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

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."

Athens is one of the world's oldest cities. The Greek capital offers fans of the ancient world more than their money's worth, but there's plenty to discover beyond the Acropolis and the Parthenon.

More than 23 million people arrived in Greece between January and October 2023. Some 6 million of these people landed at the Athens International Airport, showing a 28.4 percent year-over-year growth in the country's tourism. Yes, it was a record year for Athens, but really, the capital city has always been a travel favorite thanks to its fantastic historical sites, its drool-worthy food, and, of course, its hospitality — especially at its world-class hotels.

Along the coast of Athens, a vast complex of homes, hotels, marinas and more is taking shape. On the southern coastline of Greece’s capital, a long-awaited plan to transform the city’s former airport into the largest smart city in Europe is finally gaining momentum. After a decade of delays, a vision of the Ellinikon is emerging. The Marina Tower, soon to be Greece’s first skyscraper, is beginning to rise. Iron skeletons of condos are taking form. Standing on the marina, with a view of the Saronic Gulf on one side and the tower on the other, it’s possible to imagine the future city, which will feature the open spaces, sustainable energy sources and abundant green spaces that Athens currently lacks.

When you think of underrated travel destinations, Athens probably isn't the first place that comes to mind. With its iconic attractions like the Acropolis, the ancient Agora, and Panathenaic Stadium, the Greek capital has always been a mandatory day trip for anyone visiting the country. About 3 million tourists visited Athens last year. Yet it still feels like one of the world's most underrated travel destinations.