Walking the historic ruins and marveling at the flourishing art scene are only two of the thousands of other things to do in Athens, Greece. The city offers a mix of ancient history and contemporary activities, making it an ideal travel destination. Planning to travel here soon? Below are things to do in Athens in the evening, afternoon, or morning!
Made of limestone rock dating to the late Cretaceous period, the Acropolis of Athens is a cultural UNESCO World Heritage site home to many temples, including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, and the Temple of Athena Nike. It is a witness to the long history of Greece, being the birthplace of democracy, home to kings, home of the gods, citadel, and a religious center. Many religious festivals and decisive events in Athens history are all connected to this sacred structure.
The Parthenon is a marble temple sitting atop Acropolis of Athens. Built between 447 and 432 BCE in the Age of Pericles, this structure is dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos (Athena the Virgin) who’s also the city’s patron deity. The Parthenon has suffered damage over the years and has lost some of its sculptures, but the structure has remained intact. You can explore the site and view the important artifacts and remaining Parthenon sculptures at the nearby Acropolis Museum.
Located on top of Athens like a beautiful illuminated box, the Acropolis Museum houses over 3,000 artifacts from the most significant sanctuary of Athens - Athenian Acropolis. It has withstood the ravages of time and now has a total area of 25,000 square meters. The museum is ten times larger than that of the old museum on the Hill of the Acropolis. Some of its many treasures are the original Caryatids, portions of the Parthenon frieze, and the relief of Nike Adjusting Her Sandal.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus in the southeast of Athens’ acropolis, is one of the largest temples ever built in the ancient world. Also known as the Olympieion, the temple is dedicated to Zeus and shows evidence of habitation from the Neolithic period. It once had 104 Corinthian columns; although only 15 of them remain, it does not take much imagination to realize that this was one monster of a building.
The heart of commercial, political, and social life in Athens, Syntagma Square is where most major events of the last two centuries have taken place. Today, it does not only serve as an ideal destination for travelers due to the rich history, but it also continues to be the stage for political rallies and demonstrations. Apart from learning about history or taking photos at the historic landmark, you can also explore the square’s stands or visit some of the bars while making the most of the free WiFi!
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the largest of its kind in Greece and is known to house some of the greatest collections of antiquities in the world. Dedicated to ancient Greek art, the museum boasts more than 20,000 exhibits, giving visitors an insight into Greek civilization from Prehistoric Times to the Mycenaean Period up to Modern Greece. Visit to see the Antikythera Mechanism, Agamemnon’s gold death mask, the Kore and Kouros statues, Epinetra of Aphrodite, as well as ancient weapons, jewelry, ceramics, and more.
Located beneath the northwest slope of the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora of Athens is the core of political and social activity in the city. This is where philosophers, politicians, and priests have crossed paths. Among its most important monuments is the temple of Hephaestus, the most well-preserved ancient temple in Greece from the Classical era. You can also find here one of the earliest buildings of the Agora (from the Hellenistic period), the Royal Stoa, which was rebuilt from the ground up.
The Old Temple of Athena located on the Acropolis of Athens dates to the 6th century BCE. Dedicated to the patron deity of the city of Athens, this temple boasts a wooden cult statue (xoanon) of the goddess Athena inside the naos; unlike Athena Nike deities often depicted with wings, this statue is wingless symbolizing that Athena Nike would never abandon Athens. Only the foundations of its south side and two stone column bases are visible today.
Visible from nearly everywhere, the majestic Mount Lycabettus is the tallest of the city of Athens’ seven hills. You can either walk to the top via a circular path to test your endurance or take a funicular or cliff railway, which is your best bet if you’re traveling with kids or seniors. At the crown are a small church and the best views of the city, spanning from the sea and deep into the mountains of the Peloponnese.
The National Garden of Athens is located behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and at the top of Syntagma Square. Known as one of the city’s greatest treasures, this peaceful green refuge covers 24 hectares full of plants (common and rare), saplings, and birds. It also boasts several finds: a zoo featuring monkeys, peacocks, and more, a botanical museum, a playground, and a children’s library. One of the National Garden’s most popular spots is the duck pond that has a sizeable community of playful ducks.
Athens is the largest city and the capital of Greece. A city since 508 BC and the center of Greek civilization for more than 4,000 years, Athens is known for its rich history and the largest collection of Greek ruins and artifacts in the world.
The best time to visit Athens is from May to September. Some notable events are Holy Week and Easter, which are key religious events, in March or April. If you love Ancient Greek drama, classical music, and/or dance shows, visit during summer months (dates vary) for the Athens ad Epidaurus Festival.
Athens is a large city. If you are in a rush and have only allocated an overnight stay in the city, stay in Plaka or Syntagma as these are centrally located and are a short walk from the Acropolis. Another central area is Psyri, which is one of the best places to visit for the nightlife as it has many clubs and bars. Koukaki, on the other hand, is a good choice to experience local life; it’s very serene and does not have a touristic atmosphere.