With a recorded history spanning over 3400 years, the Greek capital of Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities. As the centre of Ancient Greece, Athens is home to an abundance of historic landmarks and is built on a rich heritage. In addition to the wealth of history to be uncovered in Athens, visitors to the city can also enjoy the buzzing markets, the beautiful mythology and phenomenal Greek cuisine. Athens has a myriad of things to do and places to see, a city that depends on a commitment to exploration to truly connect with it.
Visit The Acropolis
Not only is The Acropolis the most famous landmark in Athens, it is also the most famous landmark in all of Greece. Overlooking the city from its rocky pedestal, The Acropolis is an ancient citadel home to the ruins of a number of historic and significant ancient buildings. Constructed in the 5th Century BC, the Acropolis comprises of a selection of incredibly important buildings including the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Propylaea. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Acropolis is a historic testament to the architecture, arts and philosophy of Ancient Greece.
Hours: Daily 8am-8pm
Price: From 10€ adults and 5€ children
Discover Ancient Greece at the Acropolis Museum
A phenomenal exhibition of Ancient Greece, the Acropolis Museum is dedicated to the artefacts found at the Acropolis archaeological site. Boasting an impressive collection of objects, the museum is packed with history. Built over some of the ancient ruins, the museum features a glass floor that showcases the strong foundations of Ancient Greek architecture as well as offering incredible views of the Parthenon.
Hours: Daily 8am-8pm
Price: Winter season 5€ adults and 3€ children. Summer season 10€ adults and 5€ children.
Explore the National Archaeological Museum
Home to one of the largest and richest collections in the world, the National Archaeological Museum is a warren of ancient art. With work dating back to 4th Century BC, the museum is bursting with incredible masterpieces from across Greece including Bronze Age frescoes and the Mask of Agamemnon. The museum is bursting with treasure and a must-visit when in Athens offering an in-depth introduction to Greek art history.
Hours: Monday 1pm-8pm and Tuesday to Sunday 9am-4pm
Price: Summer season 12€ and winter season 6€
Head to the Temple of Hephaestus
At the top of the Agoraios Kolonos hill, the Temple of Hephaestus is an incredible preservation of Ancient Greece. Designed by Ictinus and built in the second half of 5th century BC, the temple has remained in impeccable condition with all columns still in tact and the majority of sculpted elements still visible. The temple has a place in Greek mythology as it was dedicated to Hephaestus, the Greek God of fire, stonemasonry, metalworking and sculpture as well as Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War.
Hours: Summer 8am-8pm and winter 8am-3pm
Price: 8€ adults and 4€ children
Spend time in Plaka
Under the shadow of the Acropolis, the charming neighbourhood of Plaka offers a true taste of Greek culture. With narrow alleyways and 19th century facades, Plaka is a labyrinth of family-run businesses including unique shops and delicious restaurants. Plaka is the perfect place to visit to escape the buzz of the city, enjoy meze and grab some handmade souvenirs. The streets of Plaka also offer postcard-perfect scenery, especially in the summer when doorways are draped in blooming bougainvillea.
Hours: 24/7. Individual establishments opening times vary
Price: Free. Individual establishments may vary
Train at the Panathanaic Stadium
A modern reconstruction of the stadium built for the Panathanaic Games of 330BC, the Panathanaic Stadium was constructed for the 1896 Olympics. With the classic Ancient Greek stadium u-shaped design, the stadium is predominately made from marble and is almost an exact replica for its 2nd Century BC counterpart. The stadium was used in the 2004 Olympics for archery as well as for the marathon finish line and the stadium is one of the most-visited attractions in Athens. If you want to feel like an athlete training for the Olympics, the stadium hosts morning jogging sessions to get your heart rate up.
Hours: Morning jogging daily 7:30am-9pm. Summer season 8am-7pm and winter seasons 8am-5pm
Price: 5€ adults, 2.50€ children and under 6’s go free
Hike Mount Lycabettus
As the highest point in the city, the summit of Mount Lycabettus offers incredible panoramic views of Athens. The cretaceous limestone hill is 277 metres above sea level and takes in the landscape of the Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and even the beautiful Piraeus coastline.
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free
Attend a concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Built in 161AD, the Roman-era Greek amphitheatre, Odeon of Herodes Atticus was constructed on the orders of Athenian Magnate Herodes Atticus in memory of his late wife. The theatre that seated 5000 was destroyed in 275 by the Herules and gradually faded into the Earth until excavations began in 1848. In the 1950’s the theatre was restored as close to its original condition as possible and now hosts concerts and theatrics with some of the world’s best tenors and opera singers having performed on the stage. Grab a ticket to experience performance like the Ancient Athenians did.
Hours: Event times vary
Price: Event prices vary
Stroll through the National Garden
A buffer between ancient and modern Athens, the National Garden is the perfect blending of the two. With modern pergolas and ancient mosaics, the garden is a tribute to both the past and present in Athens. As well as towering palm trees and lush greenery, the National Garden also features two ponds home to turtles and ducks, a small zoo and a botanical museum.
Hours: Opening 6am. Closing times vary between 7pm-9pm
Price: Free
Eat
If you’re in Greece, you cannot miss sampling the delicious cuisine and luckily, Athens offers some of the best restaurants and eateries. In the morning, head to a bakery to try some delicious pastries including spanakopita (spinach, feta and onions) and tiropita (cheese and egg). For lunch or dinner, meze is a great option to sample a wide selection of foods including souvlaki (pork), bougatsa (mincemeat and cheese pastry) and dolmades (stuffed vine leaves).
Hours: Individual establishment opening times vary
Price: Individual establishment menu prices vary
Athens is a phenomenal destination for history lovers to visit with an abundance of museums and archaeological sites. Even if you’re not a history buff, the history and depth of Ancient Greece will truly captivate you and allow you to fall in love with Athens. With beautiful scenery and delectable food in addition to the rich heritage of Athens, you will not be disappointed by a visit to the Greek capital.
