Top Things to do in Attica
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10 Ancient Ruins in Attica That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Attica, Greece including Aphrodite's Temple, Castle Aigosthena, Acropolis, Ancient Agora of Athens, Parthenon, Amphiaraion Archaeological Site, Theater of Dionysus, The Kallichoron Well, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike.
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1. Aphrodite's Temple
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Castle Aigosthena
3. Acropolis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35,632 reviews
The most famous site in all of Athens, this large hill lies in the center of the city and contains a cluster of ancient ruins.
Reviewed By DavidTis - Campbell, United States
Greek/World history comes alive. The hop on hop off bus is an excellent tour of the city of Athens and one of it's stops is the Acropolis. A must see for sure. Bring good walking shoes and your camera and scratch this one off your bucket list, if you like history you're gonna love the Acropolis!
4. Ancient Agora of Athens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,225 reviews
These ruins, located in the heart of modern Athens, were once the site of the marketplace in ancient times, a political, cultural and economic center of the ancient world.
Reviewed By EileenMtShasta - Mount Shasta, United States
The area is breathtaking to imagine the history but is mostly a field of rubble, though there are many informative signs. The museum has many important and interesting artifacts, like the baby toilet from the 2nd century BC! The most intact structure is the Temple of Hephaistos, but entrance was blocked. The visit was made much more meaningful due to a free audio tour I downloaded from online, by tour guide Rick Steves, so I highly recommend it.
5. Parthenon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,764 reviews
The majestic ruins of an ancient Greek building, known for its dignified white marble columns and perfect sense of proportion.
Reviewed By 223ravik - Bangalore District, India
We visited Acropolis today. It is amazing to see Parthenon with its rectangular structure consisting of 17 columns in length by 8 columns in width- a huge structure dedicated to mythological goddess Athena. It takes you back 2500 years and makes you wonder about the life of folks then and the events that unfolded later on! Do not miss out the story of the Flag - when the nazis came in 1941, a young Greek soldier refused to change the Greek flag, instead wrapped it around himself and leapt to his death. He is remembered and honored even today. There is so much to see in Acropolis- be sure you have at least 2.5 hours! I also loved the story regarding the competition between Athena and Poseidon, and how she won!!
6. Amphiaraion Archaeological Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By 90vladb - Sydney, Australia
The whole site is in the middle of a pine forest, the smells are wonderful and it is peaceful and relaxing. There were no other tourists. The area is largely shaded, but sun hat and good shoes are recommended. There are public toilets and a vending machine with drinks, but as a precaution take your own water. This site was a sanctuary of the Amphiareos, a hero known for his ability to predict future and heal based on the content of dreams. It was built in 5th century BC and was in constant use well into Roman times. It was built on the sides of a winter stream, with extensive earthworks to create flat area for the temple, the stoa and the theatre. One can visit areas on both sides of the gully. The huge retaining wall was reinforced in modern times, because the original lost some of its structural integrity after 2500 years. Most artefacts found on site are in various museums around the world, some in Greece. A very interesting and significant structure is the klepsydra, outflow type water clock (literal translation – water thief), one of the best preserved in the world. You can inspect it, walk down the steps to the water outlet still plugged in with a bronze plug (which looks very old, but maybe it is a recent copy). Because the site was in use for such a long time the statues of Greeks were eventually replaced by the statues of Romans and the original inscriptions erased and replaced to match the statues. Brutus, one of the assassins of Julius Caesar, had his statue there.
7. Theater of Dionysus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,063 reviews
Reviewed By KimD904 - Tweed Heads, Australia
Another site that amazes you at its size and grandeur. The theatre is the first of its type ever built and still hosts some of the worlds great acts as well as being still in use for local Athenians to watch regular performances. Among the historic area of the Acropolis, this theatre would have certainly been a focal point in ancient times. Another ancient that you just go 'WOW' when you first see it.
8. The Kallichoron Well
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
9. Erechtheion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,782 reviews
The second largest temple on the Acropolis has a complex and unique structure, including its famous Porch of the Caraytis with statues of six graceful maidens on the south side and a four-pillared porch with six Ionic columns on the north side.
Reviewed By LDG2003 - Ponce, Caribbean
The Erechtheion is a building localized at the top of the Athen’s Acropolis , in which you will see the famous sculpted female figures in form of a column, also called caryatid.However, they are copies, the originals are at the Acropolis Museum.You have to pay the ticket of the Acropolis to see them.The best time to go there is very early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Between 10:00 am to 3:00 pm it used to be packed of tourists and the photos that you take will be full of them.The advantage of go early at am is the good temperature.... in the afternoon the advantage is the amazing sunset...you decide which one is better for you.
10. Temple of Athena Nike
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,237 reviews
The earliest Ionic building on the Acropolis, this small temple of the goddess of victory depicts assemblies of the gods and Greek battles against the Barbarians and the Boeotians.
Reviewed By JLC-mtl2015 - Montreal, Canada
There are a few buildings/structures while atop of the Acropolis and this one is a little shy. Yes, because of its size and its location. Situated on the edge of the hill you are likely to be looking at your steps on your way up or down to access the gate and you may easily miss it. On your way up once you cross the gate you will probably be naturally attracted to the Pantheon just in front of you. As you circle it, you may forget to turn around to see the Temple of Athena Nike. When and if you take the time to look at it, it is clear that maintenance and conservation work has been done on the building. While it is small it looks solid with its beautiful golden white marble and four (4) columns on opposite sides of the temple, which all used to be a single piece stone columns. It says that at one point a wingless statue of Athena Nike was inside, symbol of victory in the hope that it will never leave the city. While on Acropolis site you can see the Theater of Dionysus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus Theater and on the Acropolis Hill, surrounding the Parthenon you can see the Temple of Athena Nike, the ruins of Propylaea and the Erechtheion. All this, for the price of 1 ticket. If you want tricks on how to skip the line see my review on the Acropolis.
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