Located in Bradford County in north central Pennsylvania, Athens Borough lies at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers. Athens is four miles south of the New York State line and sixteen miles north of Towanda, the Bradford County seat. U.S. Route 220 provides access to Athens from the north and south while U.S. Route 17 (future Interstate 86) provides access from the northeast and northwest. Athens is within an hour's drive from airports with national and international connections.

Athens Borough, along with Sayre Borough, South Waverly Borough, Athens Township, Pennsylvania and the Village of Waverly, New York, collectively comprise an area known to local inhabitants as "The Valley." The Valley has a population of approximately 20,000. Athens is located in the scenic Endless Mountains region of northern Pennsylvania and lies forty miles south of the equally scenic Finger Lakes region of New York.

1950 Painting by M. Louis Gore. Looking north from Prospect Hill at Tioga Point.

Originally a Native American stronghold called Teoga Diahoga, Athens was first settled in 1728. Known as Tioga Point when first surveyed in 1736, Athens remains the oldest plotted community in northern Pennsylvania as originally laid out by its founders. The borough's present name was adopted in 1801 as a result of the area's physical similarity to ancient Athens - a city on a peninsula partly encircled by hills. Athens Borough was officially incorporated on March 29, 1831.

Athens Borough enjoys a continental climate with four distinct seasons and an average yearly temperature range of 20 degrees F in the winter to 76 degrees F in the summer. The area receives approximately 20-40 inches of rain and snow annually.

Ariel view of Athens, looking south towards Tioga Point