Olympic Venues

Olympic Sports Complex (OCO)

Situated in Maroussi, 10 km from Athens and 15 km from the airport. Focal point of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, it will host the Opening and Closing ceremonies. Athletics, Cycling-track, Gymnastics-Artistic-Trampoline, Tennis, Diving, Swimming, Syncronised Swimming and Waterpolo as well as the final phase of the Basketball games, will take place there. Schedule of venues: from 13 August to 29 August.

How to get there: You can either take the Line 1 Electrical Railway (ISAP) to Irini St. and Neratziotissa St. Blue-coloured buses such as 550 (from Palaio Faliro-Kifissia), or A7 and B7 Athens (Kaniggos Sq.-N. Erithraia), as well as 602 (Nea Ionia-Panormou St.-Metro) and E60 (Panormou St. Metro), will take you to the OCO

Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex (FCO)

It is located on Athens' southern coast and constists of a Sports Pavilion which will host the Taekwando events, Handball preliminary games and Beach Volleyball Centre which will host the Beach Volleyball and Volleyball. Schedule 14-29 August.

How to get there: Either take Metro Line 2 to Neos Kosmos or Fix and then the Light Rail System (Tram) to Neo Faliro, or ISAP (Line 1: Athens-Piraeus). Also you can transfer with buses 101 (Piraeus-Helliniko), A1 (Piraeus-Voula), B1 (Pir-Glyfada), 229 (Dafni St. Metro to Piraeus), 20 trolleybus (from N. Faliro).

Helliniko Olympic Complex (HCO)

The former Athens airport site has been tranformed into a complex of parks and Olympic venues which will host Softball and Baseball finals. Other facilities in there will host Hockey and Handball finals plus Fencing and Basketball preliminaries. The Olympic Canoe/Kayak-Slalom Racing is also hosted there. Schedule: 14-23 August.

How to get there: By taking the Tram from Syntagma Sq. or other conjunction stations (ISAP-Metro) to Helliniko St., or buses 101 (Piraeus), A3-B3 (Panepistimio-Glyfada), 171 (Dafni St.- Metro to Varkiza), 140 (Polygono or from Katechaki St. to Glyfada), A1-B1 (Piraeus), or A2 (from Academia).

Peace & Friendship Stadium (SEF)

Situated on the Faliro coast, is a jewel of modern architecture. It will host the Volleyball event. Schedule: 14-29 August.

How to get there: Tram to S.E.F. St. or ISAP to Faliro. Trolleybus (Neo Faliro), 040 (Piraeus-Syntagma), 101 (Peiraeus-Helliniko), 130 (Piraeus-Nea Smirni), 229-217 (Dafni St. to Piraeus), A1-B1, E1 Express from Piraeus to Voula, E96 (Piraeus-El. Venizelos airport).

Goudi Olympic Complex (GOC)

Will host Modern Pentathlon and Badminton. It consists of the Goudi Olympic Hall and the Olympic Modern Pentathlon Centre. Also will host Shooting, Fencing, Swimming, Riding and Running. Schedule: 14-21 August for Badminton and 26-27 Aug. for the Pentathlon

How to get there: Take Metro from Syntagma Sq. (Line 3) and you will get to this venue. Also with 622 bus from Ano Galatsi you can get to the Goudi Area.

Galatsi Olympic Hall (GAL)

Situated only a short distance from the Athens OCO in immediate proximity to the major competition centre for the 2004 Olympic Games. The centre for Rhythmic Gymnastics and the Table Tennis competitions. Schedule: 14-23 Aug. for Table Tennis and 26-29 for Rhythmic Gymnastics.

How to get there: Either take the ISAP (Line 1) or buses such as 608 Athens (Academia Str.-Galatsi), 036 Athens (Kypseli-Panormou St. or Katechaki St. of Metro), E1 (Piraeus-El. Venizelos). Trolleybus 13 (Lambrini Str.-Papadiamanti Sq.-Palairo Psychiko) or 5 (Lambrini Str.-Sytagma Sq.-Tzitzifies), 20 (Piraeus) will take you to Galatsi area.

Marathon Start (MRS)

Close to the airport, the famous race will be held along the original route taken by Phidippides in 490 BC. The finish line will be at Panathinaiko Stadium. Schedule: 22 Aug. for womens and 29 Aug. for mens.

How to get there: Buses to Marathon leave from Mauromateon Str. in Athens (Pedio tou Areos Park).

Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Centre (SCH)

Not far from the Marathon Start. At a distance of 35 mins from the centre of Athens and 25 mins north of the Eleftherios Venizelos Internation Airport. The main part of the lake which will host the Rowing and Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Racing and Rowing. Schedule: 15-22 Aug. for Rowing and 23-28 Aug. for the Canoe/Kayak.

How to get there: Take the bus from Pedion tou Areos Park.

Panathinaiko Stadium (PAN)

Originally built to host the Panathinaic Games in antiquity, the stadium was restored to host the first Modern Olympic Games in 1896. It is also known as "Kallimarmaro". It will host Archery and the Marathon finish. Schedule: 15-21 Aug. for Archery and 22 Aug for womens and 29 Aug. for mens Marathon.

How to get there: Trollybus No. 11 from Koliatsou Sq., 2 from Kypseli or 4 from Ano Kipseli, as well as bus 209 (Metamofosi-Syntagma Sq.), 405 (Palaio Faliro-Chalandri), 550 (Palaio Faliro-Kifissia) and E95 (Syntagma-El. Venizelos).

Agios Kosmas Olympic Sailing Centre (AGK)

The Olympic Sailing Centre, located on the coast south of Athens. Schedule: 14-26 & 28 Aug.

How to get there: By Tram, line to Agios Kosmas St. or by bus 140 (Polygono or Katechaki St.-Glyfada), B1 and A1 (Piraeus) and A2 from Athens (Academia Str.).

Athens City Centre Cycling Road Race Course (ARR)

The Cycling Road Race events will start and finish at Kozia Sq. The routes pass through the sight so of Athens. Schedule: 14 Aug for men and 15 Aug for women.

How to get there: Metro, Tram, ISAP, buses or Trolleybuses to Athens.

Nikaia Olympic Weightlifting Hall (HIH)

It is located in an area southwest of Attika region, consists of a main indooe arenam supplementary areas for warm up, medical services, dormitories for athletes, supporting facilities for security, Press and spectators. Schedule: 14-16, 18-21 & 23-25 August

How to get there:Troybus 21 from Athens (Ormonia Sq. to Nikaia), blue coloured bus 824 and 825 from Piraeus to Ag. Antonios.

Ano Liossia Olympic Hall (LIH)

Venue for Judo and Wrestling. Located in Ano Liossia. Schedule: 14-20 for Judo and 22-29 Aug for Wrestling.

How to get there: Either by taking the Suburban Railway or Metro to Larissis St. and then buses E2, A12 or from Attika St. take B12. Bus No. 748 from Acharnai Ave. will transfer you to Ano Liossia).

Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall (PBH)

This boxing hall has a capacity of 8,000 seats. Schedule: 14-25 & 27-29 Aug.

How to get there: Metro Line 2 to Aghios Antonios. Buses B14, B13, A13, E13, A14, 821, 840, 730 from Omonia Sq. and 420, 703, 802, 845 from Piraeous go to Peristeri as well as trolleybus 12 from Zappeio Park

Parnitha Olympic Mountain Bike Venue (MTB)

Located north of Athens and close to the Olympic Village on the south side of Mount Parnitha. Schedule: 27-28 Aug.

How to get there: Suburban Railway provides connections to the suburbs. A direct connection (OCO) or in combination with schuttle bus services (Markopoulo, LIH, MTB and Olympic Village). Bus A10 from Athens (Vathi Sq.) will also take you to a point.

Vouliagmeni Olympic Centre (VOU)

Triathlon and Cycling Time Trials will take place here. Schedule: 25-26 Aug.

How to get there: Express buses E20, E22 leave from Athens (Academia Str.) and buses 114, 149, 116, 340 from Glyfada. With Trams lines you can go faster to Glyfada and then take the buses mentioned above.

Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre (EQU)

Close to the airport, approximately 30 mins from Athens and less than 10 min. from El. Venizelos airport. A major complex including business facilities, stands, fields, stables for 300 horses in a carefully landscaped environment. Schedule: 15-18, 20-25 & 28 Aug.

How to get there: Buses-Greek Coach Service (known as KTEL) leave for Lavrio (via Spata) from Aigyptou Sq. Athens or Sounion (via Sparta) from 29 Mauromateon Str. and Sounion (coastal route) from Aigyptou Sq.

Markopoulo Olympic Shooting Centre (SHO)

The 305 acre complex contains a four storey shooting complex, restaurants, hostels, reception areas and parking. Schedule: 14-22 Aug.

Karaiskaki Stadium (ATH)

This venue was used as the velodrome for the first Modern Olympic Games in 1896. It was renovated into a stadium in the 1960s. It will host the Olympic Footbal Tournament. Schedule: 14-15, 17-18, 21 & 24 August. It is located in Neo Faliro opposite the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF)

Pampeloponnisiako Stadium, Patras (PAT)

Will host Olympic Football Tournament competitions. Schedule: 11-12, 14, 17-18, 20 & 23 August

How to get there: Greek Coach Service (KTEL) from Kifissos, or by Suburban Railway System (Peloponnesus St.) to the city of Patras.

Panthessaliko Stadium, Volos (VOL)

Will host Olympic Football Tournament preliminaries and semi-finals. Schedule: 11-12, 14-15, 17, 20-21 & 23-24 August.

How to get there: Greek Coach Service (KTEL) or by Suburban Railway System (Larissis St.) or by airplane from El. Venizelos International Airport

Kaftanzoglio Stadium, Thessalonica (THE)

Will host Olympic Football Tournament preliminaries and semi-finals. Schedule: 11-12, 14-15, 17, 20-21 & 23-24 August.

How to get there: Greek Coach Service (KTEL) or by Suburban Railway System (Larissis St.) or by airplane from El. Venizelos International Airport

Pankritio Stadium, Heraklio (HER)

Wonderful island of Heraklio (Crete) in the south of Greece. Schedule: 11-12, 14-15, 18, 20-21 & 23 August.

How to get there: From Piraeus port take athe ship to Crete (Heraklio).

Transport to the Olympic Venues

Where possible, use the Metro! This is a fantastic new and inexpensive way to get around Athens. The best way to get around of course is in an airconditioned taxi and the best taxi service of all is George's Taxi Service at www.greecetravel.com/taxi Keep in mind though that access to the venues may not be easy for vehicles that don't have VIP passes so most spectators are better off using public transportation.

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