Athens

As far as cities go, you cannot get a more historically based one than Athens, Greece. The city itself has a history spanning 3,000 years. The myth surrounding the city is that the gods Poseidon and Athena competed to be the patrons of the city and have it be named after them. Poseidon created a spring by striking the ground with his trident, which symbolized naval power. Athena alternately, created the olive tree symbolizing peace and prosperity. The Athenians chose the olive tree and named the city after Athena.

When visiting the city, there are many ancient ruins to see, but the Acropolis is by far one of the main places to visit. Literally translated as “high city,” these ruins are a bit of a walk uphill to get to, but the views of the modern cityscape and the ancient ruins are well worth it. The Parthenon, built between 47 and 438 BC, is one of the lasting symbols of this ancient Greek culture. Also in the acropolis are the temple of Athena Nike, the Propylea, The Erechtheum on the North Side of the Acropolis, as well as many other ruins and the Centre for the Acropolis Studies, which is the museum filled with artifacts associated with the ruins.

For a break from ruins, shop in the Monastiraki, located below the Acropolis. Famous for its flea market, the Monastiraki is filled with shops, cafes and stands to enjoy. For a quick lunch, grab a gyro to go from one of the many vendors. At nighttime, you cannot beat the view of the Acropolis lit up against the sky from a café eating traditional souvlaka or taking a shot of ouzo, Greece’s famous alcohol made from pressed grapes, herbs and berries that tastes like black licorice.

Other major ruins that are a must see are the Temple of Zeus and the Ancient Agora. The Ancient Agora, located to the Northwest of the Acropolis is home to multiple standing temples and ruins to see. For a guided tour through history, visit the National Archeological Museum, which is considered the foremost museum in Greece and one of the best on Greek artifacts in the world.

For a more modern take on history, you can visit the stadiums erected for the return of the Olympic Games to Athens in 2004. You can walk to the modern stadiums that are now like ruins themselves after the games finished. Another modern place to visit that mixes the past with the present is the Parliament building. There you can see the changing of the guards, complete with traditional outfits of tassels, and see the heart of Modern Greek democracy.

Athens is a city with layers of history with every step you take. Throughout the city, there are always pieces of ruins excavated along the way, so that even just walking through Athens is like taking a trip to the “birthplace of democracy” and home to famous greats like Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle.

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Athens Blogs

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