Athens Poseidon Temple

The Poseidon Temple—mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey —is a timeless attraction..

The clash between myth & modern-day grit is an Athenian trademark: marble busts adorn souvlaki joints, Byzantine churches nestle beside bouzouki clubs, the Parthenon reigns serene above a ragged expanse of apartment blocks. Over three million people are crammed in to this loud, laid-back city.

Birthplace of drama, democracy, & philosophy, Athens today is synonymous with smog, cement, & aesthetic anarchy. But after a radical revamp for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, Athens is enjoying a renaissance.

With 300 days of sunshine a year, a 75-mile (120-kilometer) coastline, & 3 a.m. traffic jams, irrepressible Athens is a muse for beach bums & barflies, as much as classical scholars & art lovers.