Athens is a city of myths and monuments, impulsive gods and ancient glory. As this historic capital heralds a brand-new age, entrepreneurs, creatives, and visionaries are building the city they aspire to live in — a city of surprises, delights and inspiration.

Athens is a place where half the world connects. Midway between Europe, Asia, and Africa, the award-winning Athens International Airport keeps adding new airlines and destinations year after year. Getting around town is a breeze: visitors can stand at the birthplace of democracy and drama after breakfast, and feast on grilled octopus on a Greek island a little later.

With an average 300 days of sunshine a year, Athens is warm and welcoming. In fact, Athens proves that the best things in life – sun, sea, and good company – are free. The city is the only European capital with a coastline adorned with Blue Flag beaches. Less than an hour from the Acropolis people can swim, sail or surf, almost year-round.

History and culture are as ingrained in the fabric of Athens as marble and mortar. Visitors can walk in the open-air school where Aristotle taught philosophy or watch an ancient Greek drama in a Roman amphitheatre. Alongside the World Heritage monuments and magnificent museums is a twenty-first-century cultural powerhouse, featuring arts festivals, outdoor cinemas, and an ever-changing canvas of street art.

Leisure and business travellers both love Athens. It’s not a sprawling metropolis where the convention facilities are miles outside the city limits. People will be immersed in the vibrant Athenian lifestyle, whether the venue is an historic museum, a converted gasworks, or a 5-star resort with distracting views of the Aegean.

Athens means great potential for growth and innovation, with an enduring entrepreneurial spirit. Democracy, geometry, astronomy, philosophy, and just about every other –ology or –osophy you can think of was invented here. Now a fresh wave of talented creatives is drawing international attention to Greek fashion and design brands. International artists and curators are settling in Athens, eager to tap into the city’s new creative edge. The digital economy, and a more flexible business landscape, have created a thriving start-up scene. Venture capitalists have been quick to invest in the city’s highly skilled software engineers and programmers, many of them graduates from Athens’ world-class universities. No wonder Athens was named European Capital of Innovation for 2018.