The city of Athens has long played an influential role in the world. The city has a significant and interesting history, as it is Europe’s historic capital as well as the capital of modern Greece. The city has been occupied by many conquerors throughout the centuries, and many of these erected stunning monuments. Today the city is a bustling, modern metropolis, but charming historical features lie just below the surface. The historic city center has been turned into a large pedestrian zone that provides access to many of the main archeological parks, including the temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the ancient Theatre of Dionysis, and many other sites. Walking among the sites it is easy to imagine yourself walking through the streets of ancient Greece.