Parthenon, Athens — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetOct 7

17 Best Things to Do in Athens

Athens offers unparalleled encounters with ancient history – and is a thriving 21st-century metropolis, too. Here are 16 ways to explore the city.

Magnificent Doric temple, largest ever constructed in Greece

25 things in this story

AcropolisAttractionSacred hilltop established as religious sanctuary in 5th century BCE
ParthenonAttractionMagnificent Doric temple, largest ever constructed in Greece
Ancient AgoraMuseumHeart of ancient Athens, birthplace of Western democracy
Filopappou HillParkOffers sunset views of the Acropolis glowing gold
Odeon of Herodes AtticusTheatreReconstructed amphitheater for concerts and plays
ExarhiaNeighborhoodFamed for its student scene, anarchist politics and graffiti
National Archaeological MuseumMuseumWorld's largest and finest collection of Greek antiquities
Apollo CoastNeighborhoodBeaches perfect for summer visits
The BreederGalleryWell-established commercial space for contemporary art
Kypseli Print StudioPlacePrint-screening space hosting workshops for all abilities
Haus NPlaceCreative hub for new installations and young Greek artists
KerameikosParkAncient necropolis with the famous "Street of Tombs"
Museum of Islamic ArtMuseumCollection of Islamic art and rooftop cafe views
Monastiraki Flea MarketMarketSaturdays market for secondhand finds and vintage clothing
Varvakios AgoraMarketBusy fish and meat market hall with tavernas
Temple of HephaistosSightExquisite, well-preserved temple with Hercules frieze
Church of the Holy ApostlesSight11th-century Byzantine addition commemorating St Paul's sermons
Hellenic ParliamentSightRose-toned building on Plateia Syntagmatos, symbol of democracy
Grande Bretagne hotelHotelPrestigious hotel with the Winter Garden cafe
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural CenterParkHome to Greek National Opera and National Library
Stavros Niarchos ParkParkGently sloping gardens with city and sea views
DeltaRestaurantTwo Michelin stars for contemporary Greek gastronomy
National Museum of Contemporary ArtMuseum
CheapArt AthensMuseum
Basil and Elise Goulandris FoundationMuseum

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Lonely PlanetSep 19

10 Best Places to Visit in Greece

Greece lures travelers to its dynamic shores, like a mythical siren luring sailors. Let these 10 sights shape your dream Greece itinerary.

jewel in the crown of the Acropolis

19 things in this story

AcropolisAttractionjewel in the crown is the 5th-century BCE Parthenon
ParthenonAttractionjewel in the crown of the Acropolis
MonastirakiNeighborhoodflea market-famous neighborhood
GaziNeighborhoodgritty neighborhood to catch a live band
Acropolis MuseumMuseuma must-see
PlakaQuarterold-town neighborhood for strolls
PangratiNeighborhoodhip neighborhood for strolls
ThissionNeighborhoodoutdoor cinema location
ErmouNeighborhoodmain commercial street for barhopping
Odeon of Herodes AtticusTheatreamphitheater for Greek tragedy or dance
Epidaurus FestivalFestivaltakes place each summer
Elsewhere
OiaNeighborhoodSantorini, Greecepostcard-perfect village with blue-domed churches
SarakinikoSightMilos, Greecelunar landscape with jade-colored sea
Gerondas beachSightMilos, Greecebeach with generous shade from caves
PrassaSightKimolos, Greecebeach with white sand and aquamarine waters
Street of the KnightsSightRhodes, Greececobblestone street in the old town
Palace of the Grand MasterMuseumRhodes, Greecefeatures Roman and Christian floor mosaics
Church of Our Lady of the CastleSightRhodes, Greecechurch in the old town
AkrotiriSightSantorini, Greeceprehistoric settlement with advanced drainage

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Condé Nast TravelerSep 11

How to Make the Most of Greece’s Shoulder Season, According to Condé Nast Traveler Specialists

The pros and pitfalls of heading to Hellas outside of high season—decoded.

20 things in this story

AcropolisAttractionAn acropolis was the settlement of an upper part of an ancient Greek city, especially a citadel, and frequently a hill…
ParthenonAttractionIts decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points of classical Greek art, and the Parthenon is…
MonastirakiNeighborhoodThe area is home to clothing boutiques, souvenir shops and specialty stores, and is a major tourist attraction in…
KolonakiNeighborhoodIt is located on the southern slopes of Mount Lycabettus.
PlakaQuarterPláka is the old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis,…
AgoraSightThe literal meaning of the word "agora" is "gathering place" or "assembly".
ThisioNeighborhood
Elsewhere
The RougaRestaurantThessaloniki, Greecegood place to share meze and Greek classics
Olympos NaoussaHotelThessaloniki, Greeceoverlooks the Thermaic Gulf for a polished evening
ON ResidenceHotelThessaloniki, Greecehotel housing Olympos Naoussa restaurant
The Modernist ThessalonikiHotelThessaloniki, Greeceset in a 1920s heritage building
The ExcelsiorHotelThessaloniki, Greecelocated just a block away from the harbor
Electra Palace ThessalonikiHotelThessaloniki, Greecegrande dame on Aristotelous Square
Costa NavarinoPlacePylos, Greeceresort area with beaches, golf, and resorts
MycenaeSightNafplio, GreeceIt is located about 120 kilometres south-west of Athens; 11 kilometres north of Argos; and 48 kilometres south of…
Ancient CorinthSightNafplio, GreeceCorinth was a city-state (polis) on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese…
Nemea wineriesPlaceNafplio, Greecenearby wineries, easy day trip from Nafplio
AmanzoeHotelNafplio, Greeceluxurious property open until mid-November
KinsternaHotelMonemvasia, Greeceboutique hotel in Monemvasia with farm-to-table cuisine
EpidavrosHotelNafplio, Greece

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Condé Nast TravelerJul 25

10 Athens Airbnbs With Views of the Acropolis

These modern digs offer impeccable views of the ancient ruins.

25 things in this story

ParthenonAttractionIts decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points of classical Greek art, and the Parthenon is…
Panathenaic StadiumSightOne of the main historic attractions of Athens, it is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.
MakrygianniNeighborhoodNeighborhood in Athens.
MonastirakiNeighborhoodLively flea market neighborhood in Athens.
Acropolis MuseumMuseumThe museum was built to house every artifact found on the rock and on the surrounding slopes, from the Greek Bronze Age…
KoukakiNeighborhoodVibrant neighborhood in Athens.
PlakaQuarterHeart of Athens.
AgoraSightThe literal meaning of the word "agora" is "gathering place" or "assembly".
Acropolis of AthensSightIncludes the Parthenon, Propylaea, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike.
Port of PeiraiasSightViews from a small balcony in a queen bedroom.
Benaki MuseumMuseumThe museum houses Greek works of art from the prehistorical to the modern times, an extensive collection of Asian art,…
National GardenSightIt is located between the districts of Kolonaki and Pangrati, directly behind the Greek Parliament building and…
AreopagusSightThings to do nearby in Makrygianni neighborhood.
Cine ParisPlaceThings to do nearby in Plaka neighborhood.
Roman AgoraAttraction
National Museum of Contemporary ArtMuseum
Half Note Jazz BarRestaurant
Filopappou HillPark
Pnika HillsSight
Benaki Museum of Islamic ArtMuseum
Areopagus HillSight
Temple of ZeusAttraction
Monastiraki SquareSight
National Historical MuseumMuseum
Museum of the History of Athens UniversityMuseum

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Condé Nast TravelerMar 7

I Live in Athens and These Are the Places in Greece I Always Recommend

The ultimate travel bucket list for visiting Greece, curated by an Athens-based editor.

28 things in this story

MilosHotelThe world-renowned estiatorio Milos proudly presents the very first luxurious gastronomy 5* hotel in the heart of…
HydraSightEnhancing your spatial information assets…
SifnosSightThe main town, near the center, known as Apollonia, is home of the island's folklore museum and library.
Old Port of MykonosSightferries to Delos leave from here
NafplioNeighborhoodfirst capital of Greece, blend of Venetian, Ottoman, Neoclassical architecture
Palamidi FortressSight18th-century Venetian castle, one of the most well-preserved
Bourtzi CastleSightformer Venetian fortress accessible by 10-minute boat ride
MeteoraCafésix Byzantine monasteries atop 400-metre-high rock formations
Holy Monastery of Agios StefanosPlaceeasiest monastery to climb to
Monastery of the Holy TrinityPlacehardest monastery to climb to
White TowerMuseumonce a prison, now a museum detailing the city's past
DelosSightone of the most important archaeological sites
AcropolisAttractionhome to the Odeon of Herodes and Theatre of Dionysus
Theatre of DionysusAttractionIt is built on the south slope of the Acropolis hill, originally part of the sanctuary of Dionysus Eleuthereus.
ParthenonAttractionIts decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points of classical Greek art, and the Parthenon is…
Ancient AgoraMuseumIt is located to the northwest of the Acropolis, and bounded on the south by the hill of the Areopagus and on the west…
Panathenaic StadiumSighthome to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896
Delos IslandPlace
Terrace of LionsSight
Sanctuary of ApolloSight
Four Seasons Astir Palace, Athens RivieraHotel
One & Only AesthesisHotel
The DolliHotel
Alexander the Great StatueSight
The UmbrellasSight
Odeon of HerodesTheatre
Roman AgoraAttraction
Hadrian’s GateSight

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Smithsonian MagazineJan 5

Coastal Cities of Europe

Explore the history, culture and natural wonders of the continent's most celebrated ports

still among the first places tourists go when they arrive

9 things in this story

ParthenonAttractionstill among the first places tourists go when they arrive
Elsewhere
Turner ContemporaryArts centreMargate, United KingdomThe title commemorates the association of the town with noted landscape painter J.
SargassoRestaurantMargate, United KingdomWelcome to Sargasso – a coastal-inspired wine bar and restaurant nestled on the sea wall of Margate’s harbour arm,…
Dory'sCaféMargate, United KingdomAngela’s is a small seafood restaurant with rooms serving delicious, local seafood, alongside simple, seasonal…
Azulejo TileworkPlaceLisbon, Portugalexplore Portugal's tilework
George & HeartPubMargate, United KingdomThe George & Heart House in Margate Old Town: a charming Grade II listed former coaching inn offering affordable…
Hawley SquareParkMargate, United Kingdom
Theatre RoyalTheatreMargate, United Kingdom
Curve cafeCaféMargate, United Kingdom

Read the full piece at Smithsonian Magazine →

Parthenon

In the coverage6 stories

17 Best Things to Do in Athens

10 Best Places to Visit in Greece

How to Make the Most of Greece’s Shoulder Season, According to Condé Nast Traveler Specialists

10 Athens Airbnbs With Views of the Acropolis

I Live in Athens and These Are the Places in Greece I Always Recommend

Coastal Cities of Europe