Perhaps the best place to get your bearings is Syntagma Square, crowned by the imposing Parliament building on its upper side and surrounded by other large structures, such as the exclusive Hotel Grande Bretagne. The grand avenues that lead towards Omonia are also full of massive Neoclassical edifices like the Numismatic Museum and those around smaller Platia Kolokotroni. Here you will find lots of travel agents, bookshops and fashion shops, especially on Ermou Street. Just south of Syntagma Square, you can take a breather in the lush National Gardens, which extend into the grounds of the Zappeio palace and beyond to the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Named after the well-preserved Thission (ancient temple of Hephaestus), Thissio is blessed with a small wooded park and some less frenetic streets that offer numerous quieter places to stay and eat. Largely pedestrianized Apostolou Pavlou Street runs between the Acropolis and forested Filopappou Hill, well worth climbing for more great panoramas, until it merges with Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. This leads to the up-and-coming area of Makriyanni, whose centerpiece is the magnificent new Acropolis Museum. Opposite the museum is the entrance to the southern slopes of the Acropolis, while the eponymous metro station nearby is at the top of Makriyanni Street, another strip of touristic cafés and restaurants.

Omonia Square is as plain in appearance as Syntagma is grand. Surrounded largely by functional blocks from the 1950s and 60s and no longer boasting its underground stalls, the square is now mostly frequented by immigrants and bargain shoppers. The most rewarding area to explore is to the south. Set off down Athinas Street, with the Acropolis gradually coming into focus in the distance, and you will get a sense of old commercial Athens, especially at the picturesque meat, fish and vegetable markets some way beyond the City Hall. The blocks to the west of Athinas are home to many Chinese and South Asian traders, adding a multicultural atmosphere to what was until the late 1990s a very homogenous society.

Side-by-side neighborhoods Psirri and Gazi provide some of the city’s prime nightlife. The almost claustrophobic streets of Psirri feature an interesting blend of original small businesses with the restaurants, cafés and bars that have recently sprouted up. The central artery of Agion Anargiron Street has lively places to eat or drink. Further west, you can visit the peaceful ancient cemetery of Keramikos, then cross busy Pireos Street to find yourself in Gazi. With the huge Technopolis performance and art complex converted from old gasworks at its heart, you really have to come at night to appreciate this maze of bars at its best, although a daytime stroll will allow you to admire the excellent street art.

Due to its proximity to the Acropolis, Plaka remains the area where the majority of foreign visitors stay and play. Its attractive features include small squares, some notable museums and the beautiful Mitropolis cathedral, as well as a host of places to stay, eat and drink. Its pedestrian zones make it a pleasant place to escape from the city’s notorious traffic. Adrianou and Kidathineon Streets contain a number of souvenir shops, offering classier items than you will find in the Flea Market. The most rewarding section to explore is the upper reaches towards the Acropolis itself, where many old stone houses with tiled roofs have survived. Up here you can find leafier corners and the odd quaint taverna with unobstructed views of the ancient rock.

Exarchia is in many ways Athens’ best-kept secret, discovered by relatively few international visitors. Located behind the main University and Polytechnic buildings, it is unsurprisingly home to many students, intellectuals and politicos. This is reflected in the area’s vibrant street art and graffiti, which seems to cover almost every inch of wall space. Some of the best Athenian tavernas are located here, as well as its most alternative bars and underground music venues. You'll find political bookshops and quirky stores here, yet it is also a neighborhood inhabited by families and older folk. On Saturdays, punks and grandmothers alike head for Kallidromiou Street, nestled below Strefi Hill, to pick up fresh produce at the traditional laiki agora (street market).

The majestic ruins of an ancient Greek building, known for its dignified white marble columns and perfect sense of proportion.

This ancient citadel, built in the fifth century B.C., towers over the city and is home to some of the most impressive ancient ruins, buildings, and artifacts. The most famous temple, the Parthenon, was dedicated to the goddess Athena and is considered the peak of Greek art. You can avoid long lines by joining a walking tour of the site. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen, as the walk up the hill can be steep and exposed to the sun. For the best experience, visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat and for fewer crowds. – Tripadvisor

Wander through the narrow cobblestone alleys of this neighborhood at the foothills of the Acropolis. You'll find quaint shops selling jewelry, clothes, ceramics, and souvenirs, plus sidewalk restaurants and family-run taverns serving authentic Greek food. Being one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, you’ll be able to see Roman columns, medieval churches, and ancient landmarks like the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates. The area gets busy, especially during summer, so visit in the early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds. Explore Plaka and the nearby landmarks on a guided tour of Athens—it will typically include the Acropolis, Parthenon, and other ancient temples and museums. – Tripadvisor

This ancient Greek temple, located on the Acropolis and dedicated to Hephaistos, god of the forge, is one of the few temples to be almost entirely preserved.

The second largest temple on the Acropolis has a complex and unique structure, including its famous Porch of the Caraytis with statues of six graceful maidens on the south side and a four-pillared porch with six Ionic columns on the north side.

Second-century theater built into the hillside.

These ruins, located in the heart of modern Athens, were once the site of the marketplace in ancient times, a political, cultural and economic center of the ancient world.

The earliest Ionic building on the Acropolis, this small temple of the goddess of victory depicts assemblies of the gods and Greek battles against the Barbarians and the Boeotians.