With a history dating back nearly four millennia, it should come as no surprise that Athens is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
The city is served by Athens International Airport, which welcomes some 13 million visitors through its doors every year. Annually, more than 17 million tourists make their way to the Greek capital.
Unsurprisingly, the number one item on just about any Athens trip plan is the world-famous Acropolis of Athens. This ancient citadel – which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List – includes the iconic Parthenon temple, as well as a host of other historically significant buildings.
In 2009, the Acropolis Museum opened close to the site of the Acropolis itself, with the intention of housing the thousands of artifacts found at the site. The museum now contains more ancient Greek relics than any other in the world. Athens is also home to the National Archaeological Museum, meaning visitors will never be short of ancient treasures to enjoy.
Other popular tourist attractions in the Greek capital include Panathenaic Stadium, which was constructed on the site of an ancient stadium and hosted the first of the modern Olympic Games in 1896; the National Gardens, which feature perfectly maintained foliage punctuated with ancient ruins; the Daphni Monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage Site; and the Plaka, the city’s liveliest neighborhood.
While there’s no denying that the city’s ruins and relics are phenomenal, many people fail to realize that Athens has a very modern feel to it at times, particularly in relation to its performance and sports venues, restaurants, and nightlife. One thing anybody planning a trip to Athens should ensure is on their itinerary is a trip to the sandy Attica beaches, which offer the perfect setting from which to enjoy the region’s sunshine.