Athens, the capital of Greece, was the heart of ancient Greek civilization, and people from around the world still come here to have a look at early Greek landmarks such as the Castle and the Parthenon. On the other hand, the Castle Museum and the National Archaeological Museum safeguard sculptures, vases, fashion jewelry, and more from Ancient Greece, using visitors a chance to go back in time.

However, these ancient structures and museums aren't the only must-see tourist destinations in Athens. Diving into the night life in the Psiri location and shopping in the Plaka are preferred activities for travelers and residents alike.

The Parthenon Temple crowns the Castle in Athens, Greece

The Castle and the Parthenon control the horizon of Athens. These hilltop sights are astonishing, and the view from the Castle of the city and the surrounding temples is one that will stick with you permanently.

The Castle is an ancient citadel situated on a rocky hill neglecting Athens; it's likewise the website of a range of ancient structures like the Parthenon, which is among the most significant signs of early western civilization that have actually made it to modern-day times. Constructed between 447 and 438 B.C. and co-designed by Ictinus and Callicrates, the Parthenon was committed to the goddess Athena at the height of the Athenian Empire.

At the Castle, join a trip group organized by language-- though there may be a quick wait while a complete group is collected. These tours are led by certified guides and take visitors through the structures still standing in the Acropolis.

The New Castle Museum close-by is also a destination worth seeing; reduced tickets are readily available for access to both. Additionally, book an arranged trip ahead of time, which will usually include transport from your hotel.

Greek National Archaeological Museum

With artifacts dating back to 6,000 B.C. and covering whatever from prehistory to Greek antiquity, The National Archaeological Museum in Athens is thought of among the best museums worldwide. While even a short stop at the museum will impress, beginner visitors needs to license a minimum of two to three hours for a full journey of the exhibits and artifacts.

Nevertheless, you might rapidly spend an entire day learning more about the history of the area here, because the museum covers centuries of Greek culture-- beginning with the Cycladic Island civilization, the Minoans, and the Mycenaeans and continuing through the Greco-Roman world.

Capture the Sundown at Cape Sounion

A great afternoon journey from Athens, Cape Sounion is among those locations that is as much a preferred with residents as it is with travelers, primarily for the awesome views you'll discover here. A highlight of the cape is the Temple of Poseidon, a 5th Century temple with Doric columns that's wound up being a preferred sunset-viewing location for visitors.

While it is possible to go to Sounion by public bus from Athens, the majority of visitors prefer to drive or to take an arranged trip. You can schedule one directly ahead of your journey through your hotel or by visiting a travel agency in Athens.

Fishing boats in Athens, Greece.

To enjoy the seaside atmosphere of Athens, slip away to Piraeus, quickly reachable by the Metro, and have supper at one of the costly nevertheless lovely seaside pubs of Microlimano.

Piraeus, the port city of Athens, is not rather a Greek island however is reminiscent of the Greek island ambiance. Enable yourself some additional time and see the exceptional Piraeus Archaeological Museum or the equally-fascinating Nautical Museum.

You can similarly take an open-topped bus tour in between Athens and Piraeus, making it an easy and remarkable method to return and forth in between the 2 cities.

Trek to the top of Lycabettus Hill

For an escape from the heat of Athens in summertime season, the woody top of Lycabettus Hill offers great deals of breeze and shade together with a number of excellent tourist attractions including the 19th century Chapel of St. George, a theatre, and a dining establishment.

Visitors can access Lycabettus Hill by means of a three-minute cable television automobile flight or by taking a circular hiking path up the 277 meters to the top. While the cable television vehicle flight fasts, you won't get a view of the city en route up or down, but while the treking path might be more picturesque, it can be a grueling climb in the heat of the summer season in the city.

Celebrate Culture at Syntagma Square

Also called "Constitution Square," Syntagma Square is the heart of Athens in great deals of approaches. Not simply is it a big public square that typically hosts holiday occasions, but it's also the area of numerous of Athens' most popular high-end hotels and is an extreme public transport center.

In Addition, Syntagma Square has the Parliament Structure along one side, and the daily" Modifying of the Guard" here products a colorful image chance on your journey-- in addition to a possibility to experience an active part of the existing government of Greece.

As soon as you're done checking out the sites on the square, head down pedestrian-only Ermou Street for access to a few of Athens' much better high end shopping.

Check out the Plaka and Other Locations

The Plaka is the area of winding streets around the Castle. It's renowned for its small stores, restaurants, and regional architecture. While it's touristy, you'll still discover the place captivating for its choice of Athenian crafts, Greecian food, and regional art.

Stop somewhere for a frappe (iced immediate coffee), particularly during the summer season, and watch passersby. It's likewise terrific to check out in the evening with the tavernas remaining open up until late, and Cine Paris often exposes classic films outdoors. The whitewashed homes of the surrounding Anafiotika community supply the area a Greek-island feel.

Take in the Night Life Scene in Athens

With various tourist stores open till 10 p.m. and a variety of clubs, tavernas, and bars open up until dawn throughout the city, the nightlife culture of Athens is prospering-- even for travelers.

While Plaka may be popular for shopping, taking in a casual dinner, or having an early beverage, think about heading to Psiri for parties that go all night, dance clubs including international DJs, and bars that serve up until dawn.

Roam Around the Agora

The Ancient Agora of Classical Athens is the best-known example of an ancient Greek agora (market) in the nation. You'll find it northwest of the Castle, bounded on the south by the hill of the Areopagus and on the west by the hill of Agoraios Kolonos.

This area offers plenty of things to see and check out-- all of which can be seen in a couple of hours. Go to the temple of Hephaestus-- a rebuilt pillars that homes the Agora Museum-- and have a look at a variety of little monuments throughout the Agora itself. A multiple-site combination ticket makes it an especially good offer to integrate a check out here with the Castle and other nearby websites.

Walk Through the National Garden

Found in the heart of the city between the Kolonaki and Pangrati communities near the Plaka and the Castle, the National Garden is a public park that's house to 15.5 hectares of landscaped gardens and tracks that are open from dawn to sunset.

The National Garden is likewise house to a range of ancient ruins and mosaics along with a duck pond, a Botanical Museum, a coffee bar, a play area, and a kids's library.

Sit at the Theatre of Dionysus

View of The Theatre of Dionysus is a substantial al fresco theatre and among the earliest preserved in Athens. It was utilized for celebrations in honor of the god Dionysus, built in 534 BC

The Theatre of Dionysus is located at the foot of the Acropolis and is considered the earliest theater on the planet. Poets and playwrights like Aeschylus, Aristophanes, Euripides, and Sophocles premiered their works on this stage in the Fifth century B.C., and the very first drama was presented here by Thespis in about 530 B.C.

Whether you're a fan of modern-day theater or not, the views and historic significance of this site makes adding it to your schedule worth it-- specifically if you're already going to the Acropolis nearby.

Climb to the Philopappos Monument

Devoted to Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos, a prince from the Kingdom of Commagene in the First and Second centuries, the Philopappos Monolith is an ancient Greek mausoleum located southwest of the Castle on Mouseion Hill.

Quickly available via a strolling path and staircase through extravagant plant, the Philopappos Monolith is open to all-- day or night-- but is best around sundown for incredible views of the southern part of the city.

Participate in a Performance at Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Found on the southwest slope of the Castle, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone theatre structure at first completed in 161 A.D. and rebuilded in 1950 that still hosts concerts to this day. While complimentary trips of the website are used throughout the daytime, nighttime performances need tickets to go to.

Travel Through Time at the Benaki Museum

The Benaki Museum is a three-floor art and history museum dedicated to Greek culture throughout the ages. Established by art collector Antonis Benakis in 1930, the museum traces Greek history from prehistoric times to the present.

Displays in the museum consist of Neolithic vases, Archaic ceramics, Classical sculpture, Byzantine and Ottoman artifacts, and a range of paintings, files, and weapons from the Greek War of Self-reliance from 1821 to 1829.

Run Around the Panathenaic Arena

Developed for the 1896 Olympics, the Panathenaic Stadium is an almost-exact reproduction of the arena built for the Panathenaic Games in 330 B.C. and worked as the website of several games for the 2004 Summer Olympics. Built to hold 45,000 viewers and high sufficient to see the National Garden and Castle from its biggest seats, the Panathenaic Stadium makes a great stop on your trip of Athens.

Hope at the Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea

The Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea is among the earliest churches in Athens, originally built in 1050, dedicated to the Greek Orthodox faith. Found on Ermou Street at the edge of the Plaka, this small church supplies a reprieve from the busy shopping district outside its walls. However, the interior is just open for watchings on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Trip the Byzantine and Christian Museum

Found on Vassilissis Sofias Chance, this unique museum is home to over 25,000 artifacts from the 3rd Century A.D. to the Late Middle Ages. Established in 1914, the Byzantine and Christian Museum homes images, bibles, frescoes, pottery, materials, manuscripts, and copies of artifacts from the height of the Byzantine and Christian Empires in Greece.

Raised view of the 'Temple of Olympian Zeus' massive screwed up temple in central Athens

Although very little of this structure stays standing, the 15 withstanding columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus have scrolls and acanthus patterns that harken back to the temple's initial significance.

Construction on the temple began in the 6th century B.C. nevertheless wasn't finished up until the second century A.D. under the rule of Emperor Hadrian. Nevertheless, it fell less than a century later on in 267 when the athens greece escort Herulian intrusion sacked the city and the stone from much of the 104 initial columns was quarried to rebuild other structures around Athens.