“Cradle of modern civilisation”, “open-air museum”, “monuments of world cultural heritage”… these are phrases that describe Attica, its richness in ancient culture and its truly unique treasures in monuments, archaeological sites and museums. In Attica culture is everywhere. In Athens, the mainland and islands of Attica you will feel the myth, the history and the art. You will walk on sacred and mystical places, you will marvel at the awe inspiring architecture of ancient Greeks and feel the greatness of the keystone of modern western culture.

Starting from Athens, we embark on a memorable short break in Attica dedicated to Greek culture and ancient Greek history. We are aware that a few days are not enough for us to really get to know the cultural wealth of this land; but they are sufficient for a “foretaste”, until next time we come back to Attica, to pick up the thread of this cultural tour.

The Acropolis with the emblematic Parthenon needs no introduction. As an image, it has travelled across the world. When you are actually here, the feeling is indescribable! We marvel at the impressive Odeon of Herodes Atticus from above, which hosts some of the most stunning events of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival every year. We have already booked our tickets and we’ll be there! Near the Odeon of Herodes Atticus lies the Theatre of Dionysus, “standing tall” for being the most important theatre venue in ancient Athens during its heyday.

Our next stop is the Acropolis Museum, one of the best archaeological museums in the world, not only for its cultural treasures and the unique way they are displayed, but also for the modern architecture of the building.

We continue on foot, towards one of Attica’s most beautiful areas, Plaka and Monastiraki. We walk past the Horologion of Andronicus of Cyrrhus, also known as the Tower of the Winds, and reach the Ancient Agora, the centre of every social activity in ancient Greece. Here we will visit the Stoa of Attalos that houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora, as well as the Temple of Hephaestus, known as “The Theseum”, one of the best preserved ancient temples in Greece.

Strolling around the “open-air museum” of the centre of Athens reveals cultural treasures in every corner. We continue to the National Archaeological Museum, the largest museum in Greece and one of the most significant in the world, which houses over 11,000 exhibits from all over Greece.

Leaving Athens, we head west towards Eleusis, European Capital of Culture for 2021 and a place that is associated with Aeschylus, goddess Demeter and the Eleusinian Mysteries. Here we will feel the extraordinary aura still surrounding the site that was one of the greatest worship centres in ancient world.

This time heading towards east Attica, we continue our cultural tour in Vravrona, the sacred site for ancient Athenians with the famous sanctuary of goddess Artemis. Here we will enjoy not only the important archaeological site and the extremely interesting museum, but also the stunning natural landscape crossed by Erassinos stream.

In the southernmost edge of Attica, at cape Sounio, lies the imposing Temple of Poseidon, a monument that narrates the myths and history of the place from antiquity to this day, at the same time offering an enchanting view to the Aegean Sea and one of the most beautiful sunsets you have ever seen! After our visit at the archaeological site of Sounio, a swim in the stunning beaches of the area is a “must”.

From Piraeus port we take the ferry to Aegina, and in 1.5 hour we arrive at the majestic Saronic island, where we will marvel at one of the most significant creations of Archaic architecture: the Temple of the Aphaia. It is a Doric temple that was built from local limestone. With 24 of its 34 columns still standing to this day, it is one of the best preserved ancient sanctuaries in Greece, while the wider area is covered in pine trees and offers a magnificent view to the sea.

Touring along the traces of history and ancient culture in Attica does not end here. Every time we visit Attica we discover new archaeological sites, monuments, museums and cultural routes in age-old sites that are steeped in myths and tales, on the same land walked by Pericles, Socrates, Aristotle, Aeschylus, Euripides, Alcibiades and Phidias. Therefore… the journey is to be continued!