Ride Athens’ slick underground metro to Akropoli station and take a leisurely stroll along pedestrianized Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. The marble-paved thoroughfare runs along the southern edge of the ancient Acropolis, crowned by the 5th-century BC Parthenon. After poring over the temples and monuments, pay a visit to the treasure-filled Acropolis Museum. In the streets leading down from the Acropolis is the understated residential neighborhood of the same name, lined with stately buildings.

Plaka is all about that village life right in the city center. Athens’ old town is where you’ll find the ancient Roman Agora and the Tower of the Winds, considered the world’s first weather station. Snap away in the alleys of the Anafiotika quarter, whose colorful homes at the foot of the Acropolis were built by craftsmen from the Cycladic island of Anafi. Plaka’s main drag is crammed with tourist shops, but be choosy and seek out local items; the same goes for tavernas in this part of town.

Shoppers with a penchant for bling should make a beeline for Kolonaki. If contemporary art is your thing, there are plenty of galleries, including Athens’ own Gagosian. Here you’ll also find the city’s museum mile, encompassing the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture, the Museum of Cycladic Art, and the Byzantine and Christian Museum, among others. By night, Kolonaki is where people gather to bar-hop and dine at the city’s slickest restaurants.

There’s more to Monastiraki than its bustling Ifestou Street flea market, filled with endless souvenirs. Ancient highlights include Hadrian’s Library, the Stoa of Attalos, and the nearby Ancient Agora of Athens. On weekends, Athenians head down Ermou Street to scour vintage stores and thrift shops for treasures ranging from upcycled clothing to rare vinyls. Avissinias Square is a favorite, but don’t expect bargains; on Sundays, the open-air bazaar becomes a festive, music-filled affair.

One of Athens’ oldest neighborhoods, Psirri once played host to countless shoemakers and leather workshops, which were replaced by party-hard bars and clubs in the early ’00s. Shops featuring handcrafted items are gradually returning, framed by some of the city’s most spectacular street art. Along the streets fanning out from Iroon Square, take your pick of cozy tavernas and mezedopolia featuring live Greek music on the weekends.

Petralona is one of Athens’ old-school neighborhoods. Mingle with Athenians in Ano Petralona, who congregate at tavernas that have remained unchanged for decades to savor hearty, slow-cooked magirefta, such as oven-roasted lamb and goat and plenty of vegetable-based dishes. Merkouri Square is a lively hangout for impromptu afternoon picnics. In the evening, university students catch a movie at the open-air cinema Zefyros or gather at bistros and bars for meze platters and inventive cocktails.

Pangrati has evolved from a run-of-the-mill downtown to one of Athens’ cultural hotspots. Start out at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896. See works by Greek artists ranging from post-Byzantine art to modern Greek prints at the National Gallery. At the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation, view one of the country’s private art collections. Beyond the arty attractions, Pangrati is brimming with café-bars vying for the title of best brunch spot.