Top Things to do in Attica
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What to do and see in Attica, Greece: The Best Historic Sites
Discover the best top things to do in Attica, Greece including Castle Aigosthena, Acropolis, Ancient Agora of Athens, Parthenon, Stoa of Attalos, Kaisariani Monastery, Herod Atticus Odeon, Amphiaraion Archaeological Site, The Monastery of Daphni, Areopagus.
Restaurants in Attica
1. Castle Aigosthena
2. 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!
3. 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.
4. 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!!
5. Stoa of Attalos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 421 reviews
These ancient ruins were restored in the early 20th century and now house a collection of ancient Greek sculpture.
Reviewed By permia
While ancient ruins and artefacts are an Athens keynote, it was marvellous to see such a beautiful and faithful restoration splendidly reflecting the grandeur of the past. A gift to the city by Attalos II ruler of Pergamon for his excellent education courtesy of an Athenian it dates from around the middle of the 2nd century BCE. A fabulous colonnade is a highlight, with relatively unadorned Doric columns on the exterior, whilst the inner array has the Ionic style. With the purpose of reconstruction being as home to a museum of the Agora, from its dedication in 1956 it superbly fulfils the role.
6. Kaisariani Monastery
7. Herod Atticus Odeon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,698 reviews
Second-century theater built into the hillside.
Reviewed By JLC-mtl2015 - Montreal, Canada
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.
8. 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.
9. The Monastery of Daphni
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
One of the greatest masterpieces of the Byzantine Empire, this 11th century masterpiece is currently being refurbished, so phone ahead to check if it’s open.
Reviewed By permia
Following online guidance, early Saturday morning we went to Ika Bus Stop expecting to take No A16 to the Monastery, but it was either changed or discontinued. A local kindly advised crossing the square for another bus, but again no success. Eventually took a taxi for a few € arriving before 8am opening time. We had the holy complex to ourselves, in the glorious sunshine. Its evocative history dates as far back to the 6th century with its moniker deriving from the laurels growing there. It has tremendous architectural features with impressive stone and brick work. It was great walking around the grand cloisters. Ruins of the expansive Scriptorium are to be seen, the size reflecting the importance of writing and manuscripts. Mosaic wise it is fabulous. What is extant following restoration is delightful. Christ Pantokrator is remarkable in its clarity. The Transfiguration is still radiant portraying Elijah and Moses on either side of Christ with Apostles James, Peter and John at his feet.
10. Areopagus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 684 reviews
Reviewed By sweettea4me2016 - Cairo, Egypt
This is Mars Hill where Paul preached. The Romans called this hill, Mars Hill, after Mars, the Roman God of War. Its free. Open 24 hrs. Its just a few hundred meters from the Acropolis. The Athenian altar to the Unknown God was here or close by and Paul preached the sermon that can be found in Acts 17:19-34. We had a nice view overlooking the Greek Agora and the Roman Agora. Its better to wear athletic shoes here. I wore flip flops and I thought I could fall at any time.
