Guidebook for Athina
Sightseeing
The temples on the “Sacred Rock” of Athens are considered to be the most important monuments in the Western world.
The great marble masterpieces were constructed during the late 5th century BC reign of Pericles, the Golden Age of Athens. The most important temple is Parthenon, built to honor Athena, the city’s patron goddess.
421 locals recommend
Parthenon
The temples on the “Sacred Rock” of Athens are considered to be the most important monuments in the Western world.
The great marble masterpieces were constructed during the late 5th century BC reign of Pericles, the Golden Age of Athens. The most important temple is Parthenon, built to honor Athena, the city’s patron goddess.
Pnyx
Areopagus Hill
21 TheoriasTemple of Olympian Zeus
The Panathenaic Stadium is a classical cultural and touristic monument of Greece and one of the most significant monuments not only for Athens, but for the whole Greece. Its rich history is directly connected to the Modern Olympic Games as from their revival in 1896 until the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. It is also the place from where the Olympic flame sets up its journey to the cities of the Olympic Games, both, winter and summer. Athens Classic Marathon ends to Panathenaic Stadium.
870 locals recommend
Panathenaic Stadium
Leoforos Vasileos KonstantinouThe Panathenaic Stadium is a classical cultural and touristic monument of Greece and one of the most significant monuments not only for Athens, but for the whole Greece. Its rich history is directly connected to the Modern Olympic Games as from their revival in 1896 until the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. It is also the place from where the Olympic flame sets up its journey to the cities of the Olympic Games, both, winter and summer. Athens Classic Marathon ends to Panathenaic Stadium.
Zappeion is built late 1800. It stands in pleasant grounds at the southern end of the National Gardens. Its tree-lined paths are open to the public, while the Zappeion itself hosts international conferences, exhibitions and meetings. A number of historical events have taken place at the Zappeion, including the signing of the documents formalizing Greece’s accession to the European Union on 1st January 1981.
179 locals recommend
Zappeion
Zappeion is built late 1800. It stands in pleasant grounds at the southern end of the National Gardens. Its tree-lined paths are open to the public, while the Zappeion itself hosts international conferences, exhibitions and meetings. A number of historical events have taken place at the Zappeion, including the signing of the documents formalizing Greece’s accession to the European Union on 1st January 1981.
Koukaki
National Observatory of Athens
& MetaxaThe winding medieval alleyways of Plaka, the old quarter below the Acropolis, are the most charming part of Athens. Naturally, they are also the most visited, and in midsummer some streets can be packed with touts and cheap gift shops. But Plaka is also very good at concealing places of untouched delight and famous for its traditional taverns. Anafiotika, part of the old historical Plaka is the loveliest and quirkiest tiny neighborhood in Athens and it lies in northern east side of the Acropolis hill.
42 locals recommend
Plaka Anafiotika
24β Mnisikleous The winding medieval alleyways of Plaka, the old quarter below the Acropolis, are the most charming part of Athens. Naturally, they are also the most visited, and in midsummer some streets can be packed with touts and cheap gift shops. But Plaka is also very good at concealing places of untouched delight and famous for its traditional taverns. Anafiotika, part of the old historical Plaka is the loveliest and quirkiest tiny neighborhood in Athens and it lies in northern east side of the Acropolis hill.
The large, Neo-Classical Parliament Building is located at Syntagma square where the constitution was voted. It is the center of modern Athens.
22 locals recommend
PARLIAMENT (THE)
The large, Neo-Classical Parliament Building is located at Syntagma square where the constitution was voted. It is the center of modern Athens.
Thiseio
Makrygianni, Athens
The Theatre of Dionysus is a major open-air theatre and one of the earliest preserved in Athens. It was used for festivals in honor of the god Dionysus. It is estimated that the theatre was founded the sixth century BCE., located nearby on the southwest slope of the Acropolis.
105 locals recommend
Theater of Dionysus
25 MitseonThe Theatre of Dionysus is a major open-air theatre and one of the earliest preserved in Athens. It was used for festivals in honor of the god Dionysus. It is estimated that the theatre was founded the sixth century BCE., located nearby on the southwest slope of the Acropolis.
Built between 160 and 174 AD, is a typical Roman Odeon. The building was large and very luxurious. The marble concave, could accommodate 4800 spectators. In summer, it hosts the Athens Festival. At 52 years of the Athens Festival, the scene of Herod Atticus hosted almost all the top names in international-and domestic-space of serious music, dance and theatre during the post-war years.
442 locals recommend
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Dionysiou AreopagitouBuilt between 160 and 174 AD, is a typical Roman Odeon. The building was large and very luxurious. The marble concave, could accommodate 4800 spectators. In summer, it hosts the Athens Festival. At 52 years of the Athens Festival, the scene of Herod Atticus hosted almost all the top names in international-and domestic-space of serious music, dance and theatre during the post-war years.
The Athens’ massive cathedral of 1862, the first major church built after Greece independence.
44 locals recommend
Metropolitan Church of Athens Evangelismos Theotokou
MitropoleosThe Athens’ massive cathedral of 1862, the first major church built after Greece independence.
One of Athens’ greatest pleasures is walking down the crowded Ermou street and suddenly finding yourself face-to-face with a tiny, centuries-old monument in the midst of all the modernity. It is a Greek Orthodox Church one of the oldest churches in Athens. It is estimated that the church was built sometime in the 11th century over an ancient Greek pagan temple dedicated to the worship of a goddess, possibly Athena or Demetra.
31 locals recommend
Panaghia Kapnikarea
Platia KapnikareasOne of Athens’ greatest pleasures is walking down the crowded Ermou street and suddenly finding yourself face-to-face with a tiny, centuries-old monument in the midst of all the modernity. It is a Greek Orthodox Church one of the oldest churches in Athens. It is estimated that the church was built sometime in the 11th century over an ancient Greek pagan temple dedicated to the worship of a goddess, possibly Athena or Demetra.
Shopping
Attica
9 PanepistimiouGalaxias
73 FotomaraSUPER MARKET
It is a very long street beginning from Syntagma Square down to Monastiraki area, filled with modern fashion stores, cafés, pubs and restaurants and touristic shops.
24 locals recommend
Ερμού Ermou Square
101 Ermou It is a very long street beginning from Syntagma Square down to Monastiraki area, filled with modern fashion stores, cafés, pubs and restaurants and touristic shops.
Arts & Culture
The Acropolis Museum is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. Officially opened in mid-2009, this beautifully designed museum has been built to give a fitting new home to the famed marble sculptures of the Acropolis. Glass walls allow a direct view of the Acropolis temples from within the museum, while the glass floor offers a view over the ruins of an early Christian settlement.
2190 locals recommend
Acropolis Museum
15 Dionysiou AreopagitouThe Acropolis Museum is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. Officially opened in mid-2009, this beautifully designed museum has been built to give a fitting new home to the famed marble sculptures of the Acropolis. Glass walls allow a direct view of the Acropolis temples from within the museum, while the glass floor offers a view over the ruins of an early Christian settlement.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
364 Leof. Andrea SiggrouTechnopolis City of Athens
100 PireosOne of the top museums, the Byzantine museum owns over 15000 objects from the greatest Byzantine churches and monasteries worldwide, including sculpture, manuscripts, icons, frescoes and precious eye – straining intricate gold and gem – encrusted ecclesiastical objects.
231 locals recommend
Byzantine and Christian Museum
22 Leof. Vasilissis SofiasOne of the top museums, the Byzantine museum owns over 15000 objects from the greatest Byzantine churches and monasteries worldwide, including sculpture, manuscripts, icons, frescoes and precious eye – straining intricate gold and gem – encrusted ecclesiastical objects.
Ιts façade combines marble and glass, conveying the sense of austerity and the diffusion of refracted light that predominate in the Cycladic landscape. Inside the museum you can admire the exhibits of Kukladic Culture (3200–2000 BC), the collection of Ancient Greek Art (2000 BC – 4th century AD), the Cypriot Culture (4th millennium BC- early Byzantine period) and scenes of the prehistoric life in Antiquity on the last flour.
527 locals recommend
Museum of Cycladic Art
4 Neofitou DoukaΙts façade combines marble and glass, conveying the sense of austerity and the diffusion of refracted light that predominate in the Cycladic landscape. Inside the museum you can admire the exhibits of Kukladic Culture (3200–2000 BC), the collection of Ancient Greek Art (2000 BC – 4th century AD), the Cypriot Culture (4th millennium BC- early Byzantine period) and scenes of the prehistoric life in Antiquity on the last flour.
Benaki Museum ranks among the major institutions that have enriched the material assets of the Greek state. Through its extensive collections that cover several different cultural fields and its more general range of activities serving more than one social need, the Benaki Museum is perhaps the sole instance of a complex structure within the broader network of museum foundations in Greece.
566 locals recommend
Benaki Toy Museum
138 PireosBenaki Museum ranks among the major institutions that have enriched the material assets of the Greek state. Through its extensive collections that cover several different cultural fields and its more general range of activities serving more than one social need, the Benaki Museum is perhaps the sole instance of a complex structure within the broader network of museum foundations in Greece.
Parks & Nature
National Garden
1 Leoforos Vasilisis AmaliasIf you have time, do not miss to visit Lycabetus Hill, rising above it all. On the top there is a famous outdoor theatre, where in summer time many concerts take place, and the small traditional white church of Saint George, built in the 19th century and a gorgeous cafe - restaurant with a breathtaking view.
682 locals recommend
Mount Lycabettus Viewing Area
If you have time, do not miss to visit Lycabetus Hill, rising above it all. On the top there is a famous outdoor theatre, where in summer time many concerts take place, and the small traditional white church of Saint George, built in the 19th century and a gorgeous cafe - restaurant with a breathtaking view.
A pine covered hill with an outstanding view (across the Acropolis Hill), known as The Hill of Muses offers shaded paths through monuments, marking centuries of history, like the church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris, the Socrates’ prison and the Filopappos monument on the top.
145 locals recommend
Filopappou
A pine covered hill with an outstanding view (across the Acropolis Hill), known as The Hill of Muses offers shaded paths through monuments, marking centuries of history, like the church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris, the Socrates’ prison and the Filopappos monument on the top.
Food Scene
Kalamaki Bar
15 DrakouMikel
22 Amvrosiou FrantziGrēgórēs
326 ThiseosO Thanasis
69 MitropoleosBairaktaris
St MitropoleosLittle Kook
17 KaraiskakiDrinks & Nightlife
Gazi
A for Athens Cocktail Bar
2 Miaouli