The modern city of Athens is watched over by the historic Acropolis, the ancient citadel which contains the famous Parthenon as well as other important archaeological sites such as the Erectheum and the Temple of Athena Nike. A visit to the Acropolis is perhaps the most important thing to do on any Athens itinerary, but there are so many more sights to see and experiences to enjoy. Wander the cobblestone streets of Plaka to find the best restaurants and souvenir shops, or head to Monastiraki to explore one of Athens’ oldest neighbourhoods filled with iconic landmarks. Central Monastiraki Square is one of the best spots for people-watching, while Lycabettus Hill offers the best views of the city skyline.
Ancient Agora of Athens
The Acropolis may be the most well-known of Athens’ archaeological sites, but as the capital of the Ancient Greek Empire, the city has hundreds of places of historical importance. The Athens Agora is another large area containing multiple points of interest. While the Acropolis was the city’s most sacred place, the Agora was the social, economic and political center of Athens, if not the entire Ancient Greek civilization. Once the center of the Athenian government, laws were discussed and passed here, great thinkers such as Socrates and Plato gave speeches here, and ordinary citizens would come to make their voices heard in some of the world’s earliest acts of democracy. Here you can find the temple of Hephaestus, the most well-preserved example of ancient Greek architecture in the whole of Athens. Watch out for the turtle who likes to visit the lawn in front of this temple! Also visit the remains of Hadrian’s Library, one of the largest libraries from antiquity.
Varvakios Market
The Greek word Agora means an open public space used for assemblies and markets. After visiting the ancient Athens Agora and adjacent Roman Agora, head to the Varvakios Market to experience the modern version! Get there early to immersive yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of local and traditional Athens. Here you will find delicious fruits, spices, meat, fish, cheese and coffee. Seasonal produce is often only available for a few weeks out of the year, so if you’re around at the right time treat yourself to the cherries, apricots, watermelons or figs.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, or ‘Herodeon’, is a large circular theatre on the southwest slopes of the Acropolis hill. It was originally built in 160 AD with a more Roman style than the other theatres in the area, and in ancient times was used mostly for musical competitions. After the Ottoman invasion, it was mostly destroyed and became yet another one of Athens’ many ancient ruins until the mid-1900s when it was partially restored and rebuilt. Today the venue seats 4,860 people and is used for hundreds of events each year, from modern ballet to ancient Greek tragedies, as well as operas, orchestra concerts and festival shows. Make sure to check out what’s on during your visit, as attending a performance here is an unforgettable experience.
Geros Tou Moria Restaurant
You can’t visit Athens without enjoying a Greek meze – or four. A meze is a selection of appetisers and small plates made to share, such as pita bread, olives, falafel, meatballs, cheese all kinds of dips, fried fish, battered veggies… the list goes on. It’s a perfect way to share a meal with friends, and is the best way to try a variety of dishes when eating out. Geros Tou Moria is an old taverna with an outdoor space covered by grape vines, and a cozy indoor space with live traditional Greek music and dancing every night. It is a great spot to try a range of traditional dishes, though it can feel a little touristy. For a more upmarket option, head to Dopios, which serves up delicious regional specialties, including great vegetarian and vegan options.
Cine Paris
A surprising fact about Athens is that it is home to the most open-air cinemas per capita than anywhere else in the world. From May to October you will find endless opportunities to watch your favourite films under the stars, from old classics to new releases, local and international. Foreign language films are always subtitled in both Greek and English. One of the best locations for an alfresco movie night is Cine Paris, which has actually been closed for a few years but is set to reopen in 2023. Originally opening in the 1920s, this cinema has been a popular spot for almost a century thanks to its sweeping views of the city skyline with the Acropolis looming above. With such a classic backdrop it might be hard to focus on the screen, but is sure to be the most atmospheric cinematic experience you’ll ever have!
Syntagma Metro Station
Athens is full of ancient mysteries, surprising archaeological finds and hidden historical gems. One of these can be found in Syntagma Metro Station located beneath Syntagma Square. During excavations ahead of building the underground train system, so many historical artefacts were unearthed that they built a museum within the station to display them all! The free museum includes pots, games, gravestones, mosaics, and a portion of an aqueduct pipe system dating back to the 5th century BC. The most interesting display however is a cross section of the earth that tells the history of the city, demonstrating the timeline of what was discovered during the excavations. The lowest levels of excavation contained the most historic artefacts, while the pipe system, an ancient road, and then buildings from the Ottoman period were built up in layers over time. This is one of the most fascinating interpretations of the extensive history of this city.
Areopagus
Areopagus Hill is a rocky mound in the middle of Athens, close to the Acropolis. It is also known as Mars Hill, as, according to myth, it was where the Greek god of war Ares (Roman name Mars) was put to trial for the murder of Poseidon’s son. The hill is steeped in history, as it was the location of the city’s council of elders in pre-classical times (before the 5th century BC), and then became the high court of appeal in Athens’ classical period. It is also famous for being the site of a speech made by Paul the Apostle. Today the marble outcrop provides a great vantage point over the city, and though there are no ruins or monuments to see, it is an enjoyable spot to sit for a while and enjoy the sunshine and the view.
Hellenic Parliament
The Presidential Guard stand to attention in absolute stillness outside the Presidential Mansion and change every hour in a perfectly coordinated movement. On Sundays at 11 am, this changing of the guard is a much larger ceremony, with the soldiers wearing traditional dress and performing an elaborate parade. The traditional costumes include formal white skirts, intricately stitched waistcoats, red tasselled hats, and leather clogs with pompoms on the top. The parade is led by a military band, and the slow exaggerated march seems almost like a dance. If you’re around at the weekend, make sure to head to the Hellenic Parliament Building to witness this cultural ceremony, and go early to get a good view
Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Temple of Olympian Zeus was one of the largest temples in the entire ancient world. The enormous structure had 104 huge marble columns, 17m tall and 2m in diameter. It was started in 520 BC but was not actually completed until 132 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Unfortunately, it was dismantled soon after when bricks were taken from the temple in order to build a new city wall to protect against invaders. Over the following centuries, it fell further and further into ruin, and its original purpose was almost lost to history. Today, only 15 of the original columns remain upright, standing tall in a large open space in the center of the bustling city. The area is now green and well-maintained, with a peaceful atmosphere in comparison to the busy Acropolis and Agora. However, there really is not much left to see of the original temple, and the size of the columns makes them easily visible without paying to enter the area. With an 8 euro entrance fee in the summer months, I recommend taking a quick look and simply wandering around the outside of the site for free.
Oinoscent
While enjoying the historic sites of Ancient Greece, why not try some of the oldest Greek wine, retsina? Retsina is a wine flavoured with sap from pine trees, and historians believe it has been made and drunk in Greece for over 2000 years. For a classy but friendly wine bar, head to Oinoscent, which stocks many of the best retsinas Greece has to offer, as well as other common varietals both local and international.
Mount Lycabettus
One of the highest peaks in Athens, Lycabettus Hill naturally offers one of the best views of the city. You can hike up through a short forested path, or take the funicular if you’re feeling lazy. The best time to visit is just before dusk, when the cooler temperature makes the climb more pleasant, and you are rewarded with stunning sunset panoramas. Stay a little longer to see the Parthenon lit up against the evening sky. There is also an open-air theatre here, which is reopened in 2023 after being closed for 15 years. If you’re visiting in summer, check their schedule and attend a concert in one of Athens’ most scenic settings.
“Explore Modern and Ancient Athens” was originally published on Wanderdash (follow me @rosroundtheworld)