Athens may seem disorganized at first glance, but it has plenty of attractions that are worth exploring. Ideal for history enthusiasts and families alike, Athens boasts museums and attractions for everyone to enjoy.
Millennia of oppression have given Athenians an irrepressibly humorous side, honing their sense of personal and family honor while strengthening their intellects.
The Acropolis
The Acropolis stands as one of the best-preserved indicators of Athens at its peak during the fifth century BC. Devoted to Athena, its rocky hill hosted several temples and shrines dedicated to her worship.
Notable structures in Athens include the Parthenon, Erechtheion and Propylaea. Of particular note is the Parthenon; an outstanding example of adapting architecture to its natural surroundings and one of the greatest masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture renowned for its complex history and impressive sculptures such as its six Caryatid maiden statues.
Nearby stands the Erechtheion, a sacred Ionic temple constructed to honor Athena and other gods and heroes. It is particularly well known for its southern section containing six Caryatid maiden statues that support an outdoor porch known as “Porch of Maidens.”
Pottery fragments discovered nearby the Acropolis suggest it has been inhabited since at least the Neolithic Period (4000/3500-3000 BC). By 1300 BC, it had become the center of Mycenaean kingdom and fortification was initiated; at this point, a statue honoring Athena Promachos stood there and was demolished by a victorious Spartan army in 27 B.C.
The Ancient Agora
The Ancient Agora is an extraordinary site where you can trace in the footsteps of some of history’s great minds. Serving as Athens’ center of democracy during its golden age in the 5th century BCE, its agora hosted some of history’s finest minds like Pericles, Themistokles and Demosthenes as they debated political ideas while Greek tragedy playwrights such as Aeschylus Sophocles Euripides first staged their works; Pheidias Polygnotus created magnificent sculptures while Greek philosophers Socrates Plato and Aristotle shared their philosophies of course!
The ancient agora included many buildings, such as Tholos for prytaneis (administrative heads of Athens), New Bouleuterion as city council, and Metroon as official city records. You’ll also find remnants of temples dedicated to Apollo Patroos and Zeus Phatria; additionally there were double-story stoas like Attalos which featured both Doric exterior columns and Ionic interior ones; also, 42 shops were rented out from city.
The New Acropolis Museum
Melina Mercouri had no idea that creating an Acropolis Museum would present so many obstacles. Local residents voiced objections regarding property values; disputes broke out over whether the design should be public or private and how it related to neighboring buildings; not to mention technical difficulties that were difficult or impossible to resolve.
It has created an art museum of world-class standards while simultaneously being an extension of its surroundings. The transparent glass facades connect directly with their Acropolis setting while offering panoramic views of both historic and contemporary cityscapes beyond.
One of the Museum’s most remarkable features is its Theater of the Slopes, showcasing five Caryatid maidens which once supported Erechtheion’s southern porch. Each stands 7ft7inches and is made from Parian marble; one remains empty as a reminder that these marbles were taken by British Museum in 1687, providing practical arguments in favor of their return.
The National Gardens
The National Gardens offer an ideal place for people of all ages and walks of life to escape the hectic city life. Originally created by Queen Amalia between 1838 and 1840, its development was expanded upon by German agronomist Frederick Schmidt who planted various exotic species from all around the globe.
Today the park features a duck pond, the Botanical Museum, a small cafe and children’s library and playground – as well as narrow labyrinth pathways, wooden benches and the Neoclassical Zappeion (a large hall displaying Olympic history exhibits).
Are you hoping to explore this beautiful park more deeply? Join one of our guided tours! These will allow you to navigate the best path and gain more insight into its captivating history – for more information click here. Alternatively, the Metro 2 or 3 to Syntagma Square and enter via Leoforos Amalias Street; Queen Amalia named this street after which she entered. It’s open from sunrise until sunset each day!
Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square (also known as Constitution Square) is at the core of modern Athens and a meeting point for both locals and visitors alike. Situated directly in front of Parliament House and Tomb of Unknown Soldier, it features an hourly changing of guard ceremony that draws large crowds of tourists each time the guards known as Evzones don traditional Greek uniforms for this unique ceremony.
As originally called Palace Square, this area was created by Bavarian architect Friedrich von Gaertner for King Otto of Bavaria with funding by Ludwig I of Bavaria – his father being Ludwig I of Bavaria himself. Now an active public square filled with cafes and restaurants.
On the east side of this square you’ll find marble steps leading down to the metro station, creating a popular meeting spot for locals and visitors. On its west side lies Ermou Street – one of Athens’s busiest commercial streets; furthermore George II Hotel and Grande Bretagne Hotel can also be found here as well as food vendors and talented street performers throughout this area.
Piraeus Port
Piraeus Port is one of the world’s key shipping hubs, connecting Europe to Asia, Africa and Northern Australia. The Greek government is pushing to make it even more of an international logistics center; however many dockworkers oppose such plans openly.
Kastella district provides a relaxing break from port area’s business and bustle, its classical streets lined with cafes and ouzo taverns and its church of Profitis Ilias which boasts spectacular views across Saronic Gulf.
Bus service X80 provides direct link between the cruise terminal and Syntagma Square, operating every 30 minutes between 7am to 9pm from 7am until 9pm; day tickets cost 4.50 euros or 20 euro for three day passes that include transport to/from airport as well. Piraeus Metro provides another direct route; be sure to check which gate your ferry departs from before taking this train ride, though online ticket purchases can help avoid long lines at the train station and ensure you catch your ferry!
The National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum (Greek: Ethniko Arkhaiologiko Mouseio) is one of the world’s finest museums, housing an expansive collection of antiquities spanning prehistory through late antiquity. Housed in a stunning 19th-century neoclassical building on Patission Street near Omonia Square, this world-class attraction draws tourists and residents from around the globe.
The Sculpture Collection at the Inner Garden is extensive, comprising multiple galleries. Here you will find beautiful statues such as Athena from 4th Century BC; life-sized Jockey of Artemision from 140 BCE that is sure to remind visitors of Kentucky Derby races with mint juleps; as well as an Agamemnon Terra Cotta Head that is almost as impressive as his real counterpart.
Another piece worth seeing is the Kroisos Kouros, made of Pentelic marble between 540-515 BC in Anavyssos. This sculpture depicts a warrior and horse killed during battle by Ares during battle – showing the incredible strength of Greek artistic craftsmanship during such pivotal times. There’s also an early 4th century BC relief depicting a deceased mother with her two children.
The Greek Parliament
The Greek Parliament (Palia), located at Stadiou Street, once served as a palace for the royal family; today, it serves as home for parliament and various government-related offices as well as an archive.
Modern Parliaments offer numerous guarantees of civil liberties. Their governance structure includes elements of both central and decentralised self-government; power is exercised at national level by government ministers while regions and municipalities receive responsibilities.
Greek legislative system encourages active citizen participation through public debate and scrutiny by various parliamentary committees on important legislation. A reinforced proportional representation electoral system with minimum threshold requirements to qualify for seats helps keep political stability. Voting is open; however, according to Greek Constitution a secret ballot may be used when necessary for privacy protection purposes. Judicial branch is composed of three Supreme Courts comprised of professional judges from National School of Judges (NSJ).