Discover the best top things to do in Attica, Greece including Acropolis, Ancient Agora of Athens, Parthenon, Herod Atticus Odeon, Mount Lycabettus, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, Plaka, Temple of Poseidon, Philopappos Hill.
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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.
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!
4.5 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.
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.
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.
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!!
4.5 based on 1,698 reviews
Second-century theater built into the hillside.
This is one of the two theater accessible on the slope of the Acropolis. This one is not the oldest but the one that has been renovated to welcome artists from around the world still today. The whole surrounding, the façade, the love story of Herodes Atticus, the city backstage and the Acropolis hill background makes this place way bigger than the 5,000 spectators capacity. No wonder why it is still active today and many musical performance have been held here. It provides a unique stage and show. While on the Acropolis site you can see also the Theater of Dionysus and on top of 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.
4.5 based on 6,125 reviews
Walk or take the funicular tramway to the top of this hill for the best views of Athens
Get a taxi to the funicular railway, and when you get out at the top, a couple of flights of steps will bring you out to the church and terrace, with 360° views of the city, looking down on the Olympic stadium and the Acropolis and across to Piraeus. There are a couple of bar/restaurants so you can have a drink and take in the views
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.
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.
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.
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.
4.5 based on 16,134 reviews
Historic neighborhood located at the base of the hill topped by the Acropolis.
This area of town came highly recommended from friends that have visited Athens multiple times. It is full of delicious restaurants, great shopping (touristy stuff and clothes/shoes), and has a very young and hipster-ish vibe. There is plenty to do and see, but it gets pretty crowded and busy, so steer clear if that isn't your scene.
4.5 based on 2,382 reviews
Be sure to time your arrival for about an hour before sunset in order that you have time to explore the site and walk around to admire the temple from all angles before claiming your spot at the edge of the cliff to enjoy the sunset. The park staff are very strict about clearing out the site right as the sun drops below the horizon. Thing was, the best part of the light show came once the sun was down. Do not leave right away; the temple will be lit up about 30 minutes after sunset. Cape Sounion is the southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula. It looks out onto shipping routes to Athens’ Piraeus harbor. Not unlike the Acropolis this rocky outcropping was devoted to Poseidon and Athena; unlike in Athens, however, Poseidon ruled here. The sanctuary of Athena once stood at a point to the northeast but was dismantled by the time of the Roman Empire while the Poseidon's Temple was left standing proud. The similarity to the Athens Acropolis extended to its having been a fortress and a means for Athenians to guard and control the approaches to its port. The builder of Poseidon's Temple is thought to be the same one that build the Temple of Hephaestus in the Agora below the Acropolis. Just like the Parthenon the temple was built to replace one destroyed by the Persians under Xerxes, also during the mid-5th Century BC. There is a legend associated with this site involving King Minos of Crete, the legendary Minotaur, King Aegeus and Theseus. King Minos of Crete demanded that the city-state of Athens pay an annual tribute of 7 young men and women to be fed to the dreaded Minotaur housed in the Labyrinth underneath the royal palace in Knossos. The king of Athens, Aegeus, had only one son, Theseus. This young man, already a legend in the making, volunteered for the sacrifice and went to Crete against his father's wishes. His plan was to find a way to slay the Minotaur. Enjoying the special treat of nature's light show. A ridiculous 'technicolor' Copper River salmon pink! Speaking of colors, King Aegeus and Theseus made an arrangement that when Theseus' ship returned it would fly white sails if he had survived, black sails if not. Theseus would have to sail past this headland on the way back to Athens, so King Aegeus is reputed to have set up camp here and monitored the seas for the return of his son. In Crete the daughter of King Minos, Ariadne, fell in love with Theseus and helped him find the way back out of the Labyrinth using a ball of string. She fled with Theseus and joined him on the ship to Athens. Theseus and his crew stopped on the island of Naxos. There they either searched for water or celebrated their victory. Regardless they all fell asleep, exhausted at the end of the day. The following day the crew set off, somehow leaving Ariadne behind. Furthermore it somehow took Theseus too long to realize she'd been left behind and there was no going back for her. Thoroughly distraught he forgot to have the crew change the sails to the white ones before approaching Athens. King Aegeus was overcome with grief when he saw the approaching ship bearing black sails. Such was his despair at the loss of his only son he threw himself off the cliffs. Hence the Aegean Sea, the waters here named in his honor.
4.5 based on 1,391 reviews
This hill is a favorite for weekending Athenians who come here to picnic and admire the breathaking views.
As a part of our plans, we made up our minds to go for a walk during the sunset, the walk was lovely , the view over ancient Athens was spectacular and lucky us we had some sun to enjoy the romantic sunset, go and enjoy the peace and the charming view
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