1.

The Acropolis Museum

Visiting the Acropolis Museum is one of the best things to do in Athens.
If you want a better understanding of the context and history of the Acropolis before visiting it, you should definitely go to
The Acropolis Museum first. It displays nearly 4,000 ancient objects and artefacts found on the site!
2. The Acropolis of Athens and The Parthenon
Let’s start this list of the 20 best things to do in Athens with The Acropolis, the most emblematic site of the city.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site located on a hill in the capital is one of the most visited Ancient Site of Greece. It’s also
Athens’ main tourist attraction.
3. The Ancient Agora
Another great place to see in Athens is The Ancient Agora.
The Agora was the main square of ancient Athens. It was considered as the cultural, political, commercial and social center
of the city. Nowadays, the site is mostly in ruins, but still worth a visit, especially for The Temple of Hephaestus. Built
during the Age of Pericles in 449 B.C, it’s one of the best preserved Doric temples in Greece.
4. The National Archaeological Museum of Athens
If you enjoyed the Acropolis Museum, then you should really go to the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
5. The National Garden and the Zappeion Park
If you want to enjoy a bit of greenery during your stay in Athens, then you should definitely take a walk in the National
Garden and the Zappeion Park. The 2 are actually one and the same big park, making it the largest public park in Athens!
6. Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square, or “Constitution Square” in English, is Athens’ central square.
It’s also the city’s main gathering place, whether it’s for demonstrations or sporting events. The House of Parliament is
located here since 1935, in an ancient royal palace built by the first King of Greece. It’s the center of Greece’s political life.
7. Ermou street
If you want to go shopping in Athens, it certainly will be on Ermou Street!
This pedestrian street goes from Syntagma Square to Monastiraki district. As it is Athens’ main commercial street, you’ll
find here most of the big international brands (H&M, Zara, Marks & Spencer…) as well as many bars and restaurants.
Don’t forget to see the picturesque Byzantine Church of Kapnikarea! Located on Ermou Street, it was built in the 11th
century
8. Monastiraki District and Flea Market
To continue this Athens tourist guide, let’s go to Monastiraki district.
It’s located in the centre of Athens, alongside Plaka district. (I will tell you more about Plaka a bit later)
9. Plaka district and Anafiotika Neighbourhoods
Another place you should visit in Athens is Plaka district.
The oldest district of Athens is often nicknamed “Neighborhood of the Gods”, as it’s located at the foothill of the Acropolis.
Even if it’s a really busy and touristic area, Plaka managed to keep its picturesque charm, with its narrow alleys and pretty
houses.
During your tour, you will enjoy Byzantine constructions, as well as neo-classical houses. With its many shops, it’s also a
great place to buy local products or souvenirs.
While you’re there, you should definitely go to the tiny Anaflotika neighborhood. In this peaceful and quiet place with
white houses and blue shutters, you’ll feel like you are in the heart of The Cyclades! Don’t forget to go to the top of
Stratanos Street, to enjoy a superb panorama over Athens.
The area boasts two important archaeological sites on Pepopida Street: the first-century BC Roman Agora and the second-
century Library of Hadrian
10. Mount Lycabettus
If you want to admire a stunning view of the Acropolis, then you have to climb up to Mount Lycabettus!
The 278 meters high Mount Lycabettus is also called “Hill of the Wolves”, and is certainly the best place to enjoy a 360°
panorama of Athens. At the top, don’t miss the charming Orthodox Chapel of St.George.
You can access the top of Mount Lycabettus:
11. The Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium, or Kallimarmaro is another famous tourist attraction in Athens.
It’s located in front of Zappeion Park’s Southern entrance.
The stadium was built in the 4th century B.C to host the Panathenaic Games, a sporting event held every year to honor the
Goddess Athena. There, athletes were competing in track and field, wrestling and chariot races.
Originally made out of wood, it has been completely rebuilt in white marble a few centuries later. The stadium had a
capacity of more than 70,000 spectators, and gladiator fights were also organized.
Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the stadium was abandoned, and the stones were reused elsewhere.
Much later, during the 19th century, the stadium was rebuilt to host the 1st Modern Olympic Games.
Nowadays, the stadium isn’t used for competitions anymore, as its dimensions no longer meet the required standards.
You can visit the inside of the stadium for 5€. The entrance fee includes an audio guide and access to the track.
12. The Philopappos Hill
If you believe you’re out of things to see in Athens, and if you have visited the main neighborhoods, why don’t you go up to
Philopappos Hill?
13. The Roman Agora
The Roman Agora is another point of interest to visit in Athens. Don’t confuse it with the Ancient Agora I mentioned
earlier!
14. The other Museums in Athens
If you are staying in Athens for a couple of days, you should take the opportunity to visit some museums.
For the cultural tourism enthusiasts, here are the other museums you should visit in Athens:
15. Gazi district
Where to go in Athens if you want to party all night?
You should definitely try Gazi district! This former industrial district has been refurbished to become the trendy place to
go out at night in the Greek capital.
There, you can enjoy a drink on a trendy bar terrace, or try one of the many restaurants and night clubs. You’ll for sure
find a place you’ll like in Gazi neighbourhood.
The surroundings of the Kerameikos metro station, and the streets of Dekeleon, Gargition and Voutadon are the busiest.
16. Museum of Cycladic Art (Address: 4 Neophytou Douka Street)
In the Kolonáki quarter, the Museum of Cycladic Art was created in 1986 by the Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris Foundation
Housed in a sleek modern building with a facade of marble and glass, the museum's permanent collection includes more
than 3,000 objects. The collection represents ancient Greek art, ancient art of the Cyclades (the islands in the Aegean Sea
encircling the Island of Delos near Mykonos), and Cypriot art (from the island of Cyprus) dating from the fourth century
BC to the sixth century AD.
Many of the artifacts on display date to the sixth century BC. Temporary exhibits are held at the elegant 19th-century
Stathatos Mansion, accessible from the main building by a passageway from the atrium

17. Olympieion: Temple of Olympian Zeus

Dedicated to Zeus, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, also called the Olympieion, was the largest temple in ancient Greece.
Though the Parthenon is better preserved, the Temple of Olympian Zeus was an even more monumental structure in its
day. The temple dates to the sixth century BC but was not completed until the second century AD by the Emperor Hadrian.
In front of the Olympieion, not far from the entrance, stands Hadrian's Arch at the end of Dionysiou Areopagitou.
Nearby, just north of the Olympieion, is a small park containing the ruins of Themistokles' wall and the ancient Roman
baths. The baths are quite impressive considering they are a free attraction that you can easily work into your walking
tour near the Olympieion. They are located right along the edge of Vassilissis Amalias Avenue, at the side of the road.
Location: City Center near the Athens Gate and Athanasiou Diakou Street,

18. Byzantine Museum

This interesting museum offers fascinating insights into the Byzantine period of Greek history. Housed in a 19th-century
palace originally built for the Duchesse de Plaisance, the wife of Charles-François Lebrun of France, the museum displays a
precious collection of Byzantine art.
The Byzantine Empire was the inheritance of the eastern half of the Roman Empire after it fell. From the third century to
the 15th century, the Byzantine Empire ruled over the land of what is now the Balkans, Greece, and Asia Minor. During
this time, religious art was highly valued. Byzantine artists created masterpieces of detailed, glittering mosaics and gilded
icons.
With more than 25,000 artifacts on display, the Byzantine Museum is a treasury of religious artifacts from the Byzantine
period as well as pieces from the early Christian, medieval, and post-Byzantine eras. The collection includes sculptures,
paintings, icons, textiles, and mosaics.
19. Church of the Holy Apostles
On the site of the ancient Agora, the Church of the Holy Apostles was the only building left standing when this entire
quarter of Athens was demolished to excavate the Agora archaeological site. Built in the 10th century, the church stands
above a nymphaion (sacred spring).
Typical of Byzantine architecture, the church has a dome supported on four columns, and the apse and transepts feature
semicircular conches. The interior of the dome is adorned with original frescoes depicting Christ Pantocrator (Ruler of
All), John the Baptist, adorable little cherubim, and archangels. Much of the original 11th-century iconostasis (wall of icons
and religious paintings) has also been well preserved.

20. Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus

The concept of healing in Europe can be traced back to the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus. A sacred place used for
ceremonial medical practices as far back as the 2nd millennium BC, the site was also associated with the cult of Apollo in
the 8th century BC. It made an invaluable contribution to medical evolution and advancement. Over time, its temples,
sporting facilities, banquet halls and theatre shifted in philosophy from prayer to science in the evolution of medical
treatment.

21. Artemis Temple

The Temple of Artemis Brauron in Athens, Greece: Located on the eastern side of Attica, the Sanctuary of Brauronian
Artemis was among the most important sacred sites in the ancient times. Vravrona (or Brauron), about 20 km from
Athens, was one of the 12 towns of Attica that was united to Athens by Theseus.
The ancient temple of Artemis is of Doric style and flourished in the 5th-4th century B.C. According to a myth, this is the
temple where Iphigeneia was brought by her brother Orestes when they met in the land of Tauris, where she served as a
priestess in a local temple of Artemis. Iphigeneia had been transferred to Tauris by goddess Artemis herself when she
saved her from the sacrifice in Aulis. Returning to Greece, Iphigeneia brought with her a wooden statue of Artemis from
Tauris.
22. Prison of Socrates
Controversy surrounds the precise location of Socrates’ prison after he was condemned to death; local tradition places the
prison on Apostolou Pavlou, a pedestrian street near Thisson.
This rock cave, its entrance covered with iron bars, is believed by many to be where Socrates spent his final hours before
drinking the fatal poison.
Other nearby caves make the same claim, the main rival being located at the bottom of the hill below the monument of
Philopappos, opposite the church of Ag. Dimitrios ‘the Bombardier’.
23. The National Library
24. Pnyx