Car Rental - Athens

It can be hard to tell as you tread through the ruins, but the Acropolis was once a city on a hill, built by Pericles in the 5 century BC. Much of what he built has since fallen, but the Parthenon stands reasonably proud.

You’ll also discover the Temple of Athena Nike, the dramatic amphitheater known as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and much more. To save them for posterity, many of the statues and artifacts have been taken to the Acropolis Museum on site while other parts remain abroad, controversially possessed by countries that plundered it in the past.

Jump in your rental car to continue the tour. Down in the center of Athens stands the Temple of Olympian Zeus, or what remains of it. It took 700 years to build, started by Peisistratos and eventually finished by Hadrian. 15 columns remain from the original 104, although one did blow down in the mid-19^th century.

Finish your ancient tour with a visit to the Agora, where Socrates used to deliver speeches. It was a key site from the 6^th century BC and is packed with the remains of several temples, an odeon, gymnasium and statues. 

Of course, Athens boasts its fair share of striking new buildings too.

The Acropolis Museum was a notable addition to the city in 2009, while the Renzo Piano-designed Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center was gifted to the city in 2017. Solar-powered and airy, it has outdoor vegetable gardens, a sea-water canal and concert space. Most of the events here are free and it has proved a huge hit with locals. Renting a car in Athens? There’s a Polispark lot nearby with more than 940 spaces.

The Onassis Cultural Center was opened in 2010, with nine of its 16 floors underground. It houses concert halls, art spaces, an open-air theater and more. It’s another sign of how the city is refreshing itself in the wake of the financial crisis. 

One of the best things about renting a car in Athens is the chance to scout out eateries at speed.

There’s little finer than the Greek cuisine classics, whether it’s moussaka, stuffed vine leaves or a fresh salad of tomatoes and feta cheese eaten in the sun. But if you fancy a break from the norm, it’s not hard to find places adding a twist to these tried-and-tested recipes.

For a real treat, push the boat out at the innovative Funky Gourmet, which has two Michelin stars. Anyone for Greek fish roe tart with white chocolate, or their signature ‘Greek Salad’? The latter is a wonder of molecular gastronomy – a scoop of snow that somehow tastes of feta, olives, cucumber, tomatoes and olive oil. It’s just more proof of how Athens shouldn’t be taken for granted.