Athens See & Do
A lively, bustling metropolis for the last 3,000 years, you won’t be short of things to see in Athens.
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Admission to major attractions is substantially cheaper when bought as part of the Acropolis Pass, which costs EUR12 (free for children) and allows entry into the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Theatre of Dionysus and Keramikos. The pass, valid for a three-day period, can only be bought at the Acropolis ticket office (Tel: +30 210-321-4172). | |
The Acropolis
The Acropolis, one of the most important groups of ancient monuments in the Western World, is the highlight of any visit to Athens.
On entering the complex through the original gateway, or propylaia, you’ll see the Parthenon, Temple of Athena and Erechtheion laid out before you: an impressive sight by anyone’s standards. Though the buildings are crumbling and constantly under renovation, this barely detracts from the original splendour of the site and it’s hard to believe that these structures date back almost two and a half millennia.
Built between 447 and 438BC and named after Athena Parthenos, the goddess of Athens, the Parthenon has long been Greece’s most beloved monument. Constructed almost entirely of fine white Pentelic marble, the structure has always held strong religious significance, having undergone incarnations as a church and mosque since its original use as a traditional Greek temple.
The Erechtheion is famed mainly for its elegant caryatids supporting the side porch, though those on display today are in fact all replicas. Five of the originals are kept in the Acropolis Museum; the sixth can be seen at London’s British Museum.
The remaining treasures from the site that haven’t been carted off to London are predominantly housed in the Museum of the Acropolis (located behind the Parthenon) where there are a number of beautifully renovated sculptures and a variety of other artefacts.
Open: daily 08h00-18h00 (Acropolis Archaeological site); Tue-Sun 08h00-18h00, Mon 11h00-18h00 (Acropolis Museum). Admission: EUR12, adults; free for children. Covered by the Acropolis Pass. Tel: +30 210-321-0219.
The Plaka
The Plaka district is the most atmospheric part of Athens for strolling. It contains many of the city’s finest monuments, attractions and restaurants and still retains an air of the ancient city.
Dusty, hot and frenetic through the day, by night it is cool and full of character. The Plaka is also home to a permanently lively street culture of souvenir pedlars and outdoor markets that bring life to the atmospheric streets.
Ancient Agora
The Ancient Agora was crucial to Athens as far back as the 6th century BC, when it was the centre of social, commercial and political life.
The site has been heavily excavated and a number of monuments are now visible, all giving an insight into the administrative day-to-day workings of Ancient Greece. Most notable are the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios, dating from the 5th century BC and believed to be where Socrates and his coterie often met, and the fantastically well-preserved Temple of Hephaistos, also known as the Theseion.
Adrianou, Monastiraki. Open: daily 08h00-18h00. Admission: EUR4, adults; free for children. Covered by the Acropolis Pass. Tel: +30 210-321-0185.
Roman Agora
The Roman Agora includes impressively preserved monuments such as the Gate of Athena Archegetis, which dates back to Julius Caesar’s reign, and the marble hulk of the Tower of the Winds.
Like the Ancient Agora before it, during the Roman occupation this was the centre of the city’s commercial and social life. The Byzantines and the Turks built over the Roman site during subsequent occupations and it is only relatively recently that the area has undergone extensive excavation and restoration.
Corner of Pelopida & Eolou, Aerides. Open: daily 08h30-18h00. Admission: EUR2, adults; free for children. Covered by the Acropolis Pass. Tel: +30 210-324-5220.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
This was the largest temple in all of Ancient Greece and was built over a period of 600 years starting in the 6th century BC.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus originally boasted 104 Corinthian columns in marble, just 13 of which are still standing. Often referred to simply as the “Kolonnes” (columns) the impressive ruins make it easy to imagine the glory of the full structure.
Corner of Vas Olgas & Amalias, Plaka. Open: daily 08h00-15h00. Admission: EUR2, adults; free for children. Covered by the Acropolis Pass. Tel: +30 210-922-6330.
National Archaeological Museum
In a country blessed with so many ancient treasures, it is no surprise that the National Archaeological Museum is so spectacular.
The museum’s marvels include a beautiful collection of classical sculptures and bronzes found at various archaeological sites; prehistoric objects; ancient Greek pottery and Egyptian artefacts. The massive collection is impossible to cover fully in one visit - if time allows, it is best to plan two or three separate trips in order to see all that the museum has to offer without burning yourself out.
Patission 44, Exarchia. Open: Mon 10h30-17h00, Tue-Sun 08h30-15h00 (Nov-May); Mon 12h30-19h00, Tue-Sun 08h00-19h00 (Jun-Oct). Admission: EUR7, adults; free for children. Tel: +30 210-821-7717.
Syntagma Square
Syntagma (or “Constitution”) Square is a more modern part of the city. The main focus is the parliament building, originally constructed as a royal palace in the 18th century.
Today the square is a focal point for political demonstrations - but most tourists are more interested in getting their pictures taken with the goose-stepping Evzones, who guard the palace. Don’t let the elaborate costume and pom-pommed slippers fool you - these are the crème de la crème of the Greek army and are fiercely proud (and tough as well).There is a changing of the guard ceremony every Sunday at 11h00.
Panathenian Stadium (Ancient Olympic Stadium)
This cavernous arena is where the first Modern Olympics were held in 1896 although there is evidence that games of some sort or another were a fixture here long before that.
The 1896 stadium was built on the site of a former Roman arena and is a fitting icon of the world’s foremost sporting event. It has now been restored twice and has a full capacity of 70,000 spectators.
The stadium was brought back to life for the 2004 Olympic Games: although most events were held in modern, purpose-built venues, the Panathenian hosted the archery contests and was also where the marathon culminated.
Vas. Konstantinou, Mets. Open: daily 08h00-20h00. Admission: free.
Lykavittos Hill
The highest point in the city, the bulk of Lykavittos Hill rises over 270 metres, and was (according to legend) originally created by Athena, when she dropped a rock destined for the Acropolis.
The name translates to “Wolves Hill” but none of the animals seem to have remained in the modern city that nowadays surrounds the hill. From the top there are stunning views right across Athens as far as the city port of Piraeus, but you’ll have to work for them if you plan to ascend the hill by foot: the path up is on a steep incline with steps half way up.
Alternatively avoid the hard graft and catch the funicular up from Kolonaki. There’s even a restaurant at the top, where you can enjoy a drink with Athens spread out below you. To access the funicular from Evangelismos station, walk up Ploutharou. Admission: EUR4.50, return.
Athens Seafront
Especially during the steamy summer months, the seaside provides a welcome - not to say essential - getaway from Athens city centre.
The most popular area for beachside cooling off - for locals and tourists alike - is the long coastal avenue of Posidonos, which can easily be reached by tram from Syntagma Square, the journey to the first seaside stations Edem or Batis taking around 40 minutes. The resorts along this coast are all packed with cafés, restaurants and bars - and throngs of visitors, especially at the weekends. Deserted beaches these aren’t, , but they are nonetheless sandy and the sea is clean enough to swim in.
The other main coastal resort is the port of Piraeus, the main terminus for day trips to nearby islands. Piraeus is also quite lively and has a number of restaurants and bars. It is accessible via metro line 1 from Omonia or Monastiraki stations.
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