Athens Travel Guide: Acropolis, Plaka and More

The Acropolis is the sacred rock rising above the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Parthenon on its summit was built in the 5th century BC under Pericles and dedicated to the goddess Athena; it was badly damaged during a Venetian bombardment in 1687. The same plateau also holds the Erechtheion. Timed-entry tickets have been mandatory since April 2024. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)

The Acropolis Museum, at the foot of the rock, opened in June 2009 and displays classical sculpture in a modern setting. The National Archaeological Museum holds the world's largest collection of ancient Greek antiquities. Together the two sum up Athens' artistic and archaeological heritage. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)

The Ancient Agora was the commercial and political centre of ancient Athens; its Temple of Hephaestus, from the 5th century BC, is among the best-preserved Greek temples. The reconstructed Stoa of Attalos now serves as a museum. Right beside it, Plaka sits at the foot of the Acropolis and is known for its 19th-century buildings and pedestrianised streets. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)

Also known as Kallimarmaro, the Panathenaic Stadium is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble; it was rebuilt in Pentelic marble by Herodes Atticus around 144 AD and hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in central Athens at 277 metres, is reached by a funicular from Kolonaki and offers panoramic views. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)

Athens' public transport combines metro, tram, bus and suburban rail; the metro has three lines, and a single ticket allows transfers for 90 minutes. The historic centre is dense enough to explore on foot, so it makes sense to group the Acropolis, Agora and Plaka into one day. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)