What to see in Athens for free for under 25s

Acropolis

The Acropolis of Athens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the architectural and cultural wonders of the ancient world, located on a limestone hill overlooking the Greek capital. This complex of historic buildings, built mainly in the 5th century BC during the "Golden Age" of Athens, represents the heart of classical civilization and a symbol of Greek democracy and culture. The Acropolis rises approximately 150 meters above the city of Athens and is accessible via a single entrance called the Sacred Way, which leads to the monumental entrance known as the Propylaea.

The main attractions to visit inside the Acropolis are:

• Parthenon: Dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos, it is the largest and best-preserved temple on the Acropolis. Built between 447 and 432 BC under the supervision of Pericles, it is an unsurpassed example of Doric architecture and housed a giant statue of Athena made by Phidias. Unfortunately, they have been trying to restore its original structure for years, so expect to find scaffolding.
• Erechtheion: Built between 421 and 406 BC, the Erechtheion is famous for the Loggia of the Caryatids, six statues of maidens that act as columns to support the roof of the structure.
• Propylaea: The Propylaea is the grandiose monumental entrance to the Acropolis, built between 437 and 432 BC under the direction of the architect Mnesicles.
• Temple of Athena Nike: A small Ionic temple built between 427 and 424 BC in honor of Athena Nike, the goddess of victory.
• Theatre of Dionysus: Located at the base of the Acropolis hill, the theatre is considered the cradle of Greek theatre, where the first tragedies and comedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were performed.

Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus

The Ancient Agora is an archaeological complex located at the foot of the Acropolis, once the social, political and commercial heart of the city. Situated on the western hill of the Agora, the Temple of Hephaestus is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples in the world. Dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of fire and metallurgy, and Athena Ergane, the goddess of manual arts, the temple reflects the importance of technology and craftsmanship in Athenian society.

Some attractions not to be missed are:

• Stoa of Attalos: A long porticoed gallery with two floors, built in the 2nd century BC by King Attalos II of Pergamon. It housed shops and offices on the ground floor and meeting and exhibition rooms on the upper floor. Today restored, it houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora.
• Heliadeion (Altar of the Twelve Gods): Altar dedicated to the twelve gods of Olympus, considered the central point from which distances were measured in ancient Athens.
• Tholos: Circular building that served as the seat of the executive council (prytaneis) of the Athenian government.
• Odeon of Agrippa: Covered theatre built in the 1st century BC by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.
• Temple of Apollo Patroos: Ionic temple dedicated to Apollo Patroos, the protector of fathers and families.

Hadrian's Library

Hadrian's Library, built in 132 AD by the Emperor Hadrian, was a grandiose structure with courtyards and colonnades. Today, impressive ruins remain that tell of its former magnificence as the cultural center of ancient Athens.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Temple of Olympian Zeus, begun in the 6th century BC and completed by Hadrian in 132 AD, was one of the largest temples in the ancient world. Today, as well as Hadrian's Library, only a few of its imposing columns remain, testifying to its former grandeur.

Kerameikos

Kerameikos is the ancient necropolis, used as a cemetery from the 12th century BC to the Roman period. Known for its monumental tombs and the Kerameikos Museum, the site offers a fascinating insight into life and death in ancient Athens.

Roman Agora

The Roman Agora, built in the 1st century BC, was the new commercial and administrative center of the city during the Roman period. Featuring a large rectangular courtyard surrounded by columns, it included the Portico of the Athenians, the Tower of the Winds, and various shops. It represents an important testimony to the transition from classical to Roman Athens. Today, its ruins offer a window into the vibrant marketplace of antiquity, enriched by significant sculptures and architectural details.

School of Aristotle (Lyceum)

Aristotle's Lyceum, founded in 335 BC, was an important philosophical school and research center in Athens. Here Aristotle taught and studied with his students, developing his ideas on philosophy, science, and politics. The site included gardens, a gymnasium, and classroom areas, reflecting Aristotle's concern with the interaction between theory and practice. Today, ruins remain that testify to his fundamental contribution to Western philosophy and science.

National archeologic museum

The National Archaeological Museum is the largest archaeological museum in Greece. Founded in 1829, it houses a vast collection of artifacts from ancient Greece, including masterpieces such as the Mask of Agamemnon, the Antikythera Mechanism and the statues of Zeus and Aphrodite. The museum offers an exceptional overview of Greek civilization, from prehistoric times to the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Today, it is an essential stop for understanding the rich history and culture of ancient Greece.

Museum of Modern Greek Culture

The Museum of Modern Greek Culture explores the daily life and culture of Greece from the 18th century to the present day. Opened in 1918, the museum houses a vast collection of traditional clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, ceramics, and folk art. Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museum offers an immersion into the traditions, customs, and social transformation of the Greek people, with a focus on the art and crafts that have shaped modern Greek identity.

Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum, opened in 2009, displays the artifacts of the Acropolis. Situated at the foot of the sacred hill, the modern museum features classical sculptures, such as the Parthenon Marbles, and numerous artifacts of ancient Athenian life. Its large windows offer spectacular views of the Acropolis, creating a visual dialogue between the ancient and the modern. It houses five floors of galleries spanning the Archaic to Classical periods, providing a visual context for the nearby historical monuments.

Reduced Tickets

Some attractions offer the possibility of purchasing tickets at reduced prices:

Benaki Museum

The Benaki Museum is a prestigious cultural institution founded in 1930 by Antonis Benakis. Housed in a neoclassical mansion, the museum houses a rich collection of Greek art from different historical periods, including paintings, sculptures, decorative objects, traditional costumes and artifacts. Its diverse exhibition covers a wide spectrum of Greek culture, from antiquity to modern times, offering a unique overview of the country's history and art.

Panathenaic Stadium

The Panathenaic Stadium is an ancient structure completely renovated in 1896 for the first modern Olympic Games. Made of white marble, it can accommodate up to 50,000 spectators and is the venue for sporting events and ceremonies. It is a historical symbol of ancient and modern Athens, which has become an integral part of the international Olympic movement.

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Explorer's Tale.