Modern downtown Athens is centred round the twin hills of Lycabbetus and the Acropolis. It spreads in every direction but the centre and heart of the City is Syntagma Square, roughly midway between the two.

Despite the striking juxtapositions of ancient and modern life, Athens is a city looking toward its future in confidence. Dramatic changes are evident as the city prepares to "bring home" the Olympic Games this year: a new subway system is in place, a new international airport is open at nearby Spata, and the congested downtown streets are gradually being transformed into pedestrian walkways, greatly reducing the city's notorious smog and noise. Several museums and archaeological sites are currently being renovated and enlarged while many hotels have completed multimillion dollar refurbishments as well. Such an improvement to Athens' infrastructure is bound to please most visitors, but make no mistake: The ancient charms that have lured travellers to Greece's capital for millennia in most cases still outshine the city's modern makeover...

• Greek time is GMT plus two hours
  
  
• The Greek unit of currency is the Euro €. Check the local news media for current rates of foreign exchange or contact any bank in Athens, which often display the foreign exchange rates in panels visible from the outside. The currency notes come in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 Euro. Coins are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 Euro. Please note that you must produce your passport when exchanging money. All banks in Greece are authorized to convert foreign currency Euro as are the foreign exchange centers found at the main squares (Syntagma and Omonoia). Banks in Athens are open Monday-Friday from 08.00 to 14.00 for exchanging money.
  
  
• International credit cards are accepted at many restaurants and shops throughout Athens. Visitors can also contact the appropriate bank for the withdrawal of cash with their credit cards.
  
  
• With sunny, hot (but dry) summers, and mild winters, Athens has an ideal climate for visitors to enjoy. In most of the country, including Athens, it seldom rains in the summer. The rainy season is usually November to February. Remember the sun can be fierce, so carry a sunburn cream, a wide-brimmed hat and wear light clothes with sleeves you can roll down.
  
  
• In Greece you will find electrical current at 220 volts, 50-cycle AC. Appliances of lower voltage would require a transformer, but again it is recommended that appliances be checked for safety and plug requirements before use. Most hotels provide adapters upon request from the reception or adapters can me purchased from electrical stores.
  
  
• Tap water in Athens is chlorinated and fluoridated and is safe to drink. However, bottled water is available at supermarkets, restaurants and kiosks.
  
  
• Your best source of information about where to find doctors, dentists or receive medical care while in Athens is your embassy or consulate office in Athens. The Tourist Police, which has a 24-hour-a-day hotline telephone number (171), can also be of assistance. Pharmacies are open during normal business hours, however they are closed on weekends.
  
  
• If you are in a hurry, the best way to get around the centre of Athens is with a taxi, which can be flagged down from any street corner or with the subway metro system. Taxi fares are still among the cheapest in world.