Immerse yourself in the History and culture of Athens this summer

Of all the cities in the world you could visit for a culturally enriching city break, Athens is surely one of the most intriguing. With ancient ruins all over the city, various cultural events and festivals held annually, and a host of museums and galleries filled with ancient treasures, cultural enthusiasts are sure to come away with an experience to remember.



So what are some of the most quintessential sights to visit on a historical getaway in Athens? Of course, you won't want to miss what's arguably the city's most famous attraction - the Acropolis - which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the late Bronze Age, the Acropolis was the ancient fortified town of Athens. It's also the site of some of the most famous buildings of the Greek Classical age, including the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion.



You also won't want to miss the Ancient Agora or Syntagma Square. The Ancient Agora is a very green region of Athens, which houses the Temple of Hephaestus - the best preserved ancient Greek temple - and the Attalos Stoa - the museum of the agora. Other must-see ancient sites include the Kerameikos - the site of the ancient cemetery of Athens - the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Panathinaiko Stadium - the stadium that housed the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. It's easy to walk around many areas of Athens, but an enjoyable way to experience the old area of the city is to join a bike tour - usually available during the weekends.

While on your historical tour of Athens, you'll also want to visit a range of the city's intriguing museums and galleries. Some of the most prominent include: the New Acropolis Museum, the Kanellopoulos and Folk Art Museums in Plaka, the National Archaeological Museum near Omonia, and the Benaki and Cycladic Art Museums in Kolonaki - all full of national treasures.



Athens is also renowned for its many festivals and seasonal events - many of which take place during the summer months. The Athens and Epidaurus Festival, for instance, offers a wide array of performances at the ancient theatre of Epidaurus.



Other summertime festivals include the Athens Festival - held June to September, which hosts classical and modern music, opera, dance and theatre performances - and the Athens International Film Festival - an annual event since 1974, presenting independent films from around the world.



Athens flights are served by the main city international airport, making Athens easily accessible for most international visitors.



Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.