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Athens

Athens is the capital city of Greece and the country's cultural and economic center. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe and is home to the Acropolis.

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All Content on this topic

Man stands on roof of a building in Athens

Man stands on roof of a building in Athens

Wildfires: How under threat are cities?

As climate change intensifies wildfires, how can urban areas better prepare themselves?

The dark silhouettes of firefighters wearing breathing masks illuminated by a massive forest fire

The dark silhouettes of firefighters wearing breathing masks illuminated by a massive forest fire

Wildfires in Greece: Blazes in front of the gates of Athens

Amid government inertia, fires in Greece have destroyed forests, emptied towns, and claimed at least one life so far.

Burned cars are pictured outside a damaged factory following a wildfire in the Penteli area near Athens

Burned cars are pictured outside a damaged factory following a wildfire in the Penteli area near Athens

Greece: 1 dead as wildfires bear down on Athens

At least one person has been killed and dozens injured as smoke and power outages plague the Greek capital.

A firefighting helicopter drops water at a resurgence

A firefighting helicopter drops water at a resurgence

EU to send help to Greece as wildfires threaten Athens

Several EU countries are sending reinforcements to Greek authorities to help combat wildfires encroaching on Athens.

People flee a wildfire in Greece

People flee a wildfire in Greece

Greece: Athens suburbs evacuated as wildfires spread

Hundreds of firefighters were dispatched north of the capital as smoke could be seen drifting over Athens.

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire burning in Dionysos, Greece

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire burning in Dionysos, Greece

Greece: Wildfire rages 'out of control' near Athens

In Greece, firefighters and armed forces are battling a major wildfire spreading on the outskirts of Athens.

A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Varnava, near Athens, Greece, on August 11, 2024

A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Varnava, near Athens, Greece, on August 11, 2024

Half of Greece on red alert as wildfires rage near Athens

More than 40 blazes have broken out across Greece, including several close to the capital, Athens.

Ayham and his sister Lin sit at a school desk at the Schisto refugee camp in Greece

Ayham and his sister Lin sit at a school desk at the Schisto refugee camp in Greece

Life for Syrian siblings in a Greek refugee camp near Athens

Ayham and Lin have been living at the Schisto refugee camp for eight months, dreaming of a home of their own.

A closeup of welder in a blue helmet working on a ship with sparks flying around him

A closeup of welder in a blue helmet working on a ship with sparks flying around him

Can Greece's new six-day workweek be a model for others?

Greece is adopting a six-day workweek, while many other countries are experimenting with shorter office hours.

A young woman stands on the hills above Athens, with the city in the background

A young woman stands on the hills above Athens, with the city in the background

Travel tip: How to spend the perfect day in Athens

Athens is one of the world's oldest cities, but there's plenty to discover beyond the Acropolis and the Parthenon.

DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

The VW Golf turns 50, tips for a day in Athens and the classic British 'Sunday Roast'.

Head Keeper holds newborn pygmy hippo, at the Attica Zoological Park.

Head Keeper holds newborn pygmy hippo, at the Attica Zoological Park.

Rare hippo species born in Athens Zoo

The endangered pygmy hippopotamus' birth was "extremely important" for the zoo. Its name will be decided by a vote.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis shaking hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis shaking hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkey's Erdogan vows 'new era' in ties with Greece

The Turkish president has pledged a "win-win" approach to relations with historic rival Greece during a visit to Athens.

A black-and-white portrait photo of Maria Callas from 1954. She has her hair pulled back and is looking to the left of the viewer.

A black-and-white portrait photo of Maria Callas from 1954. She has her hair pulled back and is looking to the left of the viewer.

Why Maria Callas is still the greatest diva ever

Maria Callas, who was born 100 years ago, was the voice of the century and the embodiment of passion.

A man lays flowers in memory of 29-year-old Michalis Katsouris, who died from stab wounds sustained during an attack outside the AEK Athens stadium, Nea Filadelfeia, Athens, Greece, August 8, 2023

A man lays flowers in memory of 29-year-old Michalis Katsouris, who died from stab wounds sustained during an attack outside the AEK Athens stadium, Nea Filadelfeia, Athens, Greece, August 8, 2023

Greece seeks answers after soccer fan violence

How could known soccer hooligans have been allowed to travel unhindered from Zagreb to Athens? And who is to blame?

Police escort Croatian football fans to bus; some of the fans are wearing their shirts over their heads to avoid being identified by media

Police escort Croatian football fans to bus; some of the fans are wearing their shirts over their heads to avoid being identified by media

Greece: Croatian football fans in court over deadly stabbing

A Greek man was stabbed to death in clashes between Dinamo Zagreb and AEK Athens fans.

Thousands of people have fled wildfires in Greece, while others fight to protect their property and animals.

Thousands of people have fled wildfires in Greece, while others fight to protect their property and animals.

Wildfires rage in Greece amid hot, dry weather

Thousands of people have fled their homes, while others fight to protect their property and animals.

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire burning in Saronida, near Athens

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire burning in Saronida, near Athens

Greece hit hard by wildfires

Emergency crews are battling the blazes while trying to keep residents and tourists at a safe distance.

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire burning in Kouvaras, near Athens

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire burning in Kouvaras, near Athens

Greek evacuations as southern Europe swelters

Wildfires are threatening homes around Kouvaras south of the capital Athens.

Firefighters man a hose as they attempt to extinguish a wildfire outside Athens

Firefighters man a hose as they attempt to extinguish a wildfire outside Athens

Greece: Wildfires near Athens prompt evacuations

Hundreds of firefighters are responding and authorities have issued precautionary evacuations.

Visitors line up outside the Acropolis holding shade umbrellas

Visitors line up outside the Acropolis holding shade umbrellas

Greece's Acropolis closed as tourists suffer extreme heat

Paramedics were on hand at the tourist attraction to help people affected by the heat.

Leader of the New Democracy conservative party Kyriakos Mitsotakis attends the swearing-in ceremony as prime minister in Athens, Greece

Leader of the New Democracy conservative party Kyriakos Mitsotakis attends the swearing-in ceremony as prime minister in Athens, Greece

Greece: Mitsotakis sworn in after conservative election win

Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his conservatives secured a record-high winning margin in Greece's parliamentary elections.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis talking to media

Kyriakos Mitsotakis talking to media

Greek elections: Ruling party wins over Syriza

With most votes counted, PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his conservative ND party is far ahead of left-leaning Syriza

A man walks in front of election posters in Athens, Greece

A man walks in front of election posters in Athens, Greece

Greek election

Greece is facing new elections after PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed he would not try to build a coalition government.

Acropolis Museum Director Nikolaos Stampolidis (L) speaks to Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni (second from the left), Greece's Orthodox Church Archbishop Ieronymos (C) and Bishop Brian Farrell, a Vatican secretary for promoting Christian unity (first from the right), during a ceremony at the Acropolis Museum in Athens on March 24, 2023.

Acropolis Museum Director Nikolaos Stampolidis (L) speaks to Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni (second from the left), Greece's Orthodox Church Archbishop Ieronymos (C) and Bishop Brian Farrell, a Vatican secretary for promoting Christian unity (first from the right), during a ceremony at the Acropolis Museum in Athens on March 24, 2023.

Vatican returns Parthenon pieces to Greece Acropolis

The Vatican returned three fragments of the Parthenon temple in what Pope Francis has called a gesture of friendship.

Tourists look at a piece of the Parthenon frieze in the British Museum.

Tourists look at a piece of the Parthenon frieze in the British Museum.

No plans to give Parthenon Marbles back to Greece

PM Sunak says UK will not alter law to give Parthenon fragments to Greece. The debate over their restitution continues.

Demonstrators observe a minute of silence during a protest for victims of a rail disaster, in central Athens

Demonstrators observe a minute of silence during a protest for victims of a rail disaster, in central Athens

Train crash protests: Strikes bring much of Greece to a halt

Transport workers have walked out of their jobs, bringing the country to a standstill, as more protests are expected.

A man walks in front of the ancient Acropolis hill, with the Parthenon temple, during a snow fall, in Athens

A man walks in front of the ancient Acropolis hill, with the Parthenon temple, during a snow fall, in Athens

Snow brings Athens to a standstill, touches Acropolis

For the third winter in a row, Greece has been struck by extreme weather.

Former King Constantine II of Greece

Former King Constantine II of Greece

Constantine II: Greece's former and last king dies at 82

The former king ruled Greece before the country became a republic in 1974. Greek media said he died of a stroke.

A woman looks at a section of the Parthenon Sculptures exhibit in the British Museum

A woman looks at a section of the Parthenon Sculptures exhibit in the British Museum

Parthenon Marbles: No return despite 'secret talks'

The Parthenon Marbles in the British Museum are at the center of a 200-year-old dispute between Greece and the UK.

Aerial view of a Cosco cargo ship moored between two piers covered with colorful shipping containers.

Aerial view of a Cosco cargo ship moored between two piers covered with colorful shipping containers.

In Greece's largest port of Piraeus, China is the boss

All over Greece, Chinese companies have bought into the infrastructure. Yet there is no public debate about the risks.

Griechenland Hitzebeauftragte Eleni Myrivili für Athen

Griechenland Hitzebeauftragte Eleni Myrivili für Athen

Greece: Meet Athens' first chief heat officer

Chief Heat Officer Eleni Myrivili has the big task to ensure the survival of the Greek capital.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visits the mausoleum of modern Turkey s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in Ankara, Turkey.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visits the mausoleum of modern Turkey s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in Ankara, Turkey.

German foreign minister did the right thing in Ankara

Foreign minister Annalena Baerbock was correct to point out Turkey's aggressive foreign policy. writes Ronald Meinardus

Flames burning just outside of the city of Athens on a mountainside

Flames burning just outside of the city of Athens on a mountainside

Hundreds flee as fire engulfs Athens suburbs

Smoke could be seen from parts of the Greek capital, as a wildfire threatened mountainside suburbs for a second day.

Burns marks and broken windows at the Real News office in Athens

Burns marks and broken windows at the Real News office in Athens

Greek news and radio office hit in firebomb attack

People had to be evacuated from the Real FM building after an explosion sparked a large fire.

A firefighter with a hose over her shoulder sprays water into the forest in Vyronas, Greece

A firefighter with a hose over her shoulder sprays water into the forest in Vyronas, Greece

Is Greece ready for wildfire season?

Wildfires devastated 75,000 hectares of the forests last summer. Is Greece any better prepared this year?

An areal view of Balos beach on the island of Crete.

An areal view of Balos beach on the island of Crete.

Greece's most popular tourist destinations

From Santorini to Mykonos, we take a look at some of Greece's top tourist destinations ahead of a busy summer season.

A view of Athens with the acropolis.

A view of Athens with the acropolis.

Iconic European cities: Athens

DW's travel guide to the capital city of Greece brings you insider tips and a list of what not to miss.

Firefighter vehicles are seen outside a building after a blast in Athens

Firefighter vehicles are seen outside a building after a blast in Athens

Greece: Explosion rocks central Athens

The blast took place close to the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus. The cause of the explosion is not yet known.

Backdropped by the historical Sultan Ahmed or Blue Mosque, people walk in the snow at Istanbul

Backdropped by the historical Sultan Ahmed or Blue Mosque, people walk in the snow at Istanbul

Cold snap shocks Turkey and Greece

The extreme weather caused major disruption to the Greek captial Athens, and forced the closure of Istanbul airport.

Pope Francis delivers his speech at the Presidential Palace in Athens

Pope Francis delivers his speech at the Presidential Palace in Athens

Pope Francis returns to Greece with focus on migrants

The Roman pontiff was heckled by a priest ahead of his meeting with Orthodox Archbishop Ieronymos in Athens.

A crowd of students wearing black set up road blocks and march in the street against the police and journalists

A crowd of students wearing black set up road blocks and march in the street against the police and journalists

Golden Dawn is down, but Greek far right rises

A year after the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn was banned, other nationalist groups are cropping up across Greece.

A woman with an umbrella walks over a gushing river during a storm in southern Athens

A woman with an umbrella walks over a gushing river during a storm in southern Athens

Flooding brings Greece to a standstill

Emergency services rescued flood victims as authorities closed schools and public counters across the country.

People carrying a hose

People carrying a hose

Wildfires ravage Athens' 'green lung'

Greece has managed to partially control wildfires in the Athen suburbs. But residents are angry and feel let down.

Flames rise as a wildfire burns in the village of Limni, on the island of Evia, Greece

Flames rise as a wildfire burns in the village of Limni, on the island of Evia, Greece

Greece wildfires:Thousands flee island of Evia

Officials have made a desperate plea for assistance, with one describing the situation as a "biblical catastrophe."

A statue of the goddess Athena is seen against raging flames

A statue of the goddess Athena is seen against raging flames

Greece: Thousands flee homes as fires rage outside Athens

Emergency services evacuated several northern suburbs of the Greek capital after fresh fires broke out amid a heat wave.

A woman looks at Picasso's "Woman's Head" displayed in Athens

A woman looks at Picasso's "Woman's Head" displayed in Athens

Stolen Picasso recovered from Greek gorge

A construction worker has admitted to stealing Picasso's "Woman's Head," even though selling it would be very tricky.

Far-right MEP Ioannis Lagos with armed Greek police

Far-right MEP Ioannis Lagos with armed Greek police

Greek neo-Nazi and MEP extradited to Athens

Ioannis Lagos, a founding member of the Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn, is due to serve a 13-year jail sentence.

Griechenland Griechischer Kriminaljournalist Giorgos Karaivaz wurde ermordet

Griechenland Griechischer Kriminaljournalist Giorgos Karaivaz wurde ermordet

Journalist killed in Greece: Police suspect contract killing

Police reporter Giorgos Karaivaz died after ten bullets hit him in the head and chest. Greece in shock after the murder.

Griechenland 200 Jahre Unabhängigkeit | Kampfjets über Athen

Griechenland 200 Jahre Unabhängigkeit | Kampfjets über Athen

Greece celebrates 200 years of independence

Greece has marked two centuries since the start of its struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire.