Top 10 Things To Do in Athens

1. The Ancient Agora:  Of all Athens' ruins, the famed marketplace of Agora makes the most fitting start to your sightseeing — it stands testament to Athens' status as a cradle of Western civilization.  It was, in Socrates and Plato's day, the heart of public life, and among the site's extensive excavations you'll find temples, a concert hall, and long arcades supported by ancient columns.

2. Anafiotika Neighborhood:  A good and very fun way to get a feel for life in Athens at street level is to stroll through Anafiotika, a 19th century neighborhood on the northern slopes of the Acropolis hill, beside the entrance to the Agora.  Nestled above Plaka, Athens' center, and bustling Monastiraki, the old bazaar, Anafiotika seems far removed. There, bougainvilleas (beautiful flowering plants) splash whitewashed walls and cats stalk sunny paths, evoking the island life so indicative of leisurely Greek living. 

3. The Acropolis: Literally “high city,” the Acropolis is Greece's great marvel. Ascend through the olive groves of the lower slopes to reach the marble crown, before passing through the Propylaia gateway. You'll see the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the Parthenon along with numerous fragments arranged for reassembly. The state's grand plan is to renovate centuries of sackings, lootings and decay. 

4. Byzantino: In Plaka's narrow streets, this store stands apart from the typical souvenir shops that sell below-par trinkets to eager tourists.  Byzantino’s exquisite handmade "museum-copy" jewelry — replicating ancient Greek pieces — is made in the Athens workshop of this family-run business. Uniquely Greek, Byzantino jewels were worn at Sydney's and Athens' Olympic ceremonies.

5. Benaki Museum, Pireos Street Annex: The once industrial roof area has undergone significant regeneration. In 2004, the Benaki Museum opened its new annex here.  As Athens' window to contemporary art and design, this outpost is well worth a visit.

6. Mount Lycabettus: At 745 feet, Lycabettus stands high above Athens, commanding a clear view across the Attica basin and the Aegean. Georgios – the tiny white-stucco chapel of St. George – faces the viewing platform.  To get there, hike up the path that starts at the end of Aristippou Street in Kolonaki and winds upwards. Or you can opt for the funicular, which leaves from Ploutarchou and Aristippou Streets.

7. Thiseion Cinema: So great is the Athenian ardor for film, there's hardly a walled garden in town that isn't now used as an open-air movie house. One in particular oozes charm: the Thiseion, on the south side of the Acropolis. Classic Hollywood flicks are popular, and these (like all non-Greek films) are shown with subtitles rather than dubbed.

8. Monastiraki Flea Market: On Sunday morning, make your way to the flea market at Avissynias Square for a jumble of knick-knacks, from books to paintings, clothes to trinkets. Afterward, cross Athinas Street to Psiri, where interlocking streets are hiding a wealth of galleries and vintage stores for you to explore.

9. Parthenon:  Majestic ruins of this ancient Greek building cannot be missed; it is known for its dignified white marble columns and perfect sense of proportion. The Parthenon dominates Athens, and the even the most sightseeing-weary traveler will catch an enticing glimpse and be scrambling toward it before they know it.

10. The Temple of Poseidon: A great afternoon trip from Athens, this is one of those spots that is as much a favorite with the locals as it is with the tourists. It's a favorite sunset-viewing spot for everyone, and will give you a classically Greek moment against the ruined monument along with a terrific sea view.

Plan plenty of time to visit Athens' most famous attraction - the Acropolis!