Top Things to do in Attica
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Attica That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Attica, Greece including Acropolis, Parthenon, National Archaeological Museum, Temple of Poseidon, Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, Temple of Aphaia, Acropolis Museum, Museum of Olympiacos, Marathon Lake, Profitis Ilias Monastery Hydra.
Restaurants in Attica
1. Acropolis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35,632 reviews
The most famous site in all of Athens, this large hill lies in the center of the city and contains a cluster of ancient ruins.
Reviewed By DavidTis - Campbell, United States
Greek/World history comes alive. The hop on hop off bus is an excellent tour of the city of Athens and one of it's stops is the Acropolis. A must see for sure. Bring good walking shoes and your camera and scratch this one off your bucket list, if you like history you're gonna love the Acropolis!
2. Parthenon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,764 reviews
The majestic ruins of an ancient Greek building, known for its dignified white marble columns and perfect sense of proportion.
Reviewed By 223ravik - Bangalore District, India
We visited Acropolis today. It is amazing to see Parthenon with its rectangular structure consisting of 17 columns in length by 8 columns in width- a huge structure dedicated to mythological goddess Athena. It takes you back 2500 years and makes you wonder about the life of folks then and the events that unfolded later on! Do not miss out the story of the Flag - when the nazis came in 1941, a young Greek soldier refused to change the Greek flag, instead wrapped it around himself and leapt to his death. He is remembered and honored even today. There is so much to see in Acropolis- be sure you have at least 2.5 hours! I also loved the story regarding the competition between Athena and Poseidon, and how she won!!
3. National Archaeological Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,806 reviews
Reviewed By tashak574
An extensive and fascinating museum with many unimaginable finds. It can be an overwhelming experience even with several wings closed. The collection shed a great deal of insight on the various movements in design during Greek history and shared really fascinating and well kept artifacts from points we learn about in history class. We’re talking arrow heads from the battle of Marathon. It’s a good time.
4. Temple of Poseidon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,382 reviews
Reviewed By ImmerWandern - Palos Heights, United States
Be sure to time your arrival for about an hour before sunset in order that you have time to explore the site and walk around to admire the temple from all angles before claiming your spot at the edge of the cliff to enjoy the sunset. The park staff are very strict about clearing out the site right as the sun drops below the horizon. Thing was, the best part of the light show came once the sun was down. Do not leave right away; the temple will be lit up about 30 minutes after sunset. Cape Sounion is the southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula. It looks out onto shipping routes to Athens’ Piraeus harbor. Not unlike the Acropolis this rocky outcropping was devoted to Poseidon and Athena; unlike in Athens, however, Poseidon ruled here. The sanctuary of Athena once stood at a point to the northeast but was dismantled by the time of the Roman Empire while the Poseidon's Temple was left standing proud. The similarity to the Athens Acropolis extended to its having been a fortress and a means for Athenians to guard and control the approaches to its port. The builder of Poseidon's Temple is thought to be the same one that build the Temple of Hephaestus in the Agora below the Acropolis. Just like the Parthenon the temple was built to replace one destroyed by the Persians under Xerxes, also during the mid-5th Century BC. There is a legend associated with this site involving King Minos of Crete, the legendary Minotaur, King Aegeus and Theseus. King Minos of Crete demanded that the city-state of Athens pay an annual tribute of 7 young men and women to be fed to the dreaded Minotaur housed in the Labyrinth underneath the royal palace in Knossos. The king of Athens, Aegeus, had only one son, Theseus. This young man, already a legend in the making, volunteered for the sacrifice and went to Crete against his father's wishes. His plan was to find a way to slay the Minotaur. Enjoying the special treat of nature's light show. A ridiculous 'technicolor' Copper River salmon pink! Speaking of colors, King Aegeus and Theseus made an arrangement that when Theseus' ship returned it would fly white sails if he had survived, black sails if not. Theseus would have to sail past this headland on the way back to Athens, so King Aegeus is reputed to have set up camp here and monitored the seas for the return of his son. In Crete the daughter of King Minos, Ariadne, fell in love with Theseus and helped him find the way back out of the Labyrinth using a ball of string. She fled with Theseus and joined him on the ship to Athens. Theseus and his crew stopped on the island of Naxos. There they either searched for water or celebrated their victory. Regardless they all fell asleep, exhausted at the end of the day. The following day the crew set off, somehow leaving Ariadne behind. Furthermore it somehow took Theseus too long to realize she'd been left behind and there was no going back for her. Thoroughly distraught he forgot to have the crew change the sails to the white ones before approaching Athens. King Aegeus was overcome with grief when he saw the approaching ship bearing black sails. Such was his despair at the loss of his only son he threw himself off the cliffs. Hence the Aegean Sea, the waters here named in his honor.
5. Archaeological Museum of Piraeus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
Reviewed By permia
It was absorbing moving around the splendid array of artefacts from antiquity. Funerary stelae and sculptures abound and reflect the reverence accorded to this seminal life event. Many stone reliefs are to be seen. A Greek pursuing a wounded Amazon who's bearing a shield is cogent, as are those of a Priest and Priestess in ritual attitude and the narrative of a Dispute between Apollo and Herakles. Herakles with a quadriga of chariot pulled by four horses is wonderful. That portraying three nymphs in motion is another highlight. The Piraeus Apollo in bronze is a prized sculpture and is the earliest known life-size depiction dating from around 525 BCE. It is accompanied with slightly later fine bronzes of Athena and Artemis.
6. Temple of Aphaia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 974 reviews
Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland
For anybody with some cultural interest a visit to the Aphaia temple is a must, when on Aegina. Located in a quiet area, on a 160m high hill, surrounded by pine forests, the site can be reached by public transport, since most buses between Aegina town and the tourist resort of Agia Marina stop by here. We had arrived from Aegina town a bit too early, since the sanctuary only opens at 10am (and closes at 5.30pm). Entrance fee is 6€, but our student grandchildren were free, while my wife and me as seniors just paid half price. When there early July we had the place to ourselves, a great relief in comparison to a visit at Athens acropolis. The temple, somewhat forgotten over the centuries, is one of the best preserved monuments of antiquity in Greece. It is a peripteros (a temple surrounded by columns) in the Doric style, a few years older than the Parthenon on Athens acropolis. While the latter is considered a masterpiece of the classical period, the temple of Aphaia still belongs to the Late Archaic period. This can best be judged from the sculptures of the two pediments, which are exhibited now at the Glyptothek in Munich, the famous 'Aeginetes', once bought by Ludwig I of Bavaria. Strange is also the name of 'Aphaia', a local goddess, not encountered anywhere else in Greece. From the sanctuary we walked via the monastery of Agios Minas down to the beach at Agia Marina. It is not a walk that can be recommended anymore, nor is the direct path, since the area has been built up with many roads and houses.
7. Acropolis Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36,780 reviews
Modern, uptodate building on the foot of the Acropolis housing important ancient Greek statues and much more
Reviewed By Bugster111 - Chattanooga, United States
a stunningly beautiful museum with the unique properties of being able to see the ancient excavations underneath through the glass floor while also being able to have an exquisite view of the acropolis through the glass walls. Turning your attention inwards will allow you to see stunning pieces of art/history.
8. Museum of Olympiacos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
Olympiacos was founded in 1925 in Piraeus and is the largest multi-athletic organization in Greece and one of the largest in the world, with activities in 17 different competitive departments. The Museum is in the Football Stadium and opens on Tuesday-Thursday-Friday-Saturday 10:00-18:00, Wednesday 12:00-20:00 and Sunday 10:00-16:00. On matchdays it closes 2 hours before kick-off. Tours of the Museum and the Stadium George Karaiskakis are available, for groups and individual visitors after booking.
9. Marathon Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By niksk001
Marathon Lake is absolutely beautiful, and a "classic" dam make s it more attractive. It is not necessarily a tourist attraction, but a very nice place to stop and relax before heading out to your next destination.
10. Profitis Ilias Monastery Hydra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By DeniseM675 - Bayside, United States
All the reports regarding this hike are valid. It takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours each way. This trail becomes more challenging the higher you go. Path more uneven and actually steeper. You need to wear proper hiking shoes, wear a hat, have a liter of water & if you use hiking poles generally than bring them. I wouldn’t hike this in the rain. The views are wonderful, the monastery - spiritual & peaceful. If you choose to go on to the top you can but since I went later in the day I was set with what I did....
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