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The location is central, if a little seedy, but the super-cheap dorm beds are in immaculate, quiet rooms (a real achievement in this part of town), and the staff are glad to help you. Facilities include laundry and a kitchen for guests.

Athletes from around the world retrace the course of Pheidippidis, antiquity’s most celebrated runner. In 490 BC, the Greeks defeated the Persians at Marathon in a historic battle for democracy (see Marathonas). Pheidippidis ran the 42 km (26 miles) to Athens, announced the outcome (“Victory!”), then died of exhaustion. Today’s runners have the advantage of water stops and cheering crowds en route from Marathonas to the Kallimarmaro Stadium (see Kallimarmaro Stadium) to ease the arduous feat.

Most important 20th-century Greek artists are represented in this collection of 2,355 works of art. These include paintings and engravings, as well as several drawings by Bavarian architect Ernst Ziller, who designed many of Athens’ most important Neo-Classical buildings. Here you can see his plans for the National Theatre and designs for the city’s grandest private homes, now mostly converted to museums and public spaces.

This was the Games’ central attraction. The existing multistadium complex was expanded and renovated to host the opening and closing ceremonies, plus tennis, gymnastics, basketball finals, swimming, diving, water polo and cycling. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava designed the glass and steel stadium domes. There are plans to transform the surrounding area into a verdant art-filled park.

Overlooking the lush greenery of Pedion Areos Park, this smart hotel has 152 rooms and suites decorated in subtle muted hues, each with a grey marble bathroom. Rooftop pool and fitness centre.

Greece’s tallest building; no observation deck, but great views if you’re visiting any of its companies.

The city’s university, Academy of Arts and National Library (see National Library) make up a trio of the most important Neo-Classical buildings in Athens. The column bases and capitals of the university entrance are replicas of those in the Acropolis Propylaia, and the Academy entrance draws from the eastern side of the Erechtheion. The university’s frescoes depict personifications of the arts around the modern king, Otto.

A sprawling and varied market, and if you have an eye for an authentic antique you can pick up outstanding bargains at this Sunday market. Wake up early though – there’s not much point arriving here after 11am as the streets become jam-packed and most of the treasures disappear quickly. (see Athens’ Flea Market)