by Ggia / CC BY-SA 3.0Â Â
Table of Contents
A. About Athens
Nickname: The City of the Violet CrownNamed after Athena, the goddess of wisdom the Greek Capital Athens with around 660,000 inhabitants in the city itself (and over three million in the urban area) is over three thousand years old and therefore definitely the city to go back to the source of western civilization.
The magnificent Acropolis, crowned by the iconic Parthenon temple, rises above the city and can be seen from almost anywhere.
Even in the face of current financial issues, Athens is surprisingly more lively, charming, sophisticated, and cosmopolitan than ever before.
The Good:Â
Its large network of intimate pedestrian zones, unique sights, fantastic location, and most of all pleasant climate secures a surprisingly high finish for the Greek capital.
In addition, the food is fantastic.
The Not-So-Good:Â
Athens is one of those rare cities with no real flaw.
B. Best Things to Do in Athens in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)
In total, we count more than sixty sights in Athens. The following sights contribute to an excellent score of 7.50/10 in this most important category:
# ACROPOLIS 8
This 156 m (512 ft) high table-like limestone rock towering above Athens with its iconic temples (built from 461 to 429 BCE) is widely considered the most important and influential ancient sight in the Western world.
Highlights of the Acropolis include the majestic Parthenon temple (the largest and most impressive building on the Acropolis), the Erechtheion temple, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Theater of Herod Atticus, the Propylaea (a monumental gateway), the Theater of Dionysus, and the Acropolis Museum.
Ancient Citadel World Heritage Site: since 1987
by Adam L. Clevenger / CC BY-SA 2.5
# PARTHENON 7
Built completely of white marble between 447 and 438 BCE, this majestic Doric temple is the main ancient structure on the Acropolis and unquestionably one of the world's greatest cultural monuments.
Most of the spectacular sculptures that once decorated the Parthenon are in the British Museum in London, the rest is on display at the nearby Acropolis Museum.
Temple World Heritage Site: since 1987
by derivative work: Neokortex / CC BY-SA 3.0
# National Archaeological Museum 7
This late 19th-century building is home to an exquisite collection of ancient and classical Greek artifacts.
Key exhibits include the highly fascinating and intriguing Antikythera mechanism (the first known analog computer), the golden mask of Agamemnon, and the stunning bronze age wall paintings of ancient Thera, Santorini.
This is our selection of the six best artworks of the National Archaeological Museum (click on the pictures to see them in the lightbox):
1) Antikythera Mechanism (150-100 BCE)
2) Golden Mask of Agamemnon (1550–1500 BCE)
3) Wall Paintings of Ancient Thera, Santorini (1700 BCE)
4) Jockey of Artemision (c. 150–140 BCE)
5) The Antikythera Ephebe (70–60 BCE)
6) The bronze statue of Zeus or Poseidon (c. 550 BCE)
Archaeological Museum Gallery Space: 8,000 m2 / 86,000 ft2 | Galleries: 64 | Artworks on Display: ca. 11,000 | Established: 1829/1893 | Visitors [2008]: 299,691
(click on images to open in lightbox)
# Acropolis Museum 7
Inaugurated in 2009, this ultra-modern glass-and-concrete museum, located at the foot of the Acropolis houses countless masterpieces of ancient Greek art from the world-famous ancient citadel.
Highlights of the magnificent collection include stunning reliefs and sculptures that once ran around the top of the Parthenon, a relief of Athena Nike, the original caryatids of the Erechtheion temple, and the second-floor restaurant, which offers wonderful panoramic views.
Archaeological Museum Gallery Space: 14,000 m2 [150,694 ft2] | Galleries: 20 | Artworks on Display: ca. 4,000 | Established: 2009 | Visitors [2017]: 1,475,022
by Jean Housen / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Temple of Hephaestus and the Ancient Agora 6
Overlooking the Ancient Agora (the commercial, political, and social center of ancient Athens) this impressive fifth-century BCE temple, dedicated to the god craftsmen and metalworkers Hephaestus, is one of the best-preserved in all of Greece.
Nearby is the Stoa of Attalos, a replica of the original building (reconstructed in 1952–1956), which houses the interesting Museum of Agorá.
by Storeye / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
# ERECHTHEION TEMPLE 6
Located on the Acropolis just north of the Parthenon, this temple built entirely of marble between 421 and 406 BCE is most known for its south porch (Porch of the Caryatids), which is supported by six female figures (caryatids) in place of traditional columns.
One of those original six figures, which are replaced onsite by replicas, is now on display in the British Museum in London, the other five in the nearby Acropolis Museum.
Temple World Heritage Site: since 1987
# Lycabettus Hill 6
Walk or catch the funicular (from Ploutarchou Street) to soak up the romantic panoramic views over the city of Athens, the Acropolis, and Piraeus from this eye-catching hill.
Hill | Viewpoint Elevation: 296 m | Funicular Railway: Yes
by Tilemahos Efthimiadis / CC BY-SA 2.0
# Plaka 6
Located under the Acropolis, this picturesque, pedestrianized neighborhood is famous for its charming village ambiance and countless excellent Greek restaurants.
# Monastiraki 6
Charming and lively Monastiraki is one of the most popular dining and shopping areas in Athens.
by G Da / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre 6
This €566 million project, designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano, offers stunning modern architecture as well as fantastic panoramic views over Athens, Piraeus, and the sea.
Cultural Center | Modern Architecture
C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Athens
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- Areopagus Hill (Mars Hill, within the Acropolis complex) 6
- Herod Atticus Odeon (within the Acropolis complex) 6
- Panathinaiko Stádio (Panathenaic Stadium) 5.5
- Theatre of Dionysos (within the Acropolis complex) 5.5
- Temple of Athena Nike (within the Acropolis complex) 5.5
- Roman Agora (with Tower of the Winds) 5.5
- Olympieion (Temple of Olympian Zeus) 5.5
- Museum of Cycladic Art 5.5
- Benaki Museum 5.5
- Byzantine Museum 5.5
- Anafiotika (city district) 5.5
- Kapnikaréa (small church) 5.5
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens 5.5
E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Athens (including close-by excursions)
To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Athens for at least three entire days:
ACROPOLIS (ancient citadel) 8
PARTHENON (former temple) 7
National Archaeological Museum 7
Acropolis Museum 7
Temple of Hephaestus and the Ancient Agora 6
ERECHTHEION TEMPLE (former temple) 6
Lycabettus Hill 6
Plaka (city district) 6
Monastiraki (city district) 6
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre 6