Athens

Athens lies in the Athens Basin, a plain surrounded by Mount Aigaleo, Mount Parnitha, Mount Pentelicus and Mount Hymettus. Mount Parnitha, the highest at 1,413 metres, is a national park offering forested trails. Within the city, Lycabettus hill rises sharply, granting panoramic views of the basin, the sea and the distant port of Piraeus. The historic rivers Cephissus, Ilisos and Eridanos once crossed the landscape, now largely concealed beneath the modern grid.

The Acropolis and the medieval Daphni Monastery are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nearby museums include the National Archaeological Museum with the world’s largest collection of Greek antiquities, the Acropolis Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art, the Benaki Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum. Athens’ port of Piraeus ranks as Europe’s second‑busiest passenger hub and a major container terminal. The city hosted the inaugural modern Olympic Games in 1896 and again in 2004, a rare double hosting.

From the summit of Lycabettus, the Acropolis and the sails of Piraeus appear together, illustrating how the city’s ancient citadel, mountainous backdrop and bustling harbor coexist in a single view.