Things to Do in Athens

Plaka is the most beloved and oldest part of Athens where you will only see people walking and no automobiles. This delightful neighbourhood has an authentic village feel and is lined up with cobblestone streets.

The Olympic Stadium of Athens is a renowned Greek destination. It is the largest sports arena in the country and has seen an exceptional transformation over the years. This stadium was the first destination of the Olympic Games (1896) and was built entirely out of white marble. Its capacity to host up to 80,000 spectators has turned it into a visionary for every Olympics lover.

Situated north of the Acropolis, the Hadrian’s Library is one of oldest libraries in the world. Founded in the 2nd century BC, by a Roman emperor, this library is home to a beautiful garden, several rare paintings and statues, a modern library, and few lecture halls. With several restorations and reconstructions, the Hadrian library stands as it is now.

Popularly known as the Port town of Athens, the Piraeus Harbour is one of the best places to visit in Athens with friends and family. Filled with beautiful restaurants, there are several attractions to visit here. You can explore the Nautical Museum, the Piraeus Archaeological Museum along with the seaside taverns. This is an amazing place to indulge in dining out, with several best-in-class restaurants including the famous Margaro restaurant. 

Commonly known as the Hadrian’s Gate, the Hadrian’s Arch is a marble structure, representing the Roman Triumphal Arch. Built to honour the Roman Emperor, this is a prominent historical site in Athens. View the two famous inscriptions on the front and back side of this arch, which depicts the partition between the old and new cities of Athens. 

One of the most talked about attractions in Athens, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is an open-air theatre, situated at the slopes of the Acropolis towards southwest. Home to some of the world’s best musical performances since the past 60 years, you can get to indulge in watching the ballets and arias live. Look out for the annual Athens & Epidaurus festival, which is very grandly held here. 

Among the most beautiful and pristine places to visit in Athens, the Temple of Hephaestus tops the list. Dedicated to the Greek God of Volcanoes, fire, and blacksmiths, this temple is kept entirely preserved. Some of the main attractions to visit at the temple are the Ancient Agora of Athens, and the Stoa of Attalos. 

Situated right beside the Greek parliament and behind the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the National Garden is a lush green space. With several inviting trails, you can indulge in strolling around this beautiful space. Moreover, one of the highlights here includes the Zappeion Hall, which hosts several events and performances, and is an open-air hall.

Founded in 1930, the Benaki museum is one the most visited museums in Athens, and has an impressive collection of the ancient Greece relics and its colonies. The Benaki Museum depicts the story of the evolution of Greek culture, from the olden times till the present date. Home to over 45,000 objects and artefacts, the collection here is ever-growing.

With its pristine architecture and colourful houses down the hill, Anafiotika is among the most beloved Athens attractions. Situated on a hill, you can view the famous Cycladic architecture in the Anafiotika neighbourhood. This quaint village is also filled with numerous Byzantine churches, which are worth a visit. You can indulge in some beautiful panoramic views from atop the Anafiotika.

Among the oldest temples in Athena, the Temple of Athena Nike is known to be the first of the ionic structures to have been built in Acropolis. Built on a 6 metre stone, extending up to the southwest Acropolis, this temple also offers splendid views. Dedicated to the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, the name Nike literally translates to ‘a form of Athena’. 

Named after the prince of Commagene, the Philopappos Hill is widely known as the ‘Hill of Muses’. This is one of the most visited Athens attractions, and reaches up to147 metres in height, and is fun to scale. Offering magnificent views of the cityscape, the Philopappos Hill is a serene hill, and is also famous for hiking along with some of the most picturesque views of the surrounding areas.

Located in the Kolonaki quarter, founded by the Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris Foundation, the Museum of Cycladic Art is one of the best art centres in Athens. The permanent collection at this museum is home to over 3000 objects and artefacts; representing ancient Greek art. The artefacts housed here date back to as old as the sixth century BC period. 

Honouring the bravehearts, fighters and soldiers of the nation, the Athens War Museum is dedicated to the history of Athens' independence struggle. Filled with several artefacts belonging to the military, you can indulge in learning more about the same. Immerse yourself in the research and study conducted at the museum, and attend the many temporary exhibitions held here. One of the attractions at this museum is the photograph collection, which is a must see.

Offering the best insights into ancient Greek history from the Byzantine period, this museum is home to the rarest Byzantine art collection. Housing over 25000 artefacts, the objects here also belong to the early Christian, mediaeval, and post-Byzantine eras. You can explore the many sculptures, paintings, textiles, icons, and several other craftworks here.

Known as the world’s oldest theatre, the Theatre of Dionysus was founded in the fifth century BC. Discovered in the 18th century, this theatre hosts the annual spring drama festival, wherein you get to view ancient playwrights performances. One of the main attractions here are the stone reliefs, set on stage, portraying the life history of Dionysus. 

Perched at a height of 277 metres above sea level, Mount Lycabettus is known as the highest point in Athens. A circular winding path takes you up this pristine hill, and you can indulge viewing the entire city of Athens from atop. A funicular also operates around this hill, and is a fun experience if visiting with kids. You can also indulge in the cable car experience.

An ancient monument in Athens, the Old Temple of Athena got its name due to repeated construction and restoration of the monument. The new part of the temple is adorned with marble pediments. Get to witness the ruins of the altar, and the original peripheral structure. The temple is home to several artefacts dating back to the period as old as the sixth century BC. 

An ancient marketplace, the Ancient Agora of Athens is a top visited tourist attraction. This is the place wherein several conferences, events and assemblies took place. One of the main attractions to visit here includes the Temple of Hephaestus, which is a famous ancient temple. Get to explore around some of the most remarkable buildings and structures, which are present around the Agora. 

One of the most prominent museums around the world, the National Archaeological Museum is the largest archaeological museum in Greece. Offering more than 11,000 exhibits, with over five permanent collections and about 8000 square metres of exhibition space, this museum is a must visit. Some notable highlights of this museum are the Prehistoric Collection, the Sculpture Collection, the Vase and Decorative Objects Collection, and many more.