Athens is a living, breathing capital that is constantly shifting between a profound history that has left many signs of its old-world charm and a paradoxical ultra-modern energy in the space of a single street. Easily explored on foot, the city’s central neighborhoods are a pleasure to enjoy one by one or even all within the same day.

Here we present Kolonaki, Pangrati, and Syntagma, three central neighborhoods that one can combine in a day’s walk or spend countless hours connecting with on separate days, and the five key things to see and do when in each. From hidden hilltop cafés to marble-clad stadiums, world-class art museums, and buzzy community squares, we introduce you to the places where Athens can be experienced as it is by locals.

Whether you’re after cultural enrichment, people watching, shopping or nature walks, you’ll find the best handful of things to see in each neighborhood via this guide.

Read more at Travel.gr/en