Athens Flights And Sights

Exciting and exasperating, worldly and oh so hot, Athens is 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 world's greatest philosophers and athletes, Athens also boasts iconic ancient temples like the Acropolis and its iconic Parthenon, and glorious parks and beaches. But best of all it has the Athenians, who welcome progress, feed on the latest trends and, true to their hedonistic roots, party with Olympian stamina all night, every night.

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 -- this city is too hot to hurry. Go on an architectural dig in the strikingly contemporary Acropolis Museum, then explore the ancient Agorá's marketplace, where Socrates made public speeches and democracy was born. For cool respite from the midday sun head to the greenery of the National Gardens and for legendary sunsets the peak of Lycabettus Mountain.
Shopping

Style-conscious Athenians browse for high-street fashion and lingerie along pedestrian-friendly 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, whose mythology-inspired footwear has graced the feet of John Lennon and Sophia Loren. 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 and Entertainment

Zorba the dancer, Eros the lover, Dionysos god of wine -- Athens is every bit as hedonistic as its mythology suggests. Workshops in the pulsating Psirri district have been converted into tavernas and clubs where DJs spin everything from rock to Middle Eastern music. Make for Kolonaki for fashionable lounge bars and born-again industrial zone Gazi for an alternative vibe. Summer means beach to Athenians -- dress up for seafront cocktails and dancing in Glyfada and Voula.

Restaurants and Dining

Whether it's creative Mediterranean cuisine in Michelin-starred Spondi or a take-out souvlaki (spit-roasted meat with garlicky cucumber sauce) -- good food is taken for granted in epicurean Athens. Views of the illuminated Acropolis distract you from the menu in historic Plaka and Monastiraki, where tavernas dish up Greek classics like moussaka and slow-cooked lamb kleftiko. Venture to the much-photographed Microlimano harbor for fresh fish by the water's edge, and Kolonaki's design-focused 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.