Things to do in  Athens

A wonder of ancient Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, the Acropolis is the star attraction of Athens. Dramatically perched on a jagged clifftop—the so-called sacred rock—the ruins overlook the modern city of Athens and date back to as early as 510 BC.

The star of Athens postcards, and arguably the most impressive of the city’s ancient ruins, the Parthenon stands proudly atop the rock of the Acropolis. Completed in 438 BC, the temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena and also served as a treasury. After centuries of war, looting, and changes in rulership, the near-perfect Doric columns that remain standing today are a striking reminder of the glory of ancient Greece.

Sitting alongside the Theatre of Dionysus on the southern slopes of the Acropolis, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus dates back to AD 161 and holds around 5,000 spectators. Though it fell into ruin over the millennia, the theater was restored in the 1950s. Today, the combination of classical heritage and historic setting makes it a popular venue for live performances.

An Athenian landmark and feat of contemporary architecture, the Acropolis Museum sits at the base of the Acropolis, with the ruins of an ancient settlement visible beneath its floor. This must-see for ancient art enthusiasts is home to one of the premier archaeological collections in Greece. The art and artifacts span pre-classical times to the Roman era, but fifth-century BC treasures from the temples of the Acropolis are the focus, especially the recreated Parthenon frieze.

Athenian rulers began construction of the Temple of Olympian Zeus in the 6th century BC. By the time Roman Emperor Hadrian completed it 600 years later, it was the largest temple in ancient Greece, starring a massive statue of Zeus, king of the gods of Mt. Olympus. Though only 15 of its original 104 columns, many of which were recycled for other monuments, still stand today, what remains is nothing short of impressive.

Built in the 1980s for the European Athletics Championships, Athens’ Olympic Stadium was remodeled by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava for the 2004 Olympics. As the largest stadium in Greece, with nearly 70,000 seats, the Olympic Stadium hosts major sporting events and concerts by big international acts such as U2 and Lady Gaga. It’s officially known as the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens “Spiros Louis” or OAKA.

The Agora was the political and social heart of the ancient city of Athens, and the sprawling ruins of this civic center and marketplace are among the most important in the modern city. Step 2,500 years back in time as you explore its highlights, including the remarkably preserved Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Attalos, an ancient shopping mall and now a museum displaying artifacts unearthed from the archaeological site.

Built around the ruins of the Roman Agora, Plaka is one of the oldest residential areas in Athens—and its cobbled streets are essentially an open-air archaeological site. Here you’ll find Cycladic-style white-washed homes, characteristic architecture dating back to Byzantine and Ottoman times, and narrow alleyways with views of the Acropolis perched on the hill above. Once you’ve visited Plaka’s monuments and museums, sit at a sidewalk taverna to see its charm on full display.

One of the most remarkable ancient ruins in the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Acropolis, the Erechtheion is best known for its ornate porch, supported by six caryatids (columns carved as women in draperies). Dating from the fifth century BC, the temple perches on a craggy escarpment overlooking the heart of Athens. It marks the spot where legend holds that Poseidon and Athena fought for control of the fledgling city.

One of a trio of Neoclassical buildings known as the Athenian Trilogy, the 19th-century Academy of Athens (Akadimía Athinón was founded during the post-independence re-flowering of Greek culture and is home to the national institutes for sciences, philosophy, fine arts, and humanities—following a tradition first established by Plato.

An enduring symbol of Athens’ connection to the Olympics, the gleaming all-marble Panathenaic Stadium traces its origins to the Panathenaic Games of the fourth century BC. It has since hosted events such as the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and the 2004 Olympics, making it a key local landmark and attraction. The stadium now serves as a monument to the games with its on-site museum celebrating the event.

The ancient Propylaea was once the monumental gateway to the Acropolis, and its colonnaded facade still makes a powerful impression more than 2,000 years after it was built. One of Athens’ premier ancient treasures, the Propylaea has massive Doric columns hewn from the same marble as the Parthenon, plus remains of its original wings on each side.

The towering vertical cliffs of Meteora have offered a protected place to pursue spiritual contemplation for centuries. The first hermit monks lived up in caves, but eventually 24 Byzantine monasteries were built atop the imposing rock formations—six of which remain today. Part natural wonder, part man-made marvel, the dramatic locale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular attraction in Greece.

One of the most striking landmarks in Athens is the massive neoclassical Parliament Building (Vouli) that takes up the east side of the city’s main Syntagma Square. Home to the Greek parliament, government halls, and archives, the building stands above the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where crowds gather every hour, on the hour, to watch the Changing of the Guard.

Delphi is one of Greece’s most famous archaeological sites, with its remarkably preserved ruins dotted along the southern slopes of Mt. Parnassus. The town has drawn visitors since the eighth century BC, when pilgrims flocked to the Temple of Apollo to ask for guidance from its oracle, Pythia. Aside from its UNESCO-listed ruins—which also include a theater, stadium, and treasury—Delphi is known for its serene natural beauty, with opportunities for skiing and hiking nearby.