The Athens Happy Train is a toy-like street train that offers a one-hour sightseeing ride through some of the main attractions of Athens. Tickets cost €6 for adults and €4 for kids. The train starts at the top of Ermou Street, at Syntagma Square and at Monastiraki Square, near the Metro station. Hop-on and off is allowed, just hold on to your tickets. It runs daily every hour from 10 am to 5 pm (hours vary).
The sightseeing ride of the Athens Happy Train is as follows (May 2009):
Greek House of Parliament, National Gardens
At the top of the Square is the House of Parliament or Vouli in Greek. It used to be the King’s residence in the 19th century. Watch the change of guard (every hour on the hour). The National Garden, or Ethnikos Kipos, is a pleasant shady garden with various plant and tree specimens. It used to be the Royal Garden in the 19th century, for the use of the royal family.
The train turns into Herod of Attica Street where is the Political Office of the Prime Minister of Greece and the Political Office and Residence of the President of the Republic. Spot the heavy police presence.
Panathinaiko Stadium, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Gate
Panathinaiko Stadium is otherwise known as Kallimarmaro. It hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and was the finishining point of the first Marathon. Spot the statue of Evangelos Averoff, the wealthy Diasapora Greek who financed its construction.
The Happy Train continues onto Queen Olga Avenue which was a popular 19th-century boulevard. On your right is the National Garden and Zappeion, built in 1888 in the neoclassical style and used as an exhibition space today. On your left the remaining columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, built between 515BC and 2nd Century AD.
Ancient attractions sightseeing continues with Hadrian's Gate. Built by the Athenians on 131AD, it led from old Athens to the new Roman section. It bears two interesting inscriptions: on one side “This is Athens, city of Theseus” and on the other side “This is the city of Hadrian, not of Theseus”.
Plaka, Monastiraki, Thissio, Acropolis
- Plaka: The train squeezes miraculously through the narrow streets of the oldest district of modern Athens.
- Monastiraki: The picturesque flea market of Athens. Here you can find all the souvenirs you need and then some more.
- Thissio: Ancient Greek Agora, the heart of ancient Athens. The Agora was the centre for political, administrative, commercial and social activity and a religious centre. The best preserved monument is the Temple of Hephaestus, known as Thissio.
- Acropolis: Hop off at the entrance of the Rock and explore the marvels of Parthenon and near-by ancient theatre of Herod of Attica.
The train returns to Syntagma through Plaka.
Sightseeing by Happy Train is one of the fun things to do in Athens, especially when you need a rest from the hot midday sun. It is understandably popular with kids and for €20 a family of four can easily spend a day hopping on and off to visit some of the city’s main attractions. But don’t expect any serious commentary on the sights. The ticket collector sits next to the driver and announces every landmark while sipping her frappé – a frothy chilled coffee which is another attraction you shouldn’t miss.
Lito Apostolakou - Lito is a historian with an interest in digital archives and online historical resources. She is the author of blog Palimpsest.
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