Historical Weekend Getaway | Athens, Greece to Yerevan, Armenia
Modern travelers are looking to experience more than just the sea and sun. They intend to discover the real essence of the old town and feel the vibes of the locals. In that sense, we will uncover two of the most different cities to spend a historical weekend in – Athens, Greece, and Yerevan, Armenia.
Visiting Athens, Greece
Traveling to Athens is really easy nowadays due to the many direct flights and also due to the fact that Greece is a member of the EU. Athens comes with a certain air of expectation. It is the home of modern Western civilization, after all, and visitors are well within their rights to expect something special when they visit the Greek capital.
Visiting Athens for the weekend gives you the opportunity to find out more things, starting from antiquity and evolving to modern Greece!
Top 5 visits for a Historical Weekend in Athens:
- The Acropolis hill with the temple of Parthenon. The Parthenon temple, dedicated to the goddess Athena overlooks the whole town and is centrally located.
- Plaka residence is the oldest part of the town, located around Acropolis hill and accessible on foot. In Plaka, you will have the chance to find more sites to visit, get acquainted with local Greek cuisine, enjoy wonderful bars and visit the shopping district.
- The new Acropolis Museum overlooks the Acropolis hill, and travelers have the chance to learn more about the history of the town and the development of the monument.
- Temple of Poseidon is a temple you should visit first and before sunset. The temple is located a couple of kilometers outside of the city center and by the sea.
- Museum of Cycladic Art is a lavish museum home to more than 3,000 artifacts of Cycladic, Ancient Greek, and Cypriot origin. A must-see of the development of the Greek civilization from the Bronze Age.
Where to stay
Best Western Plus Embassy Hotel, combining understated luxury with the comforts of a modern hotel, provides unforgettable moments of pleasure. The hotel has direct access to Syntagma Square and the archaeological sites of Athens.
Visiting Yerevan, Armenia
Another very interesting and full-of-history destination is Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. Yerevan is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. This is where you’ll find most of the country’s top museums, cultural institutions, and restaurants that keep Armenia’s culinary traditions alive. It dates back to the 8th century, when the fortress of Erebuni was built by King Argishti I. Yerevan is often pegged as the “Pink City” because of the color of the stones used to build much of the city center, which is a compact area known as Kentron. The capital city is fast becoming a major tourist destination thanks to its numerous landmarks, extensive nightlife, great museums, and lovely parks.
Top 5 visits for a Historical Weekend in Yerevan:
- History Museum of Armenia – Yerevan is an old city that boasts a very long history, some of which is gruesome and some of which is not. A great way to learn about the city’s past is to head to its museums.
- Join a walking tour to learn the history of Yerevan – If you really want to sink your teeth into local history and culture while ticking off the major landmarks, then join a walking tour.
- Armenian Genocide Museum & Memorial – The main part of the outdoor memorial consists of 12 concrete slabs, each representing a lost Armenian province. The eternal flame, laid 1.5 metres deep, is a tribute to the victims of the genocide.
- Katoghike Holy Mother of God Church was consecrated in 1264, making it one of the oldest churches in the city. The complex is the result of decades of additions and reconstructions. A tiny chapel – only big enough to hold a few worshippers.
- Matenadaran Museum of Ancient Manuscripts – This is the safekeeper of the world’s largest collection of Armenian manuscripts.
Where to stay in Yerevan
The Best Western Plus Congress Hotel is an elegant and comfortable hotel, offering our guests the highest European standards, a warm atmosphere, and an unforgettable stay in Yerevan.
