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Athens

Sights

The Acropolis

It's a rare traveller who visits Athens without seeing the Acropolis. This stunning collection of ancient ruins dominates a high position overlooking the city and includes the elegant Temple of Athena Nike and Poseidon-Erechtheion - a temple dedicated to Athena and Poseidon-Erechtheus, which is noted for the Porch of the Caryatids (a series of columns fashioned as tunic-clad women.

The Partheon, or Temple of Athena Parthenos, dominates the Acropolis. This structure is an architectural gem noted for its proportions, which maintain a 9:4 ratio, and also for the mathematical calculations that wnsure that the columns appear straight.

Many of the most treasured artefacts at the Acropolis are kept in the Acropolis Museum including five of the original column/statues from the Porch of Caryatids.

Areopagitou, Athens

Metro Akropoli

Tel 01 0 3214172

Website www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21101a/e211aa01.html

Admission €12, €6 students

Open summer 8am-6pm daily, winter 8am-2.30pm daily; museum open summer Mon 11am-6.30pm, Tue-Sun 8am-6.30pm, winter Mon 11am-2pm, Tue-Sun 8am-2pm

Ancient Agora

This former market was the centrepiece of ancient Athenian life. The Ancient Agora contains the well-preserved Hephaesteion, which is worth a look as is the Stoa of Attalos, which now houses the Agora Museum.

Thision, Athens

Metro Monastiraki, Thision

Tel 01 0 3210185

Website www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21101m/e211am02.html

Admission €4

Open Mon 11am-6pm, Tue-Sun 8am-6pm

Benaki Museum

Greece's largest privately owned museum has a large collection of exhibits on more recent history that include Byzantine artefacts, Islamic art and works from the 18th-20th centuries.

Koubari 1, Athens

Metro Evangelismos

Tel 01 0 3671000

Website www.benaki.gr/index-en.htm

Admission €6, free Thu (except temporary exhibits, students free

Open Mon & Wed 9am-5pm, Thu 9am-midnight, Fri-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-3pm

Byzantine Museum

This museum, set in a courtyarded villa, focuses on Byzantine art.

Vasilissas Sophias 22, Athens

Metro Evangelismos

Tel 01 0 7211027

Website www.culture.gr/2/21/214/21404m/e21404m1.html

Admission €4

Open Tue-Sun 8.30am-3pm

Hadrian's Arch

This arch was built in AD131 to honour the emperor Hadrian and to separate the ancient and imperial parts of the city.

Corner Amalias & Vassilisses Olgas, Athens

Metro Akropoli

Admission free

Jewish Museum of Greece

An informative museum with exhibits on Greece's Jewish community.

Nikis 39, 105 57 Athens

Tel 01 0 3225582

Website www.jewishmuseum.gr

Admission €3, €1.50 students

Open Mon-Fri 9am-2.30pm, Sun 10am-2pm

Monastiraki Flea Market

This excellent market with loads of interesting stuff for sale is a popular spot for backpackers who've seen one ancient temple too many.

Platia Monastiraki, Athens

Metro Monastiraki

Admission free

Open Mon, Wed, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm; Tue, Thu-Fri 8am-8pm

Mount Lycabettus

Athens' highest hill offers brilliant views over the city. Bus 060, then take the funicular or hike up the hill

Museum of Cycladic Art

A small, but well organised museum focusing on art from the Cyclades.

Neofytou Douka 4, Athens

Metro Evangelismos

Tel 01 0 7228321

Website www.cycladic.gr

Admission €5, €2.50 students

Open Mon 10am-4pm, Wed 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-3pm

National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum is one of the world's great museums, and a must-see for anyone with an interest in Ancient Greece. It is also a great introduction for travellers want to explore ruins elsewhere in Greece.

Patission 44, Athens

Metro Viktorias Trolleybus 5

Tel 01 0 8217717

Website www.culture.gr/2/21/214/21405m/e21405m1.html

Admission €6, students €3, free Sun

Open Mon 1pm-7.30pm, Tue-Sun 8.30am-7.30pm

National Gallery of Art

Features exhibits by Greek artists including El Greco.

Vasileos Konstandinou 50, Athens

Trolleybus 3, 13

Tel 01 0 7235857

Website www.culture.gr/2/21/214/21406m/e21406m.html

Admission €6

Open Mon & Wed 9am-3pm & 6pm-9pm, Thu-Sat 9am-3pm, Sun 9am-2pm

National Gardens

The National Gardens offer a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of Athens. Many locals come here to feed the many stray cats that call the park home. Nearby is the Greek parliament where the guards change on the hour.

Between Vasilissis Olgas and Vasilissis Sofias, Athens

Admission free

Open sunrise-sunset

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Located next to Hadrian's Arch are the remaining 15 columns that were once part of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Construction on the temple began in 6th century BC and wasn't completed until AD132.

Vassilisses Olgas 1, Athens

Metro Acropoli

Admission €2

Open Tue-Sun 8.30am-3pm