City Guide for Athens

The Acropolis is Athens' most iconic landmark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched on a rocky hill above the city. It houses the Parthenon, a 5th-century BC temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, along with the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Visiting at sunrise or sunset offers dramatic lighting and smaller crowds. The on-site Acropolis Museum nearby holds many original artifacts.

Plaka is Athens’ oldest neighborhood, spread around the slopes of the Acropolis. Its pedestrian lanes, neoclassical houses, and small squares host tavernas, cafés, and craft shops. Sights include the Roman Agora, Tower of the Winds, and Lysicrates Monument, plus the tiny Anafiotika quarter. It’s ideal for strolling, dining, and photographing historic streetscapes.

Mount Lycabettus is the highest hill in Athens, rising 277 metres above the city. Visitors can hike or take a funicular to the summit, where the 19th-century Chapel of Saint George and a restaurant offer panoramic views over Athens, the Acropolis, and the Saronic Gulf. The hill is surrounded by pine trees and is particularly popular at sunset and during outdoor summer concerts.

Exarchia is Athens' edgy, bohemian neighborhood packed with street art, independent cafes, lively bars and a creative spirit that offers a refreshingly authentic urban experience.

Monastiraki is a vibrant mix of ancient history, flea markets, street food and rooftop bars, making it one of the most energetic and exciting areas in Athens.

Plaka is Athens' most iconic old neighborhood, full of cobblestone alleys, ancient ruins, tavernas and bougainvillea-draped walls right beneath the Acropolis.

Koukaki is a relaxed residential neighborhood just below the Acropolis, blending everyday Athenian life with excellent cafes, local tavernas and the world-class Acropolis Museum.

The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion sits dramatically above the Aegean Sea, offering ancient ruins, coastal scenery and legendary sunsets just 70 kilometers from Athens.

Ancient Delphi, home of the legendary Oracle and perched on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, is one of Greece's most awe-inspiring archaeological sites and a must-visit from Athens.

The ancient theater of Epidaurus is famed for its incredible acoustics and remarkable preservation. This UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Peloponnese is a captivating journey back to ancient Greece.

Car-free Hydra island enchants visitors with its elegant harbor, stone mansions, and timeless atmosphere. Just 90 minutes by ferry from Piraeus, it offers a perfect Greek island escape.