Athens attractions

70

Athens, the bastion of Greek history and culture, is replete with attractions. Almost everywhere around the Acropolis and its vicinity, one stumbles upon ancient relics.

The city is named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess who protected the city. During the golden age of ancient Greek civilization in the 1st millennium BC, Athens was Greece’s most important city and a wealthy, intellectual center worldwide. Known as the cradle of democracy,

it unfortunately declined under Byzantine and then Ottoman rule. By the 17th century, Athens was almost deserted, and the monuments were in poor condition. The large-scale reconstruction that began in the 19th century is why we can see many of the ancient monuments today.

I was in Athens in 2023, here is a travelogue!

Athens attractions

Acropolis

The most famous complex of ancient Greek history, a symbol of European civilization and democracy. Several buildings compose the Acropolis on the blue-gray limestone rock.

The Parthenon, or Temple of the Virgin Pallas Athena, is visible from afar. Built in the 5th century BC in Doric order and peripteral arrangement with octostyle facades, it has eight columns on the shorter side and seventeen on the longer sides.

Another significant structure is the Herodes Atticus Theatre. Built in AD 161 by Herodes Atticus in memory of his Roman wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla, it was used for musical concerts and could accommodate 5,000 people.

In addition, over 20 structures form the Acropolis, like the foundations of the old Athena Temple, Erechtheion, and Temple of Athena Nike.

You can buy tickets online here!

The Acropolis of Athens – The peak of Ancient Greek art

Agora

Northwest of the Acropolis, this area served as a marketplace and sanctuary from 600 BC and was the center of the city’s political life.

With theaters, schools, and colonnaded shop arcades, the Agora was also the social and commercial center, where silver coins used in Athens were minted.

The best-preserved building is the Hephaisteion Temple on the western part of the Agora, also known as Théseion due to its Doric metopes depicting the heroics of Theseus. The building, about 10 meters tall from the base to the cornice, is 32 meters long and 13.7 meters wide.

The eastern side of the area is enclosed by the Stoa of Attalos, originally built in the 2nd century BC by Attalos II. The current building, finished in the 1950s, functions as a museum.

Roman Agora

This marketplace is smaller than the aforementioned Greek Agora. After the Roman conquest in the 2nd century BC, it became the main commercial venue.

Several buildings have been excavated: the octagonal Tower of the Winds, the Gate of Athena Archegitis, and the Eastern Propylon.

Temple of Zeus

It was the largest temple in ancient Greece and one of the largest sanctuaries in the ancient world.

Construction began over 2500 years ago and was only completed in AD 130, under Roman Emperor Hadrian. The cella housed a statue of Zeus in gold and ivory and a large statue of Hadrian. However, it was looted by barbarians in the 3rd century and has since been in decline.

Originally, the building was 110 meters long and 43 meters wide with 104 colossal columns, but today only 16 remain. Even so, it remains an important site in Greek archaeology.

Arch of Hadrian

Located northwest of the Temple of Zeus, this arch resembles a Roman triumphal arch.

The arch is 18 meters high, 13.5 meters wide, and completely symmetrical. Although smaller than famous triumphal arches, it’s worth a stop for a photo.

Panathenaic Stadium

One of Athens’ most beautiful sights, this is the world’s only stadium entirely built of marble.

The original stadium, constructed around 330 BC, was rebuilt by Herodes Atticus, a Roman senator from Athens, in AD 144. It could hold 50,000 people.

Falling into disuse with the spread of Christianity, it was renovated in the 19th century and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

It was also a venue for the 2004 Olympics and hosts concerts.

National Garden

Located north of the Temple of Zeus, this 16-hectare garden is one of Athens’ most popular relaxation spots.

Created between 1838 and 1840 by order of Queen Amalia, Greece’s first queen, it was initially not open to the public but has been functioning as a public park since 1975.

Syntagma Square

One of Athens’ main squares, where metro lines 2 and 3 intersect.

The square is famous for the Greek presidential guard, the Evzones, who stand motionless in traditional Greek uniforms. Their hourly guard-changing ceremony is a major Athens attraction.

Monastiraki Square

The main square in the old town, it’s one of Athens’ primary shopping districts.

The square’s main attractions include the Byzantine-style Pantanassa church, one of the city’s oldest, possibly dating back to the 10th century.

Another beautiful building is the Tzisdarakis Ottoman Mosque, now a ceramics museum, located on the southern corner.

Hadrian’s Library

Just steps from Monastiraki Square, this ancient structure was built by Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 132.

The library was not just for storing books; it also served as a cultural and educational center where lectures and debates were held. Impressive in size and elegant in architectural style, it included large reading rooms, courtyards, and numerous decorated columns.

Today, only the ruins of the library remain, offering a stunning glimpse into the architectural and cultural grandeur of ancient Rome.

Agia Marina Church

Built in 1931, this church stands on the northwestern slope of Nymph’s Hill.

With striped walls and striking domes, its style is influenced by Art Nouveau. Interestingly, the current building incorporates a natural 13th-century cave church that once served as a baptistery.

Theatre of Dionysus

Located under the south slope of the Acropolis, this is one of the most famous open-air theaters.

Named after the god Dionysus, it could seat up to 25,000 people. It fell into disuse during the Byzantine era and was unearthed and restored in the 19th century.

Lycabettus Hill

Located a few hundred meters from the city center, this hill offers stunning views of Athens.

A cable car runs to the top, where visitors can find the Chapel of St. George, a theater, and a restaurant. The hill is particularly popular at sunset for its 360-degree panoramic view.