What to see and do at the Acropolis, Athens, Greece

 Athens, Greece is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history that dates back more than 3,400 years

Athens is the capital of Greece has a population of over 4 million. Athens was also at the heart of Ancient Greece, a powerful civilization and empire. The city is filled with 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, a 490 ft, 7 acre hilltop topped with ancient buildings that include the Parthenon,  the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.  Athens is known for its rich cultural heritage, ancient monuments, and vibrant modern lifestyle.

We visited Athens on 10/6/2022.  We used the hop on hop off bus to tour the city and took it to the Acropolis. While there, we toured the sites on the Acropolis and hiked to the Philopappos Monument on the hill of the Muses.

In ancient times, Athens was a major center of learning, philosophy, and democracy. It was the birthplace of many influential figures, such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, who left a lasting impact on Western philosophy and thought. Athens was also the site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Today, Athens is a bustling metropolis with a population of over 3 million people. It is home to many famous landmarks, including the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Ancient Agora. The city is also known for its museums, such as the National Archaeological Museum, which houses a vast collection of ancient Greek artifacts.

In addition to its rich history, Athens is also a modern and vibrant city, with a lively arts and culture scene, world-class restaurants, and a bustling nightlife. It is also a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year.

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Looking for things to do?  Viator offers numerous tours in the Athens area. Click here for details.

Acropolis hill with the temple of Nike and the Parthenon.

The Erechtheion is on the north side of the Acropolis. The building was made to house the statue of Athena Polias.   It is thought to have been built between 421 and 406 BC.

The Parthenon was dedicated to the goddess Athena.  It was was built  during the fifth century BC in thanksgiving for the Hellenic victory over Persian invaders during the Greco-Persian Wars. 

The Propylaia  is the classical Greek building that functioned as the monumental ceremonial gateway to the Acropolis of Athens was built between 437 and 432 BC.

The Temple of Nike Athena is dedicated to the goddesses Athena and Nike. It was built around 420 BC and is the earliest fully Ionic temple on the Acropolis. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the south west corner of the Acropolis to the right of the entrance, the Propylaea. 

An observation deck is also located on the Acropolis which contains the greek flag and overlooks the city of Athens below.

The Philopappos Monument is a marble monument to a Roman consul from the Kingdom of Commagene, Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos. It is located on the Hill of the Muses which was named for a fifth-century-BC sanctuary dedicated to the poet and prophet Musaeus. This is one of the best vantage points in the city, with a great view of the Acropolis as well as across the city and out to sea.

Mount Lycabettus is a hill in Athens that is visible from the Acropolis. At 908 feet, its summit is the highest point in Central Athens. The hill is a tourist destination and can be ascended by the Lycabettus Funicular, a funicular railway which climbs the hill from a lower terminus at Kolonaki on Aristippou street. At its two peaks are the 19th century Chapel of St. George, a theatre, and a restaurant.

The Diateichisma Wall was built in 338 BC. It was 2,700 ft long and built across the crests of the three hills: the Muses, of the Nymphs, and the Pnyx.

he Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour was built in the 11th century at the base of the Acropolis.

The Holy Church of Saint Demetrios Loumbardiaris on Philopappos Hill is estimated to date back in the 9th century and is a vaulted, aisled basilica. 

There are several telescopes located on Pnyx Hill near the Acropolis.