The first powerful town was built on the high plateau by Mycenaean settlers around 1400 BC. By the sixth century the Acropolis and the settlement of Athens were synonymous. For the first time people started to build on the hillside. The golden age began with the defeat of the Persians around 500-479 BC and colonization of the Mediterranean coast by the Greeks. Athens blossomed culturally under Pericles around 450 BC and this led to the construction of the Acropolis. Athens remained the center of philosophy and intellectualism of the Mediterranean world during Roman rule from 86 BC until well after the division of the Roman Empire. Athens became a mere provincial town in 529 with the closing of its school for philosophy. In the following nine hundred years the land had constant new rulers and settlers until the Ottomans seized power in 1456 and held it until the War of Independence between 1821 and 1827

Athens is one of the great cities of the world and one of the few places that can look back to a history of thousands of years. No other place contributed so much to the Western civilization than did Athens during its peak time 2,500 years ago, when it was the spiritual center of the then known world. It was here that such universal values as democracy were born and flourished. It was here that philosophical and political meditation were developed and later affected the course of the Western civilization. It was here that literature, fine arts and sciences reached an unparalleled acme. History, however, is not the only reason why the Greek capital has become a popular tourist destination. This vibrant metropolis of 4 million inhabitants offers visitors many choices of what to do during their stay. Sightseeing and Tours The many sights found in and near Athens allow for a full program during a stay of several days. Escorted tour companies offer a selection of half-day and full-day tours.  Morning tours take visitors to the major sights of Athens.

The most exclusive jewelry shops can be found in Voukourestiou Street (in the section between Stadiou and Akadimias Streets). Jewelers can also be found around Syntagma and Omonia Squares, in Mitropoleos Street and in Plaka. Boutiques specialized in furs are located around Syntagma and Omonia Squares, in Mitropoleos Street and in Plaka.

Athens features many art galleries selling original works of art. Some galleries are concentrated in Plaka and Kolonaki.

The shops of the Plaka area feature a great variety of handicrafts, antiques, souvenirs, clothes and jewelry. Many shops can be found along Kydathineon, Adrianou and Pandrossou Streets.

In Monastiraki, the narrow streets around Avyssinias Square are cramped with shops selling new and second-hand articles ranging from clothes and books to music instruments and antique furniture.

Inexpensive tools can be found on Athinas Street. Not to be missed is the Central Market on Athinas Street, which is housed inside a huge market hail, built in 1856. Meat products, seafood, fruit and vegetables can be found inside the hall and the surrounding side streets, showcasing the treasures of Greek agriculture.

Some of the museum shops feature copies of antique sculptures and pottery as well as handicrafts, traditional costumes and jewelry. These shops can be found at the Acropolis, the National Archeological Museum, the Benaki Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum.

No shopping spree is complete without a stop at a wine store. Excellent Greek wines are proof of a wine-growing tradition of thousands of years. Greek cheeses, olives and excellent oil can be purchased at food stores.