The Athens Riviera

Ancient ruins and sleek apartment buildings, traditional tavernas and hip cafés, tourist shops and high-street boutiques, congested boulevards and cobbled streets that seem to jump out of an era long gone: the Greek capital is a city full of contradictions that you can never get tired of exploring. Being one of the world’s oldest cities, Athens is inevitably rich in antiquities. Yet, aside from the abundance of archaeological sites and museums, the city has a burgeoning contemporary art and design scene that is definitely worth discovering. Hit the galleries and cultural centers or book a seat for a performance at one of the ancient theaters to experience Athens like the locals do. The entertainment options are endless, from fashionable boutiques and little designer shops where you can find one-of-a-kind pieces, to open-sky cinemas, cosmopolitan wine bars and pulsing night-clubs that stay open until sunrise. Athens is also an exciting foodie destination, with an inexhaustive list of eateries that range from groovy street-food joints to Michelin starred restaurants. And, if you feel like taking a break from the commotion of the city center, you can do as the Athenians do and head to the coast, where the cityscape gives way to glittering water vistas and palm-tree esplanades.