Even the most weary world travelers can’t reach Ancient Greece’s most iconic attraction without being in awe. Crowned by a dramatic limestone crag, the Acropolis stands high above modern Athens as a symbol of the city’s former glory, recalling the culture that flourished more than two millennia ago. Besides the Parthenon, you’ll find many more things to do among these emblematic ancient ruins. Wandering the many archaeological remains of the Acropolis, tourists follow in the footsteps of Socrates, Pericles and Sophocles and discover the building blocks of Western civilization.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus: a second-century theatre
Before entering the Acropolis entrance area, tourists can visit the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. This ancient theater is named after Herodes Atticus of Marathon (outside Athens), who built it in memory of his wife Regilla in AD 161. The theater was designed with an auditorium in a natural cavity. Semi-circular rows of seats can accommodate almost 5,000 people. The orchestra was originally located in the circular space in the center with the low stage (skene) close by on one side. Between the auditorium and the stage were open passages for the entrance to the choir (parodoi). Live performances are still held in this theater during the summer. The Athens & Epidaurus Festival presents classical Greek operas as well as music and dance performances, giving tourists the magical experience of watching two-thousand-year-old drama in the original theater.
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Beulé Gate: the entrance of Roman times
After passing the entrance area, tourists enter the Acropolis site through the Beulé Gate. This Roman-era passageway is named after the 19th-century French archaeologist who discovered it. The Beulé Gate is located beneath the west side of the Propylaia , the majestic entrance to the Acropolis. With two flanking towers, the gate dates from 280 BC and was originally linked to the Propylaia by a wide marble staircase built during the reign of the emperor Septimius Severus. Part of the lower part of the stairs has been preserved.
Monument van Agrippa, First-Century BC
Past the Beulé Gate , on the way to the Propylaia , tourists come across the Monument of Agrippa. This long, rectangular two-tone marble plinth was built in the second century BC for a benefactor of Athens, perhaps the king of Pergamon, the beautiful ancient city (now part of modern-day Turkey). The monument is named after Marcus Agrippa , Augustus’ son-in-law, because a bronze sculptural representation of his four horse blocks (quadriga) was mounted on the base in 27 BC.
Propylaia: The Magnificent Entrance to the Acropolis
An ordinary entrance gate would not suffice for the glorious ancient city of the Acropolis. This majestic entranceway set the tone for arriving visitors, preparing them for the overwhelming site of the Parthenon and the other monumental temples on the rocky hilltop above. The Propylaia was built by Mnesikles in 437 BC to 432 BC. First, a marble staircase leads to a vestibule with five gateways, increasing in width and height from the sides towards the center. To the west is a deep portico, with a central doorway framed in Ionic columns. Along the front of this portico are six Doric columns, which originally supported the pediment. On the east side is a smaller but still impressive portico also with Doric columns. The multifaceted architectural complex, with intricate details, contributes to an overall sense of grandeur.
The Beautifully Preserved Temple of Athena Nike
The Temple of Athena Nike is the most elegant and well-preserved Acropolis buildings, restored in the 19th and 20th centuries. Standing on an outcrop of rock on the south side of the Propylaia , this ancient shrine was dedicated to the goddess Athena as the bringer of Victory (Nike). The temple was built between 432 BC and 421 BC, after the completion of the Parthenon and the Propylaia. The temple has four delicately carved Ionic columns on the north and south sides. The shape of the column bases and capitals was old-fashioned at the time they were built, leading archaeologists suggesting that the architecture was influenced by Kallikrates’ earlier design. The balustrade that once adorned the temple platform is now on display in the Acropolis Museum , along with relief figures of Athena and several representations of Nike (the Goddess of Victory).
The Parthenon: the most sacred place of the ancient world
Standing majestically at the highest point of the Acropolis hilltop, this breathtaking temple was the most beautiful temple of the ancient world. For the best views of the Parthenon from a distance, head to Philopappou Hill directly opposite the Acropolis. Built from 447 BC to 338 BC during Pericles’ construction boom, the temple is a masterpiece of the architect Iktinos and the great sculptor Phidias. As the ultimate sacred shrine in the city, the temple honored the cult of Athena, the virgin (Athena Parthenos), the goddess of wisdom and warfare and the protector of Athens. Exemplifying a classical style, the temple has 136 fluted Doric columns ( in repeated rows of 8 x 17), creating a sense of harmony and order. Notice how the columns are slightly thicker at the base and the shape gradually narrows towards the top. Each 10.5 meter high column has a diameter of 1.9 meters at the base and 1.5 meters at the top, an ingenious technique that creates the optical illusion of a perfectly balanced building. Otherwise the temple appears top heavy.
Although the interior of the Parthenon is off-limits, tourists can walk around to admire the structure from every angle. The monumental scale of the temple and remarkable details of craftsmanship are awe-inspiring. At the east end the pediments show the birth of Athena from the head of Zeus. At the west end the pediments illustrate the conflict between Athena and Poseidon for the land of Attica. Originally, the temple had a roof covered with marble tiles with drains for rainwater at its four corners. After serving as a temple for about 900 years, the Parthenon suffered significant damage in the fifth century when it was converted into a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin. The Parthenon continued to serve as a church for another 950 years before becoming a Turkish mosque in 1456. Unfortunately, the temple, which had existed for more than 2,100 years, was destroyed by a bomb during the fighting between the Venetians and the Turks in the 17th century. Today, the ruins of this massive structure remain as testimony to its former glory.
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Porch of the Caryatids in the Erechtheion
The Erechtheion complex was built from 421 to 395 BC and contains a number of ancient sanctuaries. The eastern part was occupied by a sanctuary built a century earlier, the Temple of Athena Polias . In the western part was the Tomb of King Erechtheus . One of the best-known features of the Erechtheion is the Porch of the Caryatids , six columns sculpted as figures of virgins instead of regular columns. The Tomb of Kekrops , founder of the Athenian royal line, was located beneath the Porch of the Caryatids. From the north portico a side door leads to the adjacent cult district of the Pandroseion.
Ancient temple of Athena Polias, sixth century BC
Found immediately south of the main Erechtheion sanctuaries, the ancient Temple of Athena was built in the early sixth century BC within the grounds of the Mycenaean royal palace of the 14th century BC. (The only remaining architectural elements of the Mycenaean palace are two column bases.) This temple was the sanctuary of Athena Polias (Athena of the City), the patron saint of the city. The temple held the venerated wooden cult statue of the goddess (Xoanon), in a tradition that probably dated back to Mycenaean times. The ancient Temple of Athena was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC along with all other buildings from the Archaic period. It was not until the 19th century that the foundations of the temple were uncovered by archaeologists.
The legendary olive tree of the Pandroseion
The Pandroseion is located between the Erechtheion and the Ancient Temple of Athena Polias . This small temple is named after Pandrosos, the daughter of the first king of Athens. The temple contained the altar of Zeus Herkeios (protector of the hearth) and a shrine to Pandrosos. Scholars believe that the sacred snakes of the Acropolis were kept here. Also, according to legend, Athena presented the sacred olive tree to the city here after her victory over Poseidon in the contest for the country of Attica. The Greek historian Herodotus from the fifth century B.C. Tells us that on the day after the destruction of the Acropolis by the Persians in 480 BC, a new shoot had sprung from the trunk of the burnt tree. This tree became a symbol of Athens’ survival. As a tribute to this ancient event, an olive tree was planted here in modern times.
Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum is a must-see cultural attraction in Athens, opened in 2009. At the bottom of the Acropolis hill, about 300 meters away from the archaeological site, is this incomparable museum that contains one of Athens’ most valuable collections of ancient Greek art . In front of the museum is an archaeological site where archaeologists can be seen at work. After passing this “archaeological workshop”, tourists arrive at the entrance of the sleek modern building, designed by architects Bernard Tschumi and Michael Photiadis. Illuminated by natural light, the extensive exhibition galleries display approximately 4,000 priceless objects. Most of the items in the collection were discovered at the archaeological sites of the Acropolis. The collection spans the Archaic period, from the seventh century BC to the fifth century BC, and the Classical period, from the fifth century BC to the second century BC. Highlights include the original caryatids from the Erechtheion, the sixth-century BC Moschophoros statue of a young man with a small calf, the fifth-century BC relief of Mourning Athena, and the series of reliefs from the Temple of Athena .
Address: 15 Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, Athens
Official site: https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en
Theater van Dionysus
Near the Acropolis Museum is the fourth-century BC – Theater of Dionysus, which has a separate entrance ticket to the rest of the Acropolis. (The entrance ticket to the Acropolis includes entry to this site, but it is possible to purchase a cheaper ticket to go to the Theater of Dionysus.) The fourth-century BC Theater of Dionysos is the oldest of the three architectural complexes built on the southern slopes of the Acropolis (Areopagitou Street). The great Greek tragedies of Sophocles and Euripides were performed here. Close to the Theater of Dionysos is the Stoa of Eumenes , built by King Eumenes II (197-160 BC) of Pergamon, a Hellenistic period city in modern-day Turkey. King Eumenes was known for founding a city full of impressive buildings, including the Great Altar of Pergamon.
Where to stay near the Acropolis for sightseeing
We recommend these convenient hotels with easy access to the Acropolis:
- AVA Hotel Athens: luxury boutique hotel, fantastic location, elegant decor, shops and restaurants nearby, hot tub.
- MET34 Athens Hotel: 4-star boutique hotel, stylish design, rooms and suites with kitchenette, breakfast included, welcome drink, concierge.
- InnAthens: mid-range prices, centuries-old neoclassical buildings, excellent staff, minimalist room decor, excellent breakfast with traditional products.
- Marble House: budget hotel, great location, family-run, residential area.
Tips and tours: how to get the most out of your visit to the Acropolis
- Acropolis Tours: On the comprehensive 3.5-hour Athens half-tour, discover the city’s highlights with an expert local guide, ending with a walking tour of the Acropolis. You can upgrade this tour to include access to the Acropolis Museum.
- Visiting the Acropolis on your own : Although you can buy a ticket just for the Acropolis, it is also included in a comprehensive ticket that includes the Ancient Agora, the Archaeological Site of Lykeion, Hadrian’s Library, the Roman Agora and several others includes ancient sites. You can’t buy tickets in advance, but you can save time on busy days by buying an extended ticket at one of the less busy sites where there are no queues. This allows you to skip the line at the Acropolis.
- Comfort and Safety: Because the Acropolis is located on a steep hill and the old stones are worn and uneven, wear comfortable low-heeled shoes with rubber soles for sightseeing. Drinks are not easily available, so make sure you drink plenty of water, especially in summer.
- Where to eat: The museum has a cafe and restaurant with stunning views of the ancient hilltop ruins of the Acropolis. If you emerge from the north side, you’ll be close to the charming neighborhoods of Anafiotika and Plaka, which are packed with restaurants and cafes hidden in a delightful maze of winding pedestrian streets.
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