Visiting Athens for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do

In the spring, summer, or fall, you can soak up the rays as you cruise the sparkling Aegean Sea. The golden sands of the Athenian Riviera and the rugged Saronic Islands—such as Hydra, Poros, or Aegina—both make great day trips. Santorini requires at least a night’s stay to do it justice.

A trip to Athens without scaling the Acropolis is like a trip to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Immerse yourself in the majesty of this ancient hilltop citadel on a walking tour with a guide who knows their gods.

Whether you’re a meze addict and souvlaki hound or new to Greek cuisine, you should make the most of the nation’s fabulous fare. Take a cooking class, join a food tour, and savor a seafood feast in a classic taverna.

Take a trip to the rugged cliffs of Cape Sounion, where the nearly 2,500-year-old Temple of Poseidon still stands above the sea. The majestic sunset will stay with you for a lifetime.

If time permits, head north into the mountains. Choose between Delphi, a beautifully preserved temple complex that once housed a female prophet, and Meteora, which has ancient monasteries built on towering rock pillars. Better yet, take two days and see them both.