Amazing Athens

Athens—Greece. Acropolis, Greek Temples-Parthenon, Plaka, Psirri, Syntagma and Monastiraki squares. These are some of the wonders that you find in this ancient yet modern capital city. Most monuments are within walking distance around the Acropolis except Mount Lycabettus. For TIPS on Athens, click here.

1. Acropolis
2. Theatre of Dionysus, Temple of Hephaestus, Hadrian’s Library
3. Hadrian’s Arch and Temple of Olympian Zeus
4. Mount Lycabettus – Church of Saint George
5. Acropolis Museum and Plaka
6. Monastiraki Square, Syntagma Square

1. Acropolis—Parthenon, Erechtheon, Odeon Of Herodes Atticus, Athena Nike, Propylaea

Acropolis

The Acropolis is a limestone hill in central Athens with a plateau on the top. On and around the hill are ancient temples and theaters. The best time to visit the Acropolis is in the morning when it opens. By noon, the crowds are big and it tends to get hot.

Parthenon

The Parthenon sits on the plateau of the Acropolis. A former temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Built in 436-BC, it is regarded as one of the world’s greatest cultural monuments.

Erechtheon

The Erechtheon is an Ancient Greek temple built between 421 and 406-BC. It is the old temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.

Odeon Of Herodes Atticus

A stone Roman theatre built in 161-AD and renovated in 1950. It is on the southwest slope of the Acropolis. This is the main venue for the Athens Festival that runs from May through October every year.

Athena Nike

Built around 420-BC, this temple is dedicated to the goddess Athena Nike. You can find it to the right of the Propylaea or Monumental Gateway.

Propylaea

The Propylaea or Monumental Gateway that greets visitors to the Acropolis. It was built around 435 BC.

2. Theatre Of Dionysus, Temple Of Hephaestus, Hadrian’s Library

Theatre Of Dionysus

This ancient theatre ruins is thought to be the first theatre in the world. It was built between the 6th-4th century BC. This birthplace of Greek drama, at its prime, could seat about 17,000 people. You will find it on the south-side of the Acropolis.

Temple Of Hephaestus

A largely intact, well preserved Greek temple, built around 415-BC. It was used continuously from the 7th-century untill 1834 as the Greek Orthodox church of Saint George. It is north-west of the Acropolis.

Hadrian’s Library

The library was built by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132-AD. It was used to store scrolls of papyrus. It is north of the Acropolis near Monastiraki square.

Very little remains today of the library, music and lecture rooms.

The surrounding fortification-wall that was built later. This was to protect the library from invasion and damage that it had suffered earlier.

3. Hadrian’s Arch, Temple Of Olympian Zeus

Hadrian’s Arch

This monumental Roman Gate spanned an ancient road. The road connecting the center of Athens to the complex of structures on the eastern side. It can be found east of the Acropolis right on the Main Street of Leoforos Vasilisis.

View of the Arch from the other side.

Temple Of Olympian Zeus

Only 15 of the original 104 columns stand today of this temple. Built over a period of time by many Kings and Rulers, it was finally completed by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 131-BC. It is east of Hadrian’s Gate/Arch.

Each of these Corinthian columns are 17.25-mtrs tall and have a diameter of 1.7-mtrs.

4. Mount Lycabettus—Church Of St. George

At 300-meters above sea-level, the summit of mount Lycabettus is the highest point in Athens. The view from here is awesome. You can walk, take a taxi or ride the Funicular to the top.

At the top you will find the stunning white-washed church of St. George dating back to 1870. There also is a terrace at the top and a restaurant that offers a birds-eye view of the city. There is a large open-air amphitheater at the top too.

5. Acropolis Museum, Plaka

Acropolis Museum

The New Acropolis museum, displays more than 4,250 objects. Every artifact found on the hill and slopes are housed here. The archaeological excavation beneath the Acropolis Museum is a good exhibit.

Relax in the museum Restaurant which offers a good view of the Acropolis and Mount Lycabettus in the distance. You can choose to have a late-night dinner here (Friday only) till midnight. The Acropolis is well lit-up at night.

Plaka

This pretty area with a small village feel about it is a must visit.  Restaurants, souvenir and art shops line the streets. Most of it is closed to traffic. It is on the east side of the Acropolis.

This 11th-century Greek Orthodox Church is one of the oldest in Athens. It is in the Plaka neighborhood right in the middle of modern buildings and shopping boutiques.

6. Monastiraki Square, Psirri, Syntagma Square

Monastiraki Square

This large square north of the Acropolis, is actually a regular shopping place. It has the usual souvenir, clothes, music shops. The former Turkish Mosque (Tzistarakis Mosque) now the traditional ceramics museum overlooks the square.

On Sundays when most of the bigger shops are shut, it gets transformed into a flea market.

Psirri

Pittaki street in the Psirri neighborhood of Athens, Greece. Usually adorned with pastel-colored parasols, we got the Halloween-themed decor.

There is shopping and plenty of tavernas here offering local traditional dishes.

Syntagma Square

The Main Square of Athens and the location of the Parliament building. There are lots of eating places and high-end shopping boutiques here.

A must-see is the “Changing of the Guard” ceremony, every Sunday morning at 11-a.m.. It is performed with a lot of pomp and regalia.

You should also visit Meteora Monasteries, Santorini, Mykonos

TIPS ON ATHENS

1. If coming by Ferry, the terminal is well supervised by local Police.
2. Take a city taxi from the Taxi-stand in the Ferry terminal. They charge by meter. Most taxi’s have Wi-Fi.
3. Get friendly with the taxi driver. They usually have business-cards so you can contact them for future journeys.
4. As in any big-city, you have to be watchful over your personal effects.
5. The Airport is a 45-minute drive from the Acropolis.