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Enormous, lavishly appointed Athens Cathedral is one of the city’s best-known landmarks. The archbishop of Greece (often cited as the nation’s most influential person) gives addresses here, and it is regularly packed when Athens’ high society come for weddings and baptisms. Of far greater artistic importance, though, is tiny Panagia Gorgoepikoos (“little Metropoli”), next door. The 12th-century church is built of Roman and Byzantine marble relics, depicting 90 scenes of ancient feasts. (see Mitropoli)

Although developed in parts, Mount Parnassos offers fine skiing, splendid views and, in spring, wonderful trekking over wildflower-covered heights. The highest peak and most popular trek is the Liakoura. The truly ambitious can trek via Delphi by starting from Arachova very early in the morning, although this requires a guide. The best starting point for most hikes is the Greek Alpine Club refuge at 1,900 m (6,230 ft), 20 km (12 miles) north of Arachova.

On the outskirts of Athens, this beautiful mountain has many paths through its dense fir forests, offering walking and trekking for all levels. In spring, its meadows are full of wildflowers. There are two refuges for climbers and a large casino-cum-alpine hotel, reached by cable car from the suburb of Thrakomakedones, and a good starting point for walks. (see Hiking on Mount Parnitha)

Some 2,000 years before the Parthenon, a mysterious civilization on the Cycladic islands created the prototypical Mediterranean marble sculptures: simple, elemental female forms. The figures still resonate today, famously influencing artists like Modigliani and Picasso. The Goulandris family, one of Greece’s oldest shipping and philanthropic dynasties, displays the world’s largest collection of Cycladic art in a beautifully restored Neo-Classical mansion. There are often exhibits by top contemporary Greek and international artists in the extra-swanky new wing. (see Museum of Cycladic Art, Museums - Museum of Cycladic Art)

The dimly lit, government-run building won’t win prizes, but inside are five floors packed with rich, beautiful folk art, from jewellery to decorate and cover the entire body to fine embroideries worked with gold and silver thread. There’s also a room of wall paintings by prim-itivist painter Theofilos Khatz-mikhail. (see Museum of Greek Folk Art)

This unassuming museum is a great treasure. Here you can see and hear the Middle Eastern and European influences on Greek music, and how Greeks transformed them into something of their own. The instruments themselves are beautiful, often intricately inlaid with silver, ivory and tortoise-shell. It is also an ethno-musicology study centre, and there are occasional courtyard performances. (see Museum of Greek Musical Instruments)

The imposing building was constructed in 1842 as a palace for Otto, Greece’s first king after independence. Over the next 70 years, it suffered neglect and in 1923, during a housing shortage, it acted as a homeless shelter. After the return of parliamentary government in 1926, the building was gutted, renovated and reopened as a single-chamber council for parliament. Today it is the scene of debates that range from the hilariously surreal to the stultifyingly boring, viewable on state television via a live video link. Its library can be visited.

This all-glass $100 million showpiece, designed by internationally renowned architect Bernard Tschumi and opening in 2007, is meant to give a fitting home to Greece’s greatest treasures: the marble sculptures that once adorned the Acropolis, especially the mighty Parthenon. (Until the New Museum opens, these sculptures will still be housed in the small on-site Acropolis museum.) (see New Acropolis Museum, Archaeological Sites - New Acropolis Museum and Museums - New Acropolis Museum)