Sunday, September 25th, 2022
City Tour – Things to do and places to visit
Acropolis
The greatest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens, dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena, dominates the centre of the city from the rocky crag known as the Acropolis. Sitting on and around this hill are several very important sites. The Parthenon is the most famous, but there is also the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the theater of Dionysus. Athens Acropolis is open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with the last entry being at 7:30 PM.
Acropolis Museum
Only 300m away from the sacred rock of Acropolis stands the impressive Acropolis Museum, one of the most important contemporary works of architecture in Athens. It is made of steel, glass and concrete and it houses 4,000 priceless finds from the Acropolis monuments that represent its history and function as the most important religious center of ancient Athens.
Areios Pagos, Philopappou Hill, Pnyx and Ancient Agora
Coming down from the Acropolis you arrive at the Areios Pagos, the most ancient law court of the world. Opposite it is Philopappou Hill, with its beautiful cobbled little roads and the Roman monument by the same name on its top, while close by is the Pnyx, where the citizens of ancient Athens used to assemble and exert their democratic rights. Walking farther along the pedestrian road you arrive at the Ancient Agora, which was the commercial, political and religious center of ancient Athens. A visit to the archaeological site will give you the opportunity to become acquainted with the workings of Classical Athenian democracy and visit the stunning Temple of Hephaestus.
National Gardens and the Zappeion
Located next to the Greek parliament, the National Garden is a large green space behind the Temple of Olympian Zeus and home to the Zappeion. If you have had some time to spare, this is a quiet, shady place to relax. Inviting trails lead through tall trees and offer a reprieve from the busy streets. On the edge of the garden is the Zappeion Hall, which you can enter for a peek inside if it is not in use. It is used for events.
Plaka and Anafiotika Neighborhoods
At the shadow of the Acropolis is Plaka, the most picturesque and oldest district of Athens. Narrow pedestrian streets and the little squares of the Plaka quarter are lined with lovely pastel-painted houses, restaurants, and shops. Unique in every respect is the Cycladic neighborhood of Anafiotika with the tiny, whitewashed houses among the rocks, the gardens with the flowers, the narrow alleys and the mazy planning is similar only to the one found in Cycladic islands. So, a leisurely stroll around these neighborhoods is the perfect thing to do for relaxation.
The greatest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens, dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena, dominates the centre of the city from the rocky crag known as the Acropolis. Sitting on and around this hill are several very important sites. The Parthenon is the most famous, but there is also the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the theater of Dionysus. Athens Acropolis is open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with the last entry being at 7:30 PM.
Acropolis Museum
Only 300m away from the sacred rock of Acropolis stands the impressive Acropolis Museum, one of the most important contemporary works of architecture in Athens. It is made of steel, glass and concrete and it houses 4,000 priceless finds from the Acropolis monuments that represent its history and function as the most important religious center of ancient Athens.
Areios Pagos, Philopappou Hill, Pnyx and Ancient Agora
Coming down from the Acropolis you arrive at the Areios Pagos, the most ancient law court of the world. Opposite it is Philopappou Hill, with its beautiful cobbled little roads and the Roman monument by the same name on its top, while close by is the Pnyx, where the citizens of ancient Athens used to assemble and exert their democratic rights. Walking farther along the pedestrian road you arrive at the Ancient Agora, which was the commercial, political and religious center of ancient Athens. A visit to the archaeological site will give you the opportunity to become acquainted with the workings of Classical Athenian democracy and visit the stunning Temple of Hephaestus.
National Gardens and the Zappeion
Located next to the Greek parliament, the National Garden is a large green space behind the Temple of Olympian Zeus and home to the Zappeion. If you have had some time to spare, this is a quiet, shady place to relax. Inviting trails lead through tall trees and offer a reprieve from the busy streets. On the edge of the garden is the Zappeion Hall, which you can enter for a peek inside if it is not in use. It is used for events.
Plaka and Anafiotika Neighborhoods
At the shadow of the Acropolis is Plaka, the most picturesque and oldest district of Athens. Narrow pedestrian streets and the little squares of the Plaka quarter are lined with lovely pastel-painted houses, restaurants, and shops. Unique in every respect is the Cycladic neighborhood of Anafiotika with the tiny, whitewashed houses among the rocks, the gardens with the flowers, the narrow alleys and the mazy planning is similar only to the one found in Cycladic islands. So, a leisurely stroll around these neighborhoods is the perfect thing to do for relaxation.