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Located in a quiet neighbourhood just below the Acropolis, this attractive, modern hotel has comfortable, newly decorated rooms, the pale green and light wood accents of which feel cool and relaxing after a day touring the sights. Other features include internet connections in every room and a flower-filled breakfast atrium.

Home-made barrel wine, often poured into pitchers or plastic bottles directly from casks on the taverna wall.

Attributed to the founding father of medicine, the Greek physician Hippocrates (460–377 BC), this oath prohibits doctors from performing abortions, euthanasia or unnecessary surgery, and requires them to promise to abstain from sexual relations with any patient, and to keep any information divulged to them confidential. The oath was taken by doctors until 1948, when the World Medical Association (considering references to ancient Greek gods and goddesses somewhat obsolete) produced a modern restatement called the Declaration of Geneva.

Month-by-month, blow-by-blow account of the conflict by an Athenian officer.

These comfortable suites and studio apartments are run by Holiday Inn, and offer all the services and amenities of that chain. All have large bathrooms, kitchenettes, and a small office area. The location is a short distance from the centre, which can be quickly reached by bus or cab.

Next to nothing is known about the bard who compiled the tales of The Iliad and The Odyssey . These poems, which were kept alive by oral tradition, are arguably the greatest and most influential in history.

A bastardized version appears on menus worldwide as “Greek salad”. The real thing is just a matter of fresh ingredients. Sun-ripened tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, crunchy red onions and green peppers, rich Kalamata olives, topped by a slab of feta, aromatic oregano and extra-virgin olive oil make up this simple but halcyon salad.

Clean dorm beds and a lively atmosphere. Once again, a somewhat seedy area, but it’s not too far to the centre and it’s close to the train station. Facilities include laundry and pay internet access. Students and backpackers gather at the bar downstairs.

It’s central, cheap and clean, and if that’s all you require then the Attalos is fine. But the rooms are far from suave, their style taking the form of lino, fluorescent lights and dorm-quality furniture. It’s located halfway between the colourful Central Market and the anarchic Monastiraki Flea Market.

German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann slept here (room No. 3) while excavating Mycenae, and many a classicist has followed in his footsteps. Modern tourists can enjoy clean, quiet, comfortable rooms in addition to the hotel’s historic cachet.