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Mount Lycabettus | @taimklavs |
| Where the Wolves Go |
| For an even more stunning view of Athens, ascend Mount Lycabettus either by foot or by funicular railway. (The former is more of a trek, but the latter goes through a tunnel that’s considerably less scenic.) With a name meaning “where the wolves go” and more to do than simply take in the sights once you've reached the top — there's also a theater, a restaurant, and the Chapel of St. George — it’s another essential stop in a city replete with them. |
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| Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center |
@george_komvokis |
| Seeing Is Believing |
| After touring the more ancient parts of Athens, try something thoroughly modern: the Museum of Illusions. While most of its mind-benders are of the optical variety, the space is also wholly experiential and allows for much more than simply observing visual phenomena. You can get up close and personal with the vortex tunnel, chair illusion, anti-gravity room, and other perspective-altering exhibits. To expand your perception even further, visit the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center — the National Library of Greece and Greek National Opera both call it home. |
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Acropolis - Parthenon, Athens, Greece |
@nathan_jermy |
| High City |
| Just because it goes without saying doesn’t mean you shouldn’t say it: The Acropolis is one of the world’s most vital windows into the past, and the absolute must-see attraction in Athens. The ancient structure, which has been everything from a citadel and religious center to the mythical home of Greek gods, overlooks the city from the glorious vantage point of a limestone hill. The Parthenon is perhaps the most famous of its temples, though far from the only one worth seeing — visiting what remains of the Erechtheum, Propylaea, and Temple of Athena Nike makes history feel alive in a way that nothing else can. And while you’re at it, mosey over to the Acropolis Museum to learn more about the “High City.” |
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Monastiraki |
@amberstorie |
| Trinkets, Treats, and More |
| Somewhere between a flea market and a proper shopping square, Monastiraki is also one of the liveliest spots in the city. It’s long been a favorite among locals and visitors alike for its bustling energy, especially on its two main streets: Pandrossou and Adrianou. It’s there you’ll find street performers, neoclassical architecture, trinkets, treats, and all manner of other goodies. |
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| @kirstenwendlandt |
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| "It’s kind of crazy to think that even nowadays we are able to observe something as historical and ancient as this in person, don’t you think? I used to be obsessed with Greek Mythology as a kid so visiting Athens and seeing the ancient ruins there was pretty unbelievable for me. To be able to see something in person that I dreamed of as a child was truly surreal."
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