Quick Summary:

  • Q: What is Athens known for today?
  • A: Today, Athens is a modern, busy city and the capital of Greece.
  • Q: What was Athens' role in ancient times?
  • A: Athens was the heart of the ancient Greek civilization.
  • Q: What are the most fascinating attractions in Athens?
  • A: The city’s most fascinating attractions are its 5th century BC structures, such as the 3,000-year-old Acropolis, with its magnificent ancient buildings like the Parthenon and its massive colonnades.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Acropolis Museum ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
Acropolis Museum | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of Yorgos Gaitis - Fotolia.com

2. Acropolis of Athens ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Acropolis of Athens | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of Pierre Violet - Fotolia.com

3. Ancient Agora of Athens

Ancient Agora of Athens | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of Kristina Charles - Fotolia.com

4. Benaki Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Benaki Museum | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Benaki Museum

5. Byzantine and Christian Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Byzantine and Christian Museum | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of Pierre Violet - Fotolia.com

6. First Cemetery of Athens

Category: Attractions
First Cemetery of Athens | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of olga_voronova - Fotolia.com

7. GB Roof Garden Restaurant and Bar

Category: Activities
GB Roof Garden Restaurant and Bar | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© GB Roof Garden Restaurant and Bar

8. Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art

Category: Museums & Culture
Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art

9. Monastiraki Flea Market

Category: Shopping
Monastiraki Flea Market | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of viperagp - Fotolia.com

10. Mount Lycabettus

Category: Activities
Mount Lycabettus | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of luluandisabelle - Fotolia.com

11. National Archaeological Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
National Archaeological Museum | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of costas1962 - Fotolia.com

12. National Garden

Category: Activities
National Garden | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of gorelovs - Fotolia.com

13. Numismatic Museum of Athens

Category: Museums & Culture
Numismatic Museum of Athens | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of Haris Andronos - Fotolia.com

14. Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Odeon of Herodes Atticus | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of waldorf27 - Fotolia.com

15. Panathenaic Stadium

Panathenaic Stadium | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of gatsi - Fotolia.com

16. Parthenon

Category: Museums & Culture
Parthenon | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of mrvisual - Fotolia.com

17. Technopolis

Technopolis | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of milangonda - Fotolia.com

18. Temple of Hephaestus

Temple of Hephaestus | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of anastasios71 - Fotolia.com

19. Temple of Olympian Zeus

Temple of Olympian Zeus | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of starush - Fotolia.com

20. The Agora-Athens Central Market

Category: Shopping
The Agora-Athens Central Market | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of Luciana Oluvres - Fotolia.com

21. Plaka

Plaka | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of anastasios71 - Fotolia.com

22. The Temple Of Poseidon at Sounion

The Temple Of Poseidon at Sounion | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of WitR - Fotolia.com

23. Theatre of Dionysus

Category: Entertainment
Theatre of Dionysus | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of Svetlana - Fotolia.com

24. Tower of the Winds

Tower of the Winds | Vacation Ideas in Athens, Greece
© Courtesy of anshar73 - Fotolia.com

Summary & FAQ Acropolis Museum Acropolis of Athens Ancient Agora of Athens Benaki Museum Byzantine and Christian Museum First Cemetery of Athens GB Roof Garden Restaurant and Bar Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art Monastiraki Flea Market Mount Lycabettus National Archaeological Museum National Garden Numismatic Museum of Athens Odeon of Herodes Atticus Panathenaic Stadium Parthenon Technopolis Temple of Hephaestus Temple of Olympian Zeus The Agora-Athens Central Market Plaka The Temple Of Poseidon at Sounion Theatre of Dionysus Tower of the Winds

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