Travel bucket list idea:
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
Temple of Hephaestus
If you have only a day to spend in Athens, you can cover most of the city’s ‘greatest hits’ by wandering through the Grand Promenade that rings the Acropolis.
Designed to link all the main sights of ancient Athens in a single pedestrian zone, beautifully landscaped walkways are punctuated by exceptional monuments. There are contemporary attractions, too: al fresco cafés, street art, and friendly stray dogs.
Start at Hadrian’s Arch. Wander along Dionysiou Areopagitou, pausing to take in the ancient amphitheatres Herod Atticus and the Theatre of Dionysus, and the modern Acropolis Museum.
Continue on Apostolou Pavlou passing the rock of Pnyx on your left where the Athenian citizens used to gather listening to orators from Themistocles to St Paul.
A longer, signposted diversion at the junction of Dionysio Areopagitou and Apostolou Pavlou leads you to the alleged ‘Socrates’ Prison’, and to the top of Philopappou hill with bird’s eye views of the ancient sites below.
Back on Apostolou Pavlou and in about 500 yards you’ll spot the ‘Thission’ (a misnomer as it was a temple to the god Hephaestus), one of the best-preserved Doric temples anywhere in Greece.
Here you can divert into the Agora, the ancient Greeks’ shopping mall and civic hall as well as its fine museum where you can see ceramic voting slips, reminders of the city’s democratic past.
Backtrack to Thission and finish at the overlooked cemetery of Kerameikos, which has an amazing collection of tombstones and statues.
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
Experience
This site – reached from metro Thission and not Kerameikos – comprises the ancient Athenian cemetery and a well-preserved part of the city walls with two important gates, as well as a small museum. The site evokes the lived ancient city better than any other monument, bar the Acropolis.
Adult price: £10
Good for age: 18+
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
If you have a few hours to spare, follow the marble footpaths through pine-clad forest to the summit of Philopappou Hill.
As well as having panoramic city views and the best view of the Acropolis and Parthenon – without the crowds – it’s a peaceful oasis from the frenetic city streets below.
Before you go, stop by the excellent Takis bakery (Misaraliotou 14), maker of dozens of different Greek breads and pastries. Pick up some of their phenomenal feta and spinach pies for a picnic at the summit while taking it all in.
Good for age: 8+
Duration: 2-3 hours
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
Experience
Hadrian’s Arch was a monumental gate leading from Plaka to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, built circa 132 AD, it’s thought, to honour the Roman Emperor Hadrian for his many benefactions to the city.
Good for age: 18+
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
Experience
Housed in the restored Stoa (covered walkway) of Attalos, this is probably the second most interesting museum after the Archaeological one; the most intriguing displays are the clay voting tablets with carved names, a reminder of Athenian democracy.
Adult price: £9
Good for age: 18+
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
Experience
This Roman-era Odeon was built by a wealthy private citizen Herod Atticus in memory of his wife in 161 AD and originally served as an indoor venue for 5,000 people. It was restored in the 1950s and is used for music and theatre performances throughout the summer.
Adult price: £17
Good for age: 13+
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
Experience
Designed to honour Zeus, the head of the Olympian Gods, with the largest temple in Greece, construction started in 6th century BC. When it was finally finished (ca 131 AD) it comprised no fewer than 104 gigantic columns, although only a dozen or so remain today.
Adult price: £5
Good for age: 13+
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
Experience
The beating commercial heart of the ancient city, in continuous use from the 6th century BC to the 6th century AD, when the Slavic invasions devastated and depopulated Athens.
Adult price: £7
Good for age: 18+
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
Experience
Hidden among the pine trees at the base of Philoppapou Hill are these stone steps where Pericles, Themistocles and Saint Paul addressed the Athenian crowds. The world’s first recorded democratic assembly and the (unofficial) birthplace of democracy.
Good for age: 18+
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
Experience
One of the best-preserved temples in Greece, mainly because it was converted to a Christian church early in its history, it was erected in the 5th century as a temple to the god Hephaestus.
Adult price: £7
Good for age: 13+
Take the metro to the Acropolis Metro station, and head to Hadrian’s Arch from there. The walk ends at Kerameikos – from where it’s an easy stroll to the Thission metro station.
Car-free and relatively flat, the path is ideal for cycling. You can hire a bike with Athens by Bike.
At your first port of call, ask for a multiple entry ticket that gives you access to most of the major archaeological sights. It will save you a fortune.
Avoid the searing midday heat in high summer, as there’s little shade en route. Most archaeological sites close early, especially in winter, so don’t set off too late.
The experience is very weather-dependent. Clear, bright days are best. Don’t bother if it’s raining.
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