Athens Sightseeing and Attractions in Athens City & the Prefecture of Attica
Whether you are arriving in Athens for business or you are making a short stop before travelling to the islands it is well worth touring around some of the most famous Athens City Attractions which can make you shiver as they emerge- sometimes even unexpectedly- in every corner of the historical Athens City Centre.
The most well-known monument of the ancient city of Athens Greece is the Parthenon, the trademark marble temple of Athens City on the Acropolis Hill, which towers over the city. Apart from the Parthenon, the Athens Acropolis includes the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Propylae. On the southern slope of the Athens Acropolis Hill are the splendid Herod Atticus Odeon, the Theater of Dionysus, the Asklepeion and other monuments. At the foot of the Acropolis is the Ancient Agora complex, the commercial, political and social center of Ancient Athens Greece.
Other significant sights in Athens Greece include the Pnyx, the Olympeion Site, the Roman Agora, the Academy of Plato and the Panathenaic Stadium, which was built in antiquity and was restored to host the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. The triad of neoclassical buildings on Panepistimiou Street, the Parliament Building with the Evzone guards and the Zappeion Hall are magnificent specimens of more contemporary architecture in Athens. A taste of modern Athens can be seen in the spectacular Metro Stations, which apart from being magnificent engineering achievements, contain the archaeological artefacts that were discovered during the construction of the stations.
Most of the history of Athens Greece can be seen up close in the city's exquisite museums. The most impressive one is the new Acropolis Museum celebrated for its immaculate exhibits, such as the Caryatids, housed in a brand new construction characterised by simple lines and the natural daylight illuminating the displays. We also suggest visiting the National Archaeological Museum, the Ancient Agora, the Maritime, War, Byzantine, Folk Art, Numismatic, Benaki Historical, Epigraphical, Goulandris Cycladic Art, Goulandris Natural History Museums, as well as the excellent National Art Gallery, which are among the must-see Athens sightseeing attractions.
A stroll through the quaint, old neighbourhoods of Athens Greece is a unique experience. Soak up the fabulous atmosphere of downtown Athens Greece, exploring the pedestrian areas of Plaka, Thisseion and Psiri, which are located beneath the Athens Acropolis, and then walk along the Dionysou Areopagitou Promenade, which is situated at the foot of the Acropolis Hill, next to the Herod Atticus Odeon and the Theater of Dionysus.
Take some time out from your busy holiday schedule to visit some wonderful sites in other areas of Attica, close to Athens Greece, such as the well-preserved Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion which is a masterpiece, the Ancient Site in Vravrona and the Ancient Site in Elefsina.
