The monuments of the Acropolis stand out majestically amidst the Athenian skyline from the summit of Mount Lycabettus. I visited Athens in spring 2013, and thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Acropolis. The partially damaged Parthenon was spectacular to see up close, but I also liked the other ruins on the plateau, including the Propylaea, the Erectheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Additionally, on the climb to the Acropolis I passed by the Aeropagus, or Mars Hill, where the apostle Paul addressed the Athenians in the 1st century AD. Two stories I heard about the German occupation of Athens during World War II illustrate the significance the Acropolis maintains to modern Greek identity. One was of a Greek soldier ordered to remove the large Greek flag from the flagpole on the Acropolis in April 1941; the soldier reluctantly complied, wrapped the flag around him, and jumped off the plateau to his death. A few weeks later two Greek youths snuck into the Acropolis and tore down the Nazi flag, inspiring Greek resistance during Axis occupation.

Logistics: You can reach the Acropolis by Metro, taxi, or foot, but a climb is still required to get to the top of the hill