Greece. With this word, any person has an unambiguous association – antiquity. Of course, to this day, many ancient architectural monuments of Athens have been preserved in ruins and dilapidated by time, but they are the ones that attract visitors in the first place. By the number of ancient sights, the city can be safely called a monument. Most of them are located in the old part of the city. A one-day itinerary in Athens will require you to tune in to an active walk from early morning until dark. For a quick review, you will need: a little theoretical training, physical endurance and a budget of about 200 €. Going out onto the streets of Athens, be prepared to face a huge number of tourists (according to statistics, about 100 people climb the Acropolis every 10 minutes). But this should not scare: the capital of Greece is a tourist-oriented city,
How to get from the airport to the center
From Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, the center of Athens can be reached by 4 modes of transport. Comfortable buses (X93, X95-X97), departing at intervals of 30-60 minutes, will take you in 1 hour 10 minutes – 1 hour 50 minutes. But you need to keep in mind that there is no room for bulky luggage in them. A ticket worth 6€ can be purchased at the airport terminal machines, at a newsstand or from the driver. If you choose the metro, you need to exit the terminal building, cross the road, following the signs “To Trains” and exit to the entrance to the Blue Line of the subway. On it you will reach the square. Monastiraki in 1 hour 10 minutes.
Trains run from 6.30 to 23.30 in 5-10 minutes. Ticket price – 10 € one way, 18 € round trip. Group ticket – 2 people. – 18€, 3 people – 24€. This is a convenient transport for single tourists, without children and large luggage. The ground train goes to the Central railway station every 15-30 minutes and arrives at the final destination in 40 minutes. Runs from 5.30 to 21.00 hours. The ticket costs 10€. If you are with children and a lot of luggage, it is best to choose a transfer – an economy class car (42 €), a minibus (7 passengers) – 84 €. The duration of the trip is 35 minutes. The transfer can be booked online.
🏨 🚕 Individual transfer from the airport to the hotel and more
Acropolis
The main object of attention of all visitors to Athens is the Acropolis. It is more convenient to start the route with a visit to the main attraction of antiquity for several reasons. Firstly, there are fewer people in the morning (the entrance opens at 8 am). Secondly, it is still not so hot in the open sun. And, thirdly, here you can purchase an entrance ticket, which allows you to subsequently get free admission to the Temple of Zeus, Keramikos, the Roman Forum, the National Archaeological Museum, the Agora and the Library of Hadrian.
By the way, for those who have the opportunity to stay for a few days, the validity of a single ticket is determined for 4 days. In ancient times, each Greek city had its own Acropolis (Greek “acropolis” – “top of the city”), but none of them can be equal to the Athenian one in terms of scale and number of buildings of the antiquity era. An interesting fact is that the construction of high-rise buildings is even prohibited in Athens, so as not to block the views of the Acropolis from any of the streets of the capital.
The hallmark of antiquity, the Acropolis includes several impressive monuments, among which the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and erected long before our era, definitely occupies a dominant place. In those distant times, sailors could see the glow from a giant statue of a goddess in a helmet, standing next to the Parthenon, from a distance of 40 km. Today, only legends remain from the huge statue of Athena. Stolen during the Fourth Crusade, she died from a fire already in Constantinople.
Unfortunately, history did not spare the Parthenon. During the conquest by the Turks, the temple was used as a mosque, and later was almost destroyed by the Venetians. For many years, the temple of Athena has been dressed in scaffolding, but this does not prevent tourists from appreciating the grandeur of the former building. By visiting the Acropolis of Athens, every tourist, of course, expands his knowledge and replenishes the treasury of impressions from the preserved monuments of antiquity: the marble Propylaea at the entrance, the Temple of Nike, the Erechtheion and the Theater of Dionysus on the southern slope.
Old Acropolis Museum
Founded in the 19th century The Old Acropolis Museum is a repository of priceless rarities illustrating ancient times. It is located at the edge of a cliff at an archaeological site. In 9 galleries, you will see artistic masterpieces created by ancient masters to decorate the Acropolis. Entering here, you find yourself in the world of prehistoric statues, bas-reliefs and various interior items. The true treasures of the museum cannot but arouse admiration – Archaic crusts (graceful sculptures of girls). Each of them has its own unique appearance, individual sophistication, captured by talented sculptors of the 6th century. BC e.
No less interesting exhibits will captivate the imagination – Caryatids – majestic statues of young priestesses. The level of artistic skill of sculptors is amazing in them. How accurately the graceful curves of female figures, the flowing folds of their clothes, are conveyed in stone! Named after the models from Karea, the statues served as supports for the ceilings of the portal in the Erechtheion temple. Interior items from the Parthenon will arouse your interest: frieze plates, a statue of Moskhofor. The Old Museum of the Acropolis carefully preserves the artistic and historical heritage of Hellas. Entrance ticket price – 5 € (adult), 3 € (student), children – b / n.
Erechtheion
Among the ancient architectural objects of the Acropolis, the second place in grandeur and significance is occupied by the ruins of the Erechtheion temple. Erected in the 5th c. BC e. in honor of the goddess Athena, Poseidon and King Erechtheus, the sanctuary was intended for holding rites of sacrifice in it. Lace of legends envelops the name and location of the grandiose building. According to one of them, here Poseidon broke through a rock with his trident, and a spring gushed out of it. According to another version, Athena opened an olive tree to the Athenians in this place. The 3rd myth tells about the legendary king Erechtheus buried here.
In the temple there was a wooden sculpture of Athena that allegedly fell from heaven, a lamp made of gold by Callimachus, a statue of Erechtheus, and an altar of Hephaestus. Now none of the above items of luxurious decoration has been preserved here. But on the building of the sanctuary you can see genuine architectural elements: Ionic columns, carved stone rosettes on the doorways of the portals. 6 female figures made of marble – caryatids are talented copies of the originals. The original sculptures are kept in the Acropolis Museum and the British Museum.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
The participants of the Athens Festival are well acquainted with the Odeon, the oldest ancient theater that has been preserved near the walls of the Acropolis. Built in the Roman style by the wealthy Athenian Herodes Atticus in honor of his late wife, the odeon was the 3rd theater of the city, accommodating 5 thousand people. Its architectural form has become a model for the construction of similar structures in other capitals. The roof of the Odeon (50 m wide) was destroyed by the Heruli (Germanic tribes) in 267 and has not been restored.
You can feel like an Odeon spectator sitting on the marble seats left over from the 32 rows that circle the hillside. Once here, in addition to them, the building of the theatrical backstage was built, the walls of which were lined with marble and decorated with luxurious statues. You will see many niches where they were placed. In the 50s of the last century, the audience seats were restored, and today the Odeon hosts many performances, concerts, and the annual Festival is held. Famous opera and pop singers of the world have performed and continue to perform on the stage of the ancient theater.
Theater of Dionysus
The remains of the audience rows, the semicircle of the stage on the southern slope of the Acropolis hill are the majestic traces of the oldest theater in the world – the theater of Dionysus. The Hellenes, who worshiped the God of wine and fun, erected a wooden building in his honor in the 5th century. BC. All festive events were held here, there were performances based on the plays of Euripides, Sophocles, Aristophanes and Aeschylus. Centuries later, the wood in the arrangement was replaced with marble, increasing the size of the performance area (orchestra) and decorating it with sculptures of satyrs. In the era of the Romans, gladiator fights took place here, circus artists conquered with their skill.
Directly in front of the stage were marble chairs of honorary Athenians with names engraved on them. The 2nd row was occupied by the imperial box. Today, looking at the marble slabs with the grass of oblivion breaking through them, you are mentally transported to an amazing era of creation, flourishing art and incredible work. Schoolchildren, students, townspeople and thousands of tourists come here to tangibly feel the great history. It is best to enjoy the sight of the noble ruins in the morning or late afternoon, when there is no heat.
Jewelery Museum of Ilias Lalaounis
The beautiful old building houses not just the Museum of Jewelry, but the world center of jewelry art. The uniqueness of the collections in it, the beauty and vast geography of products, and the extraordinary popularity all over the world make it possible to call it that. Here, in the international center of jewelry education, students from different countries come to study fine art. The basis of the permanent exhibitions are the masterpieces of Lalaunis himself, a renowned master who has been making jewelry since the 40s of the 20th century.
Each of them is not just a luxurious decoration, but a piece of high art. According to the exhibits of the museum (more than 4 thousand), one can trace the history of the development of the world's jewelry craftsmanship (60 countries) from the Neolithic and Paleolithic eras to the present. Your undoubted interest will be the copies of decorations from the Trojan Treasures of Priam found by Schliemann. A separate exhibition reflects the history of Greek jewelry from the “Bronze Age” to Byzantine times.
Gold products from other European, Asian countries and America are shown at thematic exhibitions. On the 2nd floor of the museum you will see collections of modern jewelers. They embody the motives of natural ecology and reflect modern technological trends. The Ilias Lalaunis Museum is a kind of jewelry art university, the embodiment of incredible beauty in precious metals and stones. A visit to the “Temple of Jewelry” will leave a deep impression. The entrance price is 5 €.
New Acropolis Museum
To visit the museum, you need to prepare 5 €, as it is not included in the price of a single ticket. Believe me, you won't regret it. The New Acropolis Museum is ranked among the best, unique exhibition halls in the world by the Sunday Times. The construction of the complex was conceived right above the archaeological excavations, and now you can see the results of the work of archaeologists through the glass cover instead of the floor on the first floor of the building. The museum is located on the south side of the Acropolis, just 250 meters from the Parthenon. The glass stained-glass windows of the gallery and a special viewing platform on the roof of the museum allow visitors to once again admire the panorama of the “antique” top of the city.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
17 dilapidated Corinthian columns and a rectangular platform appearing before you are all that remains of the greatest ancient building of the Temple of Zeus. The sanctuary of the main Olympian god was built for 7 centuries (from the 6th century BC to the 2nd century AD), but in its finished form it did not stand for long. In the 300s A.D. e. it was thoroughly destroyed by the barbarians, and building materials began to be used for other objects. According to the plan of the sons of the Athenian tyrant ruler Peisistratus, the grandeur and grandeur of the building was to overshadow the temple of Artemis in Ephesus.
The change of the regime, the death of emperors slowed down the construction, and in 132 the temple was solemnly opened, which became the most significant religious building of that era. The imagination of eyewitnesses was shocked by a huge golden statue of Zeus, trimmed with ivory and placed in the center. No less impressive were the outdoor sculptures of emperors and Greek gods. During the excavations, 14 adjacent columns were discovered, 2 separate from them and 1 fallen column. But even from these remains one can judge the former greatness of the Temple of Zeus. It is no coincidence that the flow of tourists here does not dry out.
Arch of Hadrian
It is impossible not to notice the monumental arch 20 meters from the Temple of Zeus. Outwardly, it resembles the Arc de Triomphe of Rome and is called the Arch of Hadrian. This structure, unique in its strength and durability, was erected as a gate connecting the center of Athens with the new district of the city. Up to the 20th c. built of blocks of Pentelian marble, the structure was not subjected to reconstruction, but perfectly preserved the main structures. The dimensions of the Arch are surprising: height – 18 m, length – 13.5 m, width – 2.5 m. Scientists-architects recreated the original appearance of the building and found out which parts were lost. Today, 4 pilasters with capitals, 2 Corinthian columns and a triangular ceiling pediment have been preserved on the top floor.
On the lower tier, well-preserved walls show the high quality of ancient construction. By the ornament of the capitals of the arched arch, one can judge the skill of the sculptors working on the design. It is not difficult to guess how magnificent were the sculptures decorating the windows of the upper tier and other architectural elements of the Arch of Hadrian. The inscriptions on the ceiling on both sides read: “This is the city of Hadrian, not Theseus.” Although there is another, more neutral version of the decoding of the saying. Inspection of the arch b / n.
National Garden and Zappeion
After viewing the architectural artifacts, you can have a great rest in the shady alleys of the National Garden, located behind the Parliament building. This is a former royal park, laid out under Queen Amalia on 15.5 hectares. You will see here a lot of artificial mini-ponds with colorful fish and turtles, animal enclosures, peacocks walking around the territory. Exotic trees and shrubs, palm trees, an abundance of flowers, the chirping of birds make a walk through this oasis intoxicating. The surviving elements of ancient buildings, marble busts of prominent Greek personalities, the Sundial, the remains of the Hadrian Viaduct give the impression of a green open-air museum.
The main architectural object of the National Garden is the Zappeion Palace (1874-1888), which delights with its classical appearance. The majestic building is named after the famous Greek philanthropist Zappas, who revived Olympic sports traditions. It was here that the Olympic village of the first modern Olympics (April 6, 1896) was located. Now international exhibitions, political forums, congresses and conferences are held here.
Syntagma Square
If you tell someone that you visited Athens, but did not visit Syntagma Square, they will not believe you. Here, on the central square, the parliament building is located. Initially, it was conceived as a royal palace, and for some time King Otto of Bavaria lived in it. But after a coup in 1843 and the signing of a new constitution, he was driven out by the revolutionaries. In honor of this event, the place was given the name Syntagma (Constitution Square). The building was first a symbol of the monarchy, and then – a symbol of democracy.
The most curious spectacle that can be observed every hour is the changing of the guard of honor. Soldiers of the Evzon National Guard (Greek “Evzon” – “well-belted”) guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of Parliament. They are very unusual and figuratively minting every step, and the clatter from the boots lined with steel nails is heard by everyone watching the ceremony. The uniform of the guard of honor is modeled on the basis of the national Greek costume with integral components: a men's skirt (fustanella), a red beret with a long tassel (phareon) and leather boots with large pom-poms (tsarukhs). The Changing of the Guard of the National Guard is one of the most vibrant attractions in Athens.
Plaka area and Anafiotika village
Your impressions of Athens will not be complete if you do not visit the historical core of the city – the ancient district of Plaka. It is located on the northeastern slopes of the Acropolis. Unofficially, Plaka was awarded the romantic name “District of the Gods”, referring to the proximity of the ancient sights of the Acropolis. Labyrinths of narrow streets with rows of picturesque houses and authentic buildings captivate everyone with an amazing atmosphere of antiquity. Walking along the largest street Adrian will enjoy. There is something for tourists to see here. Of undoubted interest are the surviving Byzantine churches (13-14 c): the Transfiguration of the Lord, St. Catherine.
It is worth going to one of the local museums, for example, the Museum of Greek Folk Art or Musical Instruments. Having visited one of the many taverns, you can enjoy a delicious lunch in the national spirit. And in the cafeion, drink a cup of excellent coffee to cheer up before a walk around Anafiotika, a small settlement of the district. It was founded in 1841 by carpenters and masons who built modern Athens. For themselves, they built houses randomly scattered along the streets. Now only 45 of them have survived, which have become architectural sights of Anafiotika.
Roman Agora
You can see traces of the mighty Roman Empire by visiting the Roman Agora. The trading platform (market), equipped under Octavian Augustus (11 BC), was discovered by archaeologists during excavations in the 20th century. It was not only a lively place of trade, but also the center of the political life of the city. Surrounded on all sides by columns in the Ionic style, the area in the form of a rectangle contained shops, warehouses, and shopping arcades. On the western side was the central entrance, called the Gate of Athena Archegetis. The entrance on the east side was called the Eastern Propylaea.
Next to them was Agoranomeyon – an administrative building and Vespasyon (common toilet). Here you can see the surviving fragments of the colonnade, the Gates of Athena, the remains of the Eastern Propylaea. In the southern part of the Agora, you will see the ruins of the Roman Fountain. A symbol of architectural strength and perfection, the Clock Tower of A. Kirsky (or the Tower of the Winds) has been perfectly preserved. The northern side of the agora is topped by the Fenhiye Mosque, built in the 17th century. on the site of a destroyed Christian church.
Areopagus
If you cross the road from the Agora, you will get to the Hill of Ares or the Areopagus – the legendary site of ancient Hellas. Although now almost nothing here reminds of the era of antiquity, but even just walking along the marble hill where Socrates was executed is definitely worth it. The council of elders (archons) – the Areopagus, the highest court of Athens, sat here. According to legend, it was on this hill that the god of war, Ares, was judged, justified by the council of the Gods. Aristotle referred to the Areopagus as “a sacred place under the open sky.” Over the centuries, the Areopagus, as a judicial body that has undergone many reforms, remained the main legal force of Athens.
Today, the legendary hill is surrounded by a high lattice fence with several gates. Steps carved in stone lead up from its foot. At the top you will find a clearly visible small platform surrounded by the remains of stone benches. The contours of the perimeter of the house with a well recess in the corner and a drain are visibly visible. The northern slope of the hill, where the cemetery of the Mycenaean period was located, is overgrown with trees. From the top of the Areopagus, a picturesque panorama of Athens opens up, which is impossible not to admire.
Athenian Agora
You can supplement your impressions of the ancient city by visiting another agora – Athenian, located on a nearby gentle hillside. Now it is an open-air museum, spread over 5 hectares. The huge market square was not only a place of trade, but also the center of the socio-political and economic life of Athens. This is evidenced by the ruins of numerous objects discovered during excavations of the 19th-20th century. Here were the main administrative and public buildings of the city. In importance, the Athenian Agora was the second Acropolis.
Your imagination will be struck by architectural structures, partially preserved or lying in ruins. The mere spectacle of the famous Temple of Hephaestus, built in the Doric style, is worth a lot. No less impressive are the 2-storey portico of the Stoa of Attala and the first Athenian church of the Holy Apostles of Solaki. From many other temples, only ruins remained (the Temple of Apollo the Father, Zeus, Athena, the Mother of the Gods, etc.). But from them one can judge the grandeur of the main Athenian square.
The Archaeological Museum, opened on the territory, has a large collection of priceless artifacts illustrating the life, culture and way of life of the ancient Greeks. Excavations are still ongoing, bringing new discoveries and new exhibits. Inspection of an outstanding monument of ancient Greek culture will allow you to feel the spirit of that time.
Temple of Hephaestus
It would be unforgivable to ignore the attention of the Agora – the market square of ancient times with the Temple of Hephaestus, located in the historical center of the city on the western side of the Ancient Agora. The archaeological park is open to the public. The Temple of Hephaestus is the best preserved ancient building in Athens. Hephaestion was erected in 230 BC, and it was dedicated to Hephaestus, the patron of artisans and blacksmiths, and Athena Ergani, the goddess of pottery.
Your eyes will see a beautiful building with marble columns, friezes of the main entrance, and even a well-preserved roof. Hephaestion received parishioners at all times. The safety of this building is explained precisely by the fact that with the advent of Christianity in Greece, the temple was turned into the church of St. George, and the monks and clergy saved it from plunder for many years and took care of its condition. After Greece received the status of a free state, the temple building was used as a museum, and later itself became an open-air exhibit. The narrow streets of the historical center of Plaka are hidden among the houses. And only Hephaestion rises above them.
Monastiraki Square
One of the most atmospheric places in Athens is Monastiraki Square, filled with people every day. Centuries ago, there were Athenian monasteries here – the “Great Monastery”, most of which was destroyed during the excavations of the 19th century. The square (later the entire district) was named after the remaining church of Monastiraki of the 17th century. (small monastery) Outwardly modest building will impress you with luxurious interior decoration, magnificent frescoes. Another religious building – the Tsistarakis Mosque (18th century) delights with the beauty and originality of architecture. It was built under the Ottoman governor Tsistarakis in 1759.
The history of its creation is reflected in the legend of an ancient curse: for the use of a stone from the Column of Zeus in its construction, a plague epidemic began in the city. The governor was removed from power and poisoned. The minaret, as a symbol of the Ottoman invaders, was demolished in the 19th century, and the beautiful building was turned into the Museum of Ceramics (a branch of the Folk Art Museum). If you find yourself in the square on a day when the Flea Market is operating in the neighborhood, walk along its rows and taste a special flavor. Here, exactly everything that happens can be characterized by the catchphrase “In Greece, everything is there!”.
Lekavitos
Mount Lekavithos will be the final chord of a rich one-day trip to Athens. You can climb the 277-meter-high hill either on foot, or by taxi, or in the most impressive way – by funicular. From the height of Lekavithos, a fantastic panorama of the entire city opens up. Since ancient times, noble citizens settled in this place, and until now, life on the lands of Lekavithos is considered expensive and privileged. In recent years, climbing the mountain has become an integral part of wedding ceremonies with a mandatory visit for the newlyweds to the chapel of St. George, located on the top of the hill. It is here, at the end of the day, that you can take memorable panoramic shots and leave in your memory the feeling of flying over the city.
In Europe, it is difficult to find a city that even remotely resembles Athens. It is a city where tradition and history live side by side with modernity. There are places to go and things to see here. The Greeks themselves will always be sincerely glad of your desire to touch the eternal.