Things to See in Athens: Top Attractions & Sights
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There are dozens of things to see in Athens, from archaeological sites to museums to zoos and other attractions! Whether you’re there for the history and culture or to kick back and relax, there’s something for you to see and do on your trip to Athens.
By Anneliese O'Malley
By Anneliese O'MalleyThe 10 Best Things to See in Athens
If you’re struggling to put together an itinerary for your trip to Athens, then worry no more! We’ve collected the 10 best sights in the city that should be on everyone’s bucket list.Acropolis
1
Acropolis
The Acropolis is the name for the hill that looks over Athens, where the Ancient Greeks built their most important and impressive temples. You can’t miss the impressive Parthenon, which is a symbol of the city, but make sure not to miss the unique Erechtheion or the smaller temple of Athena Nike, and take plenty of pictures of the view.Acropolis Museums | Flickr: Phanatic CC BY-SA 2.0
2
Acropolis Museum
Once you’ve visited the archaeological sites on the Acropolis, you should really take a trip to the Acropolis Museum. The museum offers more context about the building of Athens’ most famous temples and also houses several of the original marble statues and friezes that adorned the Parthenon and Erechtheion.National Archaeological Museum
3
National Archaeological Museum
As you might expect, the National Archaeological Museum of Greece is full of incredible artifacts from classical Greece, the Mycenaean and Minoan cultures. What you might not expect is an incredible Egyptian collection and temporary exhibitions on a range of subjects and eras.More Information & Tickets
Antike Agora von Athen | Flickr: Tilemahos Efthimiadis CC BY-SA 2.0
4
Ancient Agora of Athens
The Agora was the heart of commercial and political life in Ancient Athens, making it one of the most important sites for understanding what daily life was like for ancient Athenians. The site is still being excavated by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens but you can visit to see the remaining structures which include temples, altars, and stoa.More Information & Tickets
Museum of Cycladic Art
5
Museum of Cycladic Art
Cycladic art is prehistoric art from the islands of the Aegean, with the most famous examples consisting of marble figurines with blank faces and folded arms. It’s unclear what function these figures had in the culture that created them, and modern historians are divided between considering them religious idols or artwork. The Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art houses an important collection while also hosting temporary exhibits of modern and contemporary art.6
Attica Zoological Park
This zoo in a suburb of Athens is the ideal place to escape with children if they’ve had enough of looking at archaeological ruins. With enclosures for lions, tigers, panthers, chimpanzees, and zebras, there’s lots to see inside the attraction.Benaki Museum
7
Benaki Museum
The Benaki Museum is housed in the former mansion belonging to the Benakis family and showcases Antonis Benakis’ collection of art. The collection ranges from prehistoric artifacts to modern art, plus Asian artworks. It also has a sister museum, the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art, which is also worth a visit.More Information & Tickets
Temple of Olympian Zeus
8
Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Olympieion, as this temple is also known, is in the center of Athens and was briefly the largest temple in Europe and home to the largest cult statue in the world. After its destruction by invaders in 267 AD, materials were stolen from the temple for use elsewhere in the city, but you can still see a large part of the building. You can also get a great photograph of the Acropolis from the base of this temple.More Information & Tickets
Frissiras Museum
9
Frissiras Museum
If ancient art isn’t quite your thing, then consider a trip to the Frissiras Museum, which focuses on contemporary art. The permanent exhibit features 3,000 paintings and sculptures by artists from Greece and the rest of Europe.More Information & Tickets
Panathenaic Stadium | Flickr: Antony Stanley CC BY-SA 2.0
10
Panathenaic Stadium
Visit the only stadium in the world made entirely out of marble - oh, and did we mention that it has hosted sporting events since 330 BCE? The site was first used for horse-racing and the Panathenaic Games before falling out of use for centuries. It then hosted the 1896 and 1906 Olympics, plus the archery contest and the final stretch of the marathon during the 2004 Athens Olympics.More Information & Tickets
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Written byAnneliese O'MalleyAnneliese is a former Londoner, keen traveler, and total word nerd. As a Content Management Specialist she knows the TicketLens inventory inside out and curates, matches, and writes about the most interesting attractions worldwide.
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