In-the-know visitors make time for the spicy neighbourhoods where modern-day Athenians thrive.
I used to think of Athens as a big ugly city with obligatory ancient sights, fine museums, the Plaka (the extremely touristy old centre), and not much else. “The joy of Greece is outside of Athens,” I wrote. “See Athens’ museums and scram.”
But with each return visit I enjoy the city more than ever before, having realized that it’s a many-faceted city that’s getting its act together, still building on the infrastructure improvements it’s enjoyed since hosting the 2004 Olympics.

From ancient temples to beachside bars, here are our top tips.

Athens, a lively city rich in history and modern flair, is an ideal destination for quick getaways with its accessible flights, stylish accommodations and dynamic dining scene

Overlooking modern-day Athens, the mighty Acropolis is a powerful reminder of the city's ancient history. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, this "high city" served various purposes, from housing Greece's kings to being a center for worship and intellectual activity.

Through natural disasters, foreign invasions and periods of neglect, the Acropolis has proven it was built to last and serves as a symbol of resilience. Many ancient cities around Greece also had their own Acropolis, but the Athenian Acropolis is undoubtedly the most famed, now attracting about three million visitors a year.

Beyond the iconic Parthenon, the site boasts numerous other attractions. Read on for how to get the most out of your visit.

Greece’s charm is found in the variety of experiences it offers. Before arriving in Athens, I spent a few days on the island of Kos for a friend’s wedding. They were married at sunset, with the Aegean Sea bathed in hues of pink and red as the sun dipped below the horizon, the mountains of Turkey just visible beyond the coastline. I spent days swimming in clear turquoise waters, basking on pebble beaches, dipping into thermal baths, and exploring old ancient ruins. We visited a few islands, but by far, my favorite had to be Milos. When it was time to leave the island, Athens was a ferry ride away—a dense city waiting to be explored.

When I first visited over two decades ago to research my books on ancient Greece, I found it a sprawling, gridlocked and gritty eyesore with graffiti-covered streets. Back then, most travelers allocated a day to visit the Acropolis, which is crowned by the beloved Parthenon, then fled to the glittering beaches and seafood tavernas of the Aegean islands.

Para garantir que os bairros de Atenas não sejam afetados negativamente pela atividade turística, o Município de Atenas anunciou a realização de um estudo sobre a capacidade de carga turística (TCC).O estudo deverá estar concluído até ao final deste ano e será realizado em três fases pela Agência de Desenvolvimento e Gestão dos Destinos de Atenas (ADDMA), em colaboração com a Universidade do Pireu e os consultores de planeamento Gimisis + Associates.“Estamos a conceber o futuro de Atenas tendo em conta as necessidades da cidade e da sua população”, afirmou o presidente da Câmara de Atenas, Haris Doukas, durante uma reunião aberta realizada entre as partes interessadas no turismo, tais como hotéis, agências de viagens, companhias aéreas, associações de aluguer de curta duração, peritos, académicos e autoridades de Atenas.

Mixologist Georgia Georgakopoulou shares her favourite Athens cocktail bars, from the iconic Galaxy Bar to newcomer Feelin' Good.For Georgia Georgakopoulou, former bar manager of award-winning drink destination The Clumsies and one of the city's premier bartenders, nightlife is nothing new in her ancient-meets-modern hometown.
"I believe Athens is a city that never rests," she says, when we ask her to name the hottest cocktail bars in town. "Dionysian festivals are part of our history. We've been drinking since then."