Acropolis & Its Surroundings

The Parthenon, the temple of Athena, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the major attraction of Athens. The Erechtheion displays the statues of the female Caryatids, though the original statues have been replaced by copies because of air pollution (the originals are in the new Museum). On the southern slopes of the Acropolis lies the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a Roman theatre with room for as many as 5,000 spectators. It is used during the annual Athens Festival for world-class ballet and music performances. The Theatre of Dionysus lies beside Herodes Atticus, and almost all the tragedies and comedies of Ancient Greece were written for this theatre.

• Address:

  Acropolis, Athens

• Phone:

  +30 210 321 0185

• Opening hours:

  Summer: daily 8am–6:30pm

Acropolis Museum

Well worth visiting and right at the foot of the Acropolis lies the new Acropolis Museum which provides valuable insights into the Greek mythology and Greek history. The museum restaurant offers panoramic views of the Acropolis and a 700 square metre public terrace commanding a breathtaking view of the historic hills of Athens.

• Web:

  www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en

• E-mail:

  info@theacropolismuseum.gr

• Address:

  Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athens

• Phone:

  +30 210 9000 900

Anafiotika

Part of Plaka, Anafiotika is a scenic neighbourhood of Athens on the northern slope of the Acropolis. Part of this area was destroyed in 1950s for archaeological research. Today, there are only 45 old houses remaining, on the little unnamed streets from Stratonos to the Acropolis rock. It's a great example of the typical Cycladic architecture that gives visitors the feel of Greek islands in the heart of the city.

• Web:

  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anafiotika

Athens War Museum

The Athens War Museum is run by the Greek Armed Forces. The exhibitions cover the history of war in all ages, from Mycenaean conflicts all the way to the present day. Great displays of battle grounds, weapons, uniforms, heroic figures and personal items.

• Web:

  warmuseum.gr/en

• E-mail:

  info@warmuseum.gr

• Address:

  Polemiko Mousio, Rizari 2-4, Athens

• Phone:

  +30 210 724 4464

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 9am–5pm, Mon closed

• More info:

  Next to the Byzantine and Christian Museum

Benaki Museum of Greek Culture

Benaki is a history museum with Greek art and objects from the Stone Age right up to the War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. It presents its pieces over three floors and apart from seasonal exhibitions, the museum offers events, courses and publications to educate audiences of all ages. The annexed cafe-restaurant welcomes you in a relaxed ambience where to enjoy dinners, lunches or breaks before exploring the museum.

• Web:

  www.benaki.org/index.php?lang=en

• E-mail:

  benaki@benaki.gr

• Address:

  Koumbari & Leofóros Vasilissis Sofias 1, Athens

• Phone:

  +30 210 367 1000

• Opening hours:

  Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am–6pm, Thu 10am–midnight, Sun 10am–4pm, Tue closed

Byzantine & Christian Museum

The Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens houses more than 25,000 artefacts of Early Christian, Byzantine and Medieval times. Byzantine culture was almost entirely concerned with religious expression, so in the museum's collection you'll find pictures, scriptures, relief carvings, frescoes, pottery, fabrics, manuscripts.

• Web:

  www.byzantinemuseum.gr/en

• Address:

  Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias 22, Athens

• Phone:

  +30 213 213 9517

• Opening hours:

  Mon 8:30am–3:30pm, Tue closed, Wed–Sun 8:30am–3:30pm

• More info:

  Located next to the Athens War Museum