Location: Athens
Top Things to do in Athens
What to do and see in Athens, Attica: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
Once known for smog, traffic and tacky architecture, Athens is a city reformed thanks to fortunes brought by the 2004 Summer Olympics. Spotless parks and streets, an ultra-modern subway, new freeways, an accessible airport and all signs in perfect English make the city easily negotiable. Meriting more than a stopover en route to the islands, sophisticated Athens sites include many pillars of Western history, from the Acropolis to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, as well as treasures in the National Archaeological Museum.
Restaurants in Athens
1. Philomousou Etairias Square
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
This city plaza is lined with restaurants and shops, coming alive in the evening when Athenians flock to the streets.
2. Ancient Agora of Athens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,225 reviews
These ruins, located in the heart of modern Athens, were once the site of the marketplace in ancient times, a political, cultural and economic center of the ancient world.
Reviewed By EileenMtShasta - Mount Shasta, United States
The area is breathtaking to imagine the history but is mostly a field of rubble, though there are many informative signs. The museum has many important and interesting artifacts, like the baby toilet from the 2nd century BC! The most intact structure is the Temple of Hephaistos, but entrance was blocked. The visit was made much more meaningful due to a free audio tour I downloaded from online, by tour guide Rick Steves, so I highly recommend it.
3. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,254 reviews
Reviewed By 116enjoyit - Rome, United States
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Greek: Μνημείο του Αγνώστου Στρατιώτη, romanized: Mnimío tou Agnóstou Stratióti) is a war memorial located in Syntagma Square in Athens, in front of the Old Royal Palace. It is a cenotaph dedicated to the Greek soldiers killed during war. It was sculpted between 1930 and 1932 by sculptor Fokion Rok. The decision to build a monument was taken by army general and “constitutional dictator” Theodoros Pangalos. In his capacity as Army Minister, an advertisement was placed in the Espera newspaper, requesting a "submission for a study of the construction of a tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in front of the Old Royal Palace, suitable for this purpose". On 9 October 1926, the Army Ministry approved and granted by majority the study made by architect Emmanuel Lazaridis. The location of the monument at the Old Palace was suggested both by the architect himself and by Pangalos, who wish for the Army Ministry to be housed in the building. However in 1929, after fervent reaction and continuous meetings, Eleftherios Venizelos, setting aside his disagreements with Pangalos, decided that the best location would be the original one in Syntagma Square, reasoning that the Monument ought to be in the city centre, much like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The construction committee had given all responsibility for the construction to Lazaridis. Initially, he had worked with sculptor Thomas Thomopoulos who had proposed as a central sculpture a representation of the Gigantomachy with an angel (representing Greece) lovingly receiving the dead soldier. Despite Lazaridis initially agreeing to this design, Thomopoulos's sculpture was never built due to lack of funds. In 1930, Lazaridis instead assigned Fokion Rok as sculptor with a unanimous decision of the construction committee. The committee then approved a new proposal for the sculpture, a gunner lying on the ground. This design was deemed appropriate owing to its calmness and simplicity. For the construction, a large-scale excavation and levelling of terrain took place. The Tomb was unveiled on 25 March 1932 by then Prime Minister Andreas Michalakopoulos, with the participation of many foreign delegations, followed by a parade of the monument guard. At the same time, a torch was brought from the monastery of Agia Lavra to light the eternal flame in the centre of the cenotaph.
4. Erechtheion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,782 reviews
The second largest temple on the Acropolis has a complex and unique structure, including its famous Porch of the Caraytis with statues of six graceful maidens on the south side and a four-pillared porch with six Ionic columns on the north side.
Reviewed By LDG2003 - Ponce, Caribbean
The Erechtheion is a building localized at the top of the Athen’s Acropolis , in which you will see the famous sculpted female figures in form of a column, also called caryatid.However, they are copies, the originals are at the Acropolis Museum.You have to pay the ticket of the Acropolis to see them.The best time to go there is very early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Between 10:00 am to 3:00 pm it used to be packed of tourists and the photos that you take will be full of them.The advantage of go early at am is the good temperature.... in the afternoon the advantage is the amazing sunset...you decide which one is better for you.
5. Philopappos Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,391 reviews
This hill is a favorite for weekending Athenians who come here to picnic and admire the breathaking views.
Reviewed By MontherYASEEN - Amman, Jordan
As a part of our plans, we made up our minds to go for a walk during the sunset, the walk was lovely , the view over ancient Athens was spectacular and lucky us we had some sun to enjoy the romantic sunset, go and enjoy the peace and the charming view
6. Pnyx
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By GILL2323 - New York City, United States
Must visit and step on the same ground where Athenians assembly took place 2500years ago and see the stone speaker’s platform. Not many tourists know about this place, I learned all about it during the Hellas Revival democracy workshop. The place is calm and peaceful with an amazing view of Athens and Acropolis. I took wonderful photos. Tip: Wear comfortable shoes, and bring water with you.
7. Propylaea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By JLC-mtl2015 - Montreal, Canada
In Greek architecture, the porch or the entrance to an important site is called a Propylaea. The Propylaea to the Acropolis is a great architectural example of this imposing Greek gate that leads you the monuments. The structure is light in color and imposing in size. We have to wonder how did built such a remarkable gate at the time that cars did not exist. The marble, the balanced, fix and very tall columns sitting just the edge of the hill. You will be impressed and realize its amplitude as you get closer. It is not easy to just stop and look in this section you kind a need to move with the crowd. On your way up if you can look on your right to see the Temple of Athena Nike. While on Acropolis site you can see the Theater of Dionysus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus Theater and on the Acropolis Hill, on site surrounding the Parthenon you can see the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion.
8. First Cemetery of Athens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By permia
Through the imposing modern entrance we strolled around for about an hour, admiring the wonderful monuments to the departed. That of Heinrich Schliemann, one of the most famous ever archaeologists, is aptly in the form of a Greek Temple. We recognised many of the names with thoughtful memorials dedicated. Melina Mercouri's reflects the adoration she remains held in by her country. George Averoff, renowned philanthropist and businessman, has one of the most impressive dedications. Portrayed seated atop a multi-level creation in marble, it is a superb monument to such a life. Three Churches are here. At the entrance is the one of Saint Theodore, the largest. Greek Orthodox, it has a lovely façade in pale light azure hues.
9. Pandrossou
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 140 reviews
A touristy street lined with shops and restaurants.
Reviewed By permia
Traffic free and bustling for many hours daily it is a grand stroll from Monastiraki. Our first rendezvous was late afternoon midweek and it was at its busy-ness. Multitudes of shops and outlets offer souvenirs aplenty. Antiques and local craft works we found to be of most interest. Lovely carved wooden gifts are there including those of fine olive wood. Traversing it numerous times, with the last being early on a Sunday as it began to open up, was always enjoyable.
10. Tower of the Winds
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 343 reviews
A graceful stone tower dating back to the first century AD.
Reviewed By permia
It makes for a fabulous sight within the atmospheric centre of the Roman city of antiquity. Ingeniously constructed as a weather vane and water clock around the end of the 2nd century BCE, one of its most arresting features is the sequence of friezes on each octagonal side depicting the eight winds of Greek mythology. Each is shown personified as in their legends. Apeliotes is portrayed as a young man bearing fruit and grain. Lips holds the ornament of a ship's stern as he steers a swift voyage. Stepping inside is to gaze at a marvellous ceiling in stone with triangular lengths culminating in the dome. On the floor is a semblance of the elaborate water clock that was intact until Ottoman times.
