Athens is one of the world's oldest cities. The Greek capital offers fans of the ancient world more than their money's worth, but there's plenty to discover beyond the Acropolis and the Parthenon.

More than 23 million people arrived in Greece between January and October 2023. Some 6 million of these people landed at the Athens International Airport, showing a 28.4 percent year-over-year growth in the country's tourism. Yes, it was a record year for Athens, but really, the capital city has always been a travel favorite thanks to its fantastic historical sites, its drool-worthy food, and, of course, its hospitality — especially at its world-class hotels.

Along the coast of Athens, a vast complex of homes, hotels, marinas and more is taking shape. On the southern coastline of Greece’s capital, a long-awaited plan to transform the city’s former airport into the largest smart city in Europe is finally gaining momentum. After a decade of delays, a vision of the Ellinikon is emerging. The Marina Tower, soon to be Greece’s first skyscraper, is beginning to rise. Iron skeletons of condos are taking form. Standing on the marina, with a view of the Saronic Gulf on one side and the tower on the other, it’s possible to imagine the future city, which will feature the open spaces, sustainable energy sources and abundant green spaces that Athens currently lacks.

When you think of underrated travel destinations, Athens probably isn't the first place that comes to mind. With its iconic attractions like the Acropolis, the ancient Agora, and Panathenaic Stadium, the Greek capital has always been a mandatory day trip for anyone visiting the country. About 3 million tourists visited Athens last year. Yet it still feels like one of the world's most underrated travel destinations.

Die Maskenpflicht im Freien ist abgeschafft, Bars, Museen und Kinos füllen sich wieder. Und auch sonst haben die Griechen in ihrer Hauptstadt vieles richtig gut gemacht. Hoch und immer höher steigt die Fontäne, fällt in sich zusammen und nimmt kraftvoll neuen Anlauf. Wer auf den Omonia-Platz zufährt, sieht die Wassersäule schon von Weitem. Es ist nicht lange her, da war hier nur eine öde Platte aus Beton, eine urbane Wüstenei, so missgestaltet und vernachlässigt, dass die Athener den Omonia mieden.