The Must-See Athens Landmarks Revealed in a Stroll

Discover the timeless beauty of Athens with Olympus Tourism. Walking through its streets feels like stepping into an open-air museum, with ancient Greek monuments appearing at every turn. Put on your most comfortable shoes and join us as we explore the must-see landmarks of Athens in a leisurely stroll.

View on mapDuration: Full daySeason: All year round

No other city offers its cultural wealth as generously as Athens. As you walk, it's like a narrator from ancient Greece starts whispering in your ear. Pericles, the 5th-century BC Athenian general, regales you with stories of his grand designs in the city’s Golden Age, and Hadrian, the 2nd-century AD emperor, tells you how he made Athens the cultural capital of the Roman Empire.

Every landmark has a unique story to tell, narrated by ancient philosophers, politicians, scientists, athletes, and statesmen. An open-sights tour of historical Athens is like a tasting menu. If something captivates you, come back and explore it in greater depth another time. By the end of your walk, you'll understand that these landmarks are as alive today as they were in antiquity, giving the city a unique ambiance that is a monument in itself.

The Acropolis

No.1 on any list of Athens landmarks, the Acropolis is the city’s Sacred Rock and the cultural trademark of Greece. Little has changed since ancient times, especially with the Parthenon (dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and protector of the city) added by Pericles in the 5th century BC. You’ll see the Acropolis from many vantage points on your walk, each time marveling at how the marble changes shade throughout the day.

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Added to the Acropolis complex by the wealthy Roman Herodes Atticus in the 2nd century AD, this magnificent theatre has entertained countless spectators over the years. Now the centerpiece venue of the annual Athens-Epidaurus Festival, it seats almost 5,000 people who are always awed by the setting and exceptional acoustics.

Filopappou Monument & Pnyx

Walk up the hill next to the Acropolis along Areopagitou St. This is where ancient generals and orators, including Pericles and Themistocles, addressed the Democratic Assembly. You can still see the speaker’s platform and seating terrace. Nearby is the monument dedicated to the 2nd-century Roman consul Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Filopappos.

Ancient Agora & Stoa of Attalos

Beyond the Acropolis lies the Ancient Agora. Imagine Socrates or Aristotle engaging their followers, or St Paul preaching to early Christians here in 49 AD. The Stoa of Attalos, named after King Attalos II of Pergamon, was one of ancient Athens’ main marketplaces in the 2nd century BC. The remarkable reconstruction includes external Doric columns and an interior Ionic colonnade.

The Temple of Hephaestus

Built in the 5th century BC as a dedication to the god of fire and craftsmen, this temple is perhaps the best-preserved ancient Greek temple. It's a classic example of Doric architecture and is surrounded by a beautiful park, perfect for admiring its columns and friezes.

The Roman Agora & Hadrian's Library

The Roman Agora was the center of urban life during the Roman occupation. The Tower of the Winds, built in the 1st century by astronomer Andronicus, served multiple purposes, including as a water-powered clock. Nearby, Hadrian’s Library was a civic forum with a pool and central courtyard surrounded by 100 columns.

The Arch of Hadrian

This 18m tall triumphal arch under the Acropolis was built in 132 AD to delineate ancient Athens from the new city. Inscriptions on the friezes honor both Theseus and Hadrian.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus

Completed by Hadrian in 131 AD after seven centuries of construction, this temple once boasted more than 100 Corinthian columns and colossal statues of Zeus and Hadrian. Although only 17 columns remain, the temple's scope is still impressive.

The Academy of Athens & National Library

Heading past Syntagma Square, you find two of the finest 19th-century neoclassical buildings: the Academy of Athens and the National Library. The grand staircases and statues of Athena and Apollo add to their grandeur.

The Panathenaic Stadium

Known as the Kallimarmaro, this stadium was originally built in the 4th century BC to host the Panathenaic Games and was restored for the first Modern Olympics in 1896. It's the finishing line for the annual Athens Marathon.

First Cemetery of Athens

End your tour in the serene First Cemetery of Athens, which contains the tombs of many notable Greeks, including archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann and Nobel Laureate Giorgos Seferis. The marble tombs and mausoleums, with Romantic, Neoclassical, and Renaissance depictions, make it feel like an open-air museum.

You can visit these landmarks in any order, depending on where you’re staying. Additional cultural sites can also be added to your itinerary. To reach the center of Athens from the airport or port, you can take a taxi, bus, or metro directly into the city center.

Explore the timeless wonders of Athens with Olympus Tourism. Enjoy your stroll through history!