympic Games, a landmark in modern history, as the Games returned to their birthplace.

This event gave rise to the construction of large modern infrastructure such as the International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”, the Metro, and the Attiki Odos highway. These and many more infrastructures represent the modern aspect of Athens.

This is why the capital of Greece is a unique travelling destination, especially for conferences: the city of Athens ties its past, present, and future into one exciting experience.

This is what makes Athens timeless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWC7B2IP-iM

 

Culture

Home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum. Birthplace of Socrates, Pericles, and Sophocles. Through their work, key figures of Ancient Greek philosophy led the way for modern western thought, focusing on evidence and logic. Traces of these famous Athenians can be seen around the city, kept in its world-class museums and hallmarks.

A pioneer in technology, ancient Greece demonstrated unique technological achievements, the first substantial evolutionary step in the field of innovation. The most important expression of the imaginative spirit of the ancient Greeks is the Antikythera mechanism, which measured astronomical data: this mechanism is considered the beginning of high technology.

The 11th and 12th centuries were the Golden Age of Byzantine art in Athens. Almost all the most important Byzantine churches around Athens were built during these two centuries, reflecting the growth of the town in general, as it turned into an important commercial center. The Monastery of Kaisariani, the Kapnikarea, the Catholicon of the Petraki Monastery, the Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris, and the Church of Panagia Pantanassa are only several examples of the cultural heritage of the medieval era.

Modern Greece continued its outstanding performance in philology, the sciences, arts, music, and sports, with global distinctions. Legendary composers Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hatzidakis, soprano Maria Callas, singer Nana Mouskouri, and the Oscar-winning musician Vangelis are only few of the distinguished Greeks who conveyed the greatness of Greek culture all over the world. George Seferis and Odysseus Elytis, leading figures in poetry, honored Greece with being awarded, in 1963 and 1979 respectively, the Nobel Prize in Literature. We continue to meet more and more Greeks who participate internationally in great scientific discoveries and inventions.

This glorious past lives on side by side with the exciting present of Athens: art galleries, outdoor festivals, street art, concert halls, and open-air cinema projections, to name only a few of the ways that Athenians choose to enjoy and express themselves. These experiences give birth to the ideas of tomorrow.

https://youtu.be/EDP_nTOv-OY

 

Innovation

Ancient Greece’s contributions, as a pioneer of innovation, lay in every corner of the world. The roots of science, philosophy, and history were laid in this country. Yet, today’s city doesn’t rest on its laurels: Athens takes inspiration from this heritage and continues to innovate. Multiple faculties call Athens, home: numerous laboratories and research centers make all innovation possible. Conference organization helps to spread this knowledge to scientists from all over the world. This process opens new horizons, constantly working on new ways to improve everyone’s life.

In 2018, Athens was named the European Capital of Innovation of the year, gaining an award that recognizes European cities that use innovation to enhance their sustainability, offer opportunities for the active involvement of their citizens, and contribute to open and dynamic innovation ecosystems, while continuously collaborating with citizens in the decision-making process.

Today, responding to the global challenge of transforming cities into “smart” ones, Athens made a dynamic entry with “Project Athena”, a pioneering pilot project that will bring significant improvements to the lives of Athenians, through the implementation of innovative technological applications. With the first goal of effectively dealing with two “hot” and chronic problems faced by residents and visitors to Athens, cleanliness and accessibility, the “Project Athena” is operational today. It consists of studying and implementing accessibility measures for pedestrians and people with disabilities, and the strategic placement of sensors in the urban fabric, which collect data on street and air cleanliness, noise pollution, temperature, and humidity.

https://youtu.be/Kdjg1h-v9Nw

 

Hospitality

Greece is famous for its hospitable and kind people, a feature that visitors look forward to during their stay in the country. From ancient times, not only was every visitor considered welcome, but gained an almost holy status. This spirit has carried on to the modern era, and Athens is the perfect example of the essence of hospitality.

The Tourism industry is based on principles of hospitality. Hotel staff welcome their clients, not as ordinary customers, but as true friends. They share with them the culture of five thousand years, which focuses on friendship, kindness, and respect. In the difficult market of tourism services, human resources are the “spearhead” and the most important reason for the differentiation of the product of Greek tourism at an international level. That is why Greece remains on the higher level of hospitality, and a favorite visitor destination.

Hundreds of hotels for many different preferences can be found in Athens, waiting to welcome their visitors from around the world, offering high quality services in every aspect of hospitality. This is why the sector has been expanding for years, and its future looks even more prominent. After all, the greatest asset of each city is its people, and in the case of Athens, it is self-evident.

https://youtu.be/oi1dSqbJr7Q

 

Geography

This privileged land in the south of Europe has been treated generously by nature. Combining its blue sky and nurturing sun, the Athens Riviera is hard to beat. All large development plans in the area are a testament to its well-established future prosperity.

The capital of Athens gathers almost one-third of the country’s population. The basin of Attica, where Athens and Piraeus are located, has five mountains: Mount Aigaleo and Poikilo Mountain on the west, Parnitha and Penteli in the north, and Hymettus on the east, while the south of Athens is outlined by the Saronic gulf.

The center of Athens is surrounded by hills and parks, such as Lycabettus Hill, Philopappou Hill, and of course, the Hill of the Acropolis. Furthermore, underground rivers such as the Iridanos, Kifissos, and Ilissus flow through. Several parks of beauty also dot Athens, such as the National Gardens, the Antonis Tritsis Park, and the Park of Veikou Hill.

Athens has a typical Mediterranean climate, namely, hot and dry summers, and mild winters. Mild for the larger part of the year, it provides Athens with an average annual temperature of 18.3°C, and days with sunshine even in the heart of winter. The particularly warm summers are well-known, with the temperature often exceeding 40°C.

https://youtu.be/4rfP4N1L5DQ

 

Cuisine

Traditional Greek food with the variety and quality of its ingredients, in context with beneficial combinations and the knowledge of centuries, enjoys a privileged position in world gastronomy. This tradition is based on four secrets: the fresh ingredients, the correct use of herbs and spices, the famous Greek olive oil, and its simplicity. Additionally, the Greek cuisine culture brought an extroverted social dimension to the table, combining taste satisfaction with entertainment and communication.

Historically, Greek gastronomy dates to ancient times, when Archestratus wrote the first cookbook in history around 330 B.C. He was the first tο approach cooking as an art and made extensive references on the importance of eating fish and legumes, as well as drinking wine – both of which were highly appreciated by the ancient Greeks. Yet, these remain among the typical ingredients of a healthy modern Greek diet.

The country, in euphoria after undertaking the organization of the Olympic Games of 2004, became a driving force for the development of Greek cuisine. Restaurants opened one after the other, turning it into such a strong trend: we can now define Greek gastronomic fashion, expressed with purely Greek restaurants, and restaurants with modern cuisine alike. Furthermore, restaurants of high quality have been created in luxury hotels, confirming that gastronomy is an integral part of an upgraded travel experience.

Over the last twenty years, the most creative chefs in the country -many of them amongst the younger generation- show surprising ingenuity and productivity, influenced by the stormy developments of the world gastronomic scene. High-tech culinary techniques, ingenious conceptual specialties, and new national cuisines were added to Greek gastronomy, seasoning it with variety and surprises.

Numerous restaurants for many preferences are at the customers’ disposal. Some stay close to the centuries-old Greek culinary tradition; others leave a fresh stamp on it. Several have received prizes from international organizations; others are well-hidden treasures, waiting to be discovered. The future looks even brighter, as the multicultural facet of Athens has been creating new tastes for everyone to enjoy.

https://youtu.be/VPJ0qXLn-RE

 

This is Athens. Official Visitor’s Guide

https://www.thisisathens.org/

https://youtu.be/40OpFvGrRls

Overview

The Eugenides Foundation distinguishes as a non-profit foundation with mission to enhance the scientific, technological and technical education of the Greek youth and to promote science and technology to the general public. It was established in 1956, in accordance with the provisions of the will left by national benefactor Eugene Eugenides.

With a legacy of 67 years of contribution to society and the citizenry, today the Eugenides Foundation is an international acknowledged technological and educational multi-center.

Fully renovated its function is based on the following main activities:

• • • The New Digital Planetarium, one of the largest and best equipped digital planetariums in the world, presenting digital shows and large-format films.
    • Publishing activities in the fields of maritime, vocational and technical education.
    • A library, with multimedia applications and distance learning technology.
    • Postgraduate scholarships for students in scientific and technical fields.
    • The new Science and Technology Centre, which extends within three floors and comprises of 57 interactive exhibits and specially equipped areas for labs, demonstration of experiments and lectures.
    • Expanded educational activities and collaborations.
    • A modern Conference Centre.
    • A technology laboratory, the “UTech Lab”

The Foundation is administered by a board of three members, one of whom is always the serving Chancellor of the National Technical University of Athens.
In recognition of its multi-faceted contribution to the Greek society the Foundation was awarded the Gold Medal of the Athens Academy in December 1965.

Venue website 

Eugenides Foundation, 387 Syggrou Ave. 17564, P. Faliro

Conference Center

Prestige and significant experience in hosting Greek and international scientific and professional conferences, combined with the modernized and fully equipped facilities, make the Eugenides Foundation Conference Centre a point of reference and attraction for distinguished figures of the Greek and international scientific, technical and cultural community.

Over the past 20 years, the Foundation has hosted over 1400 Greek and international conferences and events and welcomed 470,000 participants.

In the context of complete refurbishment of its facilities in 2003, 2016 and 2018, new conference rooms were constructed equipped with the latest audio-visual media. Conference rooms, under the comparative advantage of the specialized staff, who meet all expectations of responsibly, respectfully and reliably Organising conferences, make the Eugenides Foundation the ideal venue choice for conferences and events.

The conference halls of the Eugenides Foundation are housed in a landmark building complex in the area of Paleo Faliro, on Syggrou Avenue, just a few minutes away from the centre of Athens. The visitor will find state-of the- art conference facilities within a remarkable environment distinguished by the elegance and simplicity of its architectural style. The buildings and technological infrastructure are complemented by comprehensive conference services, guaranteeing the success of any event.

Note that the Eugenides Foundation premises are accessible and friendly to people with mobility impairment and the disabled, while guide dogs for the blind are welcome.

How to get to the venue

Eugenides Foundation is located in 387 Syggrou Ave. in Paleo Faliro, just a few minutes from the centre of Athens.

google.com/maps?ll=37.940121,23.696427&z=14&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=embed&q=Eugenides+Foundation,%C2%A0387+Syggrou+Ave.+17564,+P.+Faliro

 

Explore many options on how to reach Eugenides Foundation here