Location: Athens
Top Things to do in Athens
What to do and see in Athens, Attica: The Best Things to do
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. 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. 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. 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!!
4. 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.
5. Herod Atticus Odeon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,698 reviews
Second-century theater built into the hillside.
Reviewed By JLC-mtl2015 - Montreal, Canada
This is one of the two theater accessible on the slope of the Acropolis. This one is not the oldest but the one that has been renovated to welcome artists from around the world still today. The whole surrounding, the façade, the love story of Herodes Atticus, the city backstage and the Acropolis hill background makes this place way bigger than the 5,000 spectators capacity. No wonder why it is still active today and many musical performance have been held here. It provides a unique stage and show. While on the Acropolis site you can see also the Theater of Dionysus and on top of the Acropolis Hill, surrounding the Parthenon you can see the Temple of Athena Nike, the ruins of Propylaea and the Erechtheion. All this, for the price of 1 ticket. If you want tricks on how to skip the line see my review on the Acropolis.
6. Mount Lycabettus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,125 reviews
Walk or take the funicular tramway to the top of this hill for the best views of Athens
Reviewed By 37SueFo - Swanley, United Kingdom
Get a taxi to the funicular railway, and when you get out at the top, a couple of flights of steps will bring you out to the church and terrace, with 360° views of the city, looking down on the Olympic stadium and the Acropolis and across to Piraeus. There are a couple of bar/restaurants so you can have a drink and take in the views
7. Panathenaic Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,727 reviews
The Old Olympic Stadium in Athens Greece, built of granite in late 19th century on the site of ancient Athens from the 4th Century; hosted the first modern games in1896.
Reviewed By Steve_and_Zoe2013 - Codsall, United Kingdom
If you’re in Athens and have an hour or two to spare we would highly recommend this site. It is within moderate walking distance or couple of bus stops from the city centre and a very peaceful place to wander round, soak in some Olympic history and even run round the track or stand atop the podium if you like. The audio tour included and both informative and well planned, guiding you round the stadium at a leisurely pace and to the Olympic museum that includes a flame from every olympics! Views are amazing and we enjoyed our visit very much.
8. Plaka
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,134 reviews
Historic neighborhood located at the base of the hill topped by the Acropolis.
Reviewed By megan-woodruff - Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine
This area of town came highly recommended from friends that have visited Athens multiple times. It is full of delicious restaurants, great shopping (touristy stuff and clothes/shoes), and has a very young and hipster-ish vibe. There is plenty to do and see, but it gets pretty crowded and busy, so steer clear if that isn't your scene.
9. 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
10. 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.
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