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Athens is one of the most celebrated cities for its preservation of ancient history. But it’s not all about history here in Athens; the city has a fresh and buzzing culture that gets more cosmopolitan by the year. The historical centre has gone car-free, making it the largest pedestrian area in Europe. Imagine sipping on a glass of retsina just outside a wall of marble columns thousands, not just hundreds, of years old? It’s a common occurrence when you hang around Athens.

Acropolis: Best known and most visited sight of Athens, the Acropolis is on a rocky plateau about 150 meters high, with many monuments from the ancient Greek that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Parthenon, or the Temple of Athena Nike was dedicated to the worship of the goddess (and other gods) in Greek mythology. You can also visit the splendid marble columns of Propylaea, or the Erechtheion which was considered to be the most sacred place at the Acropolis. The inescapable Acropolis museum contains several sculptures, vases and bronzes dating back to ancient Greece, but also some splendid frescoes that decorated the Parthenon once.

Agora: Agora was the main square of the city and served as a meeting place for Greek citizens. Today, this great place located at the foot of the Acropolis is an important archaeological site, just like the temple of Hephaestus.

National Archaeological Museum of Athens: This museum is certainly one of the finest in Greece. It has an impressive collection of artefacts covering the period from prehistory to late antiquity. This unique collection gathers together ceramics, sculptures and pottery dating back to ancient Greece, but also objects from Egyptian and Eastern cultures. This place is a real treasure for history and art-lovers. Various temporary exhibitions are also set up throughout the year.

Theatre of Dionysus: The main theatre in Athens has been carved into the side of the Acropolis and was where Aeschylus and Sophocles first performed their dramas in the 5th century BC. The theatre seated 17000 at one point, but only 20 of the original 64 rows of seats have survived time.

Greek food: Greek cuisine is known for its salads with fresh vegetables, feta and olives, but also for moussaka or the tzatziki. You can’t have too much fish here, and with the sea so close you can guarantee they are always fresh. The choice of restaurants is vast and they are generally cheap. The district of Plaka, with its narrow streets and typical taverns, is waiting to be discovered! Psirri is also a great place to find a bustling trendy restaurant.

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Accommodations in Athens

A lot has changed in Athens since the Olympics in 2004, including the range, variety and quality of hotels in Athens. There is something for every budget in this city, from luxurious and stylish boutique hotels with spas and indoor swimming pools to cultural and artsy backpacker’s hostels.

The best and most convenient place to stay is in the city centre where picturesque promenades and the most popular sights are within a few minutes walk away. Some of the oldest hotels are near Omonia Square and Plaka, you’ll definitely be charmed their history. Hotel rooms in neoclassical houses are usually cool in the summer thanks to the think stone walls but if you’re travelling to Athens in the winter, its best to ask if there is central heating installed.