If you have a fetish for visiting places with a rich historical background, Athens should be on the top of your list. With 3,000 years of glorious past and culture, the city of Athens is rightly known as the cradle of Western Civilisation. The city has plenty of hidden charms for you to explore. Every year more than thousands of tourists visit the city with the hope of experiencing something new. With a metropolitan area, urban district and a large city center, Athens is the perfect blend of both modern and historical features. The city is popular for its ancient monuments and ruins. However, today it is more than just archaeological ruins. Just like any other modern-day city even Athens is bustling with sports, culture, and nightlife.
Places to visit
Athens is a place filled with numerous attractions. With so many places on the list, you are sure to get confused. We have shortlisted some of the high-rated places in Athens that you must visit. As a tourist, you can also enjoy private tours in Athens.
1. Byzantine and Christian museum
This is one of the most iconic places in Athens. No visitor leaves the land without paying a visit to this place. Home to more than 25,000 artifacts, this museum is a paradise for all the art lovers. You can witness numerous Grecian artifacts in the museum dating back to the 20th centuries. Many of the holdings that you see here are rare. This includes collections of manuscripts, fabrics, pottery, and frescoes. If you have to witness the largest collection of Byzantine art, you have to be here. You can also explore the beautiful collection of limestone slabs, marble, and icons in the museum.
2. National garden
Located in the heart of Athens, the National Garden is a place of great interest for the tourists. The sunny afternoon trips to the park are totally worth it. This is an ideal place for those who want to spend some peaceful time away from the hustling and bustling of city life. This beautiful garden is surrounded by a green and vibrant tree life. Other than that, statues adore every corner of the garden to make it look more beautiful. Taking a walk inside the National Garden can be a great experience for you.
3. Panathenaic stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium was originally constructed by the ancients. What makes the stadium special is its place in sports history. The stadium dates back to 300BC after which it was reconstructed in 144. The stadium has been the witness to numerous Olympics game. In fact, this is where the Olympic flame started. With 50,000 spectators, this is the world’s largest stadium which is entirely made of marble. If you visit Athens, you simply cannot miss visiting this place.
4. Agora: the ancient marketplace
The ruins of Agora is one of the most popular places in Athens. During ancient times, the place served as the main market for the people of Athens. To get a lovely view of the ruins, you should go head towards Areopagus. Agora was the center of commerce and administration. Events like theatre performances were a regular part of the place. From here you can head to the beautiful Agora hills.
5. Acropolis
There are only very few sights in the world that can stand up to Athens’ Acropolis. Back in the days, Acropolis used to be the center of the city. This is also the home of the largest temple, Parthenon. With brilliant sculptural details and Doric columns, the temple is a stunning site to witness. You can also find other ruins in and around the place including Erechtheion. When visiting Acropolis, you should also check out the Acropolis Museum where you can find some of the most precious collections of ancient Greek art. Given the significance of the place in ancient times, taking an Acropolis tour is a must.
Now that you know the places to visit in Athens, you should work towards having a great experience out there. If you are to visit Athens make sure that you make the most of it.
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