Athens

The new Acropolis Museum was designed with two objectives: the first to offer the best conditions for the exhibition of its exhibits and secondly to be a Museum that welcomes and befriends its visitors.

A walk through its galleries is a walk through history – between the masterpieces of the Archaic and Classical periods, but also in the ancient neighborhoods of Athens.

The Museum offers many opportunities for rest and recreation, as well as a visitor friendly environment for some of the most emblematic works of antiquity.

The Athens Olympic Stadium, so named after the 2004 Athens Olympics, features a roof supported by two colossal arcs. Seating over 72,000 spectators, football and other sports events are usually the main events in this stadium.

More than relics and ancient treasures, this archaeological site also offers timeless romance. Hidden in a gorge amid a forest of pine trees, the Sanctuary of Amphiaraion features a number of buildings that date back to the 6th century BC. The theatre and Pebble Beach of Agii Apostoli should not be missed.

Summers in Athens call for major chilling out and relaxing at the city’s National Garden. Created in 1839, the garden is located beside the Parliament Building. Huge palm trees and lush vegetation make the garden a perfect oasis of calm. A duck pond, library, small zoo, and botanical museum complete the picture.

Zappion Garden (beside the National Garden) features basketball and volleyball courts. Nearby are the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a puppet theater.

Locals and tourists alike are impressed by Athenian structures. The Megaron is a lovely example, with its marble exteriors, lovely wooden paneling, and superb acoustics. World-famous operas, theater and musical performances are often staged here.

This 4th-century circular marble tower features a bronze tripod, which was given as a prize. The monument, also called the Lantern of Diogenes, commemorates Maecenas Lysicrates, who sponsored the musical competition of 334 BC. In 1169, it became part of a Catholic monastery and served as a library.

Have you ever wondered what schools were teaching in ages past? This university museum may satisfy your curiosity or whet it some more. It houses a sizeable collection of rare books and old scientific instruments, photos, teaching aids, manuscripts, maps and portraits from the 19th century. What’s more, if you visit in the summer, you might chance upon a theatrical performance being staged in the courtyard.

The Acropolis is awe-inspiring. This complex of ancient temples and monuments has survived over 2,500 years of tumultuous history to stand as testimonial to the world’s first democratic civilization, Greece. Acropolis means ‘high rock;’ indeed the ruins—the best known of which is the Parthenon, the temple dedicated to Athena—stand on a rock that is over 500 feet high. At night, the Acropolis is floodlit, giving it an unearthly glow. In spring, wildflowers decorate the site, as if rejoicing with us for everything that the Acropolis represents. On the hill is also a museum that holds a splendid accumulation of all the sculptures and relics found in the area.

Built in dedication to the king of gods, the Temple of Olympian Zeus boasted of over 100 Corinthian columns and a giant statue of Zeus. Today, the structure is but a shadow of its former self. Only a few columns remain, never to recover from an invasion (in the 4th century AD) that led to the temple’s destruction.

One of history’s greatest philosophers, Socrates walked the grounds of Agora (over 2,500 years ago) to engage people in philosophical discourse. From 6th century BC to the 6th century AD, the Agora functioned as Athens’ marketplace. Today, only a jumble of ruins reminds us how busy this place used to be. A museum holds the finds of archeological excavations of the area.

Opened in 1880, this magnificent building houses numerous antiquities and classical treasures such as Cycladic idols, tall Kouros statues, a 3,600 year-old gold mask of Agamemnon, ancient Egyptian relics, sculptures of Greek heroes, gold jewelry, weaponry and pottery.

Lykavittos Hill offers panoramic views of Athens, the Acropolis, and other major sights. On the hilltop are St. George Chapel, Lykavittos Theater and a café.

Built in 1840, the Parliament House used to be the Royal Palace until a fire broke out in 1910. Don’t miss the chance to witness the Changing of the Guards, which happens every hour in front of the building.

Cape Sounion features beaches, spectacular sunsets, romantic spots, and the ruins of an ancient temple. The temple dates back to the fifth century and was dedicated to Poseidon.

Cemeteries, like wine, only get better with age. Athens’ Kerameikos is as old as they get, dating back to the 5th century BC. Tombstones depicting mythological scenes, which served to comfort the bereaved, are common sights at the Kerameikos Cemetery. Numerous artifacts unearthed in this tranquil place may be viewed at the Museum of Karameikos and the National Museum of Athens.