Athens Attractions

Parthenon, Athens © GNTO

Acropolis

Those arriving in Athens for the first time generally head immediately for the Acropolis. There are very few visitors who are not already familiar with the image of this distinctive citadel of ancient Athens, perched on its steep flat-topped rock above the sprawling city. It is the spot where Athens, and classical Greek civilisation, began, and the site of a collection of beautiful temples, most dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, Athena. The ruins that remain visible today date from the 4th century BC, most of them erected by Pericles after the Persians destroyed many of the original Acropolis buildings. Visitors toil up the slopes past the souvenir stands and enter the site through the monumental entrance way, the Propylaia, which in ancient times contained an art gallery. To the right of the entrance is the tiny temple of Athena Nike, reconstructed and restored. The Parthenon, the greatest surviving monument of Doric architecture, is the biggest drawcard on the Acropolis, built of Pentelic marble quarried from the distant mountains, which form the backdrop to the magnificent view of Athens from the Acropolis. Alongside the Parthenon is another temple, the Erechtheion, which bears holes on its northern porch where Poseidon's trident struck it during his contest with Athena to have the city named after him. There is a museum on the Acropolis, too, where some of the carving and friezes recovered from the temples are on show, although many of the archaeological finds from the Acropolis are now housed in the British Museum in London.

Telephone: (01) 321 0219; Opening time: Daily 8am to 7.30pm (15 June to 31 October); 8.30am to 3pm (November to May); Admission: €7 for adults, under 18s are free. €3 for students from countries outside the EU. From November to March, Sundays are free

Ancient Agora

Clustered below the Acropolis (enter from Odos Adrianou, east of Monastiraki Square) is the remains of the Agora, ancient Athens' commercial and civic centre, where once walked and talked the great philosophers Socrates and Plato. In fact the disgraced and despairing Socrates committed suicide in a prison in the southwest corner of the Agora, by drinking poison. The area is littered with the ruins of numerous ancient buildings, including the Dionysos Theatre (the world's oldest theatre where great plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were first performed). One building that has been restored is the 200 BC Stoa of Attalos (a stoa is a long, low roofed promenade which served as a combination law court, municipal office and shopping arcade in classical Greece). The reconstructed building now has a museum on its ground floor containing artefacts covering 5,000 years of Athenian history.

Telephone: (01) 321 0185; Opening time: Daily 8am to 7.30pm; Admission: A package valid for all Archaeological Sites of Athens including the Acropolis site and museum, Theatre of Dionysos, Kerameikos, Olympieion and Roman Agora is €12 (adults), €6 (concessions)

National Archaeological Museum

This is the largest and most popular of Athens' many museums, and is usually very crowded. Its vast collection includes treasures unearthed from Mycenae by Heinrich Schliemann; a staggering array of sculpture including the earliest known Greek figurines dating from around 2,000 BC; frescoes from the volcanic island of Santorini; and so much more that it is recommended visitors make several visits to absorb it all.

Address: Patission 44 Street; Telephone: (01) 821 7724; E-mail: protocol@eam.culture.gr; Opening time: Monday 12.30pm to 5pm; Tuesday to Friday 8am to 5pm; weekends and public holidays 8.30am to 3pm; Admission: €6 (adults); €3 (concessions). From November to March, Sundays are free

Piraeus

Although not really attractive to tourists, the confusing, bustling port of Athens is the departure point for hundreds of island ferries and cruise ships, so most tourists pass through it while visiting Greece. Pireaus has been Athens' port since ancient times. It actually consists of three harbours, with most of the tourist boats using the Zea Limani section. There are several fish restaurants in the harbour precincts, and a sprawling street market. Visitors with time on their hands while waiting for ferries can also explore the Maritime Museum at Akti Themistokleous, alongside the pier used by the island hydrofoils, which features models of ancient and modern ships.

Opening time: The museum opens Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 2pm

Plaka

The old town section of Athens below the Acropolis has become the gathering place for travellers and tourists, particularly in the warm Athens evenings. Strolling the narrow streets of the Plaka flanked by ancient monuments, Byzantine churches and mosques, stately mansions, and inviting tavernas with vine-covered courtyards, makes a pleasant diversion.

Kolonaki

For a magnificent view of the Acropolis, particularly at sunset, it is possible to ride a funicular up the slopes of the Lykavittos hill from Kolonaki Square (in Athens' smart shopping district). The railway rises steeply to the summit 912ft (278m) above the city. There is a café at the top, as well as the chapel of Agios Giorgios (St George) to go with the spectacular view.

Opening time: The funicular runs Friday to Wednesday 8.45am to midnight, and Thursday 10.30am to midnight

Syntagma Square

The square that forms the heart of modern Athens is home to the Parliament building, built in 1840 as a Royal Palace. Tourists flock to photograph the unusually clad guards at the palace; the skirted and pom-pommed guard is changed ceremonially every hour. The square is a central point to access all the major attractions of Athens, particularly 'museum mile' along Vassilissis Sophias Avenue which runs from Syntagma Square. Here most of Athens' museums are clustered, including the Benaki Museum, Museum of Cycladic Art and the Byzantine Museum.