Visit Athens

Athens is a city of white marble and exhaust fumes where ancient temples look down on a dense sea of apartment blocks and orange trees. It is a chaotic and historical anchor for an Athens road trip through the Peloponnese and central Greece. You should visit the Varvakios Central Market to see the rows of hanging meats and stacks of local olives, a place that has been the city's stomach since 1886. The local culture is found in the kafeneio of the Psirri district, where old men play backgammon and drink strong coffee in the shadow of modern street art. For a unique view, head to the Lycabettus Hill at sunset to see the Acropolis glow against the Saronic Gulf as the city lights begin to flicker across the Attica basin.

The city is dominated by the Parthenon, but you should also find the Anafiotika neighborhood. The tiny cluster of white washed houses built on the side of the Acropolis rock by builders from the island of Anafi who wanted to feel at home in the capital. You should walk through the National Garden, which was originally the royal garden of Queen Amalia and contains over five hundred species of plants and Roman mosaics. The Panathenaic Stadium is a specific detail you cannot miss, as it is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble and hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. You can find the remnants of the Ottoman era in the small mosques and hammams that are hidden among the Roman ruins of the Plaka.

Driving out of the city toward the west involves navigating the Kifissos Avenue before hitting the toll roads toward the Corinth Canal. The road follows the coastline of the Saronic Gulf, offering views of the oil tankers and the distant islands. You will notice the landscape change from the dusty gray of the urban center to the silver green of the olive groves and the rocky mountain passes. Athens remains the primary gateway to the classical world and a place of endless human history.

Top sights to visitThe Anafiotika Quarter  Climb the slopes of the Acropolis to find a hidden cluster of whitewashed houses that look exactly like a Cycladic village. Navigate the tiny, flower filled alleys where you can see the laundry hanging out and hear the local cats. It is a quiet, island style escape right in the middle of a chaotic metropolis.
Panathenaic Marble Stadium  Run a lap on the track of the only stadium in the world built entirely of white marble. Climb to the very top row of seats for a stunning view of the Acropolis framed by the modern city. This site hosted the first modern Olympics and remains a powerful symbol of Greek athletic history.
Varvakios Central Market  Pass the shouting vendors and rows of fresh seafood to experience the raw energy of the main food hub of the city. Grab a quick plate of traditional soup or fresh olives from one of the stalls inside. It is a loud, chaotic and fascinating sensory overload that shows the real Athens.
Lycabettus Hill View  Take the funicular or hike the winding path to the highest point in the city for a three hundred and sixty degree panorama. Time your visit for sunset to watch the Acropolis light up against the darkening Aegean Sea. This is the best place to realize just how massive and ancient the city of Athens truly is.
The Plaka District  Wander the oldest streets in Athens to find hidden Byzantine churches and shops selling handmade leather sandals. Stop at a small tavern under a canopy of bougainvillea for a glass of Ouzo and some grilled octopus. This area is the most romantic part of the city, perfectly blending ancient ruins with modern life.
Philopappos Hill Path  Walk the paved paths through the olive groves to reach the monument at the top of the hill. Use this vantage point to get the best photos of the Parthenon without the crowds of the main site. It is a peaceful, historical park that offers a great perspective on the ancient city planning.
National Garden Palms  Go through the soaring palm trees and find the hidden duck ponds in this massive green oasis. Sit in the shade of the orange trees to escape the intense Greek sun for an hour. This park was once the Royal Garden and still feels like a lush sanctuary in the concrete center.
The Areopagus Rock  Climb the slippery stone steps of Mars Hill to stand where ancient Athenians once held their high court. Look out over the Ancient Agora below and watch the sunset over the distant mountains. It is a legendary spot for locals to gather, talk, and enjoy the evening breeze.
Kerameikos Ancient Cemetery  Walk through the ruins of the ancient city gates and see the beautiful funerary monuments of the former citizens of Athens. Explore the museum on site to see the intricate pottery found in the tombs. It is much quieter than the Acropolis and offers a more intimate look at the lives of ancient Greeks.
Stavros Niarchos Center  Drive to the coast to explore this massive modern cultural complex and its sloping rooftop park. Walk among the thousands of indigenous Greek plants and enjoy the view of the Saronic Gulf from the lighthouse. This is the cutting edge, sustainable face of modern Athens.
Monastiraki Flea Market  Spend a Sunday morning digging through the piles of old books, military relics, and vintage vinyl in the open air stalls. Negotiate for a handmade copper pot or a Greek evil eye charm to take home as a souvenir. The energy here is a mix of an ancient bazaar and a modern block party.
Cape Sounion Drive  Take a one hour drive along the scenic coastal road to reach the Temple of Poseidon perched on a cliff edge. Stand between the massive white columns as the sun sets into the sea. This road trip is the perfect way to see the beauty of the Attica coastline.

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History of Athens

Athens is the cradle of Western civilization, the place where the very concepts of democracy, philosophy and tragedy were born 2,500 years ago. Under the leadership of Pericles, the city reached its Golden Age, constructing the Parthenon as a temple to Athena and a symbol of human achievement. While empires like Rome and the Ottomans eventually took control, the intellectual legacy of Athens continued to educate the world, making the city a place of pilgrimage for scholars for two millennia.

By the early 19th century, Athens had withered into a small, dusty village of just 4,000 people huddling beneath the ruins of the Acropolis. When Greece won its independence, the city was chosen as the capital purely for its glorious past. It was rebuilt by Bavarian architects who laid out wide boulevards and neoclassical palaces, attempting to bridge the gap between the ancient ruins and the needs of a modern European state. This Great Idea transformed Athens back into a sprawling metropolis.

Modern Athens is a high-energy, chaotic and beautiful collision of eras. You can find ancient Greek temples, Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques all within a single city block, surrounded by the concrete apartment buildings of the 1960s. It is a city that lives late into the night, where the smell of grilled souvlaki and the sound of traffic are the backdrop to a culture that still values public debate and hospitality. Driving through Athens is an exercise in navigating history at every turn.