3-Day Athens PromptGuide v1.0
3-Day Athens PromptGuide v1.0
3-day Athens
City Guide
A preplanned step-by-step time line
and city guide for Athens.
Follow it and get the best of the city.
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3-day Athens City Guide
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3-day Athens City Guide
Overview of Day 1
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3-day Athens City Guide
Overview of Day 1
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3-day Athens City Guide
Attraction Details
09:30-12:00 Acropolis (Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, Athens 10558)
Opening hours: April 1 - Oct 31, daily: 8am - 8pm, Nov 1 - March 31, daily: 8:30am - 3pm, Public
holidays: Closed • Admission: 12 €
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS TO DO THERE
Acropolis of Athens is the starting point of Start your tour at the ruins of the ancient
antique Athens. It was polulated for the first theater of Dionysos at the lower level
time around 3000 BC Walk towards Herodes Atticus Theater, the
The word 'acropolis' means citadel or high venue of the Athens Festival
city. The Athenian acropolis is located on a Walk to the upper level through the Beulé
flat-topped hill rising 150 m (490 ft) above Gate. Beyond lies the Propylaia the
the city monumental 5th c. B.C. entranceway
Today the site is scattered with magneficient Walk around, admire the view, and soak up
ancient Greek temples, squares, buildings the atmosphere
and theaters The highlight is the beautiful structure of the
Highlights are the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Parthenon
Theater of Dionysos, and Areopagus Finish your tour at the Areopagus Rock
The temples of the Acropolis influenced where trials were held in classical times
Western architecture to the extent like TIPS & INSIGHTS
nothing else and are considered to be
Save some money by buying a combined
among the most important monuments in the
ticket that gives access to Akropolis, Agora,
Western world
Roman Forum, Temple of Olympian Zeus
Parthenon is the most important monument
and Kerameikos
of the site. It is a colonnaded, all-marble
Wear comfy shoes
temple dedicated to Athens' patron, Athena
Be prepared for a crowd all year through
Parthenos (Athena, the Virgin). It was built in
the 5th c. BC
Theater of Dionysos is Athens' first theater
MORE Info and Photos >
(built 6th c. BC) dedicated to the god of
pleasures, Dionysos. Ancient dramas were
performed here by Aristophanes, Sophocles
or Euripides
12:15-13:00 Roman Forum and Tower of the Winds (Aiolou and Diogenous,
Monastiraki)
Opening hours: April 1 - Oct 31, daily: 8am - 8pm, Nov 1 - March 31, daily: 8am - 5pm, Public
holidays: Closed • Admission: 2 €
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Other highlights: Agoranomeion (Office of
Julius Caesar founded the Roman Forum in the Market Officials), Vespasianae (68-seat
51 B.C. and moved Athens' marketplace Public Latrine), Byzantine Grave Markers,
here from the old Agora. It used to be larger East Gate, Courtyard and the Fountain
than what we see today THINGS TO DO THERE
The old marketplace was not sufficient to Walk around the small area and admire the
fulfill its purpose. Athens-loving Romans ancient site
moved into the old Agora site and crowded Do not miss the main ruins: the gate
out the merchants entrance to the market and the Tower of the
The new forum overtook the old Agora's role Winds
of being the city's commercial and TIPS & INSIGHTS
administrative center until the 19th century
Save some money by buying a combined
The octagonal Tower of Winds was built in
ticket that gives access to Akropolis, Agora,
50 B.C. It depicts the eight winds on its
Roman Forum, Temple of Olympian Zeus
sides. A waterclock was operated inside the
and Kerameikos
tower by a stream from the Acropolis
Gate of Athena Archegetis used to be the
Western entrance of the marketplace. The
MORE Info and Photos >
columns are made of marble
The picturesque Fetiye mosque was built in
1458 to commemorate the Turkish sultan's,
Mehmet II the Conqueror's visit to Athens
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Attraction Details
3-day Athens City Guide
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Later the library was seriously damaged in
Roman Emperor Hadrian built this luxurious military invasions. Thanks to extensive
library in AD 132 on the north side of the excavation and restorations, part of the site
Acropolis survived
It followed the architectural style of a typical Other highlights: remains of three temples
Roman Forum. It had one entrance with high erected during Byzantine times
walls surrounding a courtyard THINGS TO DO THERE
The showy central courtyard took up much Discover the ruins of the library
of the space. It was decorated with mosaic TIPS & INSIGHTS
floors, marble, gardens and a pool. Fancy
Corinthian columns surrounded the central
area
MORE Info and Photos >
Along with the library, the building
accomodated lecture rooms, music rooms
and a theatre
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Athens' main shopping street, Ermou Street,
Syntagma Square is Athens' main square. It leads off from the square. Designer
lies in the historic center in front of boutiques and major department stores are
Parliament both present there
The square is named after the Greek THINGS TO DO THERE
Constitution (Syntagma). King Otto was This is a good place to stop for a rest or for
forced to issue the document in 1843 after a coffee near the central fountain
public demonstrations taking place at the TIPS & INSIGHTS
square
If you use the subway system do not miss
Highlights include the Tomb of the Unknown
the glass wall overlooking the archaeological
Soldier, top of the Ermou Street and the
site
Syntagma subway station
Syntagma subway station is both a transport
hub and an archaelogical museum. Finds
MORE Info and Photos >
excavated while building the station are
displayed as if in a museum
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a
monument to Greek soldiers died in battles.
Traditionally dressed soldiers guard the
memorial 24/7 and engage in ceremonial
exercises on the hour
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Attraction Details
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW It does not lend books. Its holdings can be
The National Library of Greece is located in viewed in a large reading room
central Athens. The building is a fine THINGS TO DO THERE
example of mature Neoclassicism Admire the beautiful building from outside
Danish architect Theophil Freiherr von TIPS & INSIGHTS
Hansen designed the library, as part of the
Neoclassical Trilogy of Athens including the
Academy of Athens and the Athens
MORE Info and Photos >
University
The library was built between 1887 and
1891
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3-day Athens City Guide
Lunch time
Take a walk to Filoppapos Hill
15:00-17:00 Philopappos Hill Amazing view over the Page 12
whole city
Take a walk to Plaka neighborhood - 45’
17:45-18:45 Plaka neighborhood One of the most Page 12
attractive districts of
END OF DAY 2 Athens
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3-day Athens City Guide
Overview of Day 2
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3-day Athens City Guide
Attraction Details
09:30-11:00 Kerameikos (Ermou 148, Thissio)
Opening hours: April 1 - Oct 31, daily: 8am - 8pm, Nov 1 - March 31, daily: 8:30am - 3pm, Public
holidays: Closed • Admission: 2 €
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW The Oberlander Museum displays a wild
Kerameikos used to be ancient Athens' range of finds from the area. The collection
pottery district. The word 'ceramic' stems includes many of the original tombs
from the name of the district, Kerameikos THINGS TO DO THERE
The ancient Athens' outer city wall (built in Enter the museum that houses exhibits
478 BC) ran through the district. It was built mainly related to burial customs, such as
in haste and all materials that could be urns and monuments
found in the city, including marble from Walk around the site littered with ancient
temples and tombs, were incorporated remains
Athens' main entrance, the Dipylon Gate, TIPS & INSIGHTS
stood here. It was a so-called corridor gate:
Save some money by buying a combined
a long interior court (41 by 22 m) with four
ticket that gives access to Akropolis, Agora,
towers acting as death trap to attackers
Roman Forum, Temple of Olympian Zeus
The lera Odos ('Sacred Road') passed
and Kerameikos
through the Sacred Gate gate. The sacred
road led to Demeter's temple (goddess of
harvest and fertility) in ancient Eleusis
MORE Info and Photos >
Along the road important statesmen and
heroes were buried beneath imposing
tombs. Highlight is the tomb of Dionysios of
Kollytos with a marble bull
Opening hours: April 1 - Oct 31, daily: 8am - 8pm, Nov 1 - March 31, daily: 8:30am - 3pm, Public
holidays: Closed • Admission: 4 €
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS TO DO THERE
The Agora was Athens' market place, the Walk around and explore the ancient sites,
heart of city, and the birth place of the statues, ruins
world's first democracy The Temple of Hephaestus is an absolute
The marketplace was laid out in the 6th c. must-see
BC. It served as the center for all civic Do not miss Stoa of Attalos, Odeon of
activities (politics, religion, philosophy, Agrippa, Altar of Zeus Agoraios
commerce, arts and athletics) Relax on a bench in a shady spot under old
Such historic figures addressed the pulic olive trees and be impressed by the
here as Socrates, Aristotales, or St. Paul surroundings
The Temple of Hephaistos (god of Enjoy the stunning view over the acropolis
technology, blacksmiths and craftsmen) is TIPS & INSIGHTS
the best preserved Greek Temple. It dates
Save some money by buying a combined
back to the 5th c. BC
ticket that gives access to Akropolis, Agora,
Stoa of Attalos is the reconstruction of its
Roman Forum, Temple of Olympian Zeus
2nd c. BC version. It houses a museum that
and Kerameikos
displays all the finds excavated at Agora
Stoa is a covered colonnaded walkway open
to public usage. Merchants sold their goods,
MORE Info and Photos >
artists displayed their works, and religious
gatherings took place here
Other highlights are: ruins of Middle Stoa,
Agii Apostoli Solaki, Tholos (first Athenian
parliament), and Odeon of Agrippa (a large
concert hall)
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Attraction Details
3-day Athens City Guide
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3-day Athens City Guide
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3-day Athens City Guide
Overview of Day 3
END OF DAY 3
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3-day Athens City Guide
Overview of Day 3
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3-day Athens City Guide
Attraction Details
09:30-11:00 New Acropolis Museum (15 Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, Athens 11742)
Opening hours: Tue - Thurs, Sat, Sun: 8am - 8pm, Friday: 8am - 10pm, Monday: Closed,
Jan 1, March 25, Easter Sunday, May 1, Dec 25 and 26: Closed • Admission: 5 €
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS TO DO THERE
The New Acropolis Museum houses all the Admire the impressive modern building from
sculptures and fragments from the Acropolis the outside
of Athens. Some 4000 works are on display Upon entering the museum do not miss the
The museum opened in 2009. The original occasionally transparent floor that provides a
Old Acropolis Musuem (1874) became too view of the archaeological excavation
small to house all the new artifacts Follow the well marked exhibition route. It
uncovered in successive excavations will take you all the way up to the third floor
The museum was built on an archeological and guide you back to the ground floor
site. The glass floor gives a view over the Watch the informative video in the third floor
ruins of Roman and early Byzantine Athens video area
Four of the original 6 Caryatids (female Enjoy the splendid view from the top floor
shaped columns) from the Erechthion (an !
ancient temple in the Acropolis) are TIPS & INSIGHTS
displayed here
It is not allowed to take photos inside
Lord Elgin removed one of the Caryatids to
If you do not have the time for a full visit you
decorate his Scottish mansion. It was later
can get a free ticket that only gives access
sold to the British Museum. The other
to the second floor restaurant area. You can
Caryatids disappeared during Ottoman rule
enjoy the view of the Acropolis from the
Multiple unsuccessful requests were made
terrace of the restaurant
to reclaim the statue form the British
Museum. An area is reserved for the return
of the Elgin marbles
MORE Info and Photos >
11:15-11:25 Hadrian's Arch (Leoforos Amalias Street, Athens)
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Attraction Details
Opening hours: April 1 - Oct 31, daily: 8am - 8pm, Nov 1 - March 31, daily: 8:30am - 3pm, Public
holidays: Closed • Admission: 4 €
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS TO DO THERE
Temple of Olympian Zeus was the largest in Walk around the area to see the ancient
mainland Greece. It measured 96m by 40m ruins that surround the remains of the
(315 by 131 ft.) featuring 104 17m-high temple
columns The highlights are the temple's 15 remaining
Its construction started in 515 BC but, due to columns
political turmoil, completed only some 600 TIPS & INSIGHTS
years later in AD 124. The temple was
Save some money by buying a combined
finished by Roman Emperor Hadrian
ticket that gives access to Akropolis, Agora,
The temple housed two colossal gold and
Roman Forum, Temple of Olympian Zeus
ivory statues: Pheidias's statue of Zeus and
and Kerameikos
the statue of Hadrian
To get the best light for photographs of the
Out of the original 104 columns 15 are still
columns, visit between 3pm and 4pm
standing
It is one of the few uncrowded Athens
Pheidias's statue of Zeus was one of the
attractions
seven wonders of the acient world
Athenians erected a two-storey arch for
Hadrian next to the temple to thank him for
MORE Info and Photos >
completing the temple and offered the city to
him
Other hightlights nearby: Ruins of Ancient
Houses, Law Court at the Delphinion,
Themistoklean Gates and walls
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Attraction Details
3-day Athens City Guide
Opening hours: March - Oct: 8am - 7pm, Nov - Feb: 8am - 5pm • Admission: 3 €
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW After excavation the stadium was rebuilt for
Originally the stadium was built in the 4th the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. In
century BC to host the Panathenian games 2004 the Olympic Marathon Race finished
held every 4 year. Herodes Atticus rebuilt here
the stadium in marble in AD 143-44 Today it is more commonly known as
The stadium's official name is Panathinaiko 'Kallimarmaro' (meaning beautiful marbel),
or Panathenaic Stadium. It is the only major and serves as a venue for major events and
stadium in the world built entirely of white concerts
marble THINGS TO DO THERE
It was able to hold 50,000 people, Take an audioguide (included in the
the same as the Roman Colosseum admission fee) and tour the Stadium
The building measured 1 stade (600 Greek TIPS & INSIGHTS
feet) in length; hence stems the word
stadium
For a long time the building was neglected
MORE Info and Photos >
and it deteriorated
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW It spans 16 ha (40 ac). Its maze of shady
The National Gardens of Athens is located paths with quiet dead ends, duck and turtle
in the city center behind the parliament. It ponds, benches, playground and numberous
used to be the Royal Palace's (now statues make it an ideal place for relaxation
Parliament) gardens The estate gives home to a Botanic Museum
Queen Amalia, King Otto's wife, and a small zoo with birds, wild goats and a
commissioned the gardens in 1839. Otto donkey
was Greece's first king after its THINGS TO DO THERE
independence from Ottoman rule Stroll through the park
More than 15,000 exotic trees, plants and Relax on a bench
flowers were imported from all over the TIPS & INSIGHTS
world and planted here. Many of them are
still alive
The government nationalized the park in
MORE Info and Photos >
1923 and opened it to the public
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3-day Athens City Guide
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3-day Athens City Guide
Photo credits
Cover page
Cover photo #1: Photo by cb_agulto
Cover photo #2: Photo by D1v1d
Cover photo #3: Photo by denovich
Map
http://www.bing.com/maps
Attraction details
Acropolis: Photo by Titanas • Roman Forum and Tower of the Winds: Photo by
PromptGuides.com • Hadrian's Library: Photo by reinholdbehringer • Ermou Street:
Photo by flubberwinkle • Syntagma Square: Photo by namealus • Parliament:
Photo by BrotherMagneto • National Library: Photo by [Dicky] • Kerameikos: Photo by quillons
• Agora: Photo by PromptGuides.com • Philopappos Hill: Photo by archer10 • Plaka
neighborhood: Photo by Dan.. • New Acropolis Museum: Photo by Visit Greece • Hadrian's
Arch: Photo by iriskh • Temple of Olympian Zeus: Photo by namealus • Zappeion Gardens:
Photo by Josep Toledo • Kallimarmaro Stadium: Photo by n.macca • National Gardens:
Photo by LoopZilla
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3-day Athens City Guide
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