Ancient in the true sense of the word the origins and the rich culture of Athens can be traced back to the era when mythical gods and goddesses ruled the world.
Today its fascinating history is portrayed by an array of imposing ancient structures each with its own distinctness.
With a culture reflecting this rich history, a visit to Athens is definitely a unique experience, especially for the history buff.
Those arriving in Athens for the first time generally head immediately for the Acropolis.
Parched on a steep rock above the sprawling city this symbol of ancient Athens dominates the city's skyline.
Foundations laid in 490BC its main construction had taken place in the Golden Age of Pericles during the period 461-429BC.
The site of Acropolis includes the Acropolis Museum and four other sacred building all built in the 5th century BC.
The monumental entrance, the Propylaea, adorns the site with its Ionic and Doric styles and the beautifully restored Temple of Athena Nike is on the left of Propylaea.
The largest building on the Acropolis, the biggest surviving monument of Doric architecture, entirely made of Pentelic marble, is the awe-inspiring Pathenon - the backdrop to the magnificent view of Athens from this exotic site.
The remains of ancient Athenian commercial and civic centre, Agora, lies clustered below the Acropolis.
The area, where once the great philosophers Socrates and Plato trod, is littered with ruins of numerous ancient buildings such as the Dionysos Theatre, the world's oldest theatre where great plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were first performed.
The restored building of the 200 BC Stoa of Attalos now contains artifacts portraying 5,000 years of Athenian history.
Southeast of Athens, about an hour's ride, is Sounion with its famous cape where the foundations of a small Temple of Athena Souniaea and the ruins of the temple of Poseidon are located.
Although the famous statue of Poseidon no longer reigns over the ocean below, the Temple of Poseidon, with its magnificent view of the Aegean, still fulfills the role from its high promontory.
The city of Athens itself holds a heap of treasures, lively night life, interesting shops, little churches and restaurants serving culinary delights.
With a fairly good public transport system and being pedestrian friendly it's easy for tourists to explore the city.
A popular gathering place for all visitors to the city is the old town section of Athens, better known as Plaka.
A stroll through the little streets, with its ancient monuments, Byzantine churches and mosques, is an experience in itself.
The traditional 'rembetika' music at night complements the atmosphere.
Most of Athens' museums are clustered along the Vassilissis Sophias Avenue.
Also known as the 'museum mile' starting from the Syntagma Square, a walk along this avenue takes you through the 3,000 years of Athenian history perusable in some of the best museums including the Benaki Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Byzantine Museum.
Other places in the city worth exploring are, Monastiraki, renowned for its flea market, the old town atmosphere and lively night life in Psirri, and the Syntagma Square for just relaxing and people watching.