Climbing the Acropolis in Athens

Just to clarify, 

the Acropolis is the hill, 

the Parthenon sits on top. 

The view from the rooftop of The Acropolis Select Hotel.

The best time to go is off season,

first thing in the morning or later in the day.

Midday in season is a mob scene. 

From 11am-1pm do something else. 

The Parthenon

If you go in the early morning,

don't stop at any viewpoints. 

Go right to the top 

before the mob arrives.

The Erechtheion 

You'll need about an hour and a half to walk up,

enjoy your quiet time, and get your pictures.

The Erechtheion where the roof supported by six statues of maidens.
Note the legs-one is a leg, one is a column.

By the time I left it was already getting crowded. 

It took 8-9 years to build the Parthenon, 
the restoration is over 40 years ongoing. 

Then take your time heading back down 

and check out the views you passed on your way up. 

Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus

The Temple of Athena Nike
Restorations appear white compared to the original stones.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Ancient and new.
Restored in 1950.

Below the Acropolis across from the touristy restaurants, 

don't miss the Acropolis Museum which was built 

overtop an excavated village.

You can see this part of excavations near the entrance
without visiting the museum. 

The museum is modern in style 

compared to the ancient structures on the Acropolis.

Allow 2 or more hours here depending on your interest. 

Can you spot the restored areas? 
The color gives it away.

From the museum exit, 

there is a path and a gate to access 

more of the village under the museum. 

You need to show your ticket, 

so don't lose it.

Here you can see the supporting columns for the museum 
rising up from the forgotten village.

For information on visiting the museum, 

click here.

Here is information for visiting the Acropolis.

You can visit both in one morning. 

Take water and a snack 

or buy it on the street outside.

I wouldn't waste time with 

slow service in the cafeteria there.

There is tourist information 

and public restrooms

at the corner of Thrassillou Street on the south end.

Address: Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athina 105 58, Greece

Marveling at the Ancient Agora in Athens

The Parthenon sits on top the hill.

The ruins of the Ancient Agora in Athens 

sits in the shadow of its newer neighbor, the Parthenon.

The Agora dates to the Archaic, Greco-Roman and Byzantine times

and was a public space where Athenians 

would go to market, do business, and celebrate religious festivals. 

Stoa of Attalos

Since 1931 this site has been undergoing excavations, 

preservation, and in the case of the Stoa of Attalos--

rebuilt from the ground up based on its ancient appearance. 

(The inside is a small museum.)

A Byzantine era Church of the Holy Apostles

Wandering around the Agora 

you'll see the ruins of many structures, 

but it is easy to imagine busy Athenians

going about their day to day life here. 

An original Corinthian column capital. 

We marveled at the architectural remains 

and the size of the stones hoisted into the air 

without modern day equipment. 

Temple of Hephaestus from the Stoa

The preserved classical Temple of Hephaestus 

is the only ancient building still standing. 

Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0

You are walking where such greats as 

Sophocles, Socrates, Protagoras,

and the apostle Paul walked before you. 

We spent about 2 hours here 

in the morning (beat the heat)

and then explored more of Athens. 

Location: 

24 Adrianou, Athens
Αρχαία Αγορά Αθηνών, Αδριανού 24

10€ In season, 5€ Off season as of 2023
also available on a city pass unified ticket. 

Click for Additional Information

Discovering Ramshackle Homes and Cobbled Passageways of Anafiotika, Athens, Greece

The best little spot to wander around in Athens 

is found perched on the northern side of the Acropolis:

 Anafiotika. 

 

"Little Anafio" is a collection of ramshackle homes 

built in the 1800s by people from the Anafi Islands.

They came as tradesmen to help rebuild Athens.

Their small homes are separated by tiny cobbled passageways. 

At one time this neighborhood was larger 

than the 45 or so remaining structures.

The archeological excavations around the Acropolis 

claimed a number of these homes.

You can find Anafiotika from 

Stratonos Street or Prytaneiou Street.

Take any of the steps or alleys that head uphill

and you'll find this tranquil neighborhood

waiting to be explored. 

After our explorations, we stopped for dinner at Yiasemi (3*)

along the pedestrian steps of Mnisikleous Street 

where the hosts somewhat aggressively hawk for your business.

 Next we checked out the shops 

along Stratonos Street.

How cute are those ceramic doors and windows 

modeled after Anafiotika?

The pottery added an exuberance of color 

and the gelati a scrumptiousness of flavor. 

If you get to Athens, 

be sure to visit Anafiotika - 

but be respectful, 

as you are right up close and personal 

with the people who live there.