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The Cradle of Civilization

Athens architecture

Athens is one of the world's oldest cities, with a recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. It is the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, and the Olympic Games. The Acropolis, crowned by the Parthenon, has stood overlooking the city for nearly 2,500 years and remains one of the most recognizable monuments on Earth.

  • 6Landmarks
  • 600 BCOldest · Ancient Agora of Athens
  • 156 mTallest · Acropolis of Athens
  • 6Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoAthens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)

    Athens International Airport, known as Eleftherios Venizelos, opened in 2001 and is one of the most efficient airports in southern Europe. It features a striking design inspired by ancient Greek architecture and houses a small archaeological museum within the terminal, where artifacts unearthed during its construction are displayed for travelers to enjoy between flights.

  • CurrencyEuro (€)
  • LanguageGreek

    Greek is one of the world's oldest documented languages, with a written history stretching back over 3,000 years. While modern Greek differs from its ancient form, many everyday words trace directly to classical roots. Most people in central Athens and tourism-facing industries speak English.

  • Getting aroundMetro & Bus

    Athens has a modern three-line metro system that connects the airport directly to the city center and the port of Piraeus. Several stations serve as underground museums, with ancient artifacts discovered during construction displayed behind glass on the platforms. The historic yellow trolleybuses have served the city center since the 1940s.

6 landmarks in Athens

  1. Acropolis of Athens
    Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Acropolis of Athens

    Acropolis, Athens 105 58, Greece

    The ancient citadel atop a rocky outcrop above Athens, containing the remains of several ancient buildings including the Parthenon.

    Built
    447 BC
    Architect
    Ictinus, Callicrates, Mnesicles
    Style
    Classical Greek
    Height
    156 m (512 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    UNESCO World Heritage Site / Museum
  2. Parthenon
    Photo: Steve Swayne, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Parthenon

    Acropolis Hill, Athens, Greece

    Former temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, widely regarded as the finest example of Doric architecture ever built.

    Built
    432 BC
    Architect
    Ictinus and Callicrates
    Style
    Doric Classical
    Height
    14 m (45 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Monument / Archaeological site
  3. Ancient Agora of Athens
    Photo: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Ancient Agora of Athens

    24 Adrianou, Athens 105 55, Greece

    The ancient marketplace and civic center where Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle once walked and debated.

    Built
    600 BC
    Architect
    Various
    Style
    Classical Greek
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Archaeological park
  4. Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens
    Photo: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens

    Vasilissis Olgas 1, Athens 105 57, Greece

    Colossal ruined temple in the centre of Athens dedicated to Zeus, once the largest temple in Greece.

    Built
    131
    Architect
    Cossutius, Libon
    Style
    Corinthian
    Height
    17 m (57 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Archaeological monument
  5. Panathenaic Stadium
    Photo: Mister No, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Panathenaic Stadium

    Leoforos Vasileos Konstantinou, Athens 116 35, Greece

    The only stadium in the world built entirely of marble and the site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

    Built
    330 BC
    Architect
    Lykourgos (original), Ernst Ziller (restored)
    Style
    Classical Greek revival
    Height
    30 m (98 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Active stadium / museum

  6. Acropolis Museum

    Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athens 117 42, Greece

    World-class archaeological museum housing finds from the Acropolis with a direct view of the Parthenon through its glass walls.

    Built
    2009
    Architect
    Bernard Tschumi
    Style
    Contemporary
    Height
    25 m (82 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Museum

More cities in Europe

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