10 Attractions To See In Athens, Greece

Put your comfy shoes on and be prepared to get your steps in!  Sure there is a hop on hop off bus, but nothing beats getting lost in the streets of Athens and wandering upon ruin after ruin.  Most are not free to enter, however, stop in the ticket office at the entrance and you can buy a multi-pass to the majority for 15 Euros.  Here are some of the must see spots in Athens, Greece.1.  The Acropolis is one of the attractions.  However, before I talk about the Acropolis I want to make sure you stop on the walk up the hill to the ruin.  On your right hand side there are stairs that take you to a beautiful view of Athens.  The walk up is a little steep and the rocks are slippery, so watch your step!

2.  The Acropolis: I highly suggest you arrive when it opens and begins to be flooded with thousands of tourists.  There are guides in multiple languages if you prefer to get extra information on the ruins that make up the Acropolis.  Inside you will find: The Pantheon, Erechtheion, Propylaea, Odeon of Herod The Atticus, Theater of Dionysus, and the Acropolis Museum is at the entrance.

3.  Temple of Olympian Zeus:  Construction was estimated to have started in 470 BC and finished in 457 BC.  A temple dedicated to the greek god Zeus, was set on fire by order of Theodosius II in AD 426 and finally came to it’s end due to earthquakes in 551 and 552 AD.

4.  Hadrian’s Arch:  Located across the street from the Temple of Zeus, the Arch was built in 131 AD and and entrance into the center of Athens.

5.  National Garden and Zappieo:  Walk through this park to see some of Athens greenery.  Sit on one of the benches and enjoy the breeze.

6.  Hellenic Parliament for the Changing of the Guards:  Every hour on the dot, Changing of the Guards occurs at the Parliament.  Get there a little early to get the best view.

7.  Hadrian’s Library:  Built by the Roman Emperor, Hadrian, in 132 AD.  This library was severely damaged in 267 AD during the Herulian Invasion.

8.  Ancient Agora of Athens:  Now the long pillared building is lined with old damaged statues, but was once used as a place for residential gatherings and assemblies.

9.  Roman Agora:  Construction was funded by Julius Caesar and Augustus in the 1st century B.C.  The Roman Agora was once considered the main market place of the city.  Located inside the Roman Agora is the Tower of the Winds, which was a clocktower.

10.  Lycabettus Hill:  Now, I wasn’t able to make it here, but I was told a sunrise or sunset from this high hilled point is beautiful.  Instead, I decided to take a trip down to Sounion, Greece and watched the sunset at the Temple of Poseidon.  You can read that blog by clicking here.

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