Top 10 Romantic Things to Do in Greece

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This charming little museum occupies one of the original houses used by the German excavators (imagine them warming up by the large fireplace). Photographs and journals document the history of the excavations from 1766, when antiquarian Richard Chandler identified the site, to the present. Look for the 19th-century photograph showing the unearthing of the Temple of Zeus. The photo was taken as the structure was emerging from beneath 5m (16 ft.) of soil. Some of the shovels and whisk brooms used are on display.

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The museum, which opened in 2004, occupies the handsome neoclassical building that served as the site's original archaeological museum. The path to the museum is steep; it is sometimes possible to get permission to drive up and drop off passengers by the museum's entrance. The collection is superb; the text (Greek, English, German) posted on exhibits is extensive. Each of the 12 galleries has a theme, including "The Beginning of the Games," "Zeus and his Cults," "The Events," and Games at other ancient sites (Nemea, Isthmia, Delphi). Exhibits document the growth of the Games from a sprint on 1 day to 5 days of events for hundreds of athletes from around the Greek world. In wrestling, breaking fingers was forbidden, eye-gouging was permitted. In each event, there was only one winner: There were no runners-up at Olympia. Displays include massive chariot wheels, delicate musical instruments, statues of lithe athletes, and all manner of athletic gear.

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When you head back to town, try to set aside half an hour to visit this museum, which is signposted on the main drag. Not many tourists come here, and the guards are often glad to show visitors around. Displays include victors' medals, commemorative stamps, and photos of winning athletes, such as former king Constantine of Greece and the great African-American athlete Jesse Owens. There's also a photo of the bust of the founder of the modern Olympics, Baron de Coubertin. (The bust itself stands just off the main road east of the ancient site and marks the spot where de Coubertin's heart is buried.)

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Quite possibly the most famous symbol of Athens, if not all of Greece, the Acropolis crowns the city and provides a romantic focal point amidst the modern-day noise and mess. The word "Acropolis" comes from "Acro" meaning "High" and "polis" meaning city.

History

The Acropolis as we know it was masterminded by Pericles in the fifth century BC after the original Acropolis was burned to the ground by the Persian army. The sacred rock was dedicated to the goddess Athena since Neolithic times, but was also used as a gathering place during times of danger due to its strategic positioning. The rebuilt grouping of temples, framed by the Propylaea, or gateway, was intended to be a testament to human achievement and unique in the world in their beauty. They include the demure Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheum or Erechtheion, hallmarked by the Porch of Caryatids (maidens) and the queen of them all, the Parthenon. The Parthenon and the Propylaea were completed first, in under ten years. The temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheum were built after the death of Pericles.

In the centuries that followed, the sacred rock was used as a church, a fortress, a mosque, an arsenal, and pillaged... read more

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From first glance, the little white 19th century church of St. George looks like a castle from a fairytale perched atop Lykavittos, the highest point of the city. Lykavittos one of the most treasured green spaces of Athens, woven with paths used by the residents of underlying Kolonaki for jogging and dog-walking. A modern funicular provides access for those who prefer to climb up to the top without huffing and puffing, but all appreciate the dazzling cityscape of Athens spread out below and one of the best views of the Acropolis. Just before the large parking lot of the Lykavittus Theater (still used for rock concerts and a festival) near the cave and shrine of Agii Isidori, there are a couple of benches along the ledge for contemplating. More often they're used by amorous couples on a clear night.

The church is very popular for weddings, so road access could be tough on Saturdays. The funicular operates 365 days a year, 19 hours a day and costs 6 Euros round trip. It goes through the hill and lets out just under restaurant Orizantes, frequented by many tourists who have read of the extraordinary view of the dining room. There is an adjacent cafe with lighter fare as well as... read more

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The temple of Poseidon is believed to have been executed very close to the time of the Acropolis. Some say that the destination was chosen by the stars and has a special energy similar to the Acropolis. None can argue that it served as an excellent fortress for controlling all who passed on the Aegean, necessary to guard the all important port of Lavrio, home to the silver mines responsible for the wealth of Ancient Athens.

Now it's a romantic ruin set just at the edge of the cape providing a storybook landscape, especially at sunset. Look for the place where Lord Byron left his initials on one of the the far, square columns closest to the ledge, but don't follow in his footsteps. There's no evidence his premature death wasn't actually a curse from the sea-god, known for his foul temper.

An express KTEL bus departs every hour from Egyptou Square and stops at Filellinon Street near Syntagma Square. Alternatively you could book a taxi and arrange for stops along the way. The trip from the center of Athens to the temple is an hour without traffic, so you could add in the swanky shops of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni Lake or any of the award winning beaches of the Apollo coasts that lie between.... read more

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Aereopagus Hill got its name when the god of war, Ares, was tried for the murder of a demi-god son of Poseidon. In ancient times the hill was used ever since to try murderers, and then just to allow people to speak. St. Paul is one of the more famous, his speech posted just at the base of the rock.

Just to the left of the Acropolis, Aereopagos hill remains free of charge, open at all hours of the day and night, and the perfect place to drink in the wide, white expanse of the city, listening to the distant mix of church bells and motor scooters from every neighborhood in the city center. The best is to be there after dark, when the lights are twinkling and traditional music is plunked on bazoukis in Plaka and Monistiraki. It is the ideal place to view the moon when it is full or to catch fireworks on New Year's Eve.

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The National Gardens are located off Syntaga Square next to the Parliament building. This oasis in the city was originally the private gardens for the royal palace (now the Parliament). In the 1840s, Queen Amalia had horticulturalists bring in over 10,000 domestic and exotic plants, many of which still remain. The garden was opened to the public in 1923, however over time it fell into neglect. Efforts were made to restore the vegetation, paths, pond, etc. and prior to the 2004 Olympics the gardens were fully transformed. Winding paths lead past statues, fountains and a small bird sanctuary. There is also a botanical museum, duck pond and playground and a small zoo housing domestic animals. Nowadays joggers take to the paths and families bring their children to play. Tucked to one side is a small cafe (along Irodou Attikou street) and the southern entrance leads into the Zappeion Gardens.

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Almost everyone who was anyone in the ancient world sent gifts to Delphi. The remains of those dedications and of the sculpture that adorned the splendid buildings are some of the finest works that survive from classical antiquity. The star of the museum, with much of a room to himself, is the famous 5th-century-B.C. Charioteer of Delphi, a larger-than-life bronze figure that was originally part of a group that included a four-horse chariot. The wealthy Sicilian city of Gela dedicated this near-monumental work to honor its tyrant Polyzalos and his chariot victory here. It's an irresistible statue: Don't miss the handsome youth's delicate eyelashes shading wide enamel-and-stone eyes, or the realistic veins that stand out in his hands and feet. The graceful charioteer makes earlier statues on view here, such as the kouroi (monumental youths) Kleobis and Biton, look like stolid muscle-bound hulks. That's not far from the truth: According to Herodotus, the lads pulled their mother's cart to the Temple of Hera after the oxen fell ill. As they reached the temple, the boys collapsed -- earning both good deaths and immortal fame.

Although the charioteer is the star of the collection, he's in...

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The Sanctuary of Apollo is immediately beyond and just above the museum. The less-well-known Sanctuary of Athena on the lower slopes of Parnassus is a 10-minute walk past the museum. The Castalian Spring is between the two sanctuaries. If you can't visit everything, spend your time at the Sanctuary of Apollo, stroll to the Castalian Spring, and then cross the Delphi-Arachova Road to take a peek down at the Sanctuary of Athena. When you see hatless visitors in sling-back sandals huffing and puffing here, you'll be glad to have good shoes, a sun hat, and a bottle of water.

As you enter the Sanctuary of Apollo, you'll be on the marble Sacred Way, walked by visitors for thousands of years. The road runs uphill past the remains of Roman stoas and a number of Greek treasuries, including the restored Athenian treasury. Cities built these small, temple-like buildings at Delphi for several reasons: to impress their neighbors and to store riches and works of art dedicated to Apollo. Take a close look at the treasury walls: You'll see countless inscriptions. The Greeks were never shy about using the walls of their buildings as bulletin boards.

So many recent visitors were bent on adding their...