The most iconic of ancient ruins is the Acropolis – head there as late as possible to avoid the crowds. Join a tour to find out the history behind the Parthenon, the Theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, or simply climb up for the fantastic views across the city and sea.Then there are the tranquil National Gardens which house the restored 50,000-seat Panathenic Stadium, and 10 minutes away you will find the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. Museums worth checking out include the New Acropolis Museum, and the Benaki Museum.
At night, try Adrianou Street for al-fresco dining followed by the bars and clubs in Gazi Square. Doing it VIP? Head for Villa Mercedes, the cream of Athenian clubbing with regular PAs by international DJs, such as David Guetta. Don’t arrive before 1am.
