The FSF Ground Guide - Athens
Matchday Arrangements
The Stadium gates will open at 6.45pm, three hours before kick-off.
Liverpool fans have been allocated the North Stand, and the club has accepted full 17,000 allocation offered to them. The Liverpool tickets are marked āFinalist Aā.
UEFA have announced that they won't issue duplicate tickets under any circumstances to supporters who lose their ticket or have their ticket stolen. It is worth making a note of your seat number and even take a photocopy of your ticket so that it can be stopped in the event that it is stolen but you will not get get allocated a replacement ticket so take all reasonable precautions and don't leave it anywhere it can be seen or easily removed from a back pocket.
There will be 2 cordons before entry to the stadium. The first corden which allows access to the complex including the fan area will involve tearing or marking of ticket to prevent tickets being passed out for re-use (also precludes going out and coming back in).The second cordon involves a full āticket ripā and body search.
There will be 4 deposit points for leaving ā and later collection ā of prohibited items, but fans urged not to bring unnecessary stuff.Coins are permitted in the stadium.
Two āfan areasā will be set up at the stadium, outside the ground itself but in the Olympic park zone and accessible to ticket holders only. South Fan Park allocated to Milan, North to Liverpool. Thereāll be a UEFA ticket information point at the entrance to each of the fan areas.
Liverpool will play in red
Milan will play in white
GETTING TO THE GROUND
From the airport direct to stadium, Milan fans are to use suburban railway to Neratziotissa train station, beside the South Stand.
From the airport, Liverpool fans are to use the shuttle bus service to the North Stand entrance.
Liverpool coach transfers to use Karaiskaki Square as their dropping off and pick-up point.
Public transport is free on matchday to those in possession of a match ticket. Public transport frequency and hours of operation have been extended. Suburban railway from stadium to airport, Metro Lines 1 and 3, and bus line X14 (between Syntagma square and the stadium) will all operate for 24 hours.
Parking ā some space will be available, details to be finalised.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Athens Mall will be open as usual. It contains cafes and restaurants selling alcohol.
There will be no alcohol available at the fansā areas in the stadium complex.
There are two fan parks planned for the city centre, one in Syntagma Square and the other in Zappeion Champions square; no alcohol, mainly sponsorsā promotions in Syntagma.
The Champions League final programme is 112 pages and is priced at ā¬7.00.
Getting Around Athens
Although Athens is a huge, sprawling city, nearly everything of interest to travellers is located within a small area bounded by Omonia Square (Plateia Omonias) to the north, Monastiraki Square (Plateia Monastirakiou) to the west, Syntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos) to the east and Plaka to the south which makes finding your way round on foot or by public transport somewhat easier. It is worth nothing that public transport is free to match ticket holders on 23rd May.
By Metro
The Greeks are extremely proud of their new Metro system that was opened in 2001. You will be intercepted by security at once for dropping litter or if you attempt any graffiti! You are also not allowed to consume food or drink in the subway system so make sure you finish your crisps or that last sip of coke before you enter.
There are 3 lines:
Line 1 (M1 Green) Piraeus ā Kifissia. This line is indicated in green on maps and signs. Useful stops include Piraeus (for the port), Monastiraki and Omonia (city centre), Plateia Viktorias (National Archaeological Museum) and Irini (Olympic Stadium).
Line 2 (M2 - Red Line) Agios Antonios - Agios Dimitrios This line runs from Sepolia in the northwest to Dafni in the southeast. It is indicated in red on maps and signs. Useful stops include Larisa (for the train stations), Omonia, Panepistimiou and Syntagma (city centre) and Akropoli (Makrigianni)
Line 3 (M3 - Blue Line) Monastiraki-Doukissis Plakentias - International Airport This line runs northeast from Syntagma to Erhniki Amyna. It is indicated in blue on maps and signs. Useful stops are Evangelismos (for the museums on Vasilissis Sofias) and Ethniki Amyna (for buses to the Airport). Syntagma is the transfer station for Line 2.
For the latest metro information, visit
www.ametro.gr The standard metro fare is ā¬1 for trips between all stations except the airport. The standard fare to or from the Airport is ā¬7, ā¬11 for a return trip within 48 hours, ā¬11 for a one-way trip for a group of 2 persons and ā¬16 for a one-way trip for a group of 3 persons.
A day ticket of ā¬4 will let you use all modes of transport. A weekly ticket of ā¬11 will let you use all modes of transport between all stations except the Airport.
The new combined ticket costs ā¬2 and is valid for all modes of transport for 1Ā½ hrs between all stations except the Airport. It is important that tickets are validated at the validation machines upon entering the station
By Bus
Athens is served by a network of diesel buses, natural gas buses and electric trolley buses run by the Athens Urban Transport Organisation. Blue & white suburban buses run from 5am - midnight. Route numbers and destinations, but not the actual routes are listed on EOT maps. Timetables can be obtained from its website
www.gnto.gr or from the Athens Urban Transport Organisation, OASA
www.oasa.gr.
Special buses operate 24 hrs a day to Piraeus (every 20 mins from 6am to midnight, then hourly until 6am). Bus No. 040 leaves the corner of Syntagma and Filellinon, and No. 049 leaves from the Omonia end of Athinas. Tickets for all these services cost ā¬0.45 and must be purchased before you board - either from a ticket booth or from periptera (street kiosks)
Nightbuses routes are:
- X14 - Syntagma Square to Kifissia
- 11 - Ano Patissia - Neo Pangrati - Nea Elvetia (trolley bus)
- 040 - Piraeus to Syntagma Square
- 500 - Piraeus - Kifissia (night only)
- X92, X93, X95, X96, X97 - the airport buses.
A standard bus ticket costs ā¬0.60 or ā¬3.20 for a ticket to travel to or from the Airport.
By Tram
The new Athens Tram connects the city centre with the southern suburbs and has connections with the metro lines. There are three tram lines:
Line 1 (T1): Syntagma - Palaio Faliro - Neo Faliro connects the city centre with the Peace and Friendship Stadium
Line 2 (T2): Syntagma - Palaio Faliro - Glyfada connects the city centre with the costal zone
Line 3 (T3): Neo Faliro - Palaio Faliro - Glyfada runs along the costal zone
A single ticket costs ā¬0.60
By Surburban Rail
The Suburban Railway (otherwise known as Proastiakos) starts from Larissis Station (OSE Main Line station & Metro station) and terminates at the International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos). The suburban railway also travels to Corinth.
By Taxi
Athenian taxis are yellow. The meter will always start at ā¬1 and then there is an additional surcharge of ā¬0.60 from ports, train and bus stations, as well as a ā¬1.18 surcharge from the airport. After that, the day rate (tariff 1 on the meter) is ā¬0.23/km. The rate doubles between midnight and 5am (tariff 2 on the meter). Baggage is charged at the rate of ā¬0.30 per item heavier than 10kg. The minimum fare is ā¬2.65.
Taxi fare fraud is not as widespread as it used to be, but it still happens, so make sure that the rate is correct. If you feel you have been overcharged, ask for a receipt (they are obliged to give one) and take the plate number, then phone the tourist police to report the driver on 171.
By Car
Car hire in Greece is easy and relatively cheap. Most of the larger international car hire companies have offices at Athens Airport with a good selection of cheaper independent firms also available.
Hertz Tel: 00 30 (210) 3534900
Avis
Tel: 00 30 (210) 353 0578/9
Budget
Tel: 00 30 (210) 353 0553
Europcar
Tel: 00 30 (210) 353 3321
Greece recognises all national driving licences and the International Driving Permit. The country has a minimum driving age of 18, but most car hire firms require a driver to be at least 21 or older.
It is worth checking that an international insurance certificate, known as a green card, has been provided as part of the rental contract and that you are able to identify the card if asked.
If you are planning of travelling out of the city centre, itās worth filling up before you go as petrol stations away from tourist areas have a tendency to only label pumps with the Cyrillic alphabet which can cause a certain degree of confusion if your ability to read Cyrillic script isnāt up to standard.
Eating & Drinking
There are many squares with plenty of bars in and around the centre of Athens. Syntagma (or Constitution Square) is in the heart of the city with an abundance of bars and restaurants, so this is the most likely area for fans to congregate.
The PsyrrĆ area (Monastiraki or Thisseio stop, Metro Lines 1 & 3 ), just north of Plaka has a number of smart bars and restaurants which line the streets between Ermou Street, Athinas Street and Monastiraki.
There are a couple of āIrishā pubs (I use the term loosely!) including Mikeās Irish Bar on 6 Sinopis Street, Ambelokipi which is reachable via metro to Megaro Mousikis station followed by a 200 m walk towards Athens Tower. Alternatively, from Syntagma Square take the A5, 450, 550 bus or 3 or 13 trolley bus to Athens Tower.
A more authentic Irish pub run and staffed by Irish folk is Molly Maloneās on Yannitsopoulou 8, Glyfada, a southern suburb of Athens which is full of bars, restaurants as well as some rather impressive houses famous for being the playground of the rich and famous. If you fancy venturing out of the city centre, there are plenty of pubs to choose from in the area including the Brown Bear, the Sussex Inn and the Bayern Bierhuas. It is linked to Athens city centre by the two main streets of Posidonos and Vouliagmenis and by the T2 tram which runs from Syntagma to Glyfada after over 30 stops. However the tram fare of ā¬0.60 each way is more than reasonable! The area is quite Americanised as it was home to an American airbase until the 1980s and developed with a heavy US influence. It is bordered by the Hymettus mountain and the Saronic Gulf and is home to Glyfada Golf Course, a marina and the Sea Protection Society of Greece!
If you do like your beer, there are a couple of beer houses in the city including The Flying Pig Pub in Piraeus (which serves full-English breakfasts!), Octoberfest, which can be found in Piraeus and in Agia Paraskevi, the Beer Academy with 11 outlets in Athens and Thessaloniki and Craft in Ampelokipi and Halandri.
A word of warning; If you are a single male, beware of friendly strangers approaching and starting conversations. You might be led to a pub where an outrageous bill will be presented to you to be paid. This kind of pub scam has been happening for years, while police can do little to help you if you have paid. Two such places are āPub Loveā and āNew York Pubā, both located in the same street in Plaka. There are various scammers typical to those youād find in London or any any other big city so just be on your guard.
Most evening bars open from 7pm right through to the early morning and there are also bars that are open from midday through to 8-9pm. If it is nightclubs you are after, there is a āclub zoneā which is located in the coastal zone, running to the east. These clubs are also open until the very early hours, some even going through to 7-8am during high-season.
The Greeks like their Retsina and Ouza with its heavy licorice taste. If you are planning on sampling the latter, make sure that you order some mezedes (snacks) to go with it which help counteract the effect of the drink.
For food, youāll find the usual selection of fast food outlets in the city centre, including the familiar sight of McDonalds, Pizza Hut and KFC as well as places like Wok 88 ā the Chinese equivalent of McDonalds. However, if you prefer a more substantial meal, thereās no shortage of places to grab a meal. Psiri is the up-and-coming social hub of Athens. Situated in the āwarehouseā district, beside the Monastiraki metro station, it is home to a great number of restaurants, tavernas and bars.
Quick, decent, low-budget local food that do not fall into the commercialised āfast-foodā category, include souvlaki, which is mainly grilled meat (pork or chicken) vegetables (tomato & onion slices, and Greek ātzatzikiā which is yogurt enriched with garlic and cucumber. All the above (often accompanied by French fries) are gently wrapped inside a thin slice of Pita bread and are quite tasty as a snack.
If you want a huge slab of meat, try one of the German Bierhaus around town with a vast number of alternatives of what you want can do with the various bits of a pig. Greek cooking generally involves a combination of olive oil, dips and warm bread served alongside seafood, meat and a concoction of salads and vegetables
Things to See & Do
Most things of interest to travellers can be found within a relatively small area surrounding the city centre at Syntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos). This epicentre is surrounded by the districts of the Plaka to the south, Monastiraki to the west, Kolonaki to the east and Omonia to the north.
Further afield is the port of Athens, the Piraeus.
Without doubt, the biggest tourist attraction in Athens is the Acropolis, a limestone plateau supporting the Parthenon, the all-marble temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Even if the thought of looking at old buildings and architectural ruins doesnāt generally appeal, it is one of those places that you will get asked whether you went there. There is a ā¬12 admission charge which buys a collective ticket that also gives entry to all the other significant sites: the Ancient Agora, The Roman Agora, the Keramikos, The Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Theatre of Dionysos and is valid for 48 hours. It is open from 08.30 am ā 7.30pm during the summer months.
For the best views of Athens, take the funicular railway to the top of Ploutarchou Street in Kolonaki (make sure to wear flat shoes, and bring lots of water!) and see the whole city, the port of Piraeus and the island of Aegina from the top of Lycavittos Hill. Itās a good excuse to stop off and have a drink or two at the cafĆ© there, and pay a visit to the Chapel of St. George.
It is more than likely that youāll visit Syntagma Square which has been described as the heart of Athens. Home to the Greek Parliament, itās worth taking in the changing of the guard every hour on the hour. Their uniforms and walking style is likely to amuse even the most dejected supporter! Behind the Parliament is the National Garden which stretches 15Ā½ hectares in the city centre and a quiet refuge if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle for an hour or two. There is a duck pond, a small zoo, a cafĆ© and childrenās play area.
Besides Syntagma Square on Ermou Street, if you turn off at the MAC make-up shop, youāll find yourself on Aghiou Markou and other small streets which are home to incredibly cheap shoes, bags, jewellery, gifts, etc so if you like a bit of shopping yourself or need something to bribe the wife back him with, itās worth a quick look round.
The Panathinkaiko Stadium is the olnly stadium in the world built entirely from white marble. The stadium was remade in marble in 329BC. It was fully rebuilt in 1895 to host the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and hosted the archery competition in the 2004 Olympic Games. It is popular site for tourists to visit.
The Allou Fun Park in Agaios Ioarris Rentis, next to the Multiplex Village Park has a range of roller coasters and water rides. There is a free bus which runs to the park from April through the summer months.
The Athens area is a contrast of mountains and beaches with coastal resorts and sandy beaches within easy travelling distance. Following work to improve water and beach quality, it is now customary that use of the beach incurs a small fee which in turn includes other services, such as S*n shades, free parking, drinks etc.
The city is closely guarded by four mountains ā Parnitha and Penteli to the north, Hemmettus to the southeast and Egaleo to the west. Parnitha standing 1,453 m in height is the tallest in the city and is a protected National Park. It is also home to one of the two casinos within reach of Athens city centre (around 30 minutes away by car or cable car). The other casino is in Loutraki, a coastal resort around an hour away by car or rail.
