Travel bucket list idea:
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
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You can’t visit Athens without visiting the Acropolis. It is the city’s iconic citadel and world-famous landmark that won’t fail to amaze even the most jaded traveller.
‘Acropolis’ translates broadly from the Greek words ‘highest point’ or ‘extremity’. The site contains half-a-dozen buildings, mostly built from 500 BC to 450 BC on the orders of the powerful statesman Pericles, during the so-called ‘Golden age of Athens’. Pericles wanted to beautify, glorify and protect the city.
The Pathenon
A marble jigsaw made of 70,000 pieces, this 2,500-year-old temple dating back to 438 BC was dedicated to the goddess Athena. It dazzles with perfect symmetry and awe-inspires with its ancient grandeur, even when it’s crawling with tourists. It’s the most important surviving building of Classical Greece and a symbol of the nation.
The Erechtheion
On the north side of the complex, this Temple of was also dedicated to the goddess Athena, and was built to house the statue of Athena Polias. More famously today, it’s home to the ‘Porch of the Maidens’, featuring six sculpted female figures.
Just below the Acropolis complex on the eastern side, the Theatre of Dionysus is an ancient amphitheater also built in the 6th century BC. With a capacity of 17,000, it was the largest theatre in Athens and operated continuously for 1,000 years, until it was abandoned.
On the southwest slope of the Acropolis, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus dates back to 161 AD – thus it was added later than the original Acropolis. It was built by wealthy Roman citizen Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife. Today is it used to host performances, notably during the Athens Festival.
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
This Roman-era Odeon was built by a wealthy private citizen Herod Atticus in memory of his wife in 161 AD and originally served as an indoor venue for 5,000 people. It was restored in the 1950s and is used for music and theatre performances throughout the summer.
Adult price: £17
Best for ages 13+
Athens, Central Greece, Greece
Just below the Acropolis complex, an ancient amphitheatre was the largest theatre in Athens with a capacity of 17,000. First built in the 6th century BC, it operated continuously for 1,000 years, until it was abandoned.
Adult price: £10
Best for ages 18+
The main entrance and ticket booth are situated above the junction of pedestrianised Dionysiou Areopagitou and Apostolou Pavlou streets, a fairly stiff climb up the pine-clad foothills of the Acropolis.
You can also access the Acropolis on foot via Plaka.
To appreciate the temple’s extraordinary construction and colourful history, hire a guide to take you around – signage is minimal and the stories of these buildings are fascinating. Either way, allow around three hours to take it all in. There are local guides around the entrance, or book on an organised tour.
To complete the experience, stop by the Acropolis Museum before or after (at the bottom of the hill, exit near the Theatre of Dionysus); this has the statues and artifacts from inside the Acropolis Buildings, plus explanations and short films.
It’s a good idea to take a bottle of water, especially during the summer. Eating is not allowed on the site.
The site is open all year-round, seven days a week. Athens and the Acropolis are at their loveliest (sunny without being sweltering) in spring and autumn – if you can avoid the heat of July and August.
Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the midday heat. The Acropolis is glorious at dusk, but the site closes early in the afternoon from October to April. The whole site is exposed to the elements, so avoid rainy and very windy days.
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