ATHENS - inhabited since 3,000 BC and having lived moments of glory during the Golden Age, 5th and 4th centuries BC - is where Democracy was founded and the granting of human rights was established.
The arts have been integral to Greek life since ancient times. Greek literature's ancient heritage spans poetry, drama, philosophical and historical treatises and travelogues.
As the capital of Greece and one of Europe's most captivating cities, it is situated by the Saronic Gulf and is one of few other capitals that can offer so many magnificent monuments and archaeological sites, which survived the centuries.

The Acropolis with the superb Parthenon, the Ancient Agora which was the political and commercial centre of ancient Athens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium, incorporate the soul of Greece, the soul that gave birth to light and to the sciences and culture.
Byzantine churches are spread throughout Athens, full of mysticism of the Middle Ages, decorated with icons, frescos and Byzantine mosaics, which are all both captivating and breath-taking.

The old meets the new, where neo-classical alternates with Bauhauss and post-modern glass skyscrapers. Athenian neighbourhoods, with individual character representing the period of their development, along with the modern suburbs, both by the mountain scapes and by the sea all come together resulting in a unique aesthetic canvas.
Athens is a city of many faces and as the capital of Greece, it is the mainspring of Greece's economic, social and cultural life. Bursting with life and activity all year round Athens can offer a rich variety of cultural events to choose from.

Every summer since 1955, many thousands of Greek and foreign art-lovers attend the Athens Festival, one of the major annual cultural events, which presents symphony orchestras and ballet troupes from Europe and other parts of the world during the summer and contemporary international trends in the world of arts. Classic plays are also performed in modern Greek by the National Theatre of Greece (English translation provided). The presence of the Greek National Opera at the Athens Festival is significant as well. The events are held below the Acropolis at the outdoor Odeon of Herodius Atticus, a theater of particular beauty built in 161 A.D. by Herodius Atticus, as a memorial to his wife Regilla.

Lycavittos Theatre hosts a wide variety of contemporary jazz and pop performances, as well as small chamber orchestras staged within the 4,000 seat Lycavittos open-air amphitheatre located on top of Lycavittos Hill, boasting a spectacular view of the entire city.

The main objective of these events is to receive the public's interest in the heritage of the past, and at the same time to promote modern Greece achievements.
Athens gives new meaning to the word nightlife. Whether you start with dinner and then hit the clubs, or begin with a couple of drinks and then make your way to one of the many live music clubs, the city is sure to keep you entertained until the early hours. Whatever one is craving for when in Athens, it will not be hard to get, but when accompanied by a real good time, then the experience becomes outstanding.