A symbol and an ornament, the Acropolis is the guardian of Athens. At the foot of its hill the ancient markets (Agora) of Kerameikos and Thession unfold their palpitating everyday life. Opposite Adrian's Gate Plaka begins, built at the foot of the Acropolis where the new Acropolis Museum is located, offering a unique experience that should not be missed! The narrow picturesque alleys are full of life on sunny days. Locals and foreigners window-shop along its many little stores, enjoying the sun and having a glass of ouzo or wine in one of its many tavernas. The past blends with the present while you glance at the ancient buildings and the tourist shops. Street names reveal their history, while old churches and emigrant neighbourhoods from other regions of Greece enrich their new neighbourhoods by bringing over the characteristics of their origins. All these elements come together, composing the popular personality of Plaka.
Further down in Monastiraki, salesmen buy and sell practically anything and everything. The underground station stands there, still dominating in spite of the 100 years that burden it. The Sunday bazaar is situated on lphaistou Street and from Avisinia Square you can hear musical instruments preparing to sing out their eternal grieves.
Ermou Street connects old Athens with the new lightened city. Approaching Syntagma Square we meet Kapnikarea Square with its church dating back to the 11th C., having the same name as the square it is situated in. Mitropoleos Street took its name from Athens Cathedral or Mitropolis, which was constructed between 1842-1862. Behind the Cathedral is the little chapel of Ag. Eleftherios, a monument from the 12th C. Opposite Syntagma Square arises today's symbol of Democracy, the building of the Greek Parliament; the same building that housed King Otto's old palace.
	In front of the Parliament is the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded by the Evzones of the Presidential Garrison. Where Parliament ends the National Park begins - a green streak in the middle of the noisy and crowded city. In one of its corners stands the Zappeion Megaron, completed in 1888. Today it is used as a centre for exhibitions and conferences. Vassilisis Olgas Street separates the Zapeion from the Illisos archaeological sites and leads to the Panathinaikon Stadium, built on the ruins of the old stadium where the first Olympic Games took place in 1896. Situated on the shores of the Ilissos River, the Temple of Zeus was constructed around the 6th Century BC. Beside this temple is Adrian's Gate, built by the Athenians to honour Emperor Adrian.
Lying opposite the hill of the Acropolis, Lycabettus stands grandly with the little white Chapel of Ag. Georgios on its peak. On the opposite direction is the Muses Hill as it used to be called, with the Monument of Philopappou, the Observatory and the Pnyx. Among Athens’ most significant monuments, Pnyx has its special place thanks to its historical value as the crib of Democracy. At every municipal church session the greatest orators in the history of mankind were heard here, such as Aristides, Pericles, Dimosthenes and many others whose names are enscribed in the pages of history with golden letters.
The hill of Philopappou is known for the unique view it offers of the Acropolis and the Ancient Market (Agora). Northwest of the Acropolis is the Aeropagus, the Supreme Court of ancient Athens, which after the 5th Century BC limited its legal activities to murder trials. From the peaks of the hills that surround Athens we can discern Piraeus, Greece's largest port and the third largest in Europe, with respect to size. A noisy cross-point for different commercial centre, it is full of life during the summer months and hospitable to its visitors, whether they are passing through on their way to the islands of the Aegean Sea or just staying.

The Top 10 Places To Visit In Athens

1. Acropolis and the New Museum
2. National Museum
3. Ancient Market
4. Monastiraki (Flea Market)- Plaka - Psyrri
5. Temple 0f Olympian Zeus
6. Syntagma Square - Ermou Street
7. Parliament House
8. Lycabettus Hill
9. Sounio
10. Odeon of Herodus Atticus

For more information regarding sightseeing in Athens please visit: www.athensguide.org/places-to-go-in-athens.html