Acropolis Views
The magnificent Acropolis, visible from almost every part of the city, is the hub around which Athens still revolves. This temple city, built in the 5th century BC, serves as a daily reminder to Greeks of their heritage and the city’s many transformations. All over the urban basin, rooftops and balconies angle toward the landmark, a block of milky marble atop a steep-sided hill. Pull up your own chair, settle in and allow time to appreciate the Acropolis’ many moods, as the light shifts and the clouds cast their shifting shadows.
With equal measures of grunge and grace, Athens is a heady mix of history and edginess.
Layers of History
The cultural and social life of Athens plays out amid, around and in landmarks that are centuries old, if not millennia. The remnants of Ancient Greece get the most attention, of course, thanks to a little thing called democracy. Oh, and mythology, and drama, and philosophy. But don’t overlook the ‘later’ years: thousand-year-old Byzantine churches, for instance, which squat, unruffled in the middle of streets and attached to hillsides. Ottoman traces can be seen in architecture and in food. And the neoclassical style of the 19th century adds elegance all over the centre.
Creative Energy
Although individuals have endured difficult circumstances since the start of the economic crisis in 2009, the city as a whole crackles with energy in art shows, political debates and even on the walls of derelict buildings, as Athens has become one of Europe’s most noted spots for street art. There are plenty of surprises to be discovered, so make sure to leave room in your schedule for spontaneous discovery: buy a ticket to that dance show that’s just starting as you walk by, or sit down at the restaurant where the musicians are setting up. You’ll be rewarded.
Beaches and Ruins
Beyond Athens, down the Attica peninsula, are more spectacular antiquities, such as the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion and the site of Ancient Eleusis, as well as very good beaches, such as those near historic Marathon. Sure, you could zip across, west to east, in less than an hour, but it’s far more fun to take a leisurely road trip to a mineral-filled lake, say, or a monastery with dazzling Byzantine mosaics. If you’d rather not drive, though, most of these surprise sights (including great beaches) can be reached on public transport.
