About Athens

Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with a history stretching back to prehistoric times. Its defining moment came in the 5th century BCE, when Athens emerged as a centre of democracy, political thought, philosophy, theatre, science, architecture and the arts. The Acropolis and the Parthenon, created during this remarkable period, remain enduring symbols of classical civilisation and of the extraordinary relationship between ideas, leadership, creativity and aesthetic expression. Yet Athens is not simply a city of antiquity: shaped over centuries by Byzantine, Ottoman and modern Greek influences, it became the capital of the modern Greek state in 1834 and has since evolved into a dynamic, cosmopolitan metropolis. Today, ancient monuments stand alongside neoclassical architecture, contemporary art, museums, lively neighbourhoods, cafés and creative spaces, creating a distinctive urban landscape in which past and present constantly interact. For visitors, Athens offers not only an encounter with an exceptional cultural heritage, but also a living environment in which history, intellectual inquiry, creativity and everyday urban life continue to intersect.