Tourist Attractions in Athens, Greece That You Shouldn’t Miss

Athens, the capital city of Greece, is considered the birthplace of Western civilization. Being home to a number of beautiful and spectacular archaeological sites, this place has always held a special spot in the heart of every historian. Fondly known as the Classic City, Athens enthrals a large number of history enthusiasts from all over the world. Other than this, its bustling nightlife, vibrant local markets, and picturesque natural beauty are also among the reasons behind Athens’ popularity as a tourist destination. Being one of the popular tourist spots in Greece, Athens is perfect for planning a fun-filled vacation for all kinds of travellers, regardless of their interests or age.

Must-Visit Tourist Attractions in Athens

Dotted with several historical monuments and other iconic places, Athens is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. This is also the reason why you may find yourself lost in the sea of options when it comes to activities to try or places to visit in Athens, Greece.

For your convenience, here is a detailed list of all the famous tourist places in Athens that you should definitely cover on your trip to this fascinating city:

• The Acropolis
• Panathenaic Stadium
• National Archaeology Museum
• Temple of Olympian Zeus
• Library of Hadrian
• Roman Agora
• Temple of Hephaestus
• Museum of Cycladic Art
• Areopagus Hill

The Acropolis

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on the top of a limestone hill in the city. Dedicated to the city's patron goddess, Athena, this place is one of the most famous ancient archaeological sites in the world. The major part of this complex was constructed in the second half of the 5th century BCE, and it used to serve as a major religious site in ancient times. Currently, it is counted among the most popular points of interest in Athens for history enthusiasts.

Panathenaic Stadium

Another addition to this list of must-visit attractions in Athens is the Panathenaic Stadium. In ancient times, this place used to host the athletic events of the Panathenaic Games. This stadium also served as the venue for the first-ever modern Olympics organised in 1896. Even after several decades later, Athens still holds a special place in the history of Olympics. The Olympic flame handover ceremony in 2024 also marked the transition of these games from Athens to Paris.

Known for its stunning architecture, this is the only stadium in the world that has been built entirely from marble. Initially, this stadium could accommodate approximately 80,000 people on its marble steps. But the current spectator capacity is close to 45,000.

National Archaeology Museum

If you’re fascinated by ancient Greek history, this is a place you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Athens. Established in 1829, this awe-inspiring museum exhibits a rich collection of artefacts from Greek history. Originally named The Central Museum, it was later renamed to the National Archaeology Museum in 1881. From Santorini’s findings to other prehistoric things, stunning sculptures to vases, and Egyptian art pieces, this place has a large number of objects on display.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Located in the heart of the city, this is an ancient temple dedicated to Zeus, King of the Olympian gods. The construction of this temple complex started in the 2nd century AD by Emperor Hadrian. Featuring colossal Corinthian columns, this was envisioned to be the largest temple in Greece. As a result, it took several years to get completed. Over the following centuries, this temple was unearthed to provide building materials for the houses and churches in mediaeval Athens. As a result, you can only see the remnants of this magnificent temple. Currently, only 15 columns from the original structure are left, and the sixteenth column lies on the ground.

Roman Agora

Situated on the north side of the Acropolis, near Ancient Agora, this ancient site is also considered one of the major tourist attractions in Athens. This structure was constructed between 19 and 11 BCE and used to serve as a bustling marketplace in that era. This large complex is also home to a few well-preserved remnants of monuments. Some of these include the Tower of the Winds and the Gate of Athena Archegetis. Currently, this site enthrals a large number of visitors on a daily basis. Adorned with several columns and stoas, this structure serves as a fine example of ancient Greek architecture. If you want a sneak peek into the daily life of ancient Athens, this is definitely one of the best places to visit.

Temple of Hephaestus

This temple complex is one of those very few ancient structures that are still standing as they were originally built. It is dedicated to Hephaestus, who is considered the god of metalworking, craftsmanship, and fire. Although it was originally built as a temple to honour Hephaestus, it was turned into a church dedicated to Saint George around 700 CE. But, when Athens became Greece's capital in 1834, it regained its status as an ancient temple.

Library of Hadrian

This is another architectural wonder that is considered one of the most popular sites to see in Athens, Greece. Surrounded by high walls, this place can be easily recognised by its distinctive columned façade. This library complex was built by Roman Emperor Hadrian and used to store important literary works as well as legal and administrative documents. In ancient times, this used to be the largest library in Athens. But over the years, the structure got damaged due to several invasions, and now you can only see its remnants.

Museum of Cycladic Art

If you’re an art lover and love exploring places that offer more information about different art forms, this is among the best places to visit in Athens, Greece. As the name suggests, this museum is dedicated specifically to the Cycladic art of the 30th century BC. This museum was inaugurated in 1986 to exhibit the collection of Cycladic and Ancient Greek art that belonged to Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris. Currently, it is known for housing one of the richest private collections of artefacts and sculptures of this particular art form.

This museum features four permanent exhibitions: one for Cycladic Art (3200–2000 BC), two exhibitions on Ancient Greek Art (2000 BC–395 AD), and one for Ancient Cypriot Art (3900 BC–6th century AD). In addition to this, this place also organises several temporary exhibitions focused on several things.

Areopagus Hill

This is a historic site that is among the most popular attractions in Athens, Greece. Located northwest of the Acropolis, this site used to function as a court around 1300–1500 BC. Currently, this place is known for its serenity and the stunning panoramic views it offers. Although there are stairs that can take you to the top of the Areopagus Hill, they are not in great condition. This is why one needs to be careful while going uphill.

With this comprehensive list of all the major sightseeing places in Athens, you can make the most of your time here. To plan your trip in the most hassle-free manner, you can also explore Veena World’s extensive collection of Athens tour packages. All our packages come with well-crafted travel itineraries, so that you don’t miss any popular attractions in Athens.