Athens is the heart of Greece and one of the country's key tourist attractions. For a short visit - in order to diversify and enrich the impressions - it is better not to skimp and hire a guide. Lots of reviews and contacts of guides in Athens. If you decide to explore the city on your own, then below we have provided a list of places that are definitely worth seeing. And, of course, we should start with the Acropolis and Parthenon.

Acropolis

The Acropolis and Parthenon are the calling card of the capital and a mandatory place of pilgrimage for millions of tourists from all over the world. Even if there was no Parthenon, the Acropolis is worth a visit just for the stunning views it offers of the city.

The Acropolis is the city's main tourist attraction.

If you decide to explore the city on your own - without a guide - we recommend downloading our audio guide to the city for iPhone. It will help to understand much better what was intended for what on the Acropolis.

Grekoblog devoted more details to the history of the Acropolis, ways to get to it, opening hours and ticket prices.

National Archaeological Museum

This world famous museum is located in the very center of the capital. It’s difficult to drop by here for a minute - the exhibition is so wide that a connoisseur will need at least 2-3 hours to examine it.

The archaeological museum is located in the very center of the capital

The rooms, arranged in chronological order, begin with exhibitions of the Cycladic culture and the Mycenaean period and cover the period from ancient times to the present day.

The museum is located at: st. October 28th, 44 (28is Oktovriou, 44).
Working hours from 01/01/2018: Mon: 13:00 to 20:00; Tue-Sun: 09:00-16:00

Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon

A romantic evening trip to Cape Sounion is equally popular among tourists and the Greeks themselves.

Cape Sounion is just an hour's drive from the capital city center

As a rule, people come here to admire the sunset, which is given a unique flavor by the perfectly preserved ruins of the Temple of Poseidon. By the way, one of its columns bears the autograph of Lord Byron.

The archaeological site of Sounion is open to the public daily from 09:30 am until sunset.

You can go to Sounion on your own in a rented car, or take one of the group excursions below.

Night walk around the city

Athens is one of the safest capitals in the world. And although common sense is the best protector in any place, statistically, night forays are calmer here than in Paris, London or Tokyo.

Isn't this a reason to get extra pleasure from the vibrant Greek nightlife? Moreover, in Athens, life just begins at sunset.

Piraeus

Didn't manage to go to the Greek islands first or are you already missing one of them? Travel to Piraeus.

Easily accessible from the center by metro, you can dine in one of the charming taverns or fashionable restaurants along Mikrolimano Bay. This is, of course, not an island, but in some ways the sensations are similar.

Piraeus is one of the oldest and largest ports in the world

Allow yourself to spend a little more time and visit the Archaeological Museum located here or the equally fascinating Maritime Museum of Greece.

We wrote in detail about how to get from Athens to Piraeus in a separate article:.

Plaka and Monastiraki

Plaka and Monastiraki are the oldest part of the city, located at the very foot of the Acropolis. There are many souvenir shops, taverns and shops.

A distinctive feature of Plaka is its unique architecture, many intricate streets and pedestrian areas.

A distinctive feature of Plaka is its unique architecture, countless intricate streets and pedestrian areas. And although there are a lot of tourists here in the high season (01.04-31.10), Plaka will not leave you indifferent.

Lycabettos (Lycabettus)

Do you want to rise above everyone else? Then you have a direct road to Lykabettos - the highest hill of the city - 277 meters above sea level.

Lycabettos and the Acropolis are like two huge pillars above the Greek capital. From here you have a wonderful view of both the city and the Acropolis, beautifully illuminated by floodlights in the evening.

From Lycabetus you can take the best photos of the Acropolis

The top of the hill is crowned by the white stone chapel of St. George from the 19th century. On a clear day you can even see Aegina from Lycabetus.

You can get to the top by taxi or by cable car. We talked about the latter in more detail in the video below.

Syntagma

Syntagma, also known as Constitution Square in Athens, is the heart of Greece in many ways.

Here is the Parliament building and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where Greek soldiers, dressed in colorful national costumes, stand guard of honor.

Syntagma, also known as Constitution Square - the heart of Athens

Perhaps the most famous hotel in Athens, the Grand Brittany, is located on the square, and adjacent to it is the equally famous Ermou shopping street with many branded stores. Which ones to visit first is up to you.

Agora

If you come down from the Acropolis from the north side of the hill, be sure to visit the Agora. This is the third most important place for those interested in the history of the city.

There was once a market square here, and therefore the Agora was considered one of the main centers of public life in ancient Athens. Particularly noteworthy are the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus (also called Hephaestion) and the Attalus Gallery.

Looking at Hephaestion, it’s hard to believe that the temple was built several thousand years ago

The archaeological site of the Ancient Agora is open to the public during high season every day from 8:30 to 19:30, except Mondays. On Mondays the site is available from 11:00 am. During the low season, the Ancient Agora operates on a reduced schedule: from 08:00 to 15:00 daily.

Please note that there are two Agoras in Athens - the second is called the Roman Agora.

It is more compact in size and has fewer attractions preserved. The most interesting of them is the Tower of the Winds, one of the oldest meteorological structures in the world.

Acropolis Museum

When we wrote this article for Grekoblog, this section was dedicated to Omonia Square. But times change, and since then another wonderful site has appeared in Athens, which has supplanted Omonia from the list - the New Acropolis Museum.

The history of the construction of the building deserves a separate story. One of the reasons for its construction was the continuation of many years of attempts by Greece to return its artifacts stored in the British Museum and once taken to England by Lord Elgin.

The Acropolis Museum seems to float in the air

Among the British arguments against the return was, in particular, that in Greece there are no specialized premises capable of providing decent conditions for exhibiting artifacts. In response, the Greeks built a museum equipped with the latest technology, but “it’s still there.”

Meanwhile, even without these artifacts, the Acropolis Museum is rich in finds that are directly related to the main man-made attraction of Greece. The collection is definitely worth devoting time and space to in your schedule.

Pay attention to the building itself. Its design was specially designed to “float in the air” so as not to damage the ancient burials located underneath.

The museum is located at 15, Dionysiou Areopagitou, and tickets can be purchased at the box office on site or online via the Internet [link]

Attractions in Athens. 14 options for what to do and see in Athens.

What to do and see in Athens?

Parthenon

Built entirely of marble, the Parthenon was the main temple of ancient Athens and the religious center of the city. Time and history have battered him. That's why it's always under renovation. Because of this, it is impossible to photograph the Parthenon without scaffolding.

The Parthenon is surrounded by smaller temples and offers a beautiful panorama of the city. In the mornings, cruise ships bring their tourists on excursions to the Parthenon. That's why there are always a lot of people here in the morning.

The entrance ticket costs 12 euros. The Parthenon is open daily from 8 to 19.30. On Mondays from 11 o'clock.

Acropolis

The Acropolis is the area around the Parthenon. There are many small temples, theaters and ruins here. I love walking around Akropolis, getting to know the history.

Kifissias Park

A picnic in Kifissias Park is a great way to spend the day. Take wine, local bread, cheese, meat with you and enjoy life.

Agora

There are so many attractions of Athens that you can get confused in them. For example, there are 2 Agoras: Roman and Greek. The area around the Acropolis is dotted with ancient ruins of Athens' old administrative buildings. My favorite building is the old library. This is the equivalent of a forum in Rome. There are a lot of ruins in this area. You will need more than one day to explore them all.

National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum houses large collections of ancient Greek sculpture, jewelry and ceramics. A 2,000-year-old ancient Greek computer found after a shipwreck on the island of Antikythera makes one wonder just how advanced these ancient Greeks were.

In this museum you will learn a lot about Greek history. Entrance costs 5 euros. The museum is open from 9 am to 4 pm, on Monday from 1 pm to 8 pm.

Stroll through the Agora-Athens Central Market

If you want to watch the fresh fish and produce being unloaded, come early. From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market is busiest with shoppers—a great time to experience everyday life in Athens. Walking through this market, I always regret that I don’t have my own small kitchen in this city and a couple of months of time to cook Greek cuisine.

Day Trip to Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon

Nice way to spend the day. The Temple of Poseidon is perfectly preserved. Unlike the temples of Athens, it is not under constant restoration and there are fewer tourists here. This is a great place to watch the sunset. The bus to the cape costs 13 euros. The journey takes one and a half hours.

Kanellopoulos Museum

In the northern part of the Acropolis there is a mansion built in 1884. Here are impressive collections of jewelry, weapons, vases, figurines and other items that once belonged to the Kanellopoulos family. In 2008, the museum was renovated and expanded.

Entrance fee – 2 euros. The museum is open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except Mondays and shortened days in winter.

Tower of the Winds

This tower was built by Andronicus in the 1st century BC. Previously, the tower was used as a water and sundial, a weather vane, and a compass.

Easter Supper

If you're in Athens during the Easter holidays, you won't miss the stunning Easter procession. Every year hundreds of people with burning candles come down from the mountains. This is a very beautiful sight and an occasion for memorable photographs.

Parnitha National Park

The landscapes of Greece are breathtaking. This especially applies to Athens and the surrounding area. Parnitha National Park has several beautiful caves, gorges and viewpoints. All routes and paths here are carefully marked, so you can safely explore the park without a guide - you won’t get lost.

Anafiotika

Anafiotika is located next to the Acropolis. Founded in the 19th century, it is located just above Plaka near the entrance to the Agora. Despite its proximity to the center, it is very quiet and gives the impression that you are not in the city. Take a walk, enjoying the silence, flowers and white walls.

Athens from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Athens.

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Athens is not just a capital city. It was here that classical Greece, and therefore Western civilization in general, was born. The first prehistoric settlement arose here around 3000 BC. e. Over many centuries, everything happened to Athens, including periods of decline. It's hard to imagine, but in the 1830s, when the city began to revive after Ottoman oppression as the capital of independent Greece, Athens was just a small provincial village.

Athens includes the Old Town, central areas, suburbs, and the port of Piraeus. In the center there are two hills: the Acropolis hill with the Parthenon and ancient temples and the Lycabetus hill (Lycabettos) with the picturesque church of St. George on the top.

You can spend a month in Athens, exploring in detail all the ancient monuments and ruins, the charming neoclassical buildings in the historical center and museums. But if you really decide to do this, keep in mind that even in the very center of the city there are places where you shouldn’t go idle. Seriously: the Omonia quarter, filled with expats, is best avoided even in bright daylight.

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Districts of Athens

The Greek capital is divided into 7 districts and several dozen neighborhoods and districts. Some of them are interesting from a tourist point of view, others are not at all remarkable, and there are others where it is better not to go unless absolutely necessary. Among them is one of the central quarters of Omonia, inhabited by emigrants. It can be unsafe here even during the day.

The most popular area among city guests is the Acropolis. This is the historical center, and it is here that the monuments of ancient Greek architecture are located - the Acropolis itself, on the territory of which there are the ancient Theater of Deonysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, where concerts, performances and other cultural events are held to this day.

Another famous area of ​​Athens is Plaka. There are several interesting museums here, among which the most notable are the Children's Museum and the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments, as well as the chapel with the poetic name Tower of the Winds and the Metropolitan Cathedral. In addition, most tourists stop in Plaka. There are hotels in different price categories, although there are few budget options (20-30 EUR per night). Travelers are attracted by the proximity of the main attractions and the abundance of souvenir shops.

Souvenirs and antiques to remember your trip can be bought at the market in the Monastiraki area. There is also an ancient mosque and the temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary here. There are several inexpensive hotels in this part of the city (from 20 EUR per night), but in most hotels prices start from 100 EUR per night.

Those who want to look at the city from a height of 200 m should go to the Kolonaki area. You can climb Mount Lycabettus on foot or by cable car. This quarter has many 24-hour entertainment venues, so if you want to get acquainted with the nightlife of the Greek capital, you should look for accommodation here. True, it will not be cheap, because Kolonaki is the most expensive area of ​​Athens.

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Communications and Wi-Fi

Arriving in Athens, it is better to immediately take care of always being in touch. Of course, you don’t have to change your SIM card and use the services while roaming, but if you have to communicate a lot on the phone, calls can cost a pretty penny. In this case, a SIM card from one of the local operators is the best option to save money. You can buy it directly at the airport, as well as in showrooms and branded stores in the city. There are 3 cellular companies in Greece - Vodafone, Wind and Cosmote. Each of them has special offers for tourists - prepaid tariffs with favorable prices for calls abroad. The most interesting for Russians are Frog (Costome) and Q (Wind).

When purchasing any SIM card in Greece, you must have an identification document with you.

Free wireless Internet access points are ubiquitous in Athens. Along with the usual hotels, cafes and restaurants, Wi-Fi is available in many squares, including the main Syntagma Square, as well as in the metro, trams, Piraeus port and other points of the city.

Athens Spotlighted

The main difference between the Athens Spotlighted city pass and tourist cards of other popular destinations is its cost, or more precisely, its absence. In some cities, the price of a CityCard can reach up to 200 EUR for 3 days. In Athens, the card is issued to everyone completely free of charge and is valid for 10 days. You can pick up Athens Spotlighted at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (baggage claim and information desk).

The benefits of using the Athens tourist card may not be as great as those of its paid counterparts. However, it will help you save a lot on your vacation. Its owner receives a 50% discount on entrance tickets to the most interesting museums and other cultural institutions of the city. Among them are the National Art Gallery of Athens, the Benaki Museum, the Frissiras Museum, the Automobile Museum and many others. In addition, you can attend performances, concerts and other events of the National Theater of Greece and the National Opera with a discount of 15 to 20%. More than 15 cafes and restaurants, upon presentation of Athens Spotlighted, reduce the check by 20%. The same promotion is valid in several dozen grocery and souvenir shops, as well as clothing, footwear and accessories stores. Read more about the companies participating in the program at the office. website.

Athens Hotels

The peak tourist season in Athens is July-August. At this time, it is difficult to find a hotel room, and prices skyrocket. It is better to take care of housing in advance - the chance of finding a good option for normal money will be higher. Budget accommodation is represented by a small number of hostels and 2* hotels. Prices are approximately the same - 20–50 EUR per room. No frills, just the essentials.

Slightly better service in three-star hotels. Although they are also more suitable for those who come to the hotel only to sleep. Sometimes the price includes breakfast, most often a buffet. A room will cost 50–100 EUR per night, depending on the area.

Those who definitely want to live in the center should pay attention to the areas of Plaka and Monastiraki. There are several inexpensive hostels and hotels there.

The elite number of rooms is represented by 4 and 5* hotels. The level of service differs slightly, but the price range is quite large. If a room in the first one costs from 70 to 150 EUR, then in the most fashionable hotels in the city prices go up to 400 EUR per night.

Shopping

Athens is a large modern metropolis. Vintage antique items here coexist perfectly alongside the products of the most fashionable designers and quite affordable brands of clothing, shoes and accessories.

For clothes and shoes from well-known but inexpensive brands, you should go to Ermou Street, the largest shopping street in the Greek capital. From the middle to the very end, shops Zara, Morgan, Benneton, Marks & Spencer and others are crowded on both sides. More expensive luxury brands are presented at the beginning. The most luxurious shopping areas are Kolonaki, Kifissia and Glyfada. When going to one of them, be prepared to part with a large sum.

At affordable prices you can shop on the street. Patission (clothes, shoes and accessories), in the Plaka area (jewelry, souvenirs and antiques) and st. Monastiraki (handmade clothes and shoes, accessories, traditional tools). The latter hosts a flea market every Sunday. Among the piles of useless trinkets there are interesting and original items, including inexpensive Greek souvenirs - ceramics, bed linen, carpets, copies of museum exhibits and busts of ancient Greek thinkers.

Thrifty shopaholics are better off planning a vacation for the second half of summer. From mid-July to the end of August, sales are held in Athens, prices drop by 50-80%. However, even at this time the famous Greek furs are worth a lot here; it is better to go to other parts of the country to buy a fur coat.

Cuisine and restaurants of Athens

The national cuisine of Greece is traditionally associated with a large amount of vegetables and seafood, olives, soft feta cheese and a variety of herbs and spices. In any establishment in Athens you can find dishes such as “tiropeta” (cheese pie), “moussaka” (layered dish of eggplant, potatoes and minced meat), “dolmatesdolma” (stuffed cabbage rolls in grape leaves), “tzatziki” (thick sauce from fresh cucumber, yogurt and garlic) and, of course, charcoal-grilled squid, fish, shrimp and octopus.

Olive oil and lemon juice are often used to season traditional Greek dishes, highlighting the taste of fish and seafood.

Where to go to try it all? It all depends on the budget. For those who plan on food costs at the rate of 100 EUR per dinner for one person, there are several authentic restaurants with Michelin stars in the capital. Luxurious interiors and exquisite dishes that look more like works of art, and taste beyond all praise.

However, the city is full of establishments with prices that are much more acceptable for the average tourist. In coastal taverns and small restaurants in the city center you can taste traditional Greek cuisine, paying no more than 50 EUR for lunch for two, and if you go to the outskirts or the Plaka area, this amount will decrease to 30 EUR.

For those who don't want to spend more than 5-15 EUR on lunch, Athens has inexpensive eateries and tiropitadiko cafes. The former serve kebabs with pita and lemon, the calling card of the latter are puff pastries with cheese, spinach and other fillings.

The best photos of Athens

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The Odeon of Herodes Atticus still hosts classical music concerts and theatrical performances.

You can get into the auditorium of the ancient theater only during events by purchasing a ticket.

Traces of ancient civilization can be found not only on the Acropolis hill. At its foot, on the former market square of the capital of Hellas, stands the temple of Hephaestus, the god of fire. This building is located on Agora Square, and, despite its impressive age, is well preserved.

The most popular area among tourists after the Acropolis is the old town of Plaka. The central part of Athens is limited by a triangle formed by the squares of Omonia (Concord Square), Syntagma (Constitution Square) and Monastiraki. On Constitution Square, the majestic Parliament building with a guard of honor at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier attracts attention. To the right of the Parliament building lies the luxurious royal park "Zappio", behind which are the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the famous Arch of Hadrian.

Byzantine Museum - Europe's finest collection of icons and mosaics, the Benaki Museum is known for its rich collection of ancient Greek and Byzantine art, as well as displays of Chinese porcelain, oriental jewelry and weapons. Nearby is the National Gallery of Art, a two-story building that displays works by Greek artists from the 14th century to the present day.

No vacation is enough to see all the exhibitions of Athens museums. We advise you to study the information in advance and choose the most interesting ones for yourself.

The Archaeological Museum of the Athenian Agora, located in the north-eastern part of the city, is interesting because most of its exhibits are related to the world's oldest Athenian democracy. In particular, it is here that ostraca are kept - clay shards that the Athenians used for voting. At the Natural History Museum of Goulandris you can get acquainted with Greek flora and fauna. The exhibition features rare endangered plant species.

To get to know the country and its people from another, musical side, go to the Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments. The collection contains more than 1,200 exhibits, the oldest of which dates back to the 18th century. Only half of them are exhibited in the halls, but there is an opportunity to hear the sound of each.

5 things to do in Athens

1. Feel like an ancient Greek, walking from one ancient Acropolis temple to another.
2. Experience the contrast between ancient and modern times by heading from the Temple of Hephaestus straight to a fashionable restaurant.
3. Try real olives and feta cheese.
4. Climb Lycabettos on foot.
5. Go to a performance in an ancient theater.

Athens for children

Even in such a monumental and majestic ancient city as Athens, there is a place for childish spontaneity and curiosity. The first thing you should do is visit the Children's Museum located in the city center. Thematic classes and master classes are regularly held here - culinary, creative, theatrical, as well as games for the development of logic and attention. The exhibition presents works by little artists from 4 to 12 years old, after viewing which you can visit your grandparents (a separate room where the interior and atmosphere of an ancient Greek house are recreated) or the library.

For a fun time, head to Allou Fun Park, the best amusement park in Greece. The large area houses attractions for the whole family - from small carousels for kids to extreme roller coasters and a large Ferris wheel.

It is better to spend the second half of the day going to the park - it is closed in the morning.

When everything in the center of Athens has already been explored, you can visit the suburbs. In the northwest, not far from the coast, there is the Copa Copana water park (office site in English)

September

October

november

December

People go to Athens not only for a beach holiday; the tourist season here does not stop all year round. The climate of Greece is classic continental, so snow rarely falls. Heavy showers are possible in winter, but not often, this time is excellent for sightseeing tours.

It’s already warm here in April, but you can’t swim yet. There are not many people, you can easily walk around and take pictures. The swimming season begins in June and lasts until mid-October. Peak tourist activity occurs in the three summer months. At the same time, daytime temperatures, along with housing prices, soar. For those who cannot stand the heat well, there is a velvet season, which starts in mid-September. The weather is comfortable, and the beaches are becoming much freer.

Every step along the streets of Athens is a journey through time. Monuments are everywhere, testifying to the centuries-old history of the city and reflecting the brilliance of its culture. Without a doubt, the most important archaeological reserve not only of the capital, but of the entire country is the Acropolis. The southern slope of its hills was the spiritual center of ancient Athens. Sources tell us about the first example of an urban planning ensemble on a global scale, the buildings of which were used as artistic centers.

Here you should definitely examine in detail the Theater of Dionysus Eleftherius - the first theater of the Western world, the remains of the ancient Asklepion and the portico of Eumenes, as well as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, which can accommodate five thousand spectators. Several times a year, cultural events of international scale take place here on stage.

To the west, on the Pnyx, a popular assembly met in ancient times. During the reign of Lycurgus, Pnyx became what we know it today: it was then that a platform and niches for dedications to Zeus were carved into the rock.

A little further you will see the most monumental temple, dedicated to the father of the Olympian gods Zeus, built by the philhellen, the Roman emperor Hadrian. Today, only a few majestic columns remain from it. And here is the Arch of Hadrian - a tribute to the gratitude of the Athenians to the Roman emperor.

Next, go explore the main attractions of the Agora. First up is the water clock of Andronikos of Cyrrha (or Tower of the Winds), a building that combines a weather vane, sundial and hydraulic clock with impressive bas-relief representations of the winds.

The Ancient Agora is also home to the famous Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-preserved temples of classical antiquity, where the Athenians revered Hephaestus and Athena as gods and patrons of the arts and crafts.

Getting to the area where the entire cultural and historical complex of the Acropolis is located is very easy. The metro station of the same name is located within walking distance from all objects in the area. The entrance ticket to the Acropolis, which includes visits to a number of the city's key attractions, costs 12 euros. There is a 50% discount for students. But it is necessary to present an international student card.

After visiting the treasures of the Acropolis, it makes sense to visit the National Archaeological Museum - one of the most significant museums in the world. Its richest collections, located in dozens of halls with a total area of ​​more than eight thousand square meters, include about 11 thousand exhibits. Visitors are invited to take a tour of the history of Western civilization, from the origins of its prehistory to late antiquity.

In the new Acropolis Museum, the feeling of admiration for an impressive architectural creation is replaced by an awareness of a close, knowledge-based connection with the cultural heritage of antiquity. In the world ranking of the best museums in the world, this treasury is in third place.

Also of exceptional interest are the Museum of the Ancient Agora in the Portico of Attalos, the Archaeological Museum of Keramikos and the Museum of Cycladic Art.

A close acquaintance with the ancient and modern history of Greece is offered by the Museum of Epigraphy, the Numismatic Museum and the National Historical Museum on Stadiou Street. For those wishing to obtain detailed information about the period of Greek history from the revolution for independence of 1821 to the establishment of the Greek state, a journey through time is organized by the Museum of the City of Athens in Klaftmonos Square. Of great interest is the Benaki Museum with a branch on Piraeos Street, as well as the Museum of Islamic Art in Keramikos. In addition, it is worth mentioning the Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments in the historical district of Plaka, the Museum of Ceramics, located in the Tsistaraki Mosque in the Monastiraki area, and the Jewish Museum on Nikis Street.

You can also take a trip into Byzantine history by visiting the Byzantine and Christian Museum on Vasilissis Sophias Avenue. Particular mention should be made of the National Art Gallery - Alexandros Soutsos Museum (currently being restored and scheduled to open in winter 2015) and the National Sculpture Museum in the Army Park in Goudi.

The most beautiful squares of Athens deserve special attention from tourists. The heart of the city beats in Syntagma Square. It offers breathtaking views of the Houses of Parliament and some architectural masterpieces, the famous King George Hotel. From here you can directly access the pedestrian street Ermou, which will take you to the historical district of Monastiraki.

The symbol of the ancient quarter of Plaka is Philomousou Eterias Square, located in the middle of Kidathineon Street, with its cafes and restaurants where Athenians like to make meetings. The Zigos musical theater adds its colorful touch to the rich palette of artistic history of the quarter, and the Pari summer cinema is considered the most iconic in the city.

Avissinias Square in Monastiraki exudes exoticism, the magic of which can be felt in the early morning hours when small traders lay out their goods on trays. And you can watch all this while drinking coffee at the Avissinia cafe, one of the most famous in Athens.

Athena- goddess of wisdom, art and craft. She is the patroness of the Greek capital. The ideas of democracy were born here. Today, Athens combine two worlds - ancient and modern.

The city is divided into several districts, among which the most popular among tourists is the district Plaka, where the most important ancient monuments and the temple towering above the city are located Parthenon.

Getting around the city

You can move around the city using public ground transport, namely trolleybuses, buses, trams, as well as the metro, which consists of three lines.

Some of the metro stations are attractions in themselves. In the corridors leading to the station there are interesting exhibitions of finds that were discovered during the construction of the metro (at the moment, more than 50 thousand valuable archaeological finds have been excavated).

Archaeological finds in the Athens metro

Route visiting the main monuments in the center of Athens from , through , magnificent , , you can walk to it.

Thanks to the modernization of the city, which was carried out for the 2004 Olympics, a walk between the monuments will be an interesting excursion through beautiful streets decorated with greenery.

Top 10 sights and monuments worth seeing

Acropolis

View of the Acropolis

Here you can see a beautiful building, which became a model for the rise of this kind of buildings throughout Greece (despite the fact that it was never completed) - Propylaea. This monumental architectural work is the building of the gate leading to the Acropolis. Acropolis built during the time of Pericles (437-432 BC)

Another recognizable building of Athens is also located here - Parthenon. The Parthenon was richly decorated by the architect Phidias. The name of the building comes from the name of the goddess Athena Parthenos.

Parthenon

In the holiest place of the Acropolis there is another work of ancient architecture - Erechtheion, An Ionic temple was erected here in honor of the legendary ruler of Athens, Erechtheus, who was given to the upbringing of the goddess Athena and was also buried here.

Erechtheion

You also can’t help but notice the magnificent musical theater - Odeon of Herodes Atticus(on the southern slope of the hill), which could accommodate up to five thousand spectators.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Be sure to check out the Acropolis Museum.

Theater of Dionysus

The theater was erected in honor of the god of wine, entertainment, actors and theater - Dionysus. The oldest fragments of the building date back to the 6th century BC. and it was in this place that Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes staged their comedies and tragedies.

Theater of Dionysus

During the Roman Empire, the theater was rebuilt so that gladiators could fight wild animals on stage.

Right next to the theater there are the ruins of another ancient building -. Asklepion, a temple in honor of the god of medicine, which was erected here after a terrible epidemic that broke out here in the 5th century BC.

Roman forum

Roman forum located at the southern foot of the Acropolis. Be sure to stop by here to see a well-preserved Tower of the Winds, built in the 1st century BC.

Tower of the Winds

The Tower of the Winds is an octagonal tower (the eight corners symbolize the eight vortices), which serves as a city clock and weather vane (during the reign of the Turks, it was located here). To the north of the Forum are the remains of the once monumental Library of Hadrian.

Hadrian's Library

Athens Agora

The Agora is located at the northwestern foot of the Acropolis and was once the most important place in the city. It was an administrative, cultural, political, social and commercial center (an important meeting place for all citizens). Here you will see ruins portico of Zeus, temple of Hades and Hephaestus from the 5th century BC
Be sure to check out Agora Museum(it is located in a monumental, partially reconstructed antique building), which contains the most interesting exhibits that were found during the excavation of the Athenian Agora.

Kerameikos

Kerameikos - this is the oldest cemetery in Athens, which arose here in the 12th century BC. It is surrounded by protective walls that surround the entire ancient city. Most of the tombstones found here (especially those commemorating famous Athenians who were buried in the Avenue of Tombs) can be seen in

Kerameikos

Houses of Parliament

The Parliament building is located in the eastern part Syntagma Square. This is an impressively large building in the neoclassical style, which was built at the beginning of the 19th century by Louis of Bavaria for his son Otto, who later became the first king of Greece.

In front of the Parliament building is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in front of which stands an honor guard of guards dressed in national dress. The changing of the guard in front of the grave looks quite funny, which takes place every hour, and on Sunday at 11:00 the change is carried out with the participation of an orchestra and a detachment of guards. Look

Panathinaikos Stadium

Stadium Panathinaikos erected in the 4th century BC. in the shape of a horseshoe for the Panathenaic games, which were held every four years in honor of the patroness of the city, Athena. During the Roman Empire, bloody performances were held here with the participation of gladiators and wild animals.

It was restored and re-covered in shiny marble to host the first modern Olympic Games, which took place in 1896.

Panathinaikos Stadium

Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympeion) and Triumphal Arch of Hadrian

In the spacious city garden are the gigantic ruins of an ancient temple built in honor of Olympian Zeus. You can judge the greatness of this temple by its size: 200 meters in length, more than 100 Corinthian columns from a colonnade more than 17 meters high, as well as the period of the temple’s existence (from the 6th to the 2nd centuries BC). In front of the Temple of Olympian Zeus rises the triumphal arch of Hadrian, which marked the borders of Athens in the Roman and ancient periods.

Lycabettus Hill

Lycabettus Hill is the highest hill in Athens. You can get here by cable car or on foot. This is truly an oasis of peace and quiet. At the top, from which there is a beautiful view of the city (especially nice to watch during sunset), there is the white church of Agios Georgios, and on the north-eastern slope there is an amphitheater where theatrical performances are staged in the summer.

National Archaeological Museum

In a buiding National Archaeological Museum there is a wonderful collection of Greek ancient art. Here you can see the most valuable treasures, for example, Mycenaean treasures with the golden mask of Agamemnon, vases with mythological scenes, wall frescoes from the island of Thira, magnificent bronze statues and many others.

Excursions in Athens

What else to see in Athens

What else to see in the capital of Greece? In addition to the listed attractions of Athens, you will also find monuments from the Byzantine period, for example, Daphnion Monastery, which is located 11 kilometers from the city center, the Caesariani Monastery, the small church of Kapnikareya.

Caesariani Monastery

You can also go on an excursion to the tranquil Philopappos Hill (Hill of the Muses), where the Mausoleum of the Syrian Prince from the 2nd century is located, or to the Pnyx Hill, where public meetings of Athenian citizens were held in ancient times, or to the Hill of Nymphs to relax in the shade of a pine forest.

To experience a slightly different face of Athens, you can head to the Exarchia district, where you will see the neoclassical buildings of the Academy of Athens, the University of Athens and the National Library.