Athens is one of the great names of antiquity, the city of Plato and Socrates, a cradle of Western civilisation and birthplace of democracy. Greek mythology tells us that the city was named after Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, who presented the city with its first olive tree. Visit the National Archaeological Museum with its oustanding collection of Greek antiquities or the Theatre of Dionysos. Step into history on the heights of the Acropolis with its glorious 2,500 years old Parthenon, the Propylaia gateway, Erechtheion temple and the Temple of Athena Nike all dating from the Golden Age of Classical Greece. Below, in the heart of the city lies Syntagma Square and the ancient Plaka district's honeycomb of streets, little shops - and tavernas that come alive at night.