Evil eye illustration

History comes alive in Athens

Many of Athens’ most famous ancient sites are located on or near the towering Acropolis. Also called the “Sacred Rock,” the Acropolis is Greece’s trademark and stands proudly over Athens—a symbol of both a great civilization and the city’s ongoing development.

Details of the Caryatid Porch on the Acropolis in Athens.

Here are some of the can’t-miss landmarks from ancient Greece:

  • Parthenon: Former temple of Athena
  • Temple of Athena Nike: Dedicated to “Victorious Athena”
  • Odeon of Herodes Atticus: Stone Roman theater
  • Theater of Dionysus: Considered the world’s oldest theater
  • Acropolis Museum: Houses findings from the Acropolis archaeological site
  • Ancient Agora: The birthplace of democracy and heart of Athenian civic life
  • Temple of Hephaestus: Dedicated to Hephaestus, the Olympian god of fire
  • Temple of Olympian Zeus: Half-ruined temple dedicated to the king of the Olympian gods
  • Panathenaic Stadium: Home of the first modern Olympic Games and built entirely of marble
  • Kerameikos Archeological Park: One-time cemetery of ancient Athens
  • National Archaeological Museum: Over 11,000 exhibits of artifacts from around Greece
A marble portrait of Athena.

In the neighborhood

While you’re searching for temples and ruins, enjoy a stroll through these two historic areas at the base of the Acropolis.

Plaka

This lively neighborhood is filled with walkable ancient streets. Find many restaurants and souvenir shops here.

Monastiraki

Home to the Ancient Agora, Monastiraki features even more antique, arts, crafts, and clothing shops.

The statue of Socrates, poised in thinking.