Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece,
is one of the world’s oldest cities, with
a recorded history that goes back over 3,400
years. Athens rose to become a powerful city state
in the first millennium B.C., and with the establishment
of democracy in the 5th century B.C., it became a center
for the arts, learning and philosophy. The achievements
of philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle,
historians like Herodotus and playwrights like
Sophocles during this Golden Age were so great that
Athens became known as the cradle of Western civilization.
While Athens’ glory days may be long gone—it’s now
a crowded, polluted city of 3 million—tourists are still
drawn by this Classical past. Most visits begin at the
Acropolis, the ancient citadel that towers over the city.
Sights on the Acropolis include the massive
Parthenon, a temple dedicated to Athena,
the city’s patron goddess; the Erechtheion,
dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon; and
the Temple of Athena Nike, where Athena was
worshipped as the goddess of victory. Other
important historic attractions include the
Ancient Agora, with its well-preserved Temple
of Hephaestus; the nearby Roman Forum, built
during the reign of Julius Caesar; and the ruins
of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, one of the
largest temples in the ancient world. Also not
to be missed is the National Archeological
Museum, which holds the world’s finest
collection of ancient Greek artifacts.
Of course, there’s more to Athens than
ancient ruins. Pláka, a district north of the
Acropolis famous for its 19th-century neoclassical
architecture, is filled with charming tavernas and
cafés. On Syntagma Square in central Athens,
you can admire the Old Royal Palace,
watch the changing of the guards at the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier, and escape the heat
in the National Gardens. And in Psiri, Athens’
nightlife hotspot, you have your choice of trendy
nightclubs, bars and live music venues.
