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Why?  The sprawling capital of Greece received a major make-over prior to hosting the 2004 Olympic Games, so a holiday in Athens is now an even more attractive proposition than ever before. It's landmark Acropolis and other remains of classical Greece are an eternal drawcard for thousands who travel to Athens every day to soak up its unique atmosphere.

When?  Whichever time of year you choose to holiday in Athens you will be guaranteed bright blue skies and sunshine: perfect weather for making use of the vine-covered patios of the street tavernas. The winter months (October to April) may bring a few short rain showers, but not enough to dampen the spirits. July and August can be unpleasantly hot and muggy. The best time to travel to Athens is in Spring.

Who for?  A holiday in Athens, with its hectic traffic and frenetic pace, may be too daunting for very young children, but anyone with a taste for classical history, colourful street markets and tasty Greek specialities will revel in exploring this ancient city.

More Info : Make sure you know before you go by consulting our comprehensive Athens travel guide before you travel to Athens. The guide includes everything you need for a memorable Athens holiday.

Overview

Athens exudes a unique charm, its lively character winning over tens of thousands of visitors every year. Street markets, vine-covered tavernas, souvenir stalls and ancient monuments are dotted among high-rise buildings in this capital city, which one out of four Greeks call home. For tourists the greatest advantage is that most attractions are accessible on foot in the central area around the landmark Acropolis.

Athens was named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, who according to mythology won the city as prize after a duel against Poseidon. The city can chart its history back thousands of years and is regarded as the cradle of western civilisation; the place where democracy was invented and philosophy, art and architecture were refined. After a classical golden age when it was home to Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the city declined in the Middle Ages, dwindling to nothing but a town with a few thousand residents gathered in the colourful area that is now known as the Plaka, until its rebirth as capital of an independent Greece in 1834.

Nowadays the city is busy and bustling. While the pollution, frantic gridlock and dingy buildings is of great contrast to the open beauty of Greece's coast and islands, Athens is truly the heartbeat of the country, and ancient wonders like the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Temples of Zeus and Hephaesus ensure that Athens will always have its attractions.