A Home for the Gods

The Acropolis - symbol of Athens and one of the seven wonders of the world, stands at the heart of the city - each glimpse a reminder of its ancient roots. The ‘Sacred Rock’ was transformed into a city of temples 500 years before Christ, during the reign of Perikles - who was ordered by the Delphic Oracle to make the hill a province of the gods. Olive and pine trees line the path to the summit, where amphitheatres and smaller temples surround the iconic Parthenon, whose marble columns have been copied throughout the ages and around the world, as the ultimate expression of elegance and power.

Earthly Pleasures

Come down from the land of the gods, to explore Athens’ historic centre at the foot of the Acropolis. Here you can lose yourself in a labyrinth of shady alleys, admire the mix of Byzantine, Ottoman and Neoclassical buildings, and browse through craft shops and market stalls. Succumb to the temptation of handmade jewellery, leather goods and rugs - or go on a treasure hunt at the city’s Sunday flea market. Nestled against the Acropolis itself, get a taste of island life in the district of Anafiotika, where in the 19th century homesick craftsmen from the island of Anafi built a home away from home - recreating the whitewashed houses of their island. Pleasantly bustling by day, the historic quarter really comes to life at night, when cafes, tavernas and ouzo bars spill out onto the streets, and you can savour your evening meal until the early hours of the morning.

Modern Treasures

To the east of the historic city, modern Athens centres on Syntagma Square, where, outside the Greek parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is watched over by the Evzones - the elite ceremonial guards - wearing their distinctive skirts and pompommed shoes, the traditional uniform of the 19th century Greek War of Independence. Beyond Syntagma explore chic Kolonaki, where the designer shops and elegant cafes are the playground of Greek high society. This district is also home to some of the finest museums in Athens - The Museum of Cycladic Art, the Byzantine and the Benaki Museums house collections of art and antiquities unparalleled in the rest of the world. Having immersed yourself in culture, have a look at the bigger picture and take the funicular railway up Lycabettus Hill, to watch Athens glitter and the Aegean Sea turn gold as the sun goes down.

Island Paradise

Athens dips its toes in the Aegean, and you can too, at one of the sandy beaches and picturesque fishing ports just minutes by metro from the city centre. And to really get away from it all, just take your pick from among the 1,400 Greek islands, hop on a ferry from the port of Piraeus, and sail into the Aegean sunset on your own Greek odyssey.