Ancient wonders and buzzing neighborhoods where philosophers once pondered life's big questions.
Millennia of history unfolds around every corner, but Athens is no dusty museum piece. Between iconic ruins and marble masterpieces, you'll find spirited tavernas spilling onto narrow streets and locals debating everything from politics to football over strong coffee. The mighty Acropolis watches over a maze of neighborhoods, each with its own character – from the artsy studios of Psyrri to the leafy cafes of Kolonaki. By day, markets burst with olives and oregano; by night, ouzo flows as freely as the conversation. And just when you think you've got it figured out, you'll stumble upon a Byzantine church tucked between street art or a Roman forum beneath a trendy wine bar.