Parthenon, Athens (must see)

Presiding over the Acropolis like a timeless guardian of Athens, the Parthenon is one of the finest and most recognizable examples of classical architecture. This 5th-century BC temple was the brainchild of Pericles, the man who decided Athens needed an upgrade—preferably in glorious white Pentelic marble.

Replacing an older sanctuary, the Parthenon was dedicated to Athena, the city's patron goddess, whose grand 12-meter-tall statue, adorned in ivory and gold, once dazzled anyone lucky enough to lay eyes on it. More than just a temple, the Parthenon was a statement piece—loud and clear—about Athens' dominance following its victories in the Persian Wars and its leading role in the Delian League (uniting under its umbrella equal city-states against Persia). In other words, it wasn’t just about worship; it was about showing off.

Designed in the Doric style, the temple was built to withstand the test of time—but history had other plans. Over the centuries, it transformed from a Greek temple to a Byzantine church, then a Turkish mosque, and finally, in 1687, into a really unlucky storage facility for gunpowder. That decision ended about as well as you'd expect when the Venetians decided to bombard the Acropolis, causing a spectacular explosion. And if that wasn't enough, Lord Elgin of Great Britain came along in the 19th century and helped himself to much of its sculptural beauty, now sitting in the British Museum.

Yet, despite the looting, wars, and centuries of wear, the Parthenon still reigns supreme, standing as an enduring emblem of Greek culture and a favorite inspiration for neoclassical buildings worldwide.

Tips:
Go early—unless you enjoy waiting in long lines under the scorching Athenian sun.
Use both entrances to explore the site fully.
Get a combined ticket—it covers multiple iconic spots, including the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Theater of Dionysus, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Ancient Agora. Because if you're traveling back in time, you might as well see it all.