Acropolis of Athens 

Adult tickets to the Acropolis cost 20 euros, while a 30 euro package includes access to other ancient monuments in downtown Athens over five days. Since we were staying in Athens for two days, we purchased the package, as it offers access to many monuments and museums, saving us significant money. There are two ticket booths at the foot of the Acropolis. Based on our research, the southeast entrance (the Side Entrance on the map) is best, as it's less crowded and saves time queuing. The Acropolis opens at 8:00 AM. Because there's no shade from above, it's best to enter right after opening to avoid the crowds.

We entered the Acropolis from the south entrance near the visitor center. It wasn't long before we saw the Acropolis standing before us. Acropolis means "city on a hill" in Greek, and from this angle it really lived up to its name.

Theatre of Dionysus

Before ascending to the Acropolis, you'll pass the Theatre of Dionysus, one of Greece's oldest open-air theaters. Historically, Dionysiac festivals were held here, dedicated to the god of wine and agriculture, earning it the nickname "Theatre of Dionysus." A stone platform was added in 330 BC, seating up to 17,000 people. The stage has been rebuilt over the centuries, and most of the ruins we see today date back to the Roman era.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

This relatively well-preserved open-air theater was primarily used for concerts. A renovation in 1950 included rebuilding the characteristic steep tiers of seating in Pentelic marble, which now accommodates approximately 5,000. It now serves as the venue for the Athens Music Festival. Since then, the venue has hosted some of the world's leading performers—from local songstresses Maria Callas and Nana Mouskouli to international legends Luciano Pavarotti and Frank Sinatra, as well as pop icons Elton John and Sting.

Beule Gate

Entrance to the Acropolis begins through the Beule Gate, which leads to the Propylaia complex. Beule Gate was the former Roman defensive entrance to the Acropolis, with stairs leading to the monumental classical Greek portal of the Propylaia. Today, it serves as a tourist exit.

Propylaea / Temple of Athena Nike

The Propylaea was the entrance to the temple. Just south of the Propylaea, in the high corner on the right side of the photo, is the Temple of Athena Nike. The three main temples on the Acropolis today are the Temple of Athena Nike, the Parthenon, and the Erechtheion. The Propylaea controlled the entrance to the Acropolis. While not built as a solid structure, it was important that those who were not ritually cleansed were denied entry to the sanctuary.

The Parthenon, the palace of Athena, was an ancient Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology, she was not only one of the twelve ancient Greek gods but also the patron goddess of Athens. Located on the Acropolis, this temple is arguably the most important surviving piece of Classical Greek architecture. Its exterior is a classic Doric order, while its interior incorporates Ionic details. The building features eight columns at each end, and seventeen at each of the long ends, each fluted and without a base. At the end of the sixth century, the Parthenon was converted into the Church of Our Lady, undergoing various modifications both internally and externally, with some statues removed or demolished. It ultimately became one of the four major Christian shrines of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Acropolis Observation Deck

Up to the Acropolis Temple's terrace, there's an observation deck behind it offering 360-degree views of Athens. From here, you can see Lykavittos Hill, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, and the entire city of Athens.

The Erechtheion was a multi-purpose temple dedicated to Athena, Poseidon, and the legendary Athenian king Erechtheus. Its most distinctive architectural feature is its six Caryatid columns, a modification of the Ionic style. The beautiful columns we see today are perfectly constructed, creating no visual distortion. However, these are not authentic, having been replaced with replicas due to air pollution. The originals can be seen at the Acropolis Museum (five) and the British Museum in London (one).

Acropolis Museum

Designed by Swiss-American architect Bernard Tschumi, this building was intended to replicate the nearby Parthenon. Besides adjusting the dimensions and modeling the columns to accurately reflect those of the Parthenon, Tschumi's design also incorporated seismic technology to account for the region's frequent earthquakes. The museum's many treasures include artifacts from the ancient and Roman periods, all of which were discovered at the Parthenon, on the slopes of the Acropolis, or in other buildings at the site. Notable pieces in the collection include the original caryatids, a relief of Nike Adjusting Her Sandal, and portions of the Parthenon's decorations. The museum also boasts hundreds of marble sculptures.

After visiting the Acropolis, we headed to the museum, but since masks were required and we didn't have them, we couldn't enter, so we had to give up! We planned to return later, but the museum wasn't open due to time constraints, so we had to take a few photos from outside.

Hadrian's Arch

The Arch of Hadrian, located between the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus, is said to have been built to celebrate the visit of Roman Emperor Hadrian to Athens. Today, the arch stands on Via Amalias. Built in 131 AD to welcome the Roman Emperor, the "Arch of Hadrian" is a triumphal arch from the Roman era. It is said to have marked the boundary between the ancient and new parts of Athens, like the boundary between humans and gods. The Arch of Hadrian served as the entrance.

Olympieion (Temple of Olympian Zeus)

Passing through Hadrian's Arch and entering the realm of the gods, you'll find Athens' oldest temple, the Temple of the Olympian Zeus, also known as the "Temple of Zeus." The temple boasts 104 columns, each 17 meters high and 2 meters in diameter. These columns are arguably the tallest of any temple. In 425 AD, under Christian rule, the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II banned the worship of ancient Greco-Roman gods within the temple. By the end of the Byzantine period, in the mid-15th century, only 31 of the 104 columns remained. In 1852, a severe storm completely destroyed the cella and the large statue of Zeus. By then, only 15 columns remained, with the 16th toppled to the ground. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Greek and German archaeologists, as well as the British School in Athens, finally began excavation and restoration work on the temple.

Panathenean Stadium

Since ancient times, fire has been a symbol of the Olympic Games. Every four years, before athletes gather for the Games, the iconic torch makes the long journey from the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens to the new host city, the site of the first modern Olympic Games. This tradition began over a hundred years ago. Athens, still in daily use, the Panathenaic Stadium, built on the soil outside the former city walls, dates back 2,500 years. Standing proudly in the shadow of the Acropolis, this white horseshoe-shaped stadium remains the only arena in the world constructed entirely of marble. Its track measures 333.33 meters, and its 47 rows of marble stands can accommodate an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people – a truly impressive sight.

Lykavittos Hill

The best spot to enjoy the sunset or night view of Athens is Lykavittos Hill. From Lykavittos Hill, you can capture both the stunning night view of the Acropolis and the sunset. Getting to Lykavittos Hill is easy from downtown Athens: take the metro, walk, and finally take the cable car to the hilltop's observation deck. At the top, you'll be stunned by the best panoramic views of the city and can take in the Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the coast of Piraeus, peaks like Pentelix, which provided the marble for the Acropolis, and the towering Parnitha to the north.