Athens is the capital city of Greece. It is largest city of Greece and is named after Athena (its patron goddess). Go to Athens if you enjoy ancient history, you like a museum, you're not put off by unclean streets.
In almost every city, according to the guidebooks, there are surprises around every plain corner. We all know it isn't true: it's the worst kind of tourist board propaganda. However, in jumbled-up Athens, where ancient and modern, nature and civilization, tradition and trends mix, the cliché may hold true. The top things to do in Athens clearly indicate as much.
While Greece is ranked among the most popular tourist destinations in the world, the north of the country still remains largely unknown. Though its islands and temples may not be as impressive as the ones in the south, there is still plenty of reason to visit. The region is less populated and less touristy, and some of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes are found in this part of Greece. It’s also home to the country’s best religious sites, and some of its friendliest people, and is a must for James Bond and Pierce Brosnan fans.
The birthplace of modern civilization, Athens is filled with a rich culture and traditions. There is a reason why Athens is Greece's capital and plays a key role in almost every Greek story. From world-class art galleries to neoclassical buildings, along with stunning cuisine, Athens is a certified tourist attraction.
Your trip to Greece won't be complete without a visit to one place here at least. There are a lot of surprise attractions in Athens, so you will be pleasantly surprised.
Any history buff in the world should aim to visit Athens at least once. Widely regarded as the cradle of Western civilization and democracy, the city is filled to the brim with history. Someone interested in history could spend weeks in the city without discovering everything it has to offer. However, we should note that Athens also has a lot to offer someone who isn't as interested in history.
Athens' selling point is that the city's history, Greek culture, and many ruins and monuments spread throughout it.
From the ancient ruins strewn across the city to its renowned museums, Athens is immersed in history and culture. Whether you're wandering the meandering lanes of Plaka or admiring the majestic Temple of Olympian Zeus, there'll never be a shortage of things to see and do.
1. Acropolis
Before Rome became the center of the ancient world, no city was more important than Athens. Monuments from the glory days of the Greek capital remain, most notably 2500 year old landmarks of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. The city is still dominated with 5th century BC landmarks including Acropolis, a hill top topped with ancient buildings like Parthenon temple.
The Acropolis, perched on a rocky outcrop above the city, is home to world-famous Classical landmarks that people wait their entire lives to witness in person. If you go up to the Acropolis or another place that overlooks Athens, you'll understand the true scale of the city.
2. Parthenon
The Parthenon is the crown jewel, but the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike are other must-sees, and with a registered guide, you may skip the lines and learn fascinating facts and tidbits about ancient Greek democracy and philosophy. The Parthenon is a symbol of western civilization and Athenian democracy and is considered the Doric Order's greatest achievement and Classical Greece's most significant edifice to survive to the twenty-first century.
The Parthenon was constructed in 447 BC, during the reign of the Athenian Empire over the Aegean. It was a city treasury at the time, co-designed by Ictinus and Callicrates, before becoming a church in the 6th century and subsequently a mosque in the 1460s. Some of the Parthenon's sculptures were infamously plucked by The Earl of Elgin at the beginning of the 18th century and then sold to the British Museum, where they now reside.
3. National Garden
The National Gardens, tucked away in the center of Athens, provide a lovely respite from the city's bustle. Queen Amalia, the first queen of Greece, commissioned this opulent garden in 1838, and it was completed two years later. The Gardens include a small zoo with wild Greek goats, peacocks, and chickens, as well as a 16-hectare network of tiny gravel walkways and ponds.
4. Museum of Cycladic Art
One of the world’s oldest cities understandably has some stunning museums too. More than 3,000 items of Cycladic, Ancient Greek and Cypriot heritage are housed in this opulent museum. You should try to observe the Bronze Age figurines and statues with distinctively sculpted thin marble figurines and statues. Or one of the 150 ancient Greek art artifacts on display, which include vases, figurines, and weaponry arranged by themes such as "Gods and Heroes," "Eros," "Women's World," and "the Underworld."
5. Erechtheion
A temple to Athena and Poseidon was built in the Ionic Order from 421 to 406 BC on the north side of the Acropolis. This monument saw a variety of uses after antiquity, including a Byzantine church, a Frankish palace, and, much later, a home for the Ottoman commander's harem.
The southern Porch of the Maidens, which is the Erechtheion's distinguishing image, is a must-see. Callimachus or Alcamenes sculpted six exquisite caryatids to support the roof. The contemporary caryatids are casts, with five of the originals on display at the Acropolis Museum and one in the British Museum.
6. Piraeus Harbour
Mikrolimano or Fanari or Akti Koumoundourou or Tourkolimano is amazing for fish or meat just next to the sea. The area has so many names and every each one refers to different eras. The prices are let’s say normal, not very expensive neither cheap and you can enjoy quality food and local recipes in a graphical place.
7. Adrianou
Athens is named one of the destinations in Greece where you can get the best value for money, according to Lonely Planet. It noted that many things are free, and that the city itself is a wonderful outdoor museum - powerful memories of antiquity live side by side with modern city life. Houses go as far as your eyes can see in every direction.
Monastiraki, literally, small monastery is an outdoor neighborhood and market in Athens, and one of the main commercial districts of the city. The area owes its name to the Monastiraki square, which in turn bears the name of the Byzantine church of Pantanassa, which is located inside the square.
The main roads in this area are Pandrossou and Adrianou. The area is home to the flea market; there are clothes shops, souvenir shops and specialty shops, and it is an important tourist attraction in Athens and Attica for business. In the square there is also the Tzistarakis mosque. Monastiraki metro station, located in the square, serves both Line 1 and Line 3 of the Athens Metro.
Monastiraki is one of the capital's oldest and busiest neighborhoods, with rooftop bars, historic sites, and massive markets. The Monastiraki metro station is located directly across from the charming main square (which also has brilliant views of the Acropolis). You can shop for antiques, handmade jewelry, and Greek handicrafts at the Monastiraki flea market. Squeeze through crowded pedestrian alleys, and visit shops stocked with antiques, handmade jewelry, and Greek handicrafts.
Conclusion
It is historically significant because it is known for being at the forefront of early civilization, as the birthplace of democracy, and as the home of some of the world's most famous philosophers. Even today, the city’s pulsing pulse emits an aura of significance that transports you back in time. The novelty of constantly being immersed in a place with so much personality never wears off, and it eventually feels like home.
