The glorious history of Greece has bestowed upon the modern generations grand monuments and treasures showcased in world-class museums that are well-worth visiting. Athens has a plethora of landmarks and museums that host various evidences mirroring its ancient history and exploring them is one of the best things to do in Athens.
The National Archaeological Museum is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the most important museums in the world. It is situated in a majestic neoclassical building created by L. Lange and Ziller in the 19th century. Its collection consists almost exclusively of masterpieces. Countless spectacular objects trace the development of Greek art through its many periods.
The Acropolis Museum is often touted as the best museum in Greece and Europe’s leading tourist attraction. This multiple-award-winning museum focuses on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. It houses artifacts found on the rock and on the surrounding slopes, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. Underneath the building are the excavations of Ancient Athens.
The Acropolis of Athens is a universal symbol of the classical spirit and civilization and one of the most significant UNESCO world heritage sites in the world. The ancient citadel is located on a rocky outcrop above the city and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.
Plaka, "the old", as the name itself reveals, is the most beautiful district of the historical center. Nestled in the shadow of the Acropolis, this nostalgia-inducing neighborhood offers a labyrinth of narrow lanes decorated with Byzantine temples, neoclassical pastel-colored houses, sidewalk cafés, family-run tavernas, and quaint shops.
