Athens – A City Guide for First-Time Tourists

Athens is the capital city of Greece and is the oldest city in Europe. It is located on the Attic peninsula of Greece, between the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The earliest evidence of human habitation can be found in the city, which dates back to the Neolithic Period. Over the centuries, Athens has been the home to many civilizations, including the Minoans, the Mycenaeans, and the ancient Greeks. It has also been an important trading center and an influential cultural center for centuries.

Today, Athens is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is a vibrant, bustling city with a wide range of attractions and activities to offer visitors. With its ancient ruins, stunning architecture, world-class museums, and vibrant nightlife, there is something for everyone in Athens. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a cultural experience, Athens has it all.

Athens is home to a population of over three million people. The city is divided into two districts: Greater Athens and Attica. Greater Athens includes several municipalities, such as Nea Smyrni, Piraeus, Kifissia, and Vyronas. Attica includes several outlying towns and villages.

As a tourist, the most important thing to know when visiting Athens is that it is a walkable city. Most of the main attractions are located within easy walking distance of each other and public transportation options are plentiful. The city has an extensive metro system and many buses and trams. There are also many taxis and car hire services available.

The following are some of the top attractions in Athens that you should not miss.

1. Acropolis of Athens

The Acropolis of Athens is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world and a must-see for any first-time visitor to Athens. The Acropolis is located on an elevated outcrop overlooking the city and was once home to the famous Parthenon temple. The Parthenon was built in the 5th century BC and is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. It is surrounded by other ancient structures including the Propylaea (gateway), the Temple of Athena Nike (goddess of victory), and the Erechtheion (temple dedicated to Athena). Visitors can take a guided tour of the ancient site to learn more about its history and significance.

2. National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum is one of the most important archaeological museums in the world and should not be missed during your visit to Athens. It houses a collection of more than 20,000 artifacts from antiquity including sculptures, vases, jewelry, coins, and everyday objects from ancient Greece. The museum also features an impressive collection of ancient Greek sculptures ranging from the Archaic period to Roman times. It also houses some of the most famous Greek statues such as the iconic Venus de Milo and Athena Parthenos.

3. Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is one of the most impressive monuments in Athens. The temple was built in the 6th century BC but was never completed due to construction delays caused by political disputes between Athens and Sparta. The temple features 104 Corinthian columns and was once one of the largest temples in ancient Greece. It is located near Syntagma Square and provides visitors with spectacular views of the city.

4. Panathenaic Stadium

The Panathenaic Stadium is an ancient stadium that hosted the first modern-day Olympic Games in 1896. The stadium was originally built in 330 BC as part of the Panathenaic festival in honor of goddess Athena and was used to host athletic competitions such as chariot races and wrestling matches. Today, it is home to a museum and visitors can take a guided tour of its facilities to learn more about its history and importance.

5. Plaka District

The Plaka District is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens and is home to some of its most beautiful buildings and streets. This area was once part of classical Athens and was where Socrates used to walk around and teach his students. Today, it is one of the most popular attractions in Athens with its winding cobblestone streets, neoclassical buildings, traditional Greek restaurants, and boutique shops. It is a great place for visitors to explore on foot or take a romantic evening stroll with a view of the Acropolis in the background.

6. Lycabettus Hill

Lycabettus Hill is one of the highest points in Athens and provides visitors with stunning views of the city from its peak. The hill features lush gardens, pine trees, and a small chapel dedicated to St George at its summit. Visitors can ascend to its peak by cable car or by foot via a series of winding pathways. At night, Lycabettus Hill offers some of the best views of the city illuminated by street lights below.

7. Monastiraki Square

Monastiraki Square is located at the heart of Athens’ old town and is a great place to visit during your stay in Athens. The square is surrounded by shops selling souvenirs, antiques, clothing, jewelry, books, and traditional Greek food items. It also offers plenty of outdoor seating where visitors can relax with a coffee or a cold beer while enjoying street performers and other forms of entertainment. On Sundays, Monastiraki Square hosts an outdoor flea market where visitors can find unique items at bargain prices.

8. Museum at Delphi

The Museum at Delphi is one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites that was once dedicated to Apollo, god of prophecy. The museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts from Ancient Greece including sculptures, frescoes, coins, pottery, and jewelry from various civilizations that inhabited Greece over thousands of years ago. Visitors can take guided tours of this ancient site to learn more about its history and significance in Greek mythology.

9. Syntagma Square

Syntagma Square is one of Athens’ main squares and a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The square is surrounded by shops, restaurants, cafes, museums, galleries, and banks and offers plenty of outdoor seating where visitors can relax with a coffee or lunch while enjoying street performances or people watching The square also hosts many events throughout the year such as book fairs, music concerts, art exhibitions, festivals, and political rallies.

10. Mount Lycabettus

Mount Lycabettus is one of Athens’ highest peaks offering stunning views from its summit over the city below. Visitors can take either cable cars or hike up one of its trails to reach its peak where they will be rewarded with breathtaking views over Athens’ skyline during both day or night time hours. At night time, visitors can enjoy romantic candlelit dinners at some of its many restaurants located at its peak or enjoy drinks with friends at some of its outdoor bars while taking in amazing views over Athens’ skyline below them.

Popular Tours in Athens

Visitors to Athens can take advantage of many tours that are available in this vibrant city that offer unique experiences that cannot be found elsewhere in Europe or even around the world! Here are two popular tours that visitors can book during their stay in this amazing city:

Athens Segway Tour

Experience Athens like never before with this unique Segway tour! On this tour guests get to explore all that Athens has to offer on an easy-to-use Segway while taking in many iconic sights such as Acropolis Hill and Monastiraki Square from a different perspective! The tour also stops at many lesser-known sites such as Lycabettus Hill where guests can soak up great views over Athens’ skyline while learning more about this beautiful city’s past from their knowledgeable guide. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and shoes as well as sunscreen if necessary during this two-hour tour which includes free pickup from selected hotels in central Athens! Book your Athens Segway Tour today!

Athens Food Tour

Do you love to eat? Then this food tour is for you! On this tour guests get to sample some of Athens’ best eats from traditional restaurants as well as lesser-known hidden gems throughout this vibrant city! Participants will get to sample traditional Greek dishes such as souvlaki (meat skewers) as well as delicious Greek pastries like baklava! Guests will also learn about Greek cuisine from their knowledgeable guide as they explore different neighborhoods throughout Athens such as Plaka and Monastiraki Square! The tour includes free pickup from selected hotels in central Athens as well as food tastings along with drinks for all participants! Book your Athens Food Tour today!

Athens is an incredible city with something for everyone! From ancient ruins to vibrant nightlife there are endless things to explore while visiting this amazing city! Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or an exciting family vacation there are plenty of attractions and activities available for any type of traveler! Be sure not to miss out on these top 10 must-see attractions while visiting Athens for your first time!