Athens Flights And Sights

This is Athens: Exciting and exasperating, worldly and oh so hot, a city that attacks the senses and stirs the spirit as only the cradle of Western civilization can. Homeland to gods, goddesses and some of the history's greatest philosophers and athletes, Athens boasts glorious ancient temples such as the Acropolis and its iconic Parthenon, and beautiful beaches. Best of all, Athens has the Athenians, who welcome progress, feed on the latest trends and, true to their hedonistic roots, party with Olympian stamina.

Things to Do

While you'll be itching to see the Acropolis, majestically crowned by the Parthenon, take a siga, siga (slowly, slowly) approach to sightseeing. Go on an architectural dig in the Acropolis Museum, explore the ancient Agorá's marketplace, where democracy was born. For cool respite, head to the National Gardens and for gorgeous sunsets, perch on the peak of Lycabettus Mountain.

Shopping

Style-conscious Athenians browse for high-street fashion along pedestrian Ermou and for couture and designer jewelry in Kolonaki before brunch on Kolonaki Square. Skip the tourist kitsch in Plaka and Monastiraki in favor of poet/shoemaker Stavros Melissonos' handmade leather sandals. It's all early morning action in the 19th-century glass-and-steel Central Market, where stalls are laden with fresh fruit, nuts, and mounds of Aegean seafood.

Nightlife & Entertainment

Athens is as hedonistic as its mythology suggests. Psirri, Karitsi Square, and Panormou street are pulsating districts; Kolonaki has fashionable bars, and born-again industrial zone Gazi is nightlife central. Summer means beach to Athenians -- dress up for seafront cocktails and dancing in Glyfada and Voula.



Restaurants & Dining

Whether it's creative Mediterranean cuisine in Michelin-starred Spondi or a take-out souvlaki -- good food is taken for granted in Athens. Views of the Acropolis might distract you from the menu in Plaka and Monastiraki, where tavernas dish up Greek classics. Venture to the Microlimano harbor for fresh fish by the water's edge, and Kolonaki's trendy restaurants for a cosmopolitan feel.

Let American Airlines help you find flights to Athens so you can explore this richly historical destination in Greece. With the significant role this city has played in shaping the world's development, there is an incredible array of things to do in Athens. Plan a visit here and discover it all, from the Acropolis to Hadrian's Arch.

Of all the activities in Athens, plan to begin your tour in what's known as the Archaeological Park, where many of the city's ancient sites have been reconstructed. Here you'll find Hadrian's Arch, which dates to 131 AD and is the symbolic entrance to ancient Athens. It's located near the Temple of Olympian Zeus, construction of which was begun in the 6th century BC but not completed until the rule of Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century BC. Today the ruins of this colossal temple let you envision the grandeur it once conveyed.

Continuing on our list of things to do in Athens is a visit the Theatre of Dionysos, dating to the 5th century BC, where many works of Euripedes, Sophocles and Aristophanes were once performed. Nearby are the ruins of the Stoa of Eumenes, dating to the 2nd century BC and built primarily as an ancient promenade, featuring both Ionic and Doric columns. Walk a little farther and you'll soon arrive at the rock of the Acropolis, where more than 20 major archaeological remains exist. The best known of these is the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Construction began in 447 BC and it features what many consider to be the finest example of Doric architecture (although the Temple of Hephaestus is the most complete surviving example). The Acropolis Museum, an impressive contemporary architectural feat in its own right, houses thousands of exhibits. Plan to spend time here viewing priceless artifacts from all the monuments and temples of the Acropolis. A few items you won't want to miss here include the head of Alexander the Great by Leocharis (339 BC) and friezes from the Parthenon (444 to 432 BC).

To be sure, the immensely rich history of this city is its primary draw. But don't forget to visit Ermou Street, where you'll find local shops packed with finds. And, of course, you can't leave here without sampling authentic Greek food. It's one of our favorite things to do in Athens! You'll find dining establishments all over the city, from inexpensive eateries to fine dining. If a trip to Greece sounds appealing to you, American Airlines can help you fly to Athens to experience it all. Browse our flights and start planning your trip today.