Athens awakens so many images for travelers today. It is such an important historical city, as well as a modern metropolis known for sunshine, cuisine, and friendly people. In ancient times, the city was like Greece’s North Star — a magical destination where art, sports, science, and philosophy flourished.
Today, you can visit relics that have stood for millennia, as well as patronize modern bars and eateries. Celestyal helps you to see the real Athens and find the capital’s hidden gems and share little-known facts about Athens’ brightest stars. Here are six wonderful things to experience in Athens.
1. Experience the Acropolis. Dominating the skyline, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a testament to the city’s glorious past. The iconic Parthenon has dazzled visitors for 2,500 years. Explore paths once bustling with ancient Athenian life and discover well-preserved structures like the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
The Parthenon, Athens, Greece (Photo Credit: Celestyal Cruises)
2. Immerse yourself in Plaka. This oldest residential neighborhood in Athens is a labyrinth of narrow streets with stunning neoclassical architecture, quaint shops, and traditional kafenios line cobbled paths. Wander through the streets and feel the magnetic pull from the Tower of the Winds, a Pentelic clocktower dating back as far as the first century AD.
3. Visit the National Archaeological Museum. Here, visitors see the stars of ancient Greece through a contemporary lens, with important collections of ancient Greek art, including the Antikythera Mechanism, the Mask of Agamemnon, and the Statue of Zeus. Listen as an expert guide unravels the story of each piece and shares the wonder of Greek civilization through the ages.
4. Delight the senses in Monastiraki and Psirri. Visit Monastiraki’s bustling flea market and vibrant square. Browse the stalls full of unique treasures or savor a traditional Greek coffee in the shadow of the Acropolis. Neighboring Psirri is known for its street art and lively nightlife.
5. Catch a show at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. This venue, built around 160 AD, reopened in 1955. It has welcomed some of the world’s brightest stars, from Pavarotti to Frank Sinatra to Sting. From May to October every year, the venue hosts a packed calendar of opera, ancient theatre, and music performances.
6. Explore Athens like a local. Athens is a city that captivates the adventurer and leaves every visitor dazzled. With Celestyal, you’ll get closer to the heart of this special city. Immerse yourself in true Greek culture ashore and aboard with our award-winning Greek hospitality.
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