Book Olympic Air Flights to Athens from €18*

Sightseeing in Athens

Acropolis. Whichever corner of the city centre you find yourselves in, the eye is always drawn to the Acropolis. The undoubted symbol of the city from the 5th century BC, the Acropolis is justifiably considered one of the most important surviving monuments of the world’s cultural heritage. The Parthenon, an exceptional example of ancient architecture built in honour of the goddess Athena Parthenos, can be seen at the top of the Sacred Rock. Opposite it is the Erechtheion, a small temple that is best known for the famous sculptures of the Caryatids. The view from the rock of the Areios Pagos, the earliest court of ancient Athens, is breath-taking. The Theatre of Dionysus, the first theatre in the world, is tucked away to the south of the Acropolis. Most stunning, however, is the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an impressive structure from both an architectural and an acoustic perspective. Today it is the stage for major productions held during the Athens Festival.

Ancient Agora. The temple of Hephaestus can be seen as you go down towards Monastiraki, it was also known as the Theseion, and the whole area has taken this name. The temple’s conversion to a Christian church saved it and this is why it is today considered one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Greece. Theseion is also a great starting point for exploring the remains of the cultural, social and commercial life of ancient Athens: the Stoa Basileios, Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios, the Tholos, the Bouleuterion and, of course, the Stoa of Attalus, which has been fully restored.

Roman Agora. The Roman Agora stretches out at the foothills of Plaka as though a natural extension of the ancient Agora. Here you can see the remains of the Library of Hadrian (132 AD), the monumental gate of Athena Archegetis, the Agoranomeion and the Clock of Andronicus Cyrrhestes, also known as the Tower of the Winds. An interesting later addition is the Fethiye Mosque, built by the Turks in the north section in 1456.

Columns of Olympian Zeus – Panathenaic Stadium. The urban zone that includes the historic centre is cut through by the Gate of Hadrian, which marks the boundaries between the old and new town of Athens. Today it provides a starting point for a walk towards the archaeological site of the Olympeion, with the temple of Zeus at its centre. As you walk along the tree-lined Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, you will be led to the foot of Ardettos hill, to the magnificent Panathenaic Stadium, built by the orator Lycurgus in 330 BC for the games of the Great Panathenaia festival. In the 19th century, after laborious work to embellish it with marble, the Panathenaic Stadium became the site of the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896.

New Acropolis Museum. The ‘luxury’ home of the findings from the sanctuaries on the Acropolis is blessed with the masterpieces of archaic and classical art. Designed by the architect Bernard Tschumi, it is the most-visited space in Athens every year. From the entrance foyer to the Gallery of the “Slopes of the Acropolis”, with finds from the sanctuaries that were built on the shops of the Acropolis hill, to the “Archaic Acropolis Gallery” on the first floor, in which the magnificent sculptures that adorned the earliest large temples of the Acropolis are displayed, to the “Parthenon Gallery”, with the relief sculptures of the frieze, a visit to the Acropolis Museum and its 4,000 finds is a magical experience (https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr).

National Archaeological Museum of Athens. This is the first museum to have been built in Greece after the liberation of the country from the Ottoman Turks. It is the largest museum in Greece and contains one of the finest collections in the world, with 11,000 exhibits. Among the most important are the bronze statue of Poseidon, the grave stele of Hegeso, the Antikythera Youth and the artefacts from the excavations at Mycenae. The National Archaeological Museum offers a panorama of ancient Greek art, from the earliest prehistory to late antiquity (https://www.namuseum.gr).

The museums of Vasilissis Sophias Avenue. Just a stone’s throw to the north of Syntagma Square, where the heart of Athens beats, you will find three of the city’s most important museums. To the right, within a large park that contains the Lyceum of Aristotle – stands the Villa Ilissia. This wonderful example of classicism is one of the most important museums in the world dedicated to the art and culture of the Byzantine and post-Byzantine period, housing over 25,000 artefacts. To the left, we come to a cluster of two museums, both housed in splendid neo-classical buildings. The exhibition of the Benaki Museum (https://www.benaki.org) details the historical course of Hellenism from prehistory up to the 20th century, while the Museum of Cycladic Art (https://www.cycladic.gr) has one of the largest collections of Cycladic antiquities in the world.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre. The SNFCC is located at the beginning of the coastal area of Athens. A cultural centre, as it contains the new state-of-the-art buildings of the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera, as well as a green park that is open to the public and in which a wide range of activities are held.

Routes in Athens

Plaka. One of Athens’ oldest neighbourhoods is to be found at the foot of the Acropolis rock. Built by marble workers from the Cyclades who came to Athens after the liberation from the Ottoman Turks, Plaka is one of the most delightful spots in Athens. A wander through its picturesque lanes with the freshly-painted houses and the well-tended gardens, the cafes and little tavernas that clamber up the steps and over the roofs, the boutique hotels and small museums, all go to make it a favourite destination of visitors to Athens and not only.

The parks: National Gardens and Pedion tou Areos. The two parks of the historic centre offer large oases of green in the city and excellent spaces for a walk. In the 38 verdant acres of the National Garden, Athenians go jogging, for walks with their dogs, or take a break from the office and the noisy city. Almost as a continuation of the Zappeion, the Panathenaic Stadium and the temple of Olympian Zeus there lies a wildly beautiful park and gardens, which was created in the 19th century with the assistance of Queen Amalia. The rich flora surrounds ancient monuments, the busts of politicians, small artificial lakes and a stone-built café in the northeast.
The other park, the Pedion tou Areos near the National Archaeological Museum, is around the same size. Strewn with the busts of the heroes of the 1821 Revolution against the Ottoman Turks, it was specially designed to honour them. This park is filled with green spaces and monuments, such as the giant sculpture of the horseback King Constantine at the entrance and the statue of the goddess Athena, while there is also a summer theatre in the west section of the park.

The hills: Philoppapos Hill – Lykavittos. The terrain of Athens also contains verdant hills that offer a view over the city from on high. Just a breath away from the centre rises Philopappos hill, with a view over the Acropolis, the Pnyx and the Observatory. Lykavittos hill (or Mount Lycabettus) – a place for romance, especially during the summer months – offers a view over the mountains of the Attica basin, to the port of Piraeus and the islands of the Saronic Gulf. At the peak of the hill is one of Athens’ most beautiful open-air theatres, which is currently closed due to renovation.

Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. Without a doubt, one of the finest walks in Europe. In the shadow of the Acropolis with the grand townhouses of the previous century, Dionysiou Areopagitou Street passes through the neighbourhood of Theseion, with its many cafes and the world’s best summer cinema, the “Cine Thisio”, runs up Philoppapos hill, to reach as far as Monastiraki, where it meets the other large pedestrianised street of Athens, which surrounds the Kerameikos Cemetery. Street artists and tasteful vendors can be found all along this street, from beginning to end.

Food and nightlife in Athens

If the offerings around Syntagma Square are too much like fast food for your taste, the area around the centre of Athens has plenty of options in its sometimes very busy cafes and restaurants. A few streets before Syntagma Square is Kolokotronis Street, with its hospitable Karytsis Square, while further south is the buzzing Agias Irinis Square. Both are great choices for food and a drink in Athens’ most hipster bars, which spring out at almost every turn. Close by is the neighbourhood of Exarcheia, the historic student hangout with many “handmade” places for a snack, drink or complete meal.

Going further south, to Plaka and Monastiraki, many of the little tavernas and cafes preserve the traditional style, serving wine or a drink in the shadow of the Acropolis. The rapidly up-and-coming neighbourhoods of Koukaki and Petralona are always filled with young crowds and their Greek, Mediterranean and international restaurants are highly recommended. The mezes restaurants of Psyrri and especially of Theseion, around the ancient Agora, a very busy area in the summer months, are always solid choices.

The dozens of bars that have opened up on Kerameikos Square in Gazi are for those who enjoy a busy bar with loud music. Just a short distance away, however, the little streets of Metaxourgeio are full of possibilities: many gardens have been converted into little tavernas and cute restaurants with reasonable prices. The classy neighbourhood of Kolonaki remains high on the Athens itinerary, even if today it has fewer bars and restaurants than in the past.

For those who wish to combine an excursion with a meal by the sea, Glyfada (with many options for a night out), Vouliagmeni and Varkiza are ideal choices.

Shopping in Athens

Shopping in Athens has one big advantage: the large number of shops concentrated on one road so that a shopping trip can be flexible and functional as well as take you through some of the city’s most hip neighbourhoods.
Centred around the pedestrianised Ermou Street and the parallel roads of Mitropoleos Street and Karagiorgi Servias Street, the shops can be found going in two directions: either towards the south side of Plaka and Monastiraki, with their countless choices of souvenir shops and some plush hidden shops, or to the north side of Kolonaki, with its stylish boutiques.
The road for Kolonaki passes through the upmarket pedestrianised Voukourestiou Street, where a number of well-known brands and expensive jewellers are located, while Attica, a major department store, can be found near the top of Panepistimiou Street.
For those for whom shopping is synonymous with going to the mall, Athens has three in its suburbs: two in the north of the city, in Maroussi, and one in the south, in Agios Dimitrios.

Culture in Athens

The most vibrant aspect of Athens is its culture. Each season there are literally hundreds of theatre, cinema, visual arts and music events being held.

The winter period is ideal for theatre, and there are 1,500 productions each year in large and small theatres. Lavish operas can be seen at the Greek National Opera, while the Onassis Foundation Stegi has a strategic position in the contemporary performing arts. In the summer months, the festivals have pride of place, with the most important and the best being the historic Athens and Epidaurus Festival, which stages major productions throughout the city (Odeon of Herodes Atticus, University of Piraeus) and in the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, with original productions of ancient drama. The headliners of the largest music festivals in Europe appear at the festivals of Athens too (Ejekt Festival, Release Festival and the Technopolis Festival of the Municipality of Athens).
For cinemagoers, each autumn the Athens International Film Festival is held, with a fantastic programme, while those visiting Athens in the summer must experience the outdoor summer cinemas, under the Athens stars.

Excursions near Athens

Sounio – Temple of Poseidon. At the southern edge of Attica, on the sacred cape of the Athenians, according to Homer, stands the temple of Poseidon, a splendid archaeological and physical monument just 30 km from Athens.

Lake Vouliagmeni. A natural monument that was exposed by a prehistoric earthquake and the perfect chance for a dip in its hot medicinal springs. Imposing rocks rise above swimmers’ heads, creating a unique atmosphere.

Getting to the town from the airport

The quickest and cheapest ways to get to the centre of Athens from the airport is to take the Metro, Suburban Railway or bus. Alternatively, you can rent a car to reach the city (which is 27 km from the airport) or take a taxi, which charge reasonable fares.