Greece,
the country where the Olympic Games were born,
is ideal for the development of sports activities
as well as holding sports events (sports tourism).
During the past few decades, more and more big
athletic events in many sports (world championships,
European competitions, important international
tournaments etc) have been organized in the country,
culminating of course in the 2004 Athens Olympic
Games.
These
sports events have considerably contributed to
the construction of many modern bigger or smaller
sports facilities, stadiums and training centers
for a wide range of sports all over Greece, where
both the local people and visitors to the area
have the opportunity to practice their favorite
sports: from athletics, soccer, volleyball and
basketball to tennis, golf, sailing or windsurfing.
Moreover, many hotels provide special sports facilities
for their customers (basketball, volleyball, tennis,
golf, water sports etc).
The
General Secretariat of Sports, Panepistimiou 25
(210 3294 227), provides information on sport
in Athens.
Athletics in Athens
Millon
Athletic Club**
A. Korai & Vassiliou Megalou Streets
Nea Smirni, Athens
Tel, 210 9330 342
Open from 09:00-22:30
Glyfada
Athletic Club***
Fivis & Metaxa Streets
Tel, 210 8943 807
Open from 16:00-20:00
Closed from July to September
Kifissia
Athletic Club**
49, Tatoiou Street, Strofili, Kifissia
Tel. 210 6204 715
Open from 08:00-22:00
**
non-members admitted
*** members only
Athens
Marathon
137,
Syngrou Avenue, 171 21 Athens - 210 935 1888.
Most of the world's major cities have an annual
marathon. Athens has the original. Commemorating
the famous run of the soldier Pheidippides in
490 BC, the 42-kilometre (26.2-mile) race begins
at the town of Marathon itself and ends up in
the beautiful Panathinaic (Kalimarmero) Stadium
in Athens.
The
tradition of the marathon began with Pheidippides'
running from Marathon to Athens to deliver the
news that the Greeks had defeated the Persians.
Upon arrival, he was only able to pronounce the
word “nenikikamen” (we have won) before
dying of exhaustion. The modern tradition began
in Athens in 1896 with the revival of the Olympic
Games.
Nowadays,
the marathon is run every first Sunday of November.
It begins at 08:30 at the ancient battlefield
of Marathon and winds past Mati, Rafina, Pikermi,
Pallini, Stavros and Halandri before arriving
at the Athens Panathinaic Stadium. The middle
of the route is mildly hilly while the rest is
either flat or downhill and the running surface
is asphalt all the way. Participants must be 18
or older.
If
you think of running the Athens marathon, make
sure you book your hotel in Athens well in advance.
You can search and book your hotel safely online
through our Hotel
and accommodation pages. Details on the Athens
marathon can be obtained from Seggas, Syngrou
137 (210 935 9346) or on www.athensclassicmarathon.gr.
Athens Spartathlon
The
Spartathlon is a historic ultra-distance foot race (246 km –
153 miles) that takes place on the last Friday of September of
every year in Greece. It is one of the most difficult and satisfying
ultra distance races in the world because of its unique history
and background.
It
started from Herodotus’ account of the Battle
of Marathon. The historian described the details
of the battle many years later and mentioned the
deeds of Pheidippides, an Athenian messenger,
sent by his generals to Sparta in order to secure
help for the reinforcement of the Athenian forces
against the Asiatic incursion. According to Herodotus,
Pheidippides arrived in Sparta “on the next
day of his departure” from Athens.
The
Spartathlon runners follow in the footsteps of
the ancient messenger Pheidippides, with some
small deviations, starting from the Propylae
of the Acropolis at 07:00 on the last Friday
of September. Chronologically, according to Herodotus,
this was the time that Pheidippides departed from
Athens. For more info, see http://spartathlon.webvista.net/index.html.
Acropolis Rally of Greece
On
October 1924, Vladimiros Bensis, a professor of medicine, established
the Hellenic Car Club together with Antonis Stathatos, Demetres
Aravantinos, the publisher of the newspaper "Vradini"
and other socially prominent persons. The professor took over
the presidency of the club and maintained the position until 1926
when Antonis Stathatos succeeded him. The club was named ELPA
and became a member of the Federation Internationale Automobile
(FIA) in 1928.
The
first Greek car race was held in 1926 sponsored
by the newspaper "Vradini". The racing
cars were clocked driving a one-kilometer distance
along Syngrou Avenue. Today, top rally drivers
from all over the world come to Athens every year
in June to take part in famous Acropolis Rally,
a week of top cars and top times.
Football in Athens
As
in most European countries football is a national sport. Athens
has a lot of football teams with two major clubs: Panathinaikos
(Olympic Stadium - Marousi – 65.000 seats) and Olympiakos
(Georgios Karaiskaki Stadium – Piraeus – 33.000 seats).
The football season runs from September to May and matches are
played on Saturday and Sunday. Often you will see Greeks flocking
together in cafes and smaller restaurants to watch international
and national football matches. If you join them, get ready for
a loud evening with a lot of atmosphere and heated discussions.
Individual
venue ticket offices sell tickets for national
sporting events, while Segas, Syngrou 137 (210
9359 346, www.segas.gr), sells tickets to international
events.
Golf in Athens
Chrysostomou
Smyrnis Street, Glyfada, 166 75 Athens - 210 894
6820
The Glyfada international par 72, 18-hole golf
course, designed by D. Harradine in 1962 and remodeled
in 1979 by the American golf architect Robert
Trent Jones, not only is the pride of the Attica
region, it also is the only golf course in Athens.
It is situated next to the site of the former
Athens airport in Glyfada and is open throughout
the year except on Christmas day and Easter Sunday.
The
golf complex also features a pro-shop, a practice
range, dressing rooms, a golf academy, restaurants,
a clubhouse, the Spike Bar, a convention room
and two tennis courts. Its reception area can
cater for 4.000 people. The Glyfada Golf Course
is open Tuesday to Sunday from 07:30 until sunset
and Monday from 13:00 to sunset. Membership is
not required but a handicap card is requested.
Cycling
in Athens
If
you think Athens is the last city in the world
to go cycling, you couldn’t be more wrong.
More and more center areas are banned from traffic
(cars and motorcycles but not bicycles), most
of the small streets in the center are avoided
by cars, cars stand still in traffic jams while
cyclists keep going… in short, in Athens
you often get somewhere quicker on a bicycle than
in a car.
If
you are visiting Athens with children, a bicycle is the perfect
way to go sightseeing as your (little) children won’t complain
they are tired from walking. On top, you can see more in less
time and it is the most environment friendly way to see the city.
Pame
Volta (23, Agathonos Street, 15343 Ag. Paraskevi,
Athens - 210 6752 886 - www.pamevolta.gr/)
is specialized in renting out city, trekking and
mountain bikes. You can go on an organized bike
tour or bike trip with them (in and outside Athens)
or, if you prefer, you can discover the beauty
of Athens and surrounding area on your own. They
will deliver the perfect bicycle to your hotel
if you want to.
Fitness
in Athens
Anima
Soma
7,
Aiolou Street, Agia Paraskevi
210
6015 688
Alternative
gym, shiatsu, calanetics, aromatheraphy, yoga, massage
etc.
Anne
Semonin
36,
Anagnostopoulou Street, Kolonaki
210
3634 014
Spa
center
Athens
Gym***
Vas.
Kostandinou Street,
-
The
most gay gym in Athens
One day or one month membership
Be
Fit
62,
Vosporou Street, Kalogreza
210
2758 196
For
women and childeren
Biotherik
8,
Ach. Paraschou Street, Halandri
210
6834 974
CO2
baths
Bodycentric
23,
Ilidos Steet, Ambelokipi
210
7473 754
Pilates
studio
Caroli
Health Club
65,
Kyprou Street, Glyfada
210
8980 746
Spa
center
Cocoon
Urban Spa
9,
Souliou & Erifylis Street, Halandri
210
6561 975
Spa
center
Corupus
Ray
100,
Kifisias Avenue, Athens
210
6926 209
Pilates
studio
Flamingo
Fitness Club
31,
Caravel Hotel Square, 116 34 Athens
09:00-10:30, Saturday 10:00-16:00
210
8290 548
Fitness,
bodybuilding, sauna, steam baths
Flex
Baths***
6
Poliklitou Street, Monastiraki
-
Luxurious
showers, rest rooms, full gym, video & tv room, 3 relax
areas.
Thu-Sat: 16:00-02:00
Grand
Bretagne Spa
Syntagma
Square
210
3330 000
Spa
center
Hercules
Fitness Club
35,
Ethnikis Antistaseos Street, Nea Erythraia
210
8073 834
3
gyms, pool, sauna, hydro(massage), solarium.
Hilmes
Place
40,
Agiou Konstantinou Street, Marousi
210
6179 316
Squach,
aaerobics, pool etc.
Ira
Baths***
4
Zinonos Street, Omonia
-
Simple
rooms and rooms with bathroom, 09:30-18:00, closed on
Sunday
Young
and mature men, rent boys. Dark rooms, Turkisch sauna,
joint showers. Joint changing rooms and private cabins.
12:00-19:00, not open on Sunday
Sauna
Hotel Intercontinental***
89-93
Syngrou Avenue, Athens
-
All
ages. Sauna, steam bath, gym, bar. 11:00-21:00
Status**
128,
Dekeleias, Nea Filadelfeia
210
2523 237
Aqua
fitness pool, basketball,
mini soccer etc.
Universal
376,
Patission Street, Patisia
226, Thivon Street, Agios Ioannis Rentis
210
2110 147
Gym,
hydromassage, step, aerobics, Swedish etc.
**
members only
*** gays sauna's and baths.
Horse races in Athens
The
Markopoulo racetrack is located near the airport
in Spata . There is racing on Monday, Wednesday
and Friday from 17:00 in summer and from 15:00
in winter.
This
is becoming increasingly popular and there is
scope for hill walking and climbing. There are
well-maintained trails in the most popular areas,
supplemented by donkey and goat tracks connecting
villages and leading over mountains.
There
are excellent facilities along all coastlines
of the mainland. Most major hotels can help with
arrangements. Water-skiing is especially popular
and there are over 30 water-ski schools in Greece
with restaurants and child-care facilities. Speed
boats are also available for hire. For further
information, contact the Hellenic Federation of
Underwater Activities, West Terminal Post Office,
Agios Kosmas, 166 04 Hellenikon, Athens - 210
9819 961.
Fishing in Athens
Greek
waters offer good fishing, particularly during
the summer and autumn. Boats and equipment can
be found in most villages.
Sailing in Athens
Information on races is available from the Hellenic
Sailing Federation (210 323 5560).
Club
Address
- Location
Postal
code
Location
S.C.
of Pireas
Mikrolimano
185
33
Pireas
S.C.
of Thessaloniki
Istioploikos
Bay
546
43
Thessaloniki
S.C.
of Thessaloniki
Mikron
Emvolon
551
31
Thessaloniki
S.
Club
Mikrolimano
185
33
Pireas
Sailing
Club of Paleo Faliro
Marina
of Flisvos
175
10
Paleo
Faliro
Sailing
Club of Kalamaria
Mikron
Emvolon
551
10
Thessaloniki
Sailing
Club of Kerkyra
P.O.
Box 95
491
00
Kerkyra
island
Sailing
Club of Kalamaki
-
174
56
Kalamaki
Sailing
Club of Kallithea
Kallithea
- Tzitzifies
176
02
Kallithea
P.O.I.A.Th.
3,
Akti Dilaveri
185
33
Pireas
Sailing
Club of Glyfada
P.O.
Box 70002
166
01
Glyfada
Sailing
Club of Andros island
-
845
00
Andros
island
Sailing
Club "Poseidon" of
Kalamata
-
241
00
Kalamata
Sailing
Club of Syros
9,
Akti Katadromikou Elli
841
00
Syros
island
Sailing
Club of Kavala
-
650
01
Kavala
Sailing
Club of Voula
Kokinos
Vrachos
166
73
Voula
Sailing
Club of Zakynthos
-
291
00
Zakynthos
Sailing
Club of Patra
Akti
Iroon Polytechneiou
Terpsithea
262
42
Patra
Sailing
Club of Creta
Akti
Kanari - Nea Chora - Hania
731
00
Hania,
Crete
Sailing
Club of Hellinikon
Post
Office of West (old) Airport
166
04
Helliniko
Sailing
Club of Mati, Attica
Mati,
Attica
190
09
Mati,
Attica
Sailing
Club of Sea Athletes
46,
Poseidonos Avenue
175
61
Paleo
Faliro
Sailing
Club of "DEI" personnel
Poseidonos
Avenue
Delta of Faliro
176
02
Faliro
Delta
Sailing
Club of Kiato
2,
Sot. Poulou Street
202
00
Kiato
Sailing
Club of Agii Apostoli
Agii
Apostoli - Kalamos
190
17
Kalamos
Sailing
Club of Athens
Mikrolimano
185
33
Pireas
Sailing
Club "Aeolos"
P.O.
Box 8 - Kalamata Bay
241
01
Kalamata
S.E.A.N.A.T.
of Kallithea
P.O.
Box 6 - Kallithea, Tzitzifies
176
02
Kallithea
Sailing
Club of Lamia
-
351
00
Lamia
Sailing
Club "Alcyone" of Rafina
-
190
09
Rafina
I.O.B.A.
of the sea
98,
Iasonos Street
382
21
Volos
Sailing
Club of Lavreotiki
-
195
00
Lavrio
Sailing
Club of Porto Lago
-
670
63
Porto
Lago
Sailing
Club of Artemis
-
190
16
Little
Port of Artemis
Sailing
Club "Delfinario"
2,
Akti Dilaveri
185
33
Pireas
Sailing
Club of Raches
Raches,
Fthiotida
353
00
Raches,
Fthiotida
Sailing
Club "I proodos" of Ithaki
-
283
00
Ithaki
island
Sailing
Club of Iraklion
P.O.
Box. 1188 - Heraklion Port
Crete
712
02
Heraklion,
Crete
Sailing
Club "Poseidon" of Aigio
Myrtia
Beach
251
00
Aigio
Sailing
Club of Rodos island
45,
Ethnarchou Makariou Street
851
00
Rodos
Sailing
Club of Peace and
Friendship
2,
Akti Dilaveri
185
33
Neo
Faliro
Sailing
Club of Nafpaktos
Kathodos
Dorieon - Gribovo
303
00
Nafpaktos
Sailing
Club of the Greek
police officers
1,
Taxiarchon Street, Kalamaria
551
32
Thessaloniki
Sailing
Club of OTE
1A,
Myronos Street & Epidavrou
Street
185
33
Pireas
Sailing
corporation of
Peace and Friendship
P.O.
Box. 87541
185
07
Pireas
Sailing
Club of Galaxidi
-
330
52
Galaxidi
Sailing
Corporation of Aigio
1,
Poseidonos Street
251
00
Aigio
Sailing
Club of Argostoli
16,
Ilia Zervou Street
281
00
Argostoli
Sailing
Club of Aegean
4,
Agiou Nikolaou Street
Porto
Rafti
Sailing
Club of Hania
1,
Tsouderon Street, Hania
731
00
Hania,
Crete
Sailing
Club of Nafplio
9,
Profiti Ilia Street
221
00
Nafplio
Sailing
Club "Aiolos" of
Agios Nikolaos
GNTO
Marina, Agios Nikolaos
721
00
Agios
Nikolaos
Crete
Sailing
Club of Corfu (Kerkyra)
P.O.
Box 75
491
00
Kerkyra
island
L.O.I.A.Th.
47
Kountourioti Street
(Georgateli stoa)
811
00
Mytilini
island
Sailing
Club of Amfithea
Akti
Poseidonos
175
10
Paleo
Faliro
Sailing
Club "Niiris" of Methana
-
180
30
Methana
Sailing
Club of Samos
3,
Th.Sofouli Street
831
00
Samos
island
Sailing
Club of Kavala
Coastal
Avenue of Kavala
655
00
Kavala
Sailing
Club of Halkida
Thrasyvoulou
Papastrati Avenue
Vourkos Bay
341
00
Halkida
Corporation
of open sea
sailing of Attica
14,
Themidos Street
175
63
Paleo
Faliro
Sailing
Club of
Macedonia-Thrace
3B,
Kydonion Street
546
45
Thessaloniki
Scuba diving in Athens
The
Aegean Dive Center in Glyfada (210 894 5409) organizes scuba diving
tuition with English-speaking instructors and one-day diving trips
along the coast between Glyfada and Cape Sounio. Independent scuba-diving
is strictly forbidden in order to guard against the pilfering
of underwater antiquities. Divers may only venture out under the
auspices of a recognized diving school. Snorkeling is permitted
and is possible practically anywhere
Skiing in Greece
Prefecture
Mountain
Location
Eastern
Makedonia & Thraki
Drama
Falakro
Agio
Pneuma
Kavala
Pangeo
Kilada
Orfea
Serres
Vrondous
Lailias
Western
& Central Makedonia
Florina
Verno
(Vitsi)
Vigla
Grevena
Vassilitsa
Diaselo
Vassilitsas
Imathia
Vermio
Tria
Pente Pigadia
Imathia
Vermio
Seli
Kastoria
Verno
(Vitsi)
Oxya
Pella
Voras
(Kaimaktsalan)
Voras
(Kaimaktsalan)
Epirus
Ioannina
Pindos
Profitis
Ilias
Ioannina
Pindos
Karakoli
Thessalia
Larissa
Olympos
Vrissopoules
Magnesia
Pilion
Agriolefkes
Trikala
Koziakas
Pertouliotika
Livadia
Sterea
Ellada
Evritania
Timfristos
(Velouhi)
Diavolotopos
Fthiotida
Parnassos
Kellaria
- Fterolaka
Viotia
Parnassos
Gerondovrachos
Peloponnese
Achaia
Helmos
(Aroania)
Vathia
Lakka
Arkadia
Menalon
Oropedio
Ostrakinas
Swimming in Athens
The
best beaches are located at Glyfada, Vouliagmeni
and Varkiza. See our Athens
beaches pages for detailed information.
Yachting in Athens
Naam
Address
Telephone
Abgo
Yachting
16
Premetis Street, Athens
-
Aegean
Yachts
10
B.Georgiou 166 10, Elliniko
210
8947 244
Aegeus
Yachts
66
Poseidonos 17455, Alimos
210
9812 825
Alpha
Yachting
67
Possidonos Ave 166 75, Glyfada
210
9680 486
Anemos
Yachting
39
Thoukididou Street 17455, Alimos
210
9850 052
Aris
Drivas Yachting
147
Neoreion, Piraeus
-
Athens
Yachts
2
Makariou Street, Alimos
-
Baby
Blue Yachting
2
Ioannou Fix Street 175 61, P. Faliro
210
9850 300
Big
Bave Yachting
2
I.Fix, P.Faliro
-
Cross
Eagle Charters
44
Korai, Helioupolis
-
Elite
Yachting
24
Foivis str. 16675, Glyfada
210
8982 520
Hellas
Yachting
43
Akadimias Street 106 72, Athens
210
3625 698
Hellas
Yachts
10
Poseidonos Avenue, Alimos
-
Jason
Charter
10
Korytsas Street 17455, Alimos
210
9050 168
Kabbas
Yachting
20-22
Korytsas Street 17455, Alimos
210
9849 961
Kontogiannis
Yachts
A5
Marina Zeas, Freatida-Pasalimani
-
Kyriacoylis
Mediterranean
7
Alimou Ave 17455, Alimos
210
9886 187
Marine
Marketing
16
Grigoriou Lampraki & Metaxa 16675, Glyfada
210
8949 174
Mythos
Yachts Charters
14
Taksiarxon 17455, Alimos
210
9858 901
Natika
Yachting
108
Solonos 17673, Kallithea
-
Nava
Services
6
Loudovikou Street, Piraeus
-
Nomikos
Yachts
7
Eleftherias Avenue, Alimos
-
Ocean
Charter Club
5
Afxentiou 17455, Alimos
210
9882 386
Padomar
Yachting
21
Poseidonos Avenue, Alimos
-
Pazaropoulos
Marine Charters
17
Poseidonos Avenue 17455, Alimos
210
9932 068
Sailing
In Blue
19
Gramvousis 16561, Glyfada
210
9617 834
Seascope
Sailing
27
Ìoutsopoulou, Piraeus
210
4539 306
Sete
Yachts
59-61
Agiou Konstantinou 15124, Maroussi
210
8129 013
Status
Yachting
3
Afxentiou 17455, Alimos
-
The
Moorings
Marina
Alimos 17455 Kalamaki
210
9838 411
Thomas
Yachts
1
Metamorfoseos, Alimos
-
Triton
Yachting
5A
Eleftherias Avenue 174 55, Alimos
210
9811 044
Tzenet
Yachting
8
Themidos Street 175 63, P. Faliro
210
9825 810
Vernicos
Yachts
11
Poseidonos Avenue, Alimos
-
Tennis in Athens
G.N.T.O.
(E.O.T.) public swimming beach installations have tennis
courts at:
Alipedou
Voulas, "A" Beach
Attica, Tel 210 8958 834
Open from 08:00-22:00
Alipedou
Voulas, "B" Beach
Attica, Tel 210 8959 590
Open till sunset
Varkiza
Beach
Attica, Tel 210 8972 414
Open from 08:00-20:00
Vouliagmeni
Beach
Attica, Tel 210 9673 184
Open till sunset
The
beach installations function all year round from sunrise
to sunset. Players must bring their own rackets and balls.
There
are also tennis courts at the following athletic centers:
Athens
Tennis Club**
2, Vassilissis Olgas Avenue
Tel 210 9232 872
Open from 07:00-01:00
Panellinios
Gymnastic Club***
26, Mavromateon Street, Athens
Tel 210 8834 408,
Open from 09:00-20:00
Filothei
Attikos
Omilos Tennis Club **
Dafni and Kaliga Streets, Filothei,
Tel 210 6812:557
Open from 07:00-23:00
Millon
Athletic Club**
A. Korai & Vassiliou Megalou Streets, Nea Smirni, Athens
Tel, 210 9330 342
Open from 09:00-22:30
Kifissia
Athletic Club**
49, Tatoiou Street, Strofili, Kifissia,
Tel. 210 6204 715
Open from 08:00-22:00
Glyfada
Athletic Club***
Fivis & Metaxa Streets
Tel, 210 8943 807
Open from 16:00-20:00
Closed from July to September
Hellenic
Federation for Underwater Activities, Sportsfishing and
Finswimming
Agios Kosmas, West Terminal Post Office, 16604 Elliniko
210 9819 961
press@finswimming.org.gr
Secretary
of the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club
4 Papadiamanti Street, Mikros Limin, Piraeus
210 4123.357
Greek
Skiing and Alpine Federation 7, Karageorgi Servias Street - Athens
210 3234.555
Athens
Marathon
The
Spartathlon is a historic ultra-distance foot race (246 km –
153 miles) that takes place on the last Friday of September of
every year in Greece. It is one of the most difficult and satisfying
ultra distance races in the world because of its unique history
and background. 
On
October 1924, Vladimiros Bensis, a professor of medicine, established
the Hellenic Car Club together with Antonis Stathatos, Demetres
Aravantinos, the publisher of the newspaper "Vradini"
and other socially prominent persons. The professor took over
the presidency of the club and maintained the position until 1926
when Antonis Stathatos succeeded him. The club was named ELPA
and became a member of the Federation Internationale Automobile
(FIA) in 1928.
As
in most European countries football is a national sport. Athens
has a lot of football teams with two major clubs: Panathinaikos
(Olympic Stadium - Marousi – 65.000 seats) and Olympiakos
(Georgios Karaiskaki Stadium – Piraeus – 33.000 seats).
The football season runs from September to May and matches are
played on Saturday and Sunday. Often you will see Greeks flocking
together in cafes and smaller restaurants to watch international
and national football matches. If you join them, get ready for
a loud evening with a lot of atmosphere and heated discussions.
Cycling
in Athens
If
you are visiting Athens with children, a bicycle is the perfect
way to go sightseeing as your (little) children won’t complain
they are tired from walking. On top, you can see more in less
time and it is the most environment friendly way to see the city.
The
Aegean Dive Center in Glyfada (210 894 5409) organizes scuba diving
tuition with English-speaking instructors and one-day diving trips
along the coast between Glyfada and Cape Sounio. Independent scuba-diving
is strictly forbidden in order to guard against the pilfering
of underwater antiquities. Divers may only venture out under the
auspices of a recognized diving school. Snorkeling is permitted
and is possible practically anywhere
