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One of the oldest cities in the world, Athens wears its history like a badge of pride. The Acropolis and its crowning glory, the Parthenon, look down over the city from their lofty viewpoint, but everywhere you go you’ll come across ancient ruins from temples and theatres to towers and triumphal arches.

There are also Byzantine churches and Ottoman mansions to explore (the city was conquered multiple times throughout the ages), world-class museums, a vibrant nightlife, beaches and ocean views.

Areas of the heart of Athens are closed to vehicles, so you’re best exploring on foot and enjoying the city from rooftop bars and restaurants with sweeping views.

Things to see and do in Athens

The Acropolis

An ancient citadel perched on an outcrop above the city, the Acropolis was the brainchild of 5th-century BC statesman Pericles. He decided to build a lavish city of temples dedicated to the cult of Athena.

The site was proclaimed the province of the gods by the Oracle of Delphi, and the finest materials and best craftsmen were employed to construct a series of temples, theatres, sanctuaries and monumental gateways.

Although pilfered and damaged by conflicts and natural disasters over the centuries, the complex still has an immensely powerful presence. Many of the most important surviving sculptures now sit on display in the Acropolis Museum, while replicas fill their original places on the hilltop.

The Parthenon

Built during the Golden Age of Athens, the Parthenon sits on the highest point of the Acropolis, visible from all over Athens. The enormous Doric temple is regarded as the finest surviving example of classical Greek architecture. It was completed in 438 BC, and its finely calculated proportions, complex architectural structure and lavish decoration have inspired countless imitations.

The building originally served as a temple and treasury and held a colossal statue of Athena. Its friezes and sculpture-laden pediments would have been brightly painted and, although it has suffered badly over the years, it remains the symbol of Ancient Greece around the world.

Ancient Agora, the heart of classical Athens

The hub of ancient Athens, and its administrative, political and commercial heart, the Ancient Agora was the city’s marketplace, communal gathering space and location for some of the most heated debates and groundbreaking speeches in history.

The agora can justifiably claim to be the birthplace of democracy, a place where Socrates and Plato expounded their ideas, Saint Paul preached for coverts to Christianity, and lawmakers drew up codes that still influence our daily lives.

The site remained in use for about 5,000 years, and highlights include the Temple of Hephaistos and the modern reconstruction of the Stoa of Attalos, a covered walkway from the Hellenistic period. The Museum of the Ancient Agora explores the site’s legacy, as well as private and public life in classical Athens.

Plaka, one of Athens’ oldest districts

Set at the foot of the Acropolis, Plaka’s warren of narrow streets are lined by brightly painted, often tumbledown houses and a glut of shops, galleries, tavernas, cafés and restaurants. Bougainvillea cascades from rooftops, and the district gives off a definite air of traditional Greek way of life.

You’ll also find small Byzantine churches, leafy little squares, flower sellers, buskers, museums and, like everywhere else in the city, impressive archaeological sites.

It’s also a good place to pick up everything from ouzo and olive oil to Byzantine-style necklaces and woven carpets.

Modern Athens

Despite Greece’s well-documented economic woes in recent years, Athens remains a thriving city with a lively contemporary arts scene. Museums covering everything from Cycladic and Islamic art to ancient archaeology, Jewish history, folk art and numismatics.

You can see edgy street art on buildings all over the city and, by night, attend live music, dance and drama performances of every type.

On Syntagma Square, Athens’ central gathering place, the Old Royal Palace houses the Greek parliament and you can see the changing of the guard in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Best time to visit Athens

Athens makes a good destination at any time of year, but April to June and September to October are the best times to go. During these months, the temperatures are pleasant and visitor numbers are lower than in high summer. During July and August, temperatures can reach 33°C (91°F), making it very hot for exploring the city, while winter weather can be quite unpredictable.

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who's been there
Audley Travel specialist Sophie

Start planning your tailor-made trip to Athens by contacting one of our Greece specialists

Suggested itineraries featuring Athens

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Athens, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Athens

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near Athens

    Our expert guides to exploring Athens

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Athens, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Athens at its best.

    • Exploring classical Greece: Five essential destinations
      Erechtheum, Athens

      Exploring classical Greece: Five essential destinations

      Exploring classical Greece: Five essential destinations

      Explore the cradle of European culture with Greece specialist Abbey on this tour of five classical destinations, from the sun-bleached Parthenon in Athens to the sacred island of Delos, which the ancients believed to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

      8 min read

      Read this guide
    • Top 5 museums in Athens
      Views over Monastiraki Square, Athens

      Top 5 museums in Athens

      Top 5 museums in Athens

      As the cradle of Western culture, Greece has a special place in the history of art and architecture. Audley specialist and art history enthusiast Shannon visits bronze sculptures, marble friezes and Byzantine mosaics at five of Athens’ best museums.

      7 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for Athens

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Athens. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    • NJV Athens Plaza, Athens
      Responsible Choice

      NJV Athens Plaza

      Athens
      First Class

    Ideas for experiencing Athens

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Athens, and which use the best local guides.

    • Athens street art tour
      Street art, Athens

      Athens street art tour

      Athens street art tour

      Discover Athens’ powerful street art on a guided tour that throws light on everything from the Greek economic crisis to the power of art to force social change. This half-day tour takes in Athens’ lesser-known districts and most impressive murals.

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    • Athens food lover's walking tour
      Greek olives, Greece

      Athens food lover's walking tour

      Athens food lover's walking tour

      Sample fresh pies, succulent olives, traditional souvlaki and sweet desserts on a guided half-day walking tour of central Athens with a local guide. You’ll get an introduction to Greek cuisine and culinary techniques as you visit the city’s finest markets, delis and bakeries.

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    • Ancient Delphi and Arachova
      Ancient theatre, Delphi

      Ancient Delphi and Arachova

      Ancient Delphi and Arachova

      An expert guide will lead you around the ruins of ancient Delphi on this full-day tour of one of Greece’s most prestigious archaeological sites. The day ends with a trip to Arachova, a mountain town known for its textiles and cheese.

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    • Ancient Athens and the Acropolis Museum
      The Acropolis, Athens

      Ancient Athens and the Acropolis Museum

      Ancient Athens and the Acropolis Museum

      On this half-day privately guided tour, you’ll uncover the history, significance and function of the Athens Acropolis and its crowning glory, the Parthenon. Your time includes a trip to the Acropolis Museum, where the most highly prized sculptures are on display.

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    • Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
      Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion

      Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

      Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

      Offering an insight into Greek myths, beliefs and building methods, this privately guided tour of the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion reveals much about ancient society as well as presenting you with panoramic views from its headland setting.

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