A modern, cosmopolitan city, Athens is the capital of Greece. Piraeus, one of the best-known sea hubs of the Mediterranean, has been the port of Athens since antiquity.
Once the Western world's leading cultural and intellectual centre, Athens has recently been transformed into a city that uses state-of-the-art technology in urban development and transportation. A new airport, one of the most modern metro systems in the world, a tram line, new museums, pedestrian zones and public squares substantially spruced up the city’s image. The increasingly multi-ethnic population in Athens enjoy a vibrant nightlife and world-class shopping. For those wanting a break from the city, Athens is close to sandy beaches and very clean sea and is surrounded by four green and easily accessible mountains, some of which also feature unmissable historic sites.
Piraeus, about 10 km southwest of downtown Athens, is a thoroughly modern city built on top of the ancient city. A major shipping and financial centre, it consists of a rocky promontory containing three natural harbours; the large one, on the northwest, is an important commercial harbour for the eastern Mediterranean, while the two smaller ones are used for naval purposes. All the ships linking the capital with island Greece and the rest of the world leave from the historic port. Piraeus is also connected to the Athens busses and metro.
In the Saronic Gulf, the nearby islands of Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses are also sites of spectacular natural beauty and historical architecture. Today they are a virtual suburb of Athens during the summer, and there are even commuters living in Aegina and working in the Athens/Piraeus areas.
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