The most famous monuments of Ancient Athens

Once upon a time, Ancient Athens was a powerful city-state in the region of Attica, in Greece. In fact, the 5th century BC,  under the rule of the Athenian statesman Pericles, became known as the “Golden Age of Athens“.

Today, Athens is a dynamic and vibrant capital of Greece. Its fascinating history, museums, delicious food and energy attract millions of tourists every year. And the more you uncover about this extraordinary city, the more you want to explore.

So, let’s embark on a journey through time and unravel the fascinating history of ancient Athens.

A Glimpse into Athens’ History

Athens has a rich and captivating history, and I will mention just a few facts.

🏛️The area of Athens and the Acropolis have been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Around 1600-1100 BC, the small settlement became an important centre of the Mycenaean civilisation with impressive Cyclopean walls.

🏛️ During the Archaic period (7th- 6th centuries BC), Athens became a powerful city-state. It flourished in the 5th century BC, known as “the Golden Age of Athens” (from 480 to 404 BC).

Under Pericles’s rule, Athens became the centre of democracy, art, and philosophy. Also, the most important buildings were built at that time, such as the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.

🏛️In the following centuries, Athens was under the rule of various empires, such as Alexander the Great of Macedonia, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Venetians and the Ottomans. Each of them left its mark, reshaping Athens and the Acropolis.

Despite various attacks and wars, Athens remained the founder and centre of Western civilization.

What to know before visiting the sites of Ancient Athens

• The most famous and crowded site of Ancient Athens is the Acropolis. Bear in mind that you can visit the Acropolis only on a booked day and time slot.
  Other archaeological sites are less crowded. They have flexible times for visits, just check their opening times.
• Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk, because it is the best way to explore the sites and the city. High heels are not allowed on archaeological sites.
• Luggage, smoking, pets, food and drinks are not allowed on the ancient sites. You can only bring a bottle of water with you.
  
• Bring a hat or cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen, especially on hot days.

Tickets for the archaeological sites of Ancient Athens

For every archaeological site, you can buy a standard ticket. The price of tickets and opening times may vary, depending on the site. You can purchase them directly on the sites or online via the Hellenic Heritage e-ticketing service or booking platforms such as Get Your Guide, Viator or Tripadvisor.

At the end of December 2024, we visited the Acropolis of Athens on an organized excursion with a travel agency.

However, during a visit to Athens in August 2015, my sister and I visited several archaeological sites with a combined ticket. I highly recommend this type of ticket, especially if you travel solo and want to see the most important sites of Ancient Athens.

There are various types of combined tickets (Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, 7 sites, private tours, etc). So, check the offers and find out which one is the best for you.

For example, the combined ticket costs 37 EUR (price in 2025), and it is valid for five consecutive days. The ticket is an excellent value for money because you save up to 50% of the price, and it includes access to seven sites:
◊ Acropolis of Athens
♦ The Ancient Agora
◊ The Roman Agora
♦ Hadrian’s Library
◊ The Temple of Olympian Zeus
♦ Kerameikos Ancient Cemetery
◊ Aristotle’s School (Lyceum).

Guide for top locations of Ancient Athens 

The Acropolis of Athens

Well, the Acropolis of Athens is the most famous and photographed site in Athens and Greece.
In a word, the Acropolis of Athens is a must-see place, no matter how many days you spend in Athens.

Located on the rock in the centre of the city, the Acropolis amazes us with majestic ruins, silent witnesses of its turbulent history.

Parthenon, the Acropolis of Athens

There are several remains of the temples and buildings which can be seen today.

♦ Propylaea, the grand entrance of the Acropolis.
◊ The Temple of Athena Nike is dedicated to Athena, the goddess of victory. 
♦ Magnificent Parthenon is the temple dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens.
◊ The Erechtheion temple with its beautiful caryatids.
♦ The ancient Theatre of Dionysus.
◊ The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, built in Roman times.

Ancient sites on the Acropolis of Athens: Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Theatre of Dionysus, the Erechtheion, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

In the previous text on the website, I wrote in detail about these stunning temples and buildings.
👉 You can read more about the Acropolis of Athens here:

Areopagus Hill

Close to Acropolis Hill, you can climb on the smaller Areopagus Hill. It got its name after Ares (Mars), the god of war. 
The entrance to this site is free of charge and from this place, there is a beautiful view of the Acropolis and the city. It is a popular place both for locals and tourists, especially during sunset.

Areopagus Hill had an important role in the past. It was believed that the oldest supreme court of Ancient Athens was founded there. According to the findings of altar ruins dedicated to the goddess Athena and the Erinyes, it was also a religious centre and a place of worship.

Areopagus Hill

The Ancient Agora

By the way, Agora is the name for an open place used for markets and assemblies.

The Ancient Agora is located to the northwest of the Acropolis, and between the districts of Monastiraki and Thissio.

Once, in the 6th and 5th centuries BC, it was the heart of political, commercial and social life in ancient Athens.
Agora was destroyed in 480 BC by the Persians and later in 86 BC by the Roman general Sylla. But, it flourished again during the reigns of Octavian Augustus (27 BC-AD 14) and Hadrian (AD 117 – AD 138). Unfortunately, the Heruli tribe destroyed the buildings in AD 267.

The first excavations of the Agora started in the middle of the 19th century by the Greek Archaeological Society and the German Archaeological Institute. The research continues today because its remains are still buried under the Monastiraki area.

View of the Ancient Agora with the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos on the right side

The ruins of the various buildings can be seen today in this interesting archaeological site. For example, there were the Stoa of Attalos and several smaller stoas, the Temple of Hephaestus, altars, Tholos, small temples, a bouleuterion (council house), The Odeon of Agrippa, an aqueduct, a fountain house, and walls.

Remains of various buildings in the Ancient Agora

Stoa of Attalos and the Museum of Ancient Agora

One of the most important buildings was the Stoa of Attalos, located on the east side of the Agora.
It was built in 159-138 BC by the King of Pergamon, Attalos II.

The restored Stoa of Attalos at the Ancient Agora

This two-storey stoa (the covered walkway) with shops was 120 m long, and it had 45 Doric columns on the western side. It was destroyed by the Heruli tribe, like other buildings in the Agora. However, the stoa was completely restored in the 1950s to house the Museum of Ancient Agora.

Well, it was an interesting feeling walking around the stoa, just like the Greeks did in ancient times…

The facade and portico of the Stoa of Attalos in the Ancient Agora, August 2015

The various artefacts of everyday and political life were found at the Agora site. The museum houses statues, inscriptions, bronze and glass objects, Athenian coins, and pottery for daily and funeral purposes.

Exhibits in the Agora Museum

The Temple of Hephaestus 

The Temple of Hephaestus is one of the best-preserved temples in Greece. It is located on the northwest side of the Agora of Athens, surrounded by a greenery. The temple is dedicated to Hephaestus, the Olympian god of artisans, blacksmiths, metalworking, fire and volcanoes.

Athens, the Temple of Hephaestus, August 2015

It was built around 450 BC. This impressive temple has 6 Doric columns on the east and 13 on the longer sides.

Interestingly, the temple was converted into an Orthodox church dedicated to Saint George in the 7th century. Also, in the early 19th century, it was a burial place for Protestants and people who died in the Greek War of Independence.
Today, it is one of the most important ancient monuments in Greece.

The columns of the Temple of Hephaestus, August 2015

By the way, Hephaestus was the son of Hera and Zeus, born on the beautiful island of Lemnos.
👉 You can read more about the god Hephaestus and the island here: Secrets of Lemnos Island

Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles

The small Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles is located on the western side of the Agora. It was built around the late 10th century, on the former site of a 2nd-century sanctuary of the Nymphes (nymphaion) and a demolished Byzantine residence.

Well, it looked a little bit strange to me seeing the Byzantine church in the Agora. However, this church and the temple of Zeus are the only surviving structures in this ancient area.

Ancient Agora, the Church of the Holy Apostles

Arch of Hadrian

The stunning Arch of Hadrian is situated between the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus, close to Syntagma Square.

This triumphal arch was built in AD 131 to celebrate the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. It is 18 m high and 12.5 m wide. Despite many centuries and pollution, this marble arch still looks very impressive.

Arch of Hadrian

The Temple of Olympian Zeus

When you pass through the Arch of Hadrian, follow the path to the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
The temple’s construction started in the 6th century BC, but it lasted for centuries because of various ruler changes. Finally, after 700 years, it was finished under Emperor Hadrian in 125 BC.

The Temple of Olympian god Zeus, August 2015

The temple has a rectangular shape. It is about 100 m long and 50 m wide. Once, the temple had 104 columns of 17 m in height and 2 m in diameter. The Heruli also destroyed this temple in AD 267.

Later, in AD 425, the Byzantine emperor Theodosius II prohibited the cult of ancient Greek and Roman gods. Also, he allowed the inhabitants to use the temple remains for buildings. In 1852, the centre of the temple and the huge statue of  Zeus, made of ivory and gold, were destroyed in the storm. Unfortunately, only 15 columns survive today, and one column is lying in pieces on the ground.

The Roman Agora 

The ruins of the Roman Agora are located between the Ancient Agora, Monastiraki metro station, and the Plaka district.

It was constructed in the 1st century BC. The main entrance was the stunning marble Gate of Athena Archegetis (Athena the Leader), with four Doric columns that can be seen today. This gate was built in 11 BC by donations from the famous Roman emperor Julius Caesar and later from Augustus.

The Gate of Athena Archegetis, Roman Agora

The Roman Agora was a large, open marketplace with shops, an office market and a fountain surrounded by colonnades. The second entrance was on the east, i.e., the Ionic gate, next to the Tower of the Wind and public toilets.

Eastern entrance of the Roman Agora, August 2015

During the Venetian and Ottoman reigns, the Roman Agora was destroyed. Today, we can only see several columns and the remains of former workshops, houses, and temples.

Roman Agora and the Acropolis in the background

Tower of the Winds

The marble Tower of the Winds has an interesting octagonal structure in the northern part of the Roman Agora. It was built of marble around 50 BC by the Greek astronomer Andronicus of Cyrrhus.

The tower is 12 m high, with a diameter of 8 m. It got its name after the frieze of reliefs with 8 wind gods, according to their directions. There are: Boreas (N), Kaikias (NE), Eurus (E), Apeliotes (SE), Notus (S), Lips (SW), Zephyrus (W) and Skiron (NW).

By the way, the tower served as a weather vane, water clock, and sundial. Also, it was a Christian chapel and later the Ottomans’ place of spiritual and social gatherings.

Interestingly, this tower was an inspiration to other structures in the world. Some of them are the Radcliffe Observatory in Oxford, UK (18th century), the Italian Torre del Marzocco in Livorno (15th century), and the Temple of the Winds in Mount Stewart (Northern Ireland).

The Tower of the Wind in the Roman Agora

Close to the tower, there is the Fethiye Mosque or “Mosque of the Conquest”, built in the 17th century on the remains of the Christian basilica. Also, it was the Catholic Church during the Venetian rule, then the mosque again, as well as a school, barracks, prison, bakery, and storage for excavation objects… After the restoration, it was open to the public in 2017, and it serves for cultural exhibitions today.

The Hadrian’s Library

During the reign of Hadrian, the famous Hadrian’s Library was erected in AD 132 near the Roman Agora. In fact, it is incorporated into the Roman city walls.

West wall of the Hadrian’s Library with marble columns

The only entrance was part of the Stoa of Hadrian, with seven Penteli marble columns and four Corinthian columns. Interestingly, we saw a few dogs lying between these columns in August 2015 and also on the 1st of January 2025.

Entrance to the Hadrian’s Library

The library had a rectangular shape. A garden with a peristyle of 100 columns was inside the interior courtyard, which was 122 m long and 82 m wide. The library, with rooms where papyrus books were stored, served as lecture halls and reading rooms.

The columns and ruins of the Hadrian Library, August 2015

Like many other sites, the library was destroyed during the Herulian invasion of AD 267. It was repaired in AD 407-412. During the Byzantine times, three Christian churches were built there, but today, only a few remains of foundations can be seen.

The ruins of Hadrian’s Library, January 2025

The Kerameikos Cemetery

The Kerameikos area is located to the northwest of the Acropolis of Athens, around the ancient city walls and by the banks of the Eridanos River. Once, it was the potters’ quarter of the city, from which the English word “ceramic” is derived.

Also, there was an important cemetery where the soldiers killed in battles were buried, along with the most important Athenians.

The Kerameikos area and Cemetery

Various funerary sculptures can be seen even today in the cemetery. Some of them are transferred into the small but interesting Kerameikos Museum.

Kerameikos Museum

Take a look at some of the most interesting statues, such as a kouros, a sphinx, a bull, and the funerary naiskos of two women, Demetria and Pamphile.

Various statues in the Kerameikos Museum

 Aristotle’s School (Lyceum)

If you have enough time, you can walk to Aristotle’s School (Lyceum). It is located close to the Byzantine and Christian Museum and Syntagma Square.

It was the place where the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle founded his Peripatetic School in 335 BC. He taught philosophy and rhetoric for 12 years to his students while he was walking and talking in the large garden.

The school was founded on the site of an ancient Greek sanctuary dedicated to the god Apollo Lyceus. Also, there was an ancient gymnasium with a wrestling area where athletes trained for sports competitions. By the way, in Ancient Athens, body training was strongly connected with education.

Explore Ancient Athens

In a word, the Acropolis and various monuments are a stunning reminder of the great history of ancient Athens. 

Today, we can only imagine how the Parthenon, temples, numerous statues and walls looked gorgeous in the eyes of inhabitants, traders and visitors. Even today, walking around them takes us back to the glorious times when art, music, and theatre flourished and to the place where democracy was born. 

Tip: If you want to know more about the daily life of the Athenians, read the book “24 Hours in Ancient Athens” by Philip Metizak. In an interesting way, the lives of the inhabitants of Athens are shown within 24 hours, from slaves, a fish seller in the Agora, a housewife, soldiers, fig smugglers to a vase painter, soldiers, politicians, doctors and a fortune-teller.

So, the next time you come to Athens, make a plan and enjoy walking around the remains of ancient Athens.

Source:

• VisitGreece.com website
• Greeka.com website
• AncientGreece.com website
• AncientAthens3d.com website