Athens

Athens Classical Highlights

Athens is home to premier Classical and ancient Greek sites, headlined by the UNESCO-listed  Acropolis, featuring the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and Temple of Athena Nike. Other essential locations include the Ancient Agora (market hub), the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Theatre of Dionysus.

• The Acropolis (5th Century BC): The pinnacle of Classical Greece, featuring the Parthenon, the Propylaea entrance, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion with its Caryatids.
• The Acropolis Museum: Located at the foot of the hill, it houses artifacts found on the Acropolis.
• Ancient Agora of Athens: The social and political heart of the ancient city, containing the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus, the Stoa of Attalos, and the Church of the Holy Apostles.
• Theatre of Dionysus: Recognized as the birthplace of Greek drama, situated on the south slope of the Acropolis.
• Temple of Olympian Zeus: Features massive, towering columns, representing one of the largest ancient temples in the city.
• Panathenaic Stadium: Built entirely of marble for the ancient Panathenaic Games and used for the first modern Olympics.
• Kerameikos: The ancient cemetery of Athens, providing insight into burial customs.
• Areopagus Hill: Known as the “Rock of Ares,” this site served as the high court in classical times and offers close-up views of the Acropolis.
• Roman Agora & Hadrian’s Library: While slightly later (Roman period), these are crucial sites adjacent to the Classical Agora, including the Tower of the Winds.
• Odeon of Herodes Atticus: A stone Roman theater on the Acropolis southwest slope, still used for performances today.