Socrates, Plato, Euripides, Pericles, Sophocles, and Aeschylus all lived here. Athens has been one of the world's most ancient cities. It has a known history of roughly 3.400 years and has been inhabited since the 11th millennium BCE. Today, in the shadow of the Parthenon, the expansive city's current urban panorama reflects its exciting past, multicultural modern identity, as well as infrastructure, and services. The perfect Mediterranean climate with iconic Greek light from the sun, the great mix of illustrious history with advanced, urban innovation, the coexistence of great culture with breathtaking natural beauty, high standard hotel accommodation, modern means of transport such as the cutting edge modern metro, the vibrant rhythm of life, a diverse range of shopping, dining, and nightlife opportunities, and food and nightlife, and, of course, the hospitality of the Athenians make Athens an outstanding all-year-round city holiday destination. 

The city of Parthenon is a living museum. A substantial portion of the town's historic core has been transformed into a 3 km pedestrian zone, one of Europe's largest. It leads to the important archaeological sites ("archaeological parks"), which reproduce the old landscape to a significant extent. The "Grande Promenade" encircling Acropolis is a wonderful tour through history, whether on foot or by bike.

When to visit Athens

The ideal months to visit Athens are March to May and September to November.

Top Things To Do In Athens, Greece

The Acropolis

The oldest artefacts originate from the Middle Neolithic period.

A Mycenaean megaron temple is estimated to have stood here throughout the late Bronze Age. The citadel is spread across 3 hectares, about the size of four football fields, and is positioned 150 metres above sea level. The hill on which the Acropolis is located is unstable because of geological movements that cause harm to the age-old buildings. The Acropolis has around 20 points of interest, along with the Temple of Zeus and the Parthenon.

Roman Agora

The Roman Agora (Caesar and Augustus' Market) is situated on the north side of the Acropolis, a short distance east of the Greek Agora, which is linked by a paved roadway. On the pillars of the splendid Gate of Athena Archegetis ("Athena the Leader"), an inscription informs us that Julius Caesar and Augustus supported its design in the first century B.C. The Roman Agora is a huge open-air courtyard bordered on all four sides by colonnades. There were also a few stores on the eastern side. A fountain could be found on the southern side.

The main building (Gate of Athena Archegetis) was on the west, and another (or propylon) on the east led up to a public latrine and the "Tower of the Winds." The Roman Agora likely became the city's main market, absorbing much of the economic operations of the Greek Agora, which may have by that time evolved into somewhat of a museum (or archaeological park).

The Winds Tower

The Wind Tower (also known as the Horologion of Andronikos of Kyrrhos) is a tall, octagon tower located immediately east of the Roman Agora. It was created by a distinguished astronomer (Andronikos of Kyrrhos) to be a beautiful water timepiece, sundial, and meteorological vane (on the top). Intellectuals used to believe that the Tower of the Winds was erected in the first century B.C. (during the early Roman empire), but so several archaeologists now believe that it was built in the mid-second century B.C. (during the Hellenistic period).

Temple of Olympian Zeus

This half-ruined temple is devoted to Zeus, the leader of the Olympian gods, and hence bears the name Temple of the Olympian Zeus. It is a short walk from the centre of Athens, about 500 metres southeast of the Acropolis and 700 metres south of Syntagma Square. This temple is adjacent to other Athens landmarks like the Kallimarmaro Stadium, the Hadrian's Arch, and the Zappeion Megaron.

The Church of Panagia Kapnikarea

The church of Panagia Kapnikarea is one of Athens' oldest temples and one of the most important Byzantine structures. According to sources, it was erected in the early 11th century (about 1050) on the site of an old temple devoted to the goddess Athena or Demeter n the manner of other early Christian churches. The chapel is one of the most characteristic Athenian landmarks, located in the centre of the city's most busy and popular downtown street, Ermou, on the route from Syntagma to Monastiraki square.

Athens Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Complex was created in 1998 when the Stavros Niarchos Foundation decided to make a donation to build a multi-space that would strengthen Athens' cultural façade. 

Initially, the contribution was planned for the National Library and the Greek National Opera, but as the ideas evolved, it was determined that a new structure, co-hosting both institutions, should be built. The important challenge was taken up by the Italian architect Renzo Piano in 2008, and work began in 2012 and was finished in 2016.

This cultural centre may be paired with a stroll to Marina Flisvos for dinner or coffee by the sea.

Athens Riviera

The seaside districts of Floisvos, Varkiza,  Glyfada, Saronida, Vouliagmeni, and Anavissos are among the greatest spots to visit on the Athens Riviera. All of these Athens suburbs include wonderful beaches where you can have a dip close to the city centre.

Aside from beautiful beaches, the Riviera offers a variety of upscale spa resorts, watersports facilities, gourmet restaurants, and marinas where numerous boats dock.

The Riviera is readily accessible from Athens' downtown, either by public transit (bus and tram) or by automobile.

Athens Herodes Atticus theatre

The ancient amphitheatre of Herodion, also famous as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and built at the base of the Acropolis, is currently one of the greatest sites to see a live classical theatre performance.

The Roman philosopher, teacher, and statesman Herodes Atticus constructed this antique theatre in 161 A.D. It was erected in honour of his wife, Aspasia Regilla, who died in 160 AD.