Exarcheia, Athens' anarchist neighbourhood, has seen the youth of the city rise up against power and injustice many times, and it has also unfortunately been the theatre of political drama. Even though Exarcheia has kept intact its rebellious soul and keeps on its walls traces and street art as testimony of its agitated past — the area has softened a bit and has become somewhat hipster. It is a cool place to hang out, go for a walk, meet locals, and have a coffee or a drink around the main square.

This nationally recognised Shinto shrine is considered one of Japan’s primary symbols of the country’s major religion. Take in the huge 11-metre cypress tree torii (gate) before wandering peacefully along winding paths to the wonderful inner buildings.

The National Archaeological Museum, in Exarchia, is home to Ancient Greece’s most spectacular pieces. One room contains Schliemann’s finds from Mycenae, another has the famous frescoes from Santorini on display. There is also a fine collection of idols from the Cyclades and ceramics from all parts of the Mediterranean. The star of the museum is the Antikythera Mechanism — an ancient hand-powered orrery, described as the oldest example of an analogue computer used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses decades in advance. This scientific marvel is dated somewhere between 205 and 60 BCE.