Athens Attractions

What can we say- in spite of Athens having improved leaps and bounds with its wide range of interesting, modern activities, the list of "best things to do in Athens" has for the most part remained the same as it was for travelers 100-1000 years ago, give or take an exceptional museum or ten. Here are the things that would be criminal to miss before leaving the city:

The item top on our NileGuide list is none other than the mighty Acropolis: a sound fortress for the city since before the 7th century BC and a sacred site since before recorded history. Visit anytime except the summer and you'll even have it mostly to yourself. The impressive Odon of Herod Atticus, just underneath, is still hosting live performances throughout the summer. Learn about everything you just saw at the New Acropolis Museum, listed as one of Europe's top museums before it even opened its doors in June, 2009. Wander down Aeropagitou Street until you reach the Ancient Agora; in the long-roofed stoa is a museum with exhibits that teach us how ancient people lived, worked, and played. Lose yourself in the green hills where democracy found its foothold in Philoppapou Hill; the Hill of the Pnxy and Areopagus Hill are in trekking distance. In the summer any of the hilltops, including the highest of Lycabettus, or Lykavittos, serve as ideal vantage points for a sunset.

Monastiraki Square is one of the more scenic squares of the city; in it's rabbit-warren streets one can find all varieties of strange merchandise. You'll see Hadrian's Library and the entrance to the Roman Agora with its dilapidated temples just toward Adrianou Street.

History lovers or anyone who wants to boast about seeing the greatest collection of Hellenic antiquities in the world must not miss the National Archaeological Museum, particularly the Mycenaean collection of bronze funeral masks and weaponry dating back to 3000 BC. The museum is quite large, however. For those who prefer their history in a more bite size ration, the Benaki is a good way to get a little bit of every part of Greek history and art.

Lastly as a stirring tribute to those who have fallen in battle for Greece, the President's Guard stand protective in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every hour you're invited to watch them perform a ceremonial "Change of the Guard" which is like none other in the world.

It's important to note that in a city such as Athens, all of the best things to do simply don't fit in a list of ten. The Temple of Zeus, National Gardens, Theater of Dionysos and Anafiotika are all items we would have liked to squeeze in. Rest assured they're elsewhere listed in more specific top ten lists of Athens.

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