Athens A City Like No Other

One of the most historic and magnificent symbols of Western Civilization is the Greek capital Athens. This city’s amazing history stretches back to close to 4000 years and was home to some of the greatest thinkers, artists, sculptors, scientists etc. It was at its pinnacle during classical antiquity and was the home of greats like Sophocles, Socrates and Pericles among others.  The city may not have the same charm as of its glorious past however it still is a modern and contemporary capital city. Unlike the Greek islands where life is more laidback life in Athens can be crowded and hectic. All of this is compensated by the amazing number of cultural attractions the city has. From visiting the famed  Acropolis, which is one of the ancients world’s most spectacular ruins, to visiting magnificent Byzantine churches found in different parts of Athens or shopping at the Plaka district there is a lot to see and do in the city.

Being a tourist hub there are a number of top quality boutique hotels in Athens. In fact in terms of accommodation the city offers a wide array of places to stay at to suit travellers with all types of budgets. 

One great hotel to stay when in Athens is the Divani Palace Acropolis, which is in close proximity to most of the top attractions in the city. It offers sheer luxury and very high standards of customer service, which make it a favourite with business travellers and tourists to the city.  One of the top attractions to visit in Athens is the Acropolis. 

A visit to the Acropolis is a surreal experience of sorts with few attractions in the world being comparable to this venerable landmark. Its magnificent Parthenon temple can be seen perched atop a rocky crag like a sentinel that has kept watch over the city of Athens and its residents for centuries since.  It serves as a visible reminder of the ancient glory of this beautiful city with the Acropolis being the epicentre of Athens and also served as a bastion on its protected hilltop. Of all the wonderful buildings to be found in the area the Parthenon is probably the greatest. It served as a Greek temple of classical antiquity from 447 BC to 338 BC. Its massive rows of Doric columns and ornate sculptural details make it an awe-inspiring sight to behold. Towards its eastern side there is a frieze that depicts Goddess Athena, the patron Goddess of the city. 

There are a number of other prominent historic ruins within the Acropolis that include famous Erechtheion, a chain of ancient sanctuaries. These were constructed in the period between 421 - 395 BC and includes the Porch of the Caryatids, that has six statues of maidens instead of the usual ornate Doric columns. While in the area make it a point to visit the renowned Acropolis Museum located at 15 Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. It houses the most comprehensive and priceless exhibits of ancient Greek art on the planet. Two other interesting places nearby worth a visit are the neighbourhoods of Anafiotika and Plaka.