What to do in Athens

Geplaatst op 20-09-2022

Are you going on a holiday or city trip to visit Athens soon? Athens (in French Athènes) is the bustling capital of Greece and also the cultural and political heart of the country. It is a city with a rich history, this is how the first democracy arose. From this interesting history you will find beautiful remains, such as the Parthenon on the Acropolis mountain, the ancient Agora, the Roman Agora or remnants of Hadrian's Library. What are the Athene highlights and attractions of Athens that you should not miss?

Acropolis and Parthenon

The Acropolis is the 156 meter high mountain in the center of Athens Greece. The Acropolis mountain is an important sight from all corners of the city, but the mountain was also symbolically important for the city of Athens. For example, on the mountain you will find the Ancient Athena Temple, in honor of the patron goddess Athena. The most notable temple, however, is the Parthenon, also known as the new temple to the goddess Athena. This Parthenon is a so-called Doric temple and consisted of white marble which has been reasonably preserved, in contrast to the wooden roof of the Acropolis temple. At the end of your visit, it is worth visiting the Acropolis Museum, which houses the best archaeological finds of the Acropolis. We recommend that you buy a combined ticket for both the Acropole and six other archaeological sites, which will also allow you to visit the Roman Agora, the Ancient Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Museum of Kerameikos and the Library of Hadrian. In this way you will take a nice archaeological walk along ancient Athens.

Neighborhoods Monastiraki and Plaka

When you visit the center of the city of Athènes, there are two neighborhoods that you should definitely visit, Monastiráki and Plaka. The first is the area around the central Monastiráki square where the shopping street Ermou ends. The square is home to a former mosque and the Pantanassa Church. Flea markets also regularly take place around the square. The district also borders the ancient Agora of Athens sightseeing, where you can visit a museum in the Stoa of Attalus. The other district, Plaka, is an old working-class area, which today is the tourist heart of the city. Here you will wander among the many tourists in search of souvenirs and Greek restaurants.

Athens: Changing of the Guard

Another famous square in Athens is Syntagma Square, also known as Platía Syntágmatos. The Greek Parliament building is located at this busy traffic junction and the underground metro station contains several archaeological finds that were discovered during construction. Near the parliament building is also the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded by traditional guards and where the changing of the guard is a true spectacle.