Athens is one of the most visited cities in Europe, and no wonder. It's got big, iconic sights - the most notable being the Acropolis, with its ancient temples and sculptures, and the Theatre of Dionysus. The shopping is excellent, and the food is wonderful too, whether you're having a quick souvlaki or lingering over mezedes. Athens has both a sophisticated café culture and lively, grungy student bars. There are excellent beaches within a day trip of the city or, if you fancy the idea of drifting around some Greek islands, the historic port of Piraeus beckons you to sail over the shimmering Aegean...
But, back on dry land, it's probably fair to say that Athens has more history than some continents. In the time of some of the earliest recorded human histories, Athens and Sparta successfully defended what is now Greece against invasion by the Persians. Athens became the centre of the Ancient Greek civilization, and some of its most impressive buildings date from this time. Big names in drama and history emerged to - is the home city of, Aeschylus, Herodotus, Sophocles, Plato and Aristotle.
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However, like all golden ages, Athens declined in importance and was occupied by various foreign powers, including the Romans and the Turks, and only became the capital of Greece in 1834, after the fall of the Ottomans. Since then, Athens has grown in status. Although it suffered badly during the Second World War, Athens is now the vibrant city it is today, with the 2004 Olympics its proudest moment in modern history. Athens may be currently going through a tough time with austerity measures, but this is one city that's proven it can survive bad times and excel during the good.
The chances are that you'll begin your city tour back where it all began. The Acropolis is the most important ancient site in the Western World, and is a must-visit. The Parthenon, which crowns the Arcopolis, is the biggest Doric temple in Greece; it was built as a monument to Athena as well as to serve as the treasury of the Greeks. The enormous Theatre of Dionysus shows how important theatre was in the ancient world. The Ancient Agora was the focus of Athens, a hub of gossip and government.
Although the tourist industry tends to focus on Ancient Greece, the Roman remains are well worth exploring too. Emperor Hadrian left the magnificent Arch which bears his name, which was intended as a diving line between the old Greek and modern Roman towns. The Temple of Olympian Zeus and a Library were also constructed by Hadrian.
You probably feel it's now time to see what 21 st century Athens has to offer. Wherever you are in Athens, you'll find the Athenian love of café culture a boon - you're never too far away from a cooling drink or refreshing coffee. Plaka is one of the main tourist districts and very handy for the Acropolis, so perfect for a pit stop. You'll find plenty of shops, stalls, bars and restaurants around here too.
If you love shopping, there's plenty to buy in Athens. Syntagma, Kifisia, and Stadiou are the best districts to head to if you're after high end designer gear. The Monastiraki Flea Market is an experience in itself, and you'll find anything and everything here, including antiques and craft items. Foodies should keep a lookout for delis that sell gourmet items from around Greece, including bread, olive oils, cheeses, wines, honeys and cured meats.
Speaking of food, Athens is a very good place for eating out. You can find restaurants that attempt to recreate the atmosphere and dishes of Ancient Greece, traditional favourites, as well as high-end places that produce Greek dishes with a contemporary twist that are works of art on a plate. Like any big city, you'll also be able to find a range of international cuisines as well as the ubiquitous fast food places.
And at some point after you usually have dinner, Athens really comes to life. It's a late city, with bars and cafes only really getting busy with locals after 11pm, and staying open until the small hours get big again. Kolonaki, Pystirri and Gazi are all good bets if you're looking for somewhere to drink. Bars of all shapes, sizes and intended clientele come and go with alarming regularity - check a listings magazine to see where's currently hot.
However, partying with the Athenians means a late start the next day. But that doesn't mean you can't hit the beach. Unlike the vast majority of European capitals, Athens has several beautiful beaches within very easy travelling distance. The best known is Astir, which is the most exclusive of the Athenians' summertime playgrounds and the place to go if you want to mingle with the beautiful people. There's also several other excellent beaches - some paid for, some free.
Around Athens are several other notable sights too. Marathon has a museum and is close to an enormous lake. Cape Sounion has the Temple of Poseidon. This is one of the most impressive of all the Ancient Greek temples, and boosted the morale of Greek sailors as, when they saw it, they realised they were almost home. The Koutouki cave, near Peania, is one of the most impressive caves in the country - it is over 3,000 square meters in size and has excellent acoustics.
There's plenty more to see back in the city too. There are fabulous museums - the National Archaeological Museum is the most notable, but you can also visit museums devoted to folk art, the Byzantines and many others. If you're into art, then there are galleries with both classical and modern pieces. The Foundation for the Hellenic World and the Planetarium are both high tech attractions that will suit both adults in children.
In short, although Athens is most famous for its ancient remains, the Greek capital remains a vibrant, modern city with an excellent nightlife, fantastic beaches and plenty to see and do. For centuries, even millenia, people have wanted to visit Athens - and traveller today worth their passport will be desperate to explore this magnificent city.
