At the Acropolis Museum, the details hold the key. From the soaring modern architectural features of the building itself and the ruins of an ancient, once-crowded neighborhood visible in excavations outside, to the scenes of women’s rituals and ancient everyday life found on classical vases inside, in the Acropolis Slopes Gallery. However one also has to look beyond polished marble surfaces and stunning sculptural forms, and remember what is now missing, before they can fully appreciate the soul of ancient Greece.

Traces of once-bright paint still cling to Archaic Kore (maiden) statues; striding Caryatid ladies and graceful Nike goddesses attend to their sacred rituals; intricately carved original panels from the Parthenon’s metopes and frieze stand ready for inspection beside casts of their brethren now in foreign museums; while the view to the Acropolis and surrounding city, framed within the top-floor gallery’s all-glass walls, provides an inspiring bonus display to the museum’s already superb exhibits. Take a moment as well to appreciate the friendly staff, the well-stocked book/souvenir shops and the excellent roof-top restaurant and café, offering delicious, innovative fare.