We’ve landed in Athens International Airport – Eleftherios Venizelos just a bit after midday. Next to find the accommodation, drop the suitcases and start exploring the city.
Metro to Athens takes around an hour (depends where you are going) and the train is air conditioned, so it’s not too bad. €9 for one way ticket. Also you’re lucky if you get a seat. If you take not airport train back you will take local train with no air conditioning and will have to change at Plankentinas, which is the final stop, so watch the board!
Day 1 in Athens
Accomodation in Athens
We chose this hotel as it is not far from the city center. €280 for twin room for 3 nights and with a balcony. The balcony was pretty narrow though and breakfast not so good. Everything dried up on the counter.
All pedestrian crossings are almost not visible in Athens. I guess mix of fierce Sun and dust wears them out quickly. Also pay attention even crossing through green light as you can easily can hit by a car.
Day 2 in Athens
The Acropolis Museum (Μουσείο Ακρόπολης)
The Acropolis museum, located in Athens, Greece, opened in 2009. It is dedicated to the findings from the Athenian Acropolis, the most famous and significant ancient Greek archaeological site. The museum houses the original sculptures and artifacts that once adorned the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis. These objects are supplemented by replicas (some original in British Museum in London), reconstructions, and Ancient Greek artifacts of the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods found in the wider region of Attica. It also houses the extensive archive of photographs, drawings, plans, and scientific documentation related to the archaeological sites of the Acropolis. The building itself is an architectural achievement boasts a modern design with transparent glass walls, allowing natural light to illuminate the interior.
The metopes (92 originally) were carved by several artists under the direction of master builder Phidias in 447 or 446 BC, or at the latest 438 BC. However, most of them have since been damaged. The metopes are made of Pentelic marble and feature two characters per metope either in action or repose. They were originally located above the columns of the Parthenon peristyle on the Acropolis of Athens. Some of the originals are in British Museum, London and Acropolis museum mainly houses replicas.
The marble plaque above has the original head of the centaur, which is headless km British museum.
findings of only one archaeological site, the Athenian Acropolis and its slopes. The
masterpieces that form its collection offer a comprehensive overview of the character and
historical course of the site that became a…
The Acropolis of Athens (Ακρόπολη Αθηνών)
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 center of Athens.
The most recognizable structure on the Acropolis is the Parthenon, a temple that was built in tribute to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. 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, 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.
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 Akropolis 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.
Plaka district (Πλάκα)
The Plaka is the oldest district of Athens, and has been closed to automobile traffic for many years. It was once a nightclub district, but this has changed in more recent years to a tourist-centric area with restaurants, jewelry stores, and cafes. Despite its commercialized nature, it is still an attractive neighborhood and a great place to visit for enjoyable meals at reasonable prices.
Visit Tower of the Winds, which is is an octagonal marble clock tower built during the 1st century BC. Its purpose was to act as a time-telling device, using sundials and wind vanes, as well as a water clock. It stands at an impressive eight metres tall and it has become a lasting symbol of the ancient world. The tower is a significant monument, representing the power of Athenian knowledge and technology at the time. It has inspired many works of architecture both modern and ancient, and is even featured on the Greek 100 Euro note.
Kydathineon and Adrianou are the main pedestrian streets in Plaka.
Archaeological Site of Kerameikos (Αρχαιολογικός Χώρος Κεραμεικού)
Kerameikos is an ancient site in Athens, Greece, located on the western bank of the Eridanos River. The site was first settled in the Early Neolithic Period in the 5th millennium BC, and it served as an important cemetery for several centuries. The city of Athens was established in the 7th century BC on the east bank of the Eridanos, near the Acropolis. During this period, Kerameikos became a walled settlement and was part of an extensive trading network between Athens and its coastal colonies.
In 490 BC, Kerameikos was the site of the Battle of Marathon. During this attack, the Persians were defeated by a small force of Athenian hoplites. In 420 BC, during the Peloponnesian War, the Spartans destroyed Kerameikos, burning most of its buildings and looting the cemetery.
Around 396-395 BC, a large defensive wall was built around Kerameikos. This wall enclosed the whole site, which included an Agora, temples, and various other monuments. Many of these monuments have been unearthed by archaeologists including the Dipylon Gate, a monumental gateway to the city, and the Lion Gate, decorated with two terracotta lions.
In Roman times, Kerameikos was known as one of the most important cemeteries in Athens and the site contains over 30,000 tombs. Many of these tombs have been excavated and found to contain interesting artifacts such as vases, inscriptions, figurines, and pottery.
Today, Kerameikos is a popular tourist destination in Athens as it contains some of the best-preserved Classical monuments in Greece. The nearby Dipylon Gate and Lion Gate are popular attractions at Kerameikos and visitors can explore the ancient necropolis and tombs in the area.
The Ancient Agora (Αρχαία Αγορά Αθηνών)
The Ancient Agora of Athens was the center of urban life in Classical Athens. Built around 500 BCE, the Agora was a vast marketplace and public meeting ground for the citizens of Athens. It was here that the legendary Pericles gave his influential speeches, and the city’s most important meetings and civic gatherings were held. In addition to the marketplace, the Agora featured the Temple of Hephaestus, the Stoa of Attalus, the Bouleuterion (council house), and other government and religious buildings. By the 4th century BCE, the Agora was filled with statues, monuments, and other works of art. It was sacked by the Roman general Sulla in 86 BCE and subsequently went into decline.
Odeon of Agrippa (Ωδείο του Αγρίππα) was originally built in 15 BC by Marcus Agrippa, the son-in-law of the Roman Emperor Augustus. It was one of the largest public entertainment buildings of its kind, with seating capacity for up to 3,000 spectators. Agrippa built it in the area now known as the Upper Agora at Athens. It served primarily as a venue for musical entertainment and competitions but also hosted lectures, theatrical performances, gladiator fights, and other events.
After its destruction in the 2nd century BC by a fire, the Odeon was rebuilt by Hadrian in the late 1st century AD and given its modern facades. This version of the Odeon had a horseshoe-shaped auditorium enclosed by a semi-circular portico featuring Ionic columns. It was one of the most impressive buildings in the area, with additional features such as an orchestra room and a freestanding altar for sacrifices and offerings.
Throughout its history, the Odeon of Agrippa served not only as an entertainment venue but also as a place of worship for Greek gods such as Apollo, Dionysus, and Zeus. In addition, it was used as a lecture hall by famous scholars such as Aristotle and Plato.
The Triton statue is one of four pedestals located outside of the Odeon of Agrippa (no visible in the picture as it is more ot the right), which represented an auditorium in Ancient Rome built in 15 BC and destroyed by the Heruli in 267 AD. The fishtailed merman statue was carved between 150 – 175 AD. The ruins of the Odeon of Agrippa can be found in the center of the Ancient Agora and are marked by a stone wall.
Roman Agora
The Choragic Monument of Lysicrates is a circular monument located in the ancient Agora of Athens, Greece. It was built in 334 BC by the Athenian choregos, or patron of public theatrical performances, Lysicrates, to commemorate his victory in a musical competition at the Great Dionysia, a religious celebration held every year.
This monument is among the most significant examples of the Greek temple-like structure known as a “choragic monument” which were created to celebrate successful dramatic productions. It is composed of four white marble Corinthian columns which support an entablature, or beam structure, made of Pentelic marble and decorated with a frieze depicting scenes from the mythological play which won the competition.
The monument was preserved over over two thousand years until it was damaged by Allied bombing during World War II in 1941. In the 1950s, Greek and international archeologists undertook a massive restoration effort to reestablish the monument’s former glory.
Don’t miss a Temple of Hephaestus, Altar of Aphrodite Urania and Stoa of Attalos (reconstructed temple) nearby.
The Temple of Hephaestus (Ναός του Ηφαίστου)
The Temple of Hephaestus is a Doric temple located in the Agora of Athens, Greece. It is dedicated to the Greek god of fire and metalworking, Hephaestus. It is the best-preserved ancient Greek temple, and one of the few surviving examples of a Doric Temple of the 5th-century BC.
The temple was built in 449 BCE, and was designed by the architect Ictinus. It was built with poros limestone and is believed to have been Byzantine in the 7th and 8th centuries. The statue is of the god Hephaestus himself, the only statue inside the cella. It remains one of the most visited ruins in Athens, and is still used regularly for religious ceremonies.
The temple was used as a Christian church up until the 19th century, when it was abandoned. In 1952, it began its restoration project, and since then has been open to the public, who can still marvel at the amazing architecture and artifacts.
Altar of Aphrodite Urania (Βωμός Αφροδίτης Ουρανίας)
The cult of Aphrodite Urania, the celestial form of the goddess Aphrodite, began in Athens in the 4th century BCE, when the first temple to her was constructed on the Acropolis. This original temple was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC, however the tradition of the cult was continued and in the following centuries, new temples to the deity were constructed, most prominently on the Areopagus Hill in the Agora district of Athens was constructed in early 5th century BC. The cult of Aphrodite Urania was particularly favoured by the wealthy and powerful families of Athens and became an important part of religious life in the city. Within the temple complex, sacred rites involving the goddess, her consorts, and a flock of sacred white birds were held. There were also statues of Aphrodite Urania and her consorts adorning the site. By the 2nd century CE, the cult of the goddess had waned in popularity, and the temple was abandoned and eventually destroyed.
Unfortunately, due to misguiding of one of the workers we didn’t see it. It is inside of Agora, just behind other ruins and there was no obvious path to it.
Stoa of Attalos (Στοά Αττάλου)
The Stoa of Attalos is an ancient covered walkway in the Agora of Athens, Greece, originally built by King Attalos II of Pergamon. It was reconstructed from 1952 to 1956 by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and currently houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora. It is 115 by 20 metres (377 by 66 ft) and is made of Pentelic marble and limestone. It is two stories high and was built in a combination of architectural orders. The Doric order was used for the exterior colonnade on the ground floor and Ionic for the interior colonnade, while the first floor was Ionic on the exterior colonnade and Pergamene on the interior. It had 42 closed rooms at the rear on the ground floor which served as shops. The spacious colonnades were used as a covered promenade. It was funded by Attalos II as a gift to the city of Athens, and was in frequent use until its woodwork was burned by the Heruli in AD 267. Its ruins became part of a fortification wall, which made it visible in modern times. It was reconstructed by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens in 1952-1956 and was dedicated in 1956. Its second story was refurbished and reopened in 2012.The Stoa is now used as a museum to house archaeological finds and also hosted the signing of the 2003 Treaty of Accession of 10 countries to the European Union.
Monastiraki district (Μοναστηράκι)
Monastiraki is a vibrant district located in the historic centre of Athens known for its diverse mix of shops, ancient temples, lively nightlife, and an eclectic selection of restaurants. It is especially famous for its bustling flea market, where you can explore the lively streets, and find anything from traditional Greek souvenirs to antiques. In recent years, Monastiraki has even hosted art exhibitions, film screenings, and other cultural events.
Philopappos Monument (Μνημείο Φιλοπάππου) & Hill
Philopappos Hill is home to the Philopappos Monument, a now destroyed (in 17th century) white-marble construction that once stood 14 meters (40 feet) tall and 10 meters wide. Evidence has suggested that the Turks were inspired by its architectural elements and used these elements to decorate the Minaret of the Mosque built in the Parthenon. Ornate decorations, pilasters, and statues of Philopappos, his grandfather Antiochos IV and Seleukos I Nikator, were all once used to adorn the monument.
You can find Socrates prison (caves carved in the rock) and amazing view of Athens and one of the best sunsets in Athens.
Gazi district (Γκάζι)
Gazi district is famous for its vibrant nightlife scene, which includes a wide range of bars, clubs and restaurants. It is also home to the historic Technopolis cultural center, which hosts a wide variety of events and exhibits throughout the year.
Day 3 in Athens
The Panathenaic Stadium (Παναθηναϊκό Στάδιο)
The Panathenaic Stadium is an ancient stadium located in the center of Athens, Greece. It was originally built in 330 BC, and served as the site of the Panathenaic Games, a Panhellenic Games festival honoring the goddess Athena. The stadium was renovated in 140 AD during the Roman Empire, and once again by Herodes Atticus in 144 AD. The venue remained in use for over 1,500 years before being abandoned in 1776. In 1895, it was restored for use for the Olympics once again, and is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Athens. It continues to be used as a venue for modern events, concerts, and sporting competitions.
The Arch of Hadrian (Πύλη Αδριανού)
The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Ναός του Ολυμπίου Διός)
Zappeion Park (Κήποι Ζαππείου)
National Garden (Εθνικός Κήπος)
Syntagma Square (Πλατεία Συντάγματος) and Changing of the Presidential Guard
Ermou street (Ερμού)- shopping street
Ermou street – shopping street
National Archaeological Museum of Athens (Εθνικό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο)
National Archaeological Museum of Athens
Mount Lycabettus (Λυκαβηττός)
Mount Lycabettus in Athens, Greece is a popular tourist spot known for its stunning views over the city of Athens (up to the port Piraeus) and its proximity to the Acropolis. Its summit offers some of the best panoramas of the city, stretching from the Parthenon in the Acropolis to the Saronic Gulf and the surrounding mountains. It is also home to a 19th-century chapel and an open-air amphitheatre.
My advice, come early as the queue in the Funicular tends to get long (€10 return ticket) and keep the ticket until the end of the trip. It is possible to climb via stairs, but they are pretty long and can be strenuous on the hot day. The effort is worth it. Also have in mind that sunset is a bit earlier, due to the mountains, so plan at least 30 before actual sunset.