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Top Historical landmarks in Athens, Greece

Top Rated Historical landmarks in Athens

Top Reviewed Historical landmarks in Athens

Nestled in the heart of Greece, Athens is a city with a rich history that dates back thousands of years. In this article, we'll take you on a journey to explore the best historical landmarks in Athens, where the past comes to life through ancient ruins, architectural wonders, and cultural treasures. These sites are not just historical landmarks; they are a testament to the birthplace of Western civilization.

1. The Acropolis: An Iconic Symbol of Athens

The Acropolis is undoubtedly the most iconic historical landmark in Athens. This ancient citadel, perched on a rocky hill, features the majestic Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. As you stand at the summit and gaze at the sprawling city below, you'll be transported to the glorious days of ancient Greece.

2. The Ancient Agora: The Heart of Athens

The Ancient Agora of Athens was the heart of the city's social, political, and commercial life. This vast archaeological site includes the Stoa of Attalos, the Temple of Hephaestus, and the Bouleuterion, where the city's council met. It's a fascinating glimpse into daily life in ancient Athens.

3. The National Archaeological Museum: A Treasure Trove

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens houses one of the most extensive collections of ancient Greek artifacts in the world. From sculptures to pottery, jewelry to frescoes, this museum provides a comprehensive overview of Greece's historical and artistic heritage.

4. The Erechtheion: A Marvel of Architecture

The Erechtheion is another stunning temple on the Acropolis. It's renowned for its exquisite architectural details, including the famous Caryatids – female statues that serve as columns. This temple is a true masterpiece of classical architecture.

5. The Temple of Olympian Zeus: A Monument to the Gods

The Temple of Olympian Zeus, or the Olympieion, is a colossal temple that once housed a giant gold and ivory statue of Zeus. Although the statue no longer exists, the massive Corinthian columns that remain are a testament to ancient Greece's grandeur.

6. The Plaka: A Picturesque Neighborhood

The Plaka is a historic neighborhood in Athens, nestled at the foot of the Acropolis. Its narrow streets are lined with neoclassical buildings, charming cafes, and traditional Greek tavernas. It's a place to soak in the atmosphere of old Athens.

7. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus: An Ancient Theater

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is an ancient theater that once hosted theatrical performances and musical events. Today, it's a stunning venue for cultural events and offers a backdrop of the Acropolis.

8. The Kerameikos Cemetery: A Glimpse into the Past

The Kerameikos Cemetery was the burial ground for ancient Athens. This archaeological site features well-preserved tombs, monuments, and the ancient city walls. It's a place where you can reflect on the passage of time.

9. The Benaki Museum: A Cultural Gem

The Benaki Museum is a cultural institution that showcases Greek art, history, and culture. With a diverse range of exhibits, it offers insights into Greece's multifaceted heritage.

10. Mount Lycabettus: A Panoramic Viewpoint

While not an ancient historical site, Mount Lycabettus offers a panoramic view of Athens. You can either hike up to the top or take a funicular and enjoy breathtaking vistas of the city and the surrounding mountains.

In Conclusion

Athens is a city where history unfolds at every turn. From the grandeur of the Acropolis to the lively Plaka neighborhood, each historical landmark and site has a story to tell. As you explore these must-see destinations, you'll not only experience the rich history of Athens but also witness its enduring cultural and architectural legacy. Athens is a city where the past and the present coexist harmoniously, making it a truly remarkable destination for history enthusiasts and travelers alike.

Reviews

Le sanctuaire de Dionysos se situe sur le site de l'Acropole. Après, il reste uniquement des pierres. Des pierres éparpillées un peu partout. Il ne reste plus grand chose. On passe vite à autre chose. En été, il manque d'ombre. Et face à des pierres, le public ne s'attarde pas.
Not much is left of the old temples to Dionysus. Make sure to read up on the history!
Interesting experience
Apenas alicerces em ruínas ao lado do teatro de Dionísio mas vale pela história...se visitar a acrópole pode entrar por esse lado ou à saída depois de visitar a Acrópole. Estes locais estão incluídos nesse bilhete ou no bilhete combinado.
Vincent C.
at 2024 Jul 16
Vincent C.
at 2024 Jul 16
The doorway is all that remains of the Ottoman era Islamic Madrasa (Theological School)
Conviene comprare il pacchetto che comprende la visita di 7 siti
Main temple surrounded by scaffolding. Roman baths are impressive. Very unimpressed at the lack of explanatory boards giving a bit of history. With investment, this could be spectacular. But I’d suggest this year, see the Acropolis and the Agora instead.
It has lot of historical value
Mihalis Ahtamon
at 2024 May 18
Mihalis Ahtamon
at 2024 May 18
A place to to stop rest and refill with energy.
Proof of the various cultures that conquered Athenian lands.
זה סתם עוד קטע בקצה הגן של מקדש זאוס האולימפי כדי לזכור איפה עברתי בדרך, לא איזו נקודת ציון מיוחדת באמת
Joachim
at 2024 Mar 10
Joachim
at 2024 Mar 10
The view from here was amazing - and the walk up the hill was great and with lots of peace and quiet. I walked up from the south/west side of the hill and it was very beautiful.
Jonah VX
at 2024 Mar 06
Jonah VX
at 2024 Mar 06
Great place to relax with friends, perfect views at the sea and the Acropolis.
Nice walk up the hill to the monument.
\the monument is good, but the main draw is the 360 degree views of Athens!
Stunning views from the top of the hill!
Schon gewusst? In der Antike war fast jeder Hellene Fischer.
The like walk up there is definitely do-able for everyone. The view from the monument and all places around it are absolutely worth it!
Kerstin Fischler
at 2024 Jan 17
Kerstin Fischler
at 2024 Jan 17
Ein Ort aus einer anderen Zeit. Mit offenen Augen findet man die Brücke ohne Klettereien oder Rutschpartien. Schade, dass das Gelände so ungepflegt ist
Jonathan Haysom
at 2023 Dec 30
Jonathan Haysom
at 2023 Dec 30
A very picturesque part of Athens. Historic landmarks and old architecture is everywhere
Wunderschöner kleiner weißer Tempel am Fuß der Akropolis.
4 euros la entrada para mayores de 25años, y gratis para menores.
El ambiente es bueno, pero muy poca arquitectura, tan solo parecen un par de piedras sin mucho texto para entender
ERMIONI MITSIOU
at 2023 Dec 06
ERMIONI MITSIOU
at 2023 Dec 06
Otto’s bridge
Across the street from the Artemis temple, but well-hidden as it is virtually buried under concrete and unmarked, there is a three-arched stone bridge dating back to the days of Otto, the first King of Greece (1832-1862). The bridge is located on the intersection of Ardittou and Athanasiou Diakou str. where the only stretch of the ancient river Ilissos' bank is still visible abovegound. Just look for the steps towards the Temple of Olympian Zeus and climb down into the greenery.
Absolute great, on the way to the top of the Acropolis.
The remains of the sanctuary are incredible to see and really makes you grateful to have the other monuments that are still standing. Seeing this in all of its glory must have been a sight to behold!
We bought the 30 euro ticket which grands access to this theatre too. But the didn't let us in because we couldn't enter it "twice". What? Yep, once you entered Parthenon you have to go to the theatre from the Parthenon only. You can't enter it from the street. And vice versa. The single ticket to the theatre costs 20 euro.
Amazing place worth visiting ! Incredible energy and vibes. You can feel Ancient Greece everywhere
ROXANA COTRUTA
at 2023 Jul 13
ROXANA COTRUTA
at 2023 Jul 13
Beautiful place to go back in history and feel the old times. Old Madrasa is just another proof of the rich past of Athens and the turbulence throughout the years. Definetely a must to visit if you are in Plaka, the old Athenian city.
It’s amazing what you can discover about places you see your whole life and never have time to explore more .. layers of history scattered across this city .. keeps surprising me
😍😍👍🏻👍🏻
Εἶναι ἐντυπωσιακὸς ὁ ἀριθμὸς τῶν ἀξιοθέατων ποὺ ὑφίστανται ἐκεῖ μὲ τὴν ἐποχὴ μάλιστα τοῦ καθενὸς νὰ ποικίλει. Ἡ γέφυρα (τῶν ἐτῶν) τοῦ Ὄθωνο, τὸ μέρος της πρέπει τοὐλάχιστον νὰ καθαρισθῇ - ἀλλὰ ὁτιδήποτε ἔχει σχέση μὲ τὴν Βασιλεία, οἱ νεοέλληες δείχνουν ἕνα ἀνίατο κόμπλεξ.
Akis K
at 2023 Apr 09
Akis K
at 2023 Apr 09
Ιστορική γέφυρα κάτω από τόνους τσιμέντου. Στάσιμα νερά και σκουπίδια. Αν μη τι άλλο θα μπορούαε να καθαριστεί και να φωτιστεί ώστε να είναι πιο ευδιάκριτη η επιγραφή στην κορυφή.
Quick stop to catch your breath on the way to the top of the Acropolis, the marble work and the coloring is really stunning for the age and condition of it
Arthur
at 2023 Feb 02
Arthur
at 2023 Feb 02
Renovation works in progress. Good luck. Enormous work to do.
Have you ever realise that this is the exact spot where the first theatrical act was made? This is the cult where theatre and acting was invented.
Opera, Cinema, Modern Theatre, Netflix, Actors, Directors, all started exactly inside this cult.
Will K
at 2022 Oct 22
Will K
at 2022 Oct 22
It’s broken down into a number of pieces, but still blows your mind at the attention to detail the craftsmen had in building it. What an impressive site and not many other come here to visit when compared to the Parthenon.
Matthew Turner
at 2022 Oct 16
Matthew Turner
at 2022 Oct 16
The ruined doorway is a portal to the building's turbulent and torturous past.
An important approach of the beggings of medicine
Un lugar precioso y lleno de historias y de leyendas. Monumentos históricos y cuando los tienes a menos de un precio es impresionante, conocer esa historia y estar ahí presente. No puedes ir a Grecia y no vistar esto. Todo está explicado y aunque no hayas leído ningún libro de historia y vaya desde 0, te enteras de todo perfectamente.
Los sacerdotes eran unos linces habría que destacar.
ゼウス神殿の傍らにひっそりと佇む古代の聖域。

大きな建造物などは遺されておらず、ほぼ壁の跡や柱の跡などの遺構のみになっている。
このため雄大な建築や荘厳な芸術を観たい人にはお薦めできないが、むしろ竈の跡など古代の営みが伺えるものを観たいならば、ゼウス神殿を観るついでにでもこちらも観ておくとよいだろう。
Karam
at 2022 Jun 05
Karam
at 2022 Jun 05
You can see it while you are going to the Parthenon on the right side be carful you might miss it and on the right side of it there is a bathroom and a water machine
Amazing to see walking down/up from Acropolis :)
Ab 15 Uhr geschlossen. Letzter Eintritt um 14:40!!!
Cool part of history
Die Frauensäulen sind wahnsinnig beeindruckend ausgearbeitet. Das Gebäude steht neben dem Pantheon und steht ihm in nichts nach. Sehr schöne, antike Architektur.
Die Kunst, die die Säulen ziert ist beeindruckend. Im Hintergrund der Berg der Akropolis und viele Säulen und einzelne Monumente im Vordergrund. Viele kleine Besucher wie Schildkröten tummeln sich auf den heißen Steinen. Das schöne ist Menschenmassen und Besucher verteilen sich hier super und man steht sich nicht im Weg.
Monumento de Nikias. Por lo visto, en el siglo III fue desmantelado para utilizar sus materiales en la puerta Beulé y solo queda la base.
Impresive historical place. The cradle of modern civilization.
Eygenia Vakka
at 2021 Jul 01
Eygenia Vakka
at 2021 Jul 01
Είναι τραγικό να υπάρχει ένα τέτοιο αξιοθέατο και να είναι κρυμένο και μπαζομένο. Οι δικοί μεγαλώσαν δίπλα στον Ιλισσό όταν ακόμη ήταν ποτάμι και στην Καλλιθέα που περνούσαν τη γέφυρα πάνω από το ποτάμι κατεβαίνοντας από τον ηλεκτρικό σταθμό.
Awesome worth the visit!
Federico T.C.
at 2021 Mar 28
Federico T.C.
at 2021 Mar 28
Prodotti artigianali di eccezionale qualità, spedizione veloce.
Bruno Brunakias
at 2020 Dec 20
Bruno Brunakias
at 2020 Dec 20
Κατασκευή γέφυρας επί βασιλείας Όθωνα.
Από εκεί περνούσε ο Ιλισσός και σήμερα είναι το μοναδικό κομμάτι που φαίνεται η φυσική κοίτη του ποταμού.
Δυστυχώς όμως δεν υπάρχει καμία αναδείξει του μνημείου.
Ένα κομμάτι του το έχουν τσιμεντωσει και έχει μπαζωθεί.
Η εκγαταλειψη στο μεγαλείο της.
Λεφτά υπάρχουν για μεγάλους ** περιδρομους** και**ζαρντινιέρες**
που δεν περπατάει κανείς.
Όποιος κατάλαβε....
alen novit
at 2020 Jun 09
alen novit
at 2020 Jun 09
The cult of Dionysos Eleuthereus (or in translation Dionysos The Liberator) is orinated in ancient Greek city Eleutherae, and came to Athens somewhere in 6th century B.C.,when the city Eleutherae decides to become a part of Attica empire - at that time citizens of Eleutherae bring the wooden statue of Dionysos to Athens and present the cult to people in Athens.
The ancient story is saying that Athenians at first rejected the statue and Dionysos religion, but then has to face with consequences - as revenge Dionysos punish a habitants of Athens with a Plaque which affects the genitalia of men. The plague was alleviated only when Athenians accepted the cult, and in memory of this, later carried a phalloi simbols in large festival to honor the God Dionysos (the festival name was Dionysis, and it was the second most important festival held by Greeks at that time).
Many many temples
Πολύ όμορφη κατασκευή και ιστορική....τα μόνα αρνητικα ή μη σωστή ανάπλαση του γύρω χώρου.. έχει συχνά σκουπίδια.... καί είναι καλυμμένα τα δύο βασιλικά οικόσημα τής γέφυρας από τσιμεντένιες κολώνες...
The temple of Asclepius was a sanctuary in ancient Epidaurus, dedicated to Asclepius. The great sanctuary of Epidaurus was comparable to the sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and that of Apollo at Delphi. The church was built in the early 4th century. and if it was in use until the 4th century. AD, it would be closed during the persecutions against the nationals ("pagans"), when Christian Emperors issued decrees in the Roman State banning non-Christian worship.
Jan Torfs
at 2018 Sep 20
Jan Torfs
at 2018 Sep 20
Not that much appealing since not so much left of this ancient temple of the God of health. The construction materials materials are nice. Short visit and some nice pictures possible.
Milo Cridge
at 2017 Dec 21
Milo Cridge
at 2017 Dec 21
It's pretty but someone has graffitied all over the door, which is a real shame. Graffiti is a real problem in this city and its a shame that so many lovely places gets ruined by unsightly sprays. Its pretty if someone has put in hard work on an art piece on the side of a building, but tagging an ancient monuments is quite frankly disgusting.