Today we were aiming to explore Acropolis of Athens, which was much more interesting after visiting Acropolis museum yesterday, but before were headed there we visited Ancient and Roman Agoras as well as Kerameikos Archelogical Site.
Day 2 – Areopagus Hill and The Acropolis of Athens (Ακρόπολη Αθηνών)
We started going up to Akropolis from Roman Agora, which we visited before that today and it had a road leading up hill. You can’t miss it.
Areopagus Hill (Λόφος Αρείου Πάγου)
Areopagus Hill, also known as Mars Hill, is an ancient rock outcrop situated northwest of the Acropolis and is famous for its historical and cultural significance. In ancient times, the hill served as a meeting place for the city’s court of law and was a prominent site for public assemblies and debates.
Areopagus Hill is particularly renowned for its association with the Apostle Paul, who delivered a famous speech on the hill in the 1st century AD. This speech, commonly known as the Areopagus Sermon, was given to an Athenian audience and discussed the nature of the Christian God.

Today, visitors can climb to the top of the hill to enjoy panoramic views of Athens and a great view of Acropolis. We also climbed on top of it. Just make sure not to wear flip flops! It is extremely slippery!





The Acropolis of Athens (Ακρόπολη Αθηνών)
We wanted a guided tour, but unfortunately we didn’t plan ahead our visit to Acropolis. At the gate there was a private guide booth and there was an old lady sitting there. She was around 75-80 years old. We asked her how much would be the private guide. She started telling he biography and her experience, which I instantly knew will lead to a huge price tag. I asked her to tell the price, which was a bit rude of me, and she said €200 for two people. I tried to bargain to like € 75 and she said no. We decided to go on our own, without a guide. Also, given she was quite old and looked really fragile, I am not sure how she would cope climbing the stairs and with 42°C heat on top of the Acropolis. Imagine if she faints or even worse… What then? You probably can prebook guided tours online with a larger group, which would be much cheaper (~ €20).
We’ve entered Acropolis main gates at 4:00pm. Have in mind that there are two entrances to Acropolis: The main entrance can be found at the western end, which also has a ticket office, while the side entrance, commonly referred to as the Dionysus Theatre entrance, is situated on the southeastern corner of the site.
The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a high rocky outcrop above the city of Athens. It was inhabited as early as the fourth millennium BCE in the Neolithic era and was fortified in the sixth century BC, during the rule of Peisistratos. During that time, the Acropolis served as a religious, political, and social centre of Athens.

After entering the Acropolis site through the main entrance, you will follow a path that takes you up through the Beulé Gate. This gate was named after Ernest Beulé, a French archaeologist who discovered it in 1852. The gate was originally constructed during the late Roman period. As you ascend the stairs towards the Propylaia, you will notice an 8m-high pedestal on the left. This pedestal used to support the Monument of Agrippa, a bronze statue depicting the Roman general riding a chariot.

Propylaia refers to the monumental gateway of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It was built in the 5th century BC as the main entrance to the sacred site and served as a symbolic and architectural focal point. The word “Propylaia” derives from the Greek term “propylon,” meaning “before the gate,” reflecting its function as the entrance to the Acropolis. The Propylaia consisted of a central building with a large central hall and two wings, creating a monumental entrance with impressive columns and elaborate architectural details.
As you pass through the Propylaia, you will find yourself in a spacious courtyard. This area was once used for important ceremonies and processions. From here, you can catch breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including the Parthenon and other iconic structures of the Acropolis.


The Temple of Athena Nike was built in the 5th century BC. It was constructed during the time of the Athenian Empire, under the leadership of Pericles. The temple was dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena Nike, who was worshipped as the goddess of victory.
The original temple was a small, rectangular structure with four Ionic columns on the front and back. It featured a frieze depicting various scenes of victory and battles. The temple was strategically located at the southwest corner of the Acropolis, overlooking the entrance to the city.
Over the centuries, the temple suffered damage and destruction. In the mid-17th century, it was dismantled by the Ottomans, who used its stones for other construction projects. In the following centuries, various restoration efforts were undertaken, including in the 19th and 20th centuries.
In 1834, a major restoration project was initiated under the supervision of architect Leo von Klenze. The temple was reconstructed, and the original sculptures were replaced with replicas. The originals can now be seen in the nearby Acropolis Museum. Further restoration work was carried out in the 20th century, including efforts to stabilise the temple’s foundations and preserve its architectural integrity.


The Pedestal of Agrippa is located on a stone platform halfway up the stairway to the Propylaia on the Acropolis. It is a large plinth made of blue-grey blocks of marble from Mount Ymittos, standing on a base of poros limestone blocks. It is named after the inscription dedicating a sculpture to Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. The monument has a long history dating back at least 2,100 years and has been the subject of speculation and theories by archaeologists and historians. It is believed that one or more statues with various dedications stood on or near the pedestal, but the exact details remain a mystery due to the Athenians’ habit of changing the labels on monuments.
One piece of advice, if you don’t want to queue for the ticket in Acropolis, buy a combo ticket in Ancient Agora or other sites for €30, as Acropolis is included into the price and you will significantly save some money if you are visiting multiple sites (Roman Agora, Keramikos, Ancient Agora and etc) and also will save time in queuing to buy a ticket at each site.



The Ancient Temple of Athena, on the left hand side once you enter Acropolis, is a remarkable testament to ancient Greek architecture and religious devotion. Dedicated to the goddess Athena, the temple was built in the 5th century BC and is considered one of the most important structures of the Acropolis complex.
The temple is of the Doric order, characterised by its sturdy columns and simple yet elegant design. Originally constructed with white marble, it featured a grand entrance and a massive statue of Athena, which has since been lost to time. The temple’s friezes and pediments depicted scenes from Greek mythology, showcasing the artistic mastery of the time.
The statues in the Ancient Temple of Athena on the Acropolis are commonly referred to as the “Caryatids.” These statues, sculpted in the form of female figures, were used as architectural supports for the porch of the Erechtheion, a temple located near the Parthenon on the Acropolis. The Caryatids are known for their grace and beauty, each depicting a woman in flowing drapery, supporting the weight of the structure on their heads. Originally, there were six Caryatids, but one was removed and is now on display at the Acropolis Museum, with the remaining five replicas in their original positions at the Erechtheion.
Though the temple suffered damage over the centuries, including destruction during the Persian invasion, it has been partially restored to provide an idea of its former glory.





The most recognisable structure on the Acropolis is the Parthenon, a temple that was built in tribute to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. It followed the Doric order, which is characterised by its simple, sturdy, and symmetrical design. The temple is peripteral, meaning it is surrounded by a colonnade of columns on all four sides. It was constructed in the 5th century BC and continued to be an important religious symbol until the 4th century CE, when it was converted into a Christian church. Other structures on the Acropolis include the Erectheion, the Propylaea, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
The Parthenon has eight columns on each end and seventeen columns on each side, totaling 46 columns. These columns are fluted, meaning they have vertical grooves running along their length, giving them a sense of elegance. The columns taper slightly as they rise, giving an optical illusion of straightness.
The front and rear facades of the Parthenon have a pronaos (porch) and opisthodomos (rear porch), both supported by six columns. The pronaos leads into the cella, or the main chamber of the temple, which housed a massive statue of the goddess Athena Parthenos.
The Parthenon’s pediments, triangular gables at each end, depicted mythological scenes. The east pediment showed the birth of Athena from the head of Zeus, while the west pediment portrayed the contest between Athena and Poseidon for the patronage of Athens.
The temple’s frieze, located above the colonnade, wrapped around the exterior walls of the cella. It featured a procession of figures, depicting a religious festival known as the Panathenaic procession, honouring the goddess Athena.
The Parthenon, along with the other buildings of the Acropolis, were destroyed by the Persians in 480 BCE. They were re-constructed around 445 BCE. In 371 BCE, the Temple of Athena Nike was built and two centuries later, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus was constructed.





The Acropolis suffered severe damage once again in 1687 during the Venetian siege of Athens. It was restored in 1834, using ancient fragments found on the site. The Parthenon restoration project began in 1975 and was completed in 2009. Today, the Acropolis of Athens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and around 4 million tourists visits it every year.


You can also see Philopappos Monument in a distance from Acropolis, which is a perfect spot for sunset!


Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Ωδείο Ηρώδου του Αττικού)
When you enter through the main gate and go up to Acropolis, you will see Odeon of Herodes Atticus. It is a famous ancient amphitheatre located on the southern slope of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It was built in 161 AD by the wealthy Athenian aristocrat Herodes Atticus as a tribute to his wife, Regilla.
The Odeon was originally constructed with a wooden roof to protect the audience from the elements, but it was destroyed by fire in the 3rd century AD. It was later reconstructed using stone and marble.
During its prime, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus hosted various performances, including music concerts, theatrical plays, and poetry recitals. It had a seating capacity of around 5,000 spectators, and it was renowned for its excellent acoustics, allowing the audience to hear the performances clearly without the aid of any amplification.
Over the centuries, the Odeon suffered damages due to earthquakes and invasions. It fell into disuse and was eventually abandoned. However, in the 1950s, the Odeon was restored and became a prominent venue for cultural events, particularly during the Athens Festival, which showcases a wide range of artistic performances. If you are visiting Athens, check who’s performing and book a ticket (in advance!) as you will get a chance actually to sit in this ancient Oden!


Theatre of Dionysus (Θέατρο του Διονύσου)
The Theatre of Dionysus is a famous ancient Greek theatre located at the foot of the Acropolis. Once you enter through main Acropolis gates and pass Odeon, you can walk further and go down a bit and see it from above. It is considered the birthplace of Western theatre and one of the most important cultural and religious institutions in ancient Greece.
The theatre was first built in the 5th century BCE during the rule of Pericles as part of his ambitious construction projects in Athens. It was dedicated to Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and theatre, and was used primarily for festivals and performances in honor of the god.
The original theatre was a simple wooden structure that could hold around 17,000 spectators. Over time, it underwent several renovations and expansions, including the addition of stone seats and a stage building. The theatre reached its peak during the 4th century BCE when it became the main venue for the annual City Dionysia festival, a major theatrical event featuring dramatic competitions.
The plays performed at the Theatre of Dionysus were an integral part of ancient Greek culture and society. They were written by renowned playwrights, such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, and explored themes of morality, politics, and the human condition. The performances were attended by a wide range of people, from aristocrats to common citizens.
During the Hellenistic period, the Theatre of Dionysus fell into decline as other theathers in Athens gained popularity. It was eventually abandoned and fell into ruins. In the 19th century, archaeological excavations began, and efforts were made to reconstruct and restore the theatre to its former glory. Today, visitors can still see the remnants of the theatre, including the stone seating and the stage building.


Tips
- Plan your visit to Acropolis and pre-book the tickets online
- Visit Acropolis museum first and only then Acropolis.
- Plan to go in the morning, especially in Summer, as the site might be closed from 12:00pm to 5:00pm due to the heatwaves.
- If you want a guide, please do your research as hiring a private guide at the gate will cost you at least € 200.
- Wear proper shoes when going to Acropolis. Do not wear flip-flops! It is quite slippery and easy to get fall and get injured. Sandals also might be not enough, also it is quite dusty up there so your feet will be very dirty afterwards.