The Top Athens Landmarks

Photo, Constantinos Kollias.

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The Top Athens Landmarks

Top Athens Landmarks: All you need to see in the awe-inspiring birthplace of culture and historical epicentre of Ancient Greece...

The birthplace of culture, the historical epicentre of Greece, and a simply stunning city deserving of your attention is Athens. Additionally, it is worthwhile to visit there throughout the year, not just in the summer. After all, there is hardly any frost even during the winter. For instance, in November, the sea’s water temperature is the same as the average daytime air temperature of +18 degrees. It isn’t just the weather, some of the top Athens landmarks are literally some of the top landmarks in the world.

For those looking to get here, you have several options for getting from Athens Airport to the city centre: public bus, metro line, or airport transfer. The AtoB Athens airport taxi is the quickest and most convenient option. Book your AtoB taxi airport transfers on the website to ensure that you arrive on time.

Discover these five most intriguing landmarks in the city that are unquestionably worth seeing during your stay in Athens.

The Top Athens Landmarks

Photo, George Girnas.

Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the largest museum in the country and the most important centre for the study of ancient Greek culture. The museum was established in the late 19th century. The most ancient exhibits of the museum are considered to be finds of the Neolithic era, which were discovered in different places in Greece. The permanent exhibition of the museum contains objects of ancient Greek history.

The museum contains objects from the prehistoric and Minoan periods, from the classical period, when Athens was at the peak of its development, from Roman and Hellenistic times to Byzantine times, Venetian rule, Ottoman occupation, Greek revolution, and modern Greek history. Among the ancient collections, you can see marble or stone statues, miniatures, tombstones, bronze objects, tools, weapons, and household items.

Acropolis Athens

Photo, Anna Kurmaeva.

Acropolis

For most people, Athens and Greece are primarily associated with the Acropolis. One of the most important of Athens landmarks, it’s one of the most recognisable places in the Greek capital, and indeed in Greece itself. The rocky hill, which stands at the very cenrte of Athens, is a sight to behold for enthusiastic tourists and proud Greeks alike.

The Acropolis has great significance in world history. Here at 150 meters above sea level, in harmony with nature, unique masterpieces of ancient architecture stand out, vividly demonstrating the power, wealth, and splendour of Athens in times gone by.

Today, the Acropolis is a world-renowned site and its temples are a treasure trove of ancient Greek architecture, preserved for generations to come.

Theater of Dionysus

Not far from the Acropolis Museum you will see the theater of Dionysus of the 4th century BC. It has a separate entrance. The ticket price to the Acropolis includes a visit to the Theater of Dionysus. But you can take a cheaper ticket, designed only for visiting the theater. The Theater of Dionysus in ancient times was the oldest building on the southern slope of the hill.

Once the greatest Greek dramas and tragedies of such authors as Sophocles and Euripides were staged here. Initially, the building was wooden, but later it was reconstructed, and made of marble. The theater never had a ceiling, so all the festivals were held in the open air. The auditorium was able to accommodate about half of the inhabitants of Ancient Athens, that is 17,000 people.

The Top Athens Landmarks

Photo, Spencer Davis.

Parthenon

The Parthenon is the largest structure in the Acropolis and the most beautiful creation of Greek architecture. It stands not in the center, but a little to the side, so you can immediately cover the front and side facades, to understand the beauty of the temple as a whole. At one time it was the most impressive temple in ancient Greece. The temple was built from 447 to 338 BC. It became the legendary work of the architect Iktinos and the famous sculptor Phidias. The Parthenon glorified the Virgin Athena (or Athena Parthenos), the patroness of the city.

The inside of the Parthenon is closed to the public. But you can walk outside and admire this massive building from all sides. Its monumentality is impressive. The pediment on the east side depicts the birth of Athena from the head of Zeus. The western side shows the battle of Athena with Poseidon for Attica.

Tower of the Winds

On an open and well-ventilated agora is the Tower of the Winds. The building of white marble 12 meters high has the shape of a regular octagon, which corresponds to the 8 divine winds. Another name of this architectural monument is “Horologion of Andronikos Kyrrhestes”. Andronicus of Cyrrhus was an astrologer.

According to the plan, the building was to rise above the city so that the weather vane indicating the wind direction and the sundial on the roof could be seen from any part of the city. In addition to determining the time by the sun, the Greeks used a hydraulic absolutely accurate chronometer inside the building. The tower was of great importance to the citizens, as it was the meteorological and astrological centre of Athens.

We could go on and on about the attractions and intriguing sites in Greece. There are more old ruins and renowned locations per square meter here than everywhere else. Local people, amazing cuisine, and world-famous Athens landmarks will help you to get acquainted with the culture of this country. So, plan your vacation, book your tickets, Athens airport transfer, and accommodation, and enjoy its azure sea, white beach, and kind people.