Serving as the capital of Greece today, the ancient city was once the heart of the ancient Greece Empire and the birthplace of western civilization. Today, the city is still largely dominated by classical Greek landmarks dating as far back as the 5th century BC. This includes the hilltop citadel of Acropolis that hosts ancient buildings and temples such as the Parthenon, devoted to the goddess of wisdom and patron of the city, Athena.  Aside from the fascinating historic landmarks, visitors will also enjoy the local cafes, museums and the nearby beaches of Attica.