Parthenon & Acropolis
Two of the most famous icons of Athens, and perhaps all of Greece, is the Parthenon ruins which sits atop Acropolis. The Acropolis is a hill located in the center of the city of Athens which contains ancient ruins, including that of the Parthenon, with its famous white marble columns.
Other famous archeological ruins that should be seen on a trip to Athens include Temple of Olympian Zeus, Herod Atticus, Theater of Dionysius, Temple of Athena Nike, Pandroseion, and sacred caves of Pan, Apollo Hypoakraios, and Aglauros. Taking a tour with an experienced tour guide is highly recommended for these activities.
The Plaka
Shopping at the Plaka is an activity that is enjoyed by many Athens tourists. The Plaka is a neighborhood in Athens filled with small churches, restaurants, and shops, which sell antiques, paintings, jewelry, wood carvings, clothing, and a variety of other goods. On Sundays, the Monastiraki Flea Market is open to the public, and it features a variety of small shops with unique products.
Museums
Because of Athens' rich history, there is an abundance of museums in the city. Nearly all of the museums offer self-guided tours, and multi-lingual audio tours are available in most. Some of the most important museums to visit include National Archaeological Museum of Athens, Athens City Museum, Athens University Museum, Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, Jewish Museum of Greece, Goulandris Museum of Cycladic and Ancient Greek Art, Byzantine Museum, National Archeological Museum, and Benaki Museum.