Greek Modern Day Life

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 13 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #215 in Travel, #11,634 overall

Greece

Greece today!

Many many have a concrete idea about ancient Greece and the ancient Greek civilization. But way about modern Greece?
It's seldom that people confuse facts, ideas, or even fantasies of theirs about the ancient Greeks, with the life of modern Greeks. Particularly many may wonder which is the popular religion in modern Greece ( the answer ain't Zeus and the other ancient Greek Gods). Other might not know much about the food in Greece today or may wonder about the architecture of the buildings of the Greek cities, the clothing of Greeks, their customs and generally their daily life.

This is the reason I have created this lens. To shade some light on how Greece of the 21st century looks like. Modules are added constantly for the expansion of this lens, which hope to create a more clear image of modern Greece, still comparing it to ancient Greece.

If you have a question that is not answered in this lens - yet! - , move to the the Questions & Answers section and submit it!

Athens Squares 

Athens today

In the capital of modern Greece, Athens, one may find numerous completely different areas in the city center. Characteristic of all of them is that each different districts has a square.
Syntagma Square( meaning literarly Constitution Square is the most central one, just oposite of the Greek Parliament.
Others though consider Omonia Square the most central location in Athens. Omonia resembles more to the commercial center of the city. Around this square there are many hotels of all types and categories from the Athens' guests.
Another square in Athens centre is Kolokotroni Square, named after a hero of the Greek Revolution of 19821. Apart from a statue of Kolokotronis on this square one will find the old Parliament, which is operating today as a historical museum. It is worth visiting the Athens old Parliament and discover bits of modern history of Greece.
Few other central squares are Avissinias Square and Klathmonos Square, each of which has got its name due to its very special history.

The picture above depicts the Greek Parliament as seen from the famous Syntagma Square

Souvlaki VS Gourmet Food 

traditional vs modern

You might have heard of soulvaki, and in case you have visited Greece you definitely would have tasted one of the pita with gyro.
For those who don't know what a souvlaki is, i would say it's the Greek fast food.
Everywhere in Greek towns, from Athens to remote villages you will find a place to buy a souvlaki.
But Greek cuisine isn't just souvlaki
You can also find, especially in Athens, many great gourmet restaurants, other serving fusion cuisine, others French or Mediterranean plates, all well taken care after.

So if you want to taste both, there is list of traditional restaurants and one of modern to guide you:
Souvlaki VS Gourmet Restaurants

The picture depicts two souvlakia

Modern Day Greeks 

or how Greek men and women look like today

There are people living in Greece that believe that are directly related to the ancient Greeks, and by saying ancient Greeks, I mean the most famous ones, Socrates, Plato, Aristoteles, Pericles etc
From my point of view, there is no such a connection...but never mind.
Actually, there might be people out there not know how modern Greeks look like. Or they might believe the are just like ancient Greek people.
Well the truth might be disappointing to some.
Modern Greeks look like the rest modern Europeans!
They wear the same clothes as the rest Europeans and have similar habits and lifestyle.
So if you are traveling to Greece in search of people wearing sandals, white tunics and golden wreaths, you won't be able to find them!
There are many Department Stores in Athens and elsewhere, selling modern clothes to modern people. :-)

The picture depicts a famous modern Greek singer, Elena Paparizou, so that everyone can understand how people in Greece dress and look like.

Open Air Cinemas 

A summer tradition and THE place to start your evening out, open air cinemas show the previous winter's hits in a friendly atmosphere. The screen looms above an area filled with tables and chairs, where spectators can have a drink while watching the film, which always has an interval!

Religion in Greece 

Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Athen, Aphrodite....the ancient 12 Greek gods, were very popular in the ancient world. Are they in modern Greece too?
Well, the ancient greek relegion does not have many supporters left in Greece today.
The majority of Greeks are christians, and more specificaly are members of the Greek Orthodox Church. There is also a small number of muslims, mostly in northeastern regions of Greece, Roman Catholics and Jews.

Popular Superstitions 

The evil eye

The legacy of centuries of Ottoman invasion, the mati (literally the "eye") borders on the obsessive among the Greeks, who live in condtant fear of becoming matiasmeni (beeing hot by the eveil eye). People suffering from flu, nausea or colds, in particular often say they are matiasmeni. And so, to ward off any malediction they carry a small glass eye set in turquoise blue.

Modern Greece 

Learn modern greece
Athens Nightlife: Bouzoukia Nightclubs
All on Athens nightlife's heart, bouzoukia nightclubs. History, tips & photos of the most popular way of entertainment in Athens, Greece
Athens Tourist Guide
Useful travel guide of athens greece. Includes info about touristic and archaeological sites, shops, restaurants,museums.
Greek Coffee - Frapee
Greek Coffee Culture & RecipesBlame it on the sun and the sea. Or the Greek temperament.
Whatever the reasons, in Greece the temptation to go out and see people is all-powerful. Few stay holed up at home unless absolutely necessary.
They are pulled from their family, work ad student lives as if b
Athens By Night
Explore Athens city Acropolis Athens Athens Plaka & Syntagma Square information for Athens shopping and night life acropolis museum athens
Ouzo Power
Explore Athens city Acropolis Athens Athens Plaka & Syntagma Square information for Athens shopping and night life acropolis museum athens
All night Munchies
Explore Athens city Acropolis Athens Athens Plaka & Syntagma Square information for Athens shopping and night life acropolis museum athens
The department stores of Athens
Athens is a modern city - its department stores which are visited by hundreds of people every day while they offer from clothes and cosmetics to furniture and kitchen equipment.
The Mall of Athens
The Mall is the largest department store of Athens - it offers everything from works of art to electric appliances, clothes, shoes, cosmetics and home wear while there are numerous restaurants, fast-foods, cafes and multiplex cinemas.
Art Galleries and Gift Shops in Athens
Athens is a modern city hosting dozens of art exhibitions every year while there are also numerous shops offering gifts and special ornaments.

Map of modern Greece

Questions & Answers: Submit them! 

about modern greece

Is there an issue about modern Greece you want to find out more about?
Submit your Question below, or a topic that is not yet included in this lens, so that i can write ASAP about it and answer to your questions.
Simply click on "Add to this list" and submit your personal question
For example:
What does the clothing of modern Greeks look like?

It would be useful if you would add your name too next to the question

Do modern Greeks believe in the ancient Greek Gods?

Do Greeks today believe in Zeus, Apollo and the re more...0 points

Greece Poll 

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Modern Greece vs Ancient Greece 

The question is simple:

Do you prefer ancient or modern Greece?

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Modern Greece

chilly dog says:

both because there're both awsome. too bad i can't pick both sides :(

Karolina says:

Love Both

minkyz says:

Although I love visiting Greece, I do have an avid interest, all be it a new one, for ancient Greece.

mariya says:

modern greece

dmitria says:

marques is the finest

Ancient Greece

poopy says:

it stinks

billy bob joe says:

ancient is cooler. I Like myths

blakat123 says:

I prefer ancient Greece because it is so entertaining to just read their myth, or look at their artwork. I have always wanted to travel back in time to visit them and ask them so many questions!

brian says:

It way cooler

Michael says:

poop

 
view all 11 comments

Greek Island Guides 

Mykonos, Santorini, Cyclades by Dana Facaros

Mykonos, Santorini, Cyclades by Dana Facaros

Discover the secrets of hassle-free island-hopping more...1 point

view all 6 items
created by isabella

Greece Guidelines 

moder greece

leave here your views & reviews

submit
  • Reply
    AppalachianCountry AppalachianCountry Sep 26, 2009 @ 9:14 am
    Fantastic lens. We want to go there some day. 5 stars*****
  • Reply
    John John Sep 8, 2009 @ 10:58 am
    Nice article... However, there is a few mistakes.

    The evil eye, was not passed down by the Ottomans, it was in fact a superstition found all over the ancient mediterrenean basin (not only Greece), it was used in front of ancient greek navy ships, many ancient Greek, Pheonician statues and frescos, a thousand years before the Ottomans.

    Also the people of ancient Greece did not look like the ancient Greek statues The statues were ment to portay the ideal human. Ancient Greeks looked like modern day mediterranean people. Modern day Greeks are for the most part direct descendants of the Byzantine Greeks who were themselves the heirs of ancient Greece. Ancient Greeks, like many other ancient civilisations, were never a pure race.
  • Reply
    bob bob Nov 25, 2009 @ 12:29 pm
    you must come from naxsos
  • Reply
    DDinou DDinou Jul 31, 2009 @ 3:41 am
    Very nice
  • Reply
    danny danny May 25, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
    I like Greece, I have been there twice
  • Load More

Books - Guides - Music on Greece 

Hercules (Disney Gold Classic Collection)

Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 01/02/2010) Buy Now

Yanni Live - The Concert Event

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 01/02/2010) Buy Now

Live at the Acropolis

Amazon Price: $13.98 (as of 01/02/2010) Buy Now

Frommer's Greece (Frommer's Complete)

Amazon Price: $21.99 (as of 01/02/2010) Buy Now

by isabella

I am very proud of my two squidoo groups, which I would like you to visit and add your lenses, if they are relevant.
Greece Headquarters
Best Islands'... (more)

Explore related pages

Create a Lens!