Where to Visit in Athens, the Heart of Antiquity

Athens is the capital of a great history. The delicious taste of traditional Greek food, vibrant nightlife, wonderful beaches and more are reasons to visit Athens. There is so much to do, see and taste in Athens, so even a week is a limited time for Athens. In this guide, we have compiled the must-visit places in Athens. When you book your trip to Athens on Bitbook, you can earn an average of 12.7% cashback.

Acropolis

The Acropolis is one of the best-known archaeological monuments in ancient history, called the sacred rock. Located in the most important part of the city, this building represents the glorious past of Greece. Built in the 5th century BC in honor of the goddess Athena, the patroness of Athens and the daughter of Olympian Zeus, the Acropolis is the most symbolic element of Athens.

Kerameikos Ancient Cemetery

In the middle of the urban jungle of Athens is the Ancient Cemetery of Kerameikos. This cemetery, which can be reached after a long walk through the forest, served as the cemetery of Athens from the 12th century BC to the Roman period. In the Kerameikos Museum located next to the cemetery, findings such as vases, steles, sculptures and figurines found in the ruins are exhibited.

Philopappos Hill

Located to the southwest of the Acropolis Hill, Philopappos Hill offers stunning views of Athens and the Parthenon. The name of the hill comes from Philopappos, the Syrian philanthropist of Athens, who was a close friend of many philosophers such as Plutarch. The death of Philopappos caused great grief to the Athenians, so a shrine was built on this hill.

There are many ways to reach the hill in Athens. Each road has different vegetation.

Ancient Agora

The open space that forms the religious, administrative, political, economic, social and cultural center of Athens is the Agora. Many important structures such as the council chamber Bouleuterion, the public administration buildings Royal Stoa and South Stoa, the mint and the official archives of the city, Mitroon, are in the Agora. There was also a conservatory and a national library in the Agora.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

This great temple, the construction of which began in 515 BC and was completed by Hadrian in 132 AD, was the largest temple in Greece during the Roman and Hellenistic years. The temple, made of Pentelic marble and following the Corinthian architectural style, is more than 100 meters long and 40 meters wide. In the original state of the temple, there were 104 columns.