1. Athens has more theaters than any other city.

• One of the good things about Athens is that you can still see performances there today, along with nearly 150 other venues scattered about the city. This surpasses both New York’s Broadway and London’s West End combined.

 

2. The Ancient Olympic Games were never held in Athens.

• Despite its fame as the heart of Greek culture, Athens was not the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. Those were held in Olympia—hence the name. However, the modern iteration of the Olympic Games did have its revival in Athens back in 1896. At that time, 14 countries participated, and in the decades that followed, this has risen to hundreds, becoming a global sporting phenomenon.

 

3. Athens is famous as one of the sunniest places in Europe.

• The above entry aside, one of the great things about Athens is catching some rays and enjoying the outdoors with little chance of rain. During the winter, there’s an average of only five days of rain. Come summertime, the chances are even less.

 

4. Athens is a seafood lover’s paradise.

• Athenians are passionate about their fish. Once considered a delicacy in ancient times, these days, you can get your fill of fresh seafood pulled right from the Aegean. Your best venue is the historic Varvakios Market in the heart of the city, where tons of fish and other edible sea creatures pass through each day.

 

5. Athens has experienced nearly all forms of government.

• Despite its reputation as the birthplace of democracy, residents throughout the ages have experienced nearly all forms of government. From kings to emperors, to socialists, communists and capitalists, one of the more surprising Athens history facts is that the city wasn’t always a beacon for democracy.

 

6. Athens is named after a goddess.

• Greek mythology did more than just provide an enduring legacy of entertaining stories. It also gave us many names that would eventually be incorporated into our modern world, like Athena—the namesake goddess of the city. 

 

7. Athens is Europe’s oldest capital city.

• Another fun fact about ancient Athens is that it is Europe’s oldest capital city. In fact, it’s one of the oldest cities in the entire world. So while cities like Rome, Madrid and Lisbon are ancient and historic in their own right, they’re still babies compared to the Grecian capital.

 

Source: https://www.bookaway.com/blog/21-fun-facts-about-athens-thatll-blow-your-mind/