As one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens, the Greek capital, has many incredible places to visit. The city should be on the bucket list of every #historylover. #Athens was the center of ancient Greece, which was an influential #culture and empire in its time. 

There are many architectural monuments and majestic ruins to visit, including the world famous Acropolis, the ancient Agora and the Roman Agora. In addition, Athens has many museums, picturesque neighborhoods and breathtaking viewpoints.

Places of interest

Acropolis of Athens 

The most famous place in Athens is without doubt the Acropolis. This ancient wonder, the "Upper City", can be seen from every corner of the city centre. Located on the top of a hill in the city centre, the ancient citadel houses some of the oldest ruins in the city. These date back to the 5th century BC and offer you a glimpse of the glorious days of Greece.

Of all the buildings found on the Acropolis, the Parthenon is the most famous. The Parthenon is a former temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, after whom the city of Athens was named. It is considered a brilliant architectural structure and represents the golden age of the Greek Empire. Like many of the buildings on the Acropolis, the Parthenon has suffered considerable damage over the years. It was looted, burned down and converted for use by various religions, and despite all this, its remains are particularly impressive. 

From the hill you have an impressive view over the whole city and there are a number of other ruins to visit, including the Dionysus Theatre, the Propylaeum, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike. 

Before visiting the Acropolis Hill, it is a good idea to visit the Acropolis Museum, which is located right at the entrance of the hill. 

Syntagma Square  

Syntagma Square is the main square of modern Athens, located in the heart of the city. It is also called "Constitution Square" because it was here that the first king of Greece declared the Constitution. In the middle of the square there is a fountain surrounded by benches and greenery, and on its eastern side is the Greek Parliament building, where you can watch the changing of the guard. Due to the central location of the square, it is common for a mixture of tourists and locals to gather in the square.

Plaka  

The Plaka district, situated in the shadow of the Acropolis, is one of the most beautiful districts in Athens. It is also the oldest district of the city, consisting of narrow cobblestone streets lined with traditional taverns and souvenir shops. 

Plaka is sometimes referred to as the "Quarter of the Gods" and is a magical area where you can wander around during the day and night to soak up the atmosphere. Especially in the evening the area is especially magical.

You should definitely take a look at the tiny Anafiotika quarter, which is located on the top of the hill in Plaka. The district is characterized by colorful houses and narrow, winding streets, and although it is in the center of Athens, it feels more like it belongs to one of the Greek islands.

Ancient Agora of Athens

The ancient #Agora of Athens was once the heart of the city and served as a market place and meeting place for the Athenians. Similar to the Roman Forum in Rome, the Agora is a large archaeological site with a number of ruins, two of the most remarkable being the Hephaisteion and the Stoa of Attalos.

Roman Agora

North of the acropolis is the Roman Agora, which was the market area of the city during Roman rule. It is much smaller than the ancient agora, which means that you don't have to plan so much time for your visit. Nevertheless, there is a lot to see here as well. Among the sights of the Roman Agora are the Fethiye Mosque, the Tower of the Winds and the Gate of Athena Archegetis, which was the entrance to the market.

Philopappos Hill

The ascent is not too strenuous and takes only about 15 minutes. At the top of the hill is the Philopappos Monument - an ancient Greek mausoleum dedicated to Philopappus, a prince from the kingdom of Commagene.

Philopappos Hill is also one of the best places to watch the sunset in Athens. Thanks to the central location of the hill, one has a wonderful view of both the Acropolis and the whole city.

Although the #sunset is the best time to visit, the incredible view makes it a beautiful place to be at any time of the day. 

Best time to visit Athens

The best time to visit Athens both in terms of weather and price is in spring (March - May) or autumn (September - November).

During the summer months it can sometimes be uncomfortably warm. But, if the warm weather and crowds don't bother you, then summer is still a great time to visit the city.

If possible, you should try to avoid weekends, even in winter. On weekends or holidays the city will inevitably be fuller.