Athens Greece is extremely famous for a very specific structure. This gleaming monument to the goddess Athena, patron god of the city, sits high on top the Acropolis rock above all the rest of the city. Everywhere you go, this temple shines high above. Even as the sun sets for the day, amazing monument is lit up during the night, and has other amazing structures around it. Because it is well lit during the night, this creates some spectacular pictures as well.

While visiting, make sure to bring sunglasses! The sunlight gleaming off of the white marble is quite blinding, and there is marble everywhere. Since the Olympics in 2004, getting to the top of this large rock is much easier with more even steps. It is still a small climb, but easier with this improvement.

Once there, walk up further and see the temple to Nike (victory) just as you enter, the Erechteion, which has the six sisters holding up part of the structure on the side, (and where it was rumored that Athena and Poseidon had dueled to become the patron god of the city), and a demanding view of the whole city.

The largest structure on top of here is the Parthenon, where renovations are progressing forward. Notice everywhere there are different marble colors. The darker colored pieces are those of the original monument. The brighter pieces are those that are being replaced with the restoration. It is required that they keep the original pieces the color they are.

The difference in color, however, doesn’t take away how beautiful this monument is now, or how spectacular it was in the ancient days.

Tickets to walk up the Acropolis and see everything is 12 Euro. Bring sunglasses, and try to come earlier in the day; there will be less crowds from all the cruise ship tours.