Things to Do in Athens

Athens — Thing to Do on ViaTravelers

  • Building Exterior of Acropolis Museum

    Acropolis Museum

    One display case in the Acropolis Museum is deliberately left empty — a quiet argument aimed directly at London.

  • The ruins of ancient Thira, a prehistoric village at the top of the mountain Mesa Vouno, Santorini, Greece

    Ancient Agora

    The Acropolis gets the fame, but the Ancient Agora is where Athenian democracy actually happened — ballot disks and all.

  • Temple of Olympian Zeus

    15 columns still stand. The 16th fell in 1852 and never got up — it’s still lying there, which tells you everything about this place.

  • Woman touring the Acropolis in Athens on a sunny day.

    Acropolis

    Skip the midday crowds — the Acropolis at 8am, before the tour buses arrive, is a completely different place.

  • Historic Morosini Fountain in Heraklion, Crete, iconic Venetian architecture, travel landmark

    Hadrian’s Arch

    Two inscriptions, two cities, one arch — Hadrian drew the line between ancient Athens and his own in marble that’s still standing.

  • athens destination image

    Mount Lycabettus

    The Acropolis looks small from up here. At 277 meters, Lycabettus is the view Athens locals actually use.

  • Temple of Hephaestus

    Most visitors walk past this temple chasing the Parthenon. That’s a mistake — it’s better preserved and far less crowded.

  • Theater in Yankton, SD - Explore Local Entertainment

    Theater of Dionysus

    The front-row marble thrones still have inscriptions. This is where Sophocles premiered. Standing here, that actually lands.

  • Front and classical architecture of the Parthenon Temple in Athens, Greece

    Parthenon

    The Parthenon’s columns aren’t perfectly straight — they curve outward slightly, a trick that makes them look flawless from below.