Athens Sightseeing

Sights in Athens close to apartment

ACROPOLIS

Not much needs to be said about the famous Acropolis of Athens and the temple of Parthenon. Entering the archaeological site we see the complex of the Propylaea. On the right wing we can observe the small temple of Athena Nike (Athena victorious). After entering the top of the hill the visitor sees the imposing temple of the Parthenon (Athena virgin). Parthenon was made almost entirely of Pentelic marble, dedicated to Athena Parthenos. Inside the temple was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the golden and ivory statue of Athena. (20 min walk) .For tickets https://etickets.tap.gr/webengines/tap_b2c/english/tap.exe?PM=P1

HERODION

At the Acropolis foothill lies "Herodion", the famous Roman Odeon (160 AD) which hosts every summer some of the most important of the Athens Festival performances. It has a semicircle shape, imposing frontage of 28 meters and a capacity of 5 to 6 thousand spectators. It also has excellent acoustics. (20 min walk)

https://www.herodion.gr/en/herodion-shows

DIONISIOU AEROPAGITOU Street

The pedestrian street of Dionysius Areopagite is one of the most beautiful routes for walking, overlooking the Parthenon on one side and magnificent mansions on the other side . At the one end of this street one can find the New Acropolis Museum, which houses the Parthenon marbles. The route takes you all the way to Thesion with its variety of places to eat and entertain. (15 min walk distance ).

ACROPOLIS MUSEUM

The Acropolis Museum is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. The museum was built to house every artefact found on the rock and on the surrounding slopes, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. (15 min walk). https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en/

...and if you are interested in the ongoing debate about the "Return of the Elgin Marbles" you may enjoy these two videos (short and long version) of a debate where Stephen Fry participated. Elgin Marbles Debate (the full debate; very entertaining) . Elgin Marbles Debate (short version)

FILOPAPPOU HILL

From the junction of Dionysius Areopagite and St. Paul begins path to the hills of Philopappou & Pnyx. On the way we meet the post-Byzantine church of St. Demetrius Loubardiaris as well as traces of the ancient wall of Athens. At the top of the hill is the tomb of Julius Antiochus Filopappos. (30 min walk to the entrance followed by an uphill walkway to the top; the view will reward your effort).

PLAKA

The oldest district of Athens, with its neoclassical houses and narrow cobblestone streets is one of the most touristic destination due to its proximity to the Acropolis. The central Hadrian Road and surrounding roads and walkways are full of souvenir shops, cafes, taverns and restaurants. We suggest you lose yourselves within Plaka and discover the out the beaten track little places to sit down and eat or simply enjoy a coffee (20 min walk to the entrance of Plaka; many hours of pleasure thereafter).

NATIONAL GARDEN

The largest green lung of the city centre and a favourite of Athenians walking place. The former Royal Garden was designed by the Queen Amalia, the first Queen of Greece in the modern-post Ottoman occupation era. It features towering old trees, dense shrubs and creepers, playground, small zoo, pond, children's library and museum botanist. The garden is adjacent to the Greek Parliament (it used to be the palace of the Greek Kings) and Syntagma (Constitution) square where one can see the change of the guards. (35 min walk).

KALLIMARMARO

One of the most imposing monuments of the city, the Panathenaic Stadium opposite the garden of the Zappeion, also known as "Kallimarmaro" (which means "good marble"). It is made entirely of Pentelic marble. This is the site of the very first modern Olympic games in 1896. Today the stadium serves mainly for concerts but it is also the finish of the "classic" Marathon race. (30 min walk)

MODERN ART MUSEUM

The National Museum of Contemporary Art, established in October 2000. It is the sole national institution focused only on collecting and exhibiting contemporary Greek and international art in Athens. ( 5 min walk distance ) https://www.emst.gr/en/

BASIL & ELISE GOULADRIS MUSEUM

The Goulandris Museum of Contemporary Art is a modern art museum in Eratosthenous Street, Pangrati, Athens, Greece. It opened in October 2019. It displays many of the works amassed by shipowner Basilis Goulandris and his wife Elise Karadontis, who died in 1994, with an art collection valued at US$3 billion ( 30 min walk distance ). https://goulandris.gr/en/