Things to do

The Acropolis

The Acropolis should be at the top of the list of things to do in Athens if it's your first visit to the city. Sitting high above Athens, the Acropolis was the site of the ancient city of Athens. Many of the temples were in honour of the goddess Athena, patron of Athens. Most of the main buildings that stand today were built by Pericles between 460-430 BC – the ‘Golden Age’ of Athens. The most significant monuments are the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Nike and the Propylea.

You can walk to the Acropolis from the Plaka, or from the Metro stations Akropoli and Thissio. If time permits, set aside at least a day to explore the Acropolis. Be sure to visit the Acropolis Museum. The New Acropolis Museum which opened mid-2009 is a state of the art building and and one of the finest museums in the world.

The Acropolis is open daily from 8am – 7pm (summer) and 8am – sunset (winter).

 

 

 

National Archaeological Museum

One of the most important museums in the world, it houses more than 20,000 archaeological exhibits from all over Greece dating from prehistory to late antiquity. It also hosts temporary exhibitions and is a research centre for scientists and students from around the globe. Telephone +30 210 8217724 for opening times as they vary. There is free admission on certain days of the year. The Hellenic Ministry of Culture website has more details.

 

 

 

 

 

Ancient Agora of Athens and Museum

In ancient Greece, the agora was a ‘place of assembly’ where Greek citizens would gather for public meetings. The Athens Agora was a social, political, commercial, administrative and judicial meeting place. It was the centre of the ancient city and over the centuries has also served as a burial ground, residential area and marketplace. These days, there is an entrance fee which allows you to wander through the area to view the ruins, reconstructions and repaired buildings and monuments. Archaeological excavations are still being carried out. Be sure to visit the Ancient Agora Museum in the beautifully restored Stoa of Attalos. The museum has an extensive display of artefacts recovered on the site as well as a model of the Agora, the Acropolis and Pnyx Hill.

 

 

 

 

The Plaka

A visit to the Plaka is another one of the top things to do in Athens. It is the oldest area of Athens and is located at the foot of the Acropolis. It is a popular tourist destination and many choose to stay in this area. The Plaka is a pretty spot with an abundance of hotels, restaurants and shops and its narrow, winding streets are for pedestrians only. Many of the neo-classical buildings have been beautifully restored.

You will find the Jewish Museum, the Greek Folk Art Museum and the Frissiras Museum of Contemporary Greek and European Painting in this area.

Just above the Plaka, is Anafiotika with its lovely white-washed houses built by stonemasons from the island of Anafi. Its charming narrow streets are filled with colour from cascading bougainvillea and pots of flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monastiraki

Be sure to explore Monastiraki, also one of the oldest areas of Athens. Neighbouring the Plaka, it is a perfect place to sit in the sun, sip a frappe and admire the views of the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Ancient Agora. It is an intriguing place of contrasts – expensive boutiques, antique shops and street markets, trendy coffee shops and local souvlaki cafes. On Sundays there is the famous flea market in and around the streets off Monastiraki and Avyssinias Square. The array of goods for sale is amazing – fashion, jewellery, books, rugs, antiques, furniture, stamps, coins, appliances and much more. Be sure to visit the Temple of Hephestus, the Ancient Agora, The Stoa of Attalos, The Tower of the Winds, Roman Agora and the Roman Library of Hadrian – all in Monastiraki.  Monastiraki is easily accessible via the Monastiraki Metro station.

 

 

 

 

Syntagma Square

Syntagma Square (Constitutional Square) is the main square of modern Athens. It is a beautiful place in the centre of the city. It is here you will find many of the city’s banks, offices, shops, hotels and restaurants. The Square is a popular meeting place with a water fountain in the centre, green gardens to the north and south, and outdoor cafes . The beautiful Greek Parliament is across the street. The Parliament is a three storey neo-classical building originally built as the palace for the royal family. Behind the Parliament are the National Gardens which are open to the public.

Don’t miss the hourly changing of the guard ceremony in front of The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The presidential guards, known as evzones, still wear their traditional costume - a kilt worn with pom-pom shoes.

Syntagma Square is the centre of the city’s public transport. The beautiful Syntagma Metro station, as well as local buses and trams, will connect you with the rest of Athens and the airport.

Syntagma Square is close to many of the city’s monuments and places of interest. You can also walk to Ermou Street, a fashionable shopping area, and to the popular districts of Plaka, Monastiraki, Kolonaki and Psiri.

 

Kolonaki

Kolonaki is a fashionable, upmarket area of Athens where you will find designer boutiques and stylish restaurants, bars and outdoor cafes. It is a very wealthy area with many embassies and the well-healed of Athens living here.  Also in Kolonaki you will find the Benaki Museum, Museum of Cycladic Art, Byzantine Museum, Athens War Museum, Theatre Museum and the History Museum of Greek Costume. Kolonaki is situated between Syntagma Square and Lykavittos Hill.

 

 

Lykavittos Hill (Lycabettus)

The top of Lykavittos can be reached on foot or by funicular (from Ploutarchou St). It is a steep climb to the top but once there you will enjoy 360 degree views of Athens. At the top is the Chapel of Agios Georgios, the open-air Lykavittos amphi-theatre which has concerts and theatre performances in summer. Take time to have a bite to eat at the cafe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benaki Museum

Located in Kolonaki, opposite the National Gardens, this is the oldest private museum in Greece. It was founded in 1930 by Antonis Benakis and the museum was in fact the Benakis family home. On display is a collection of more than 20,000 artefacts portraying Greek history and culture from prehistoric to modern times. The Museum also displays collections in other locations including The Benaki Islamic Art Museum in Kerameikos. Details of all collections and opening hours can be found on the Benaki Museum website.

 

The Athens Metro

The Athens Metro system is one of the most beautiful in the world. It took years to build as excavations uncovered ancient and valuable artefacts and foundations of ancient buildings. The construction of the metro became an archaeological dig. Artefacts are now displayed in many of the Metro stations and all stations display Greek artworks – some modern and some traditional. Syntagma, Acropolis and Monastiraki stations are among the most outstanding.

Syntagma Metro station is not only the main station in the system but probably the most beautiful. Here you will find photographs of Athens as it was 100 years ago, glass cabinets of ancient artefacts and a glassed wall which showcases a section of the excavation. It shows artefacts from prehistoric times through Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Athenian civilizations. Syntagma is more like a museum than a train station.

The Athens Metro has three lines (Line 1-Green, Line 2-Red and Line 3-Blue) and is a clean, safe and efficient system.

For timetables, map and other information take a look at the Attiko Metro website.