Piraeus, which lies 12km (7.5 miles) southwest of Athens, serves as the Greek capital's main port. Upgraded for the 2004 Athens Olympics, it now has 12 modern berths for cruise ships.

Athens reached its heyday in the fifth century BC, a period which also saw the construction of great classical buildings such as the Parthenon, which is now regarded as the icon of Ancient Greece. Modern Athens was born in 1834, when it was proclaimed the capital of a newly independent Greece. 1922 saw the arrival of countless Greek refugees from Anatolia and the subsequent enlargement of the suburbs. One in four Greeks now live in the capital.

Athens is dominated by the flat-topped hill of the Acropolis, home to the 2,400-year-old Parthenon, one of the most famous classical monuments in the world. Below the Acropolis, the old quarter of the town, Plaka, is worth exploring for its rustic tavernas, souvenir shops and picturesque narrow alleys. For a panorama over the entire city, ride the cable car up Mount Lycabettus, Athens' highest point, crowned by a chapel and a bar-restaurant.

Many cruise companies also offer half-day excursions to the temple of Poseidon at Sounio, and one-day excursions to the archaeological sites of Ancient Corinth and Mycenae, or Delphi.

Highlights
• Acropolis (home to three ancient temples, including the Parthenon)
• New Acropolis Museum (due to open in early 2009)
• Ancient Agora
• Roman Forum and Tower of the Winds
• Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch
• National Archaeological Museum
• Benaki Museum
• Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art
• Byzantine Museum

GNTO Information Desk
Amalias 26, 10557 Athens, Greece
Tel: +30 210 331 0392.
Website: www.gnto.gr

Athens is the centre for luxury goods and local handicrafts. The souvenir shops in Plaka and Monastiraki flea market, both below the Acropolis, are crowded in high season and special purchases include gold and silver jewellery, hand-painted pottery, leather goods, furs and Turkish-inspired rugs. Greek wines and spirits, olives and olive oil are also good buys.

Greek cuisine is based on fresh, seasonal, Mediterranean ingredients, with the abundant use of olive oil. Popular main courses include simply prepared fresh seafood, plus charcoal-grilled meats and hearty stews.

The Mediterranean cruise season runs from late April to late October. Peak season in Greece is July to August, when all the main destinations are very hot and very crowded. Try to visit in May/June or September/October to avoid the crowds and enjoy milder weather.

Greece

GMT + 2.

Euro (€) = 100 cents.

Greek.

Attica, mainland Greece.

3.3 million (Greater Athens).

Republic.

Greek Orthodox, with Muslim, Roman Catholic and Jewish minorities.

The Greeks are justly proud of their cultural heritage. The Greek Orthodox Church has a strong influence on society, especially in rural areas. Visitors are advised to dress modestly to enter churches - shoulders and legs should be covered. The throwing back of the head is a negative gesture. Dress is generally casual. Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in public buildings.

Tipping: 12 to 15% is usual.