22 Top Tourist Attractions in Athens

Athens is a sprawling metropolis established amongst seven historic hills and surrounded by outstanding mountains. Inhabited for greater than 3,000 years, Athens is broadly referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. Consisting of a big metropolis middle, an city district and metropolitan space, Athens presents a complicated mix of historic and fashionable options.

The town is legendary for its archaeological ruins and monuments. Nonetheless, Athens is not only about historical ruins. This bustling metropolis can be an essential middle for tradition, nightlife and sports activities. An outline of the highest vacationer sights in Athens.

See additionally: The place to Keep in Athens

Vacationers who’re mad about theatre received’t wish to miss the Theatre of Dionysus, the oldest theatre in Greece. Lots of the most well-known historical Greek comedies and tragedies debuted on the stage right here. The theatre, initially a temple constructed within the sixth century BC, is devoted to Dionysus, the god of merriment and wine.

Minimize right into a cliff on the Acropolis, the theatre might seat 17,000 folks. It has been repeatedly reworked over the centuries. One of the best views of the Theatre of Dionysus, normally credited because the birthplace of European theatre, may be seen from greater up on the Acropolis.

The glories of Greek Orthodox Christianity await guests to the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens. The museum is chock filled with greater than 25,000 artifacts referring to Grecian artifacts from roughly the third to the twentieth centuries.

The reveals embody artifacts from areas the place Hellenism took root, and covers the Byzantium, post-Byzantium, medieval and early Christian durations. A few of its holdings are uncommon, together with collections of pottery, manuscripts, materials and frescoes. It has one of many largest collections of Byzantine artwork on the planet. The museum has a set of marble and limestone slabs and icons.

Centuries in the past, consumers could have rubbed shoulders with the likes of Julius Caesar and Augustus since they helped fund the Roman Agora. In opposite to the Historical Agora which it changed, it had a purely business character. The Roman Agora was constructed through the waning years of the primary century BC when Greece was a part of the Roman Empire.

The brand new agora featured a big open house surrounded by colonnades and columns; outlets had been inside these borders. The 12-meter (40-foot) Tower of Wind, simply east of the Roman market, options reliefs of the eight winds with a sundial beneath every.

What began out within the Nineteen Sixties as two folks buying artifacts related to Greece’s Cyclades Islands resulted in a world-class assortment of Cycladic artwork. The Museum of Cycladic Artwork opened in 1986 that includes greater than 3,000 artifacts and figures created between 3300 and 1100 BC on the Aegean Sea archipelago.

A number of the marble collectible figurines are lifelike in measurement. The statues characteristic nude folks in an summary or easy fashion and are mentioned to have influenced twentieth century artists comparable to Modigliani and Brancusi. Some artifacts are in teams such a heroes and gods to raised give an image of historical Greek civilization.

The Acropolis would be the most well-known hill in Athens, however Philopappos Hill isn’t far behind. It additionally has an historical historical past. Historical Greeks believed the 9 muses lived there and finally named the hill after a monument to Philopappos, a Roman senator who is taken into account a benefactor of Athens.

At 147 meters (482 ft) excessive, it provides nice views of the Acropolis and the remainder of Athens. To the south, the Aegean Sea may be seen on a transparent day. Philopappos is buried in a marble tomb in 115 AD on the highest level on the hill.

There’s one thing indescribably swish concerning the Temple of Athena Nike that has been standing in a distinguished spot on the Acropolis since 420 BC. Athena was the goddess of battle and knowledge. Nike is the Greek phrase for victory.

It was at this temple the traditional Greeks prayed for victory in a battle towards Sparta. The temple was destroyed within the seventeenth century throughout a battle between the Venetians and the Turks, however was rebuilt. It’s well-known for a “moist material” (a kind of sculpture through which “material” drapes over a nude physique) of Nike adjusting her sandal.

Ruins aren’t the one issues value visiting in Athens. In-between the traditional and the glowing new lies Anafiotika, an previous neighborhood that’s value a wander. This picturesque slice of Athens may be discovered beneath the Acropolis and simply north of the historic neighborhood of Plaka.

Anafiotika was constructed by employees from the Cyclade island of Anafi within the 1860s on the order of King Otto I. Lots of the homes had been destroyed within the Nineteen Fifties for archeological digs, however 45 of the unique homes stay. The homes characteristic Cycladic fashion structure, paying homage to that discovered on the Greek Islands. The modest homes are nonetheless inhabited and lots of are embellished with colourful bougainvillea.

The Benaki Museum, housed within the Benaki household’s former mansion, is residence to an impressive assortment of artwork representing varied levels of Greek tradition. Its holdings embody 120,000 artworks beginning in prehistoric occasions and ending at this time. With 181,000 books, it’s Greece’s largest Muslim library, although they’re housed in one of many museum’s 4 satellite tv for pc services.

The museum additionally has an in depth assortment of Asian artwork. The museum began in 1934 when the Benakis donated 37,000 Islamic and Byzantine objects. Different donations through the years have made the Benaki Museum certainly one of Greece’s high museums.

Within the coronary heart of Athens, the Nationwide Backyard supplies a inexperienced oasis for sunny afternoon journeys. The Royal Backyard has a personal backyard for the Royal Palace, which is now the Parliament Constructing. The Public Backyard was established in 1923. It is a quiet and peaceable place away from the bustling metropolis with a stunning inexperienced

Statues embellish the gardens in addition to flowerbeds and small ruins of antiquity. The gardens of Zappeion will also be discovered right here, which encompass the traditional congress corridor that was constructed within the nineteenth century.

Although constructed by the ancients, Panathenaic Stadium holds a particular place in sports activities historical past. This authentic stadium, which dates to round 300 BC and was rebuilt in 144, has hosted a number of Olympics. Extra importantly, the stadium is the place the Olympic flame begins on its journey to the nation internet hosting that yr’s athletic contests.

In historical occasions, the stadium hosted a spiritual competition devoted to the goddess Athena each 4 years. The present construction was restored within the nineteenth century for the primary fashionable model of the Olympics Video games after centuries of disuse. Panathenaic Stadium seats 50,000 spectators and is the most important stadium on the planet made fully of marble. The stadium is a serious attraction in Athens.

Vacationers who like to buy ‘til they drop could take pleasure in a go to to Monastiraki, an enormous market and neighborhood within the historic district in Athens. On weekdays, there’s a regular market with outlets promoting souvenirs.

On the weekends, it transforms into an enormous flea market, with distributors carting in tables and carpets from which they promote junk, antiques and every part in-between.

Considered one of Athens’ high procuring areas, Monastiraki is an efficient place to purchase clothes, icons and souvenirs, and other people watch from a sidewalk café. Haggling over costs is predicted right here, however be cautious about paying vintage costs for a faux made out of the country.

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus was – and is – a high music venue in Athens. In-built 161 by Herodes Atticus in reminiscence of his spouse, the amphitheatre might seat greater than 6,000 in steeply sloped tiers on the base of the Acropolis. Alas, it was destroyed by invaders 100 years later, solely to be resurrected within the Nineteen Fifties.

It hosts the annual Athens Pageant, an annual celebration that includes performances by worldwide entertainers. The odeon additionally is an efficient place to soak up classical Greek performances. Though a roof lined the theater in historical occasions, every part takes place underneath the celebs at this time.

A important cease on any Athens tour is the New Acropolis Museum, which resides close to the bottom of the hill overlooking the town. It has the most important assortment of Greek structure and historical sculptures together with statues of the goddess Athena and “Kritios Boy.”

The museum was initially scheduled to be in-built time for the 2004 Olympics, however its completion was delayed resulting from authorized battles. The museum has 5 flooring that showcase 4,000 artifacts. Everlasting exhibitions right here embody the Parthenon Frieze, Athena statue, Shade the Peplos Kore, Parthenon Gallery and Athena Nike.

For romantic evenings, beautiful sunsets and a tremendous panoramic view of Athens, Mount Lycabettus is an unimaginable journey. As the very best level in Athens, it permits guests to see all throughout the Attica basin and the Aegean Sea. Climbers may see because the chapel of St. George from its peak.

A little bit cafe right here will serve up a implausible dinner for 2. To begin the hike, guests go up the trail that begins on the finish of Aristippou Avenue in Kolonaki. The trail continues to wind upwards across the mountain. Guests may take the funicular, which departs from Ploutarchou and Aristippou Avenue.

For guests who love artwork exhibitions, there isn’t a higher place to go to in Greece than the Nationwide Archaeological Museum. A number of collections may be discovered right here from up to date artists all the best way again to antiquity.

The museum additionally has a big assortment of art work relationship again to the Neolithic Age. The collections embody small vases, working instruments, clay vases and different small artifacts which might be among the oldest archaeological finds relationship again to the seventh millennium. Over thirty rooms, sculptures from each century may be considered together with historical Kouroi Egyptian sculptures.

A serious focal point for any traveler to Athens is the Syntagma Sq.. Probably the most well-known side of Syntagma is the altering of the guards by the Evzones in entrance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Hellenic Parliament Constructing is positioned right here in addition to varied buses, trolleys and tram stops.

A fountain, historical statues and two giant grassy areas supply the image good place for pictures and picnics. Most main occasions that happen in Greece have been celebrated on the Syntagma Sq..

It’s additionally the positioning of varied political features, and it was additionally at this sq. that the Navy Junta authorities was overthrown in 1974. In addition to the Hellenic Parliament constructing, different pursuits embody the historic inns Grande Bretagne and George II.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is named the most important temple in Greece. The huge historical complicated took almost seven centuries to finish. Constructing initially started in 515 BC by order of Peisistratos, however work stopped on the temple because it was seen as oppressive as Peisistratos and his son had been seen as tyrants by the Athenians.

Work resumed in 175 BC however was halted 10 years later when the Roman architect Cossutius died. Underneath emperor Hardian in 132 BC, the temple was lastly accomplished and devoted to Zeus Olympios. The temple stands at this time largely as a reminder of Greek historical past, however solely 15 of 104 big columns stay. The columns every rise 17 meters (57 ft) into the air and as soon as surrounded a cella the place two giant statues had been as soon as positioned.

The Erechtheus or Erechtheion is a temple comprised of Pentelic marble. It’s positioned on the Acropolis, and it’s one of many legendary items of Greek structure. Its development dates again to c. 421 and 405 when the sooner temple to Athena was destroyed by the Persian invasion.

The Erechtheum was as soon as a sanctuary devoted to Athena Polias, Erechtheus and Poseidon. Guests can entry the shrine to Athena by going by way of the japanese portico. The northern portico results in the western cella.

The Porch of the Caryatids may be discovered by way of the southern portico. The six draped feminine figures may be discovered right here that help the entablature, which is the Erechtheum’s most defining characteristic.

Situated to the northwest of the Acropolis, the traditional Agora of Athens was as soon as a market and civic middle. The folks gathered right here to browse all types of commodities.

It was additionally a spot to fulfill others and discuss politics, enterprise, present occasions and the character of the universe and divine. The traditional Greek democracy can truly be traced to this historical spot. It’s a beautiful space to have a look at the cultural beginnings of Athens.

Overlooking the Historical Agora from its elevated place on the hill of Agoraios Kolonos, the Temple of Hephaistos was constructed within the fifth century BC. Related in fashion however smaller than the Parthenon, the temple consists of 34 Doric columns that help a nonetheless partially intact roof. It’s the finest preserved temple in all of Greece because of its conversion right into a church within the seventh century.

One of the vital standard vacationer sights in Athens is the Plaka District, which resides underneath the Acropolis and spreads out to Syntagma. This village is nearly like an island inside the metropolis, and it’s the proper method to expertise genuine Greek tradition.

The realm is kind of personal and boasts actually distinctive surroundings with a number of cafes, historical timber, inexperienced leaf canopies and stone walkways. The realm is well-known for its meals, boutique outlets and cafes. Alongside Kydathineon Avenue, guests discover the Jewish Museum, Folks-Artwork Museum and Saita Taverna, which serves scrumptious bakalairo and different grilled meats.

The Parthenon is essentially the most well-known constructing in Athens and all of Greece. It stands majestically on the high of the Acropolis and is taken into account the epitome of Doric structure, the only of Greek architectural kinds.

The temple was constructed to honor the goddess Athena Parthenos, the patron of Athens, to thank her for safeguarding the town through the Persian Wars. Located on the positioning of a former temple to Athena, the Parthenon was thought of accomplished in 438 BC, when Athens was at its peak. The image of historical Greece, the Parthenon is embellished with sculptures which might be thought of excellent examples of Greek artwork.

No go to to Athens is full and not using a go to to the Acropolis, essentially the most well-known hill within the Greek capital. It’s unimaginable to not go to this landmark since so many essential Greek ruins are positioned right here, together with an previous citadel for which

Although solely 156 meters (511 ft) excessive, the Acropolis is taken into account the very best level within the spirit of historical Greek tradition. From the Parthenon on the summit, vacationers can look down on monuments constructed on its sides in addition to over a extra modem Athens. The buildings on this hill are thought of an amazing mixing of structure with pure environment.

Map of Athens

© OpenStreetMap © MapTiler © Touropia

Faqs

Conclusion

Athens is a sprawling metropolis based amongst seven historic hills and surrounded by outstanding mountains. Consisting of a big metropolis middle, an city district and metropolitan space, Athens presents a complicated mix of historic and fashionable options with many vacationer sights together with the Theatre of Dionysus and the Byzantine Museum.