Top 11 Things To See at the Acropolis in Athens in 2024

Heading to the Acropolis, but don’t know what to see? It’s a massive archeological site that can be confusing to navigate as you try to see all the sites. That’s why we put together this helpful guide to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Here are the top things to see at the Acropolis in Athens written by a historian.

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What To See at the Acropolis in Athens

The Acropolis is an important spiritual, democratic, artistic, and architectural symbol of the glories of Ancient Greece. First inhabited around 5,000 B.C., the Acropolis is still mostly intact today. This massive hill is visible from virtually any narrow alleyway in the streets of Athens below.

Part citadel and part sanctuary, mythology tells us that Greek gods and mere mortals alike long fought to control the Acropolis. The more famous conquerors include the Romans and Ottoman Turks. However, according to Greek traveler Pausanias, the original battle royale pitted the pagan goddess Athena against the god Poseidon. Athena gained the upper hand for the title of patron of Athens and the Acropolis.

Way back around the 8th century B.C., Athenians dedicated the Acropolis to the goddess Athena. When Athens developed from a village to a major power, ruler Pericles wanted to turn the Acropolis into a showpiece of city-state pride.

As a result, under Pericles’ leadership during the Golden Age of Athens (450 – 400 B.C.), the Acropolis transformed from a few temples (damaged by Persian invaders in 479 B.C.) to a marvel of classical art and architecture. When you visit this massive archeological site, make sure you don’t miss these top things to see at the Acropolis.

11. Beule Gate

Past the ticket booth and a short walk up the pathway, you’ll see the Beule Gate. The gate is a Roman addition to the Acropolis from the mid-third century A.D. This arch gets its name from the French archaeologist behind the mid-19th century excavation, Ernest Beule. For visitors in Roman times, this would have been your gateway to the main attractions of the Acropolis.

10. Porch of the Maidens

It’s hard to miss the six larger-than-life maiden statues that serve as columns supporting the southern part of the Erechtheion. Directly facing the Parthenon, the maidens or caryatids are arranged in the shape of a horseshoe. According to historian Michael Llewyn-Smith’s account of Athens, the Porch of the Maidens became Poseidon’s consolation prize on the Acropolis for losing out to the goddess Athena in the battle to be the city’s patron.

Historian Paul Cartledge says Athena had at least two advantages in the contest. Firstly, her name. Secondly, her gift to the Athenians of the useful olive tree. On top of that, her warlike attitude probably helped too.

Although much-photographed, the maidens that you see today are only replicas. However, five of the originals are currently displayed in the adjacent Acropolis Museum. One sister statue is at the British Museum in London.

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9. Theater of Dionysus

How long was the average wait time to clear theater tickets and security screening in ancient Athens? Luckily, your ticket to the Acropolis ensures you don’t need to know the answer to explore this sprawling theater complex on the southern slope of the Acropolis. Named for Dionysus, the god of wine and good times, construction wrapped up in 330 B.C.

Ancient Athenians loved going to the theater. Tragedies forced people to think about life and human nature. Comedies, on the other hand, made people laugh at famous Athenians who may even have been in the audience. According to Robin Wakefield, the Theater of Dionysus could seat nearly 20,000 people. As a result, it was the largest public meeting space in the ancient city. Also, the theater was an important symbol of Athenian democracy—the city’s government met there at times. 

8. Flagpole on the Belvedere

This is a great spot to enjoy late afternoon shade on the Acropolis. Besides that, the flagpole on the Belvedere offers views fit for Greek gods over much of Athens. As such, many ancient and modern landmarks come into focus when standing on the raised platform.

And yes, even the flagpole at the Acropolis has a lot of history. For instance, during the German occupation of Athens in WWII, Manolis Glezos (1922 – 2020) and a friend stuck it to the Nazis by hauling down the flag of Nazi Germany from the Acropolis. Subsequently, Glezos became a national hero and mainstay figure in Greek political life.

7. Stoa of Eumenes

The Stoa of Eumenes is yet another sign of the importance of theater in the daily life of ancient Athenians. It served as a promenade and shelter from bad weather for theatergoers. If you’re visiting the Acropolis in the summer months, you’ll enjoy the shade of the remaining arches as much as the ancient Athenians. In fact, you might even ask who you need to tag in a thank you post for building this shady spot.

That would be Eumenes II, King of Pergamon. According to Roman author Cornelius Nepos, Eumenes built the stoa during the Hellenistic period in the 160s B.C. So, you could say the stoa is an ancient example of personal branding. For instance, Eumenes hoped that in return for the shade, the Athenians would give him favorable business deals. Did it work out for Eumenes? Well, it’s not called the Stoa of John Stamos. 

6. Ceremonial Sundays

For those desiring pomp and circumstance on their Acropolis visit, join the Sunday flag processions led by the elite soldiers called Evzones (Presidential Guard). In addition, Sunday flag ceremonies come complete with a band playing the Greek national anthem. Greek soldiers perform the flag duties on other days, without the fancy uniforms and accompanying music.

5. Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Herodes Atticus was a rich Roman official during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Rather than spend his fortune on wine and song, as scholar Robin Wakefield tells us, Herodes used it for the public good. For example, Herodes funded an odeon in A.D. 161 on the southern slope of the Acropolis.

The venue impressed ancient writers. Philostratus tells us that the odeon had a roof made of cedar wood. Cedar was expensive to use even for small statues, let alone a whole building.

At this time, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is only open during performances. Between June and October, you can take in a concert or play from seats where ancient Athenians witnessed performances of legendary Greek plays and where more recent crowds rocked out to Elton John and the Scorpions.

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4. Temple of Athena Nike

South of the entranceway to the top of the Acropolis is the tidy and compact Temple of Athena Nike. Designed by the famous architect Kallikrates and built between 421-415 B.C., the temple is now in its third iteration. According to archaeologist Ioanna Venieri, the temple endured a fair share of destruction at the hands of conquerors like other buildings on the Acropolis.

First demolished by the Ottomans between 1686 -1687 to mount cannons, the current construction only dates from 2003. Fortunately, dozens of marble reliefs from the original structure survive in exhibition spaces at the Acropolis Museum and British Museum.

3. Propylaea

Talk about making a grand entrance. The Propylaea is an impressive columned staircase leading to the top of the Acropolis. For ancient writers Pausanias and Demosthenes, it was as impressive as the Parthenon.

Athenian officials even intended to extend the Propylaea outward with big marble wings. However, a war against Gerard Butler—I mean—Leonidas’ Spartans in 431 B.C. ensured this plan never materialized. 

Resist the temptation to rush up the final steps to reach the summit of the Acropolis and admire the panoramic view of Athens, Phaleron Bay, and the port city of Piraeus.

2. Erechtheion

The Parthenon is certainly the most recognizable building on the Acropolis. But the most sacred to ancient Athenians was the Erechtheion. As archaeologist Efi Gianikapani tells us, the Erechtheion was constructed on the north side of the Acropolis between 421 and 405 B.C.

The Athenians dedicated the temple to three deities. Above all, Athena received pride of place. Secondly, Athenians celebrated a mythical king named Erechtheus. Paul Cartledge tells us this king is often confused with a shady character named Erechthonius.

Finally, the Athenians cleverly hedged their bets by honoring Poseidon at the rear of the temple. Like the other temples on the Acropolis, the Erechtheion has performed multiple functions. For example, it served as a Christian church and after that as a harem for the city’s Ottoman commander.

1. Parthenon

On your Acropolis visit, nothing compares to the first glimpse of the Parthenon. Rapidly constructed under Pericles’ watch from 448 – 432 B.C., the Parthenon is the latest and greatest temple built on the site. And great it was—highlights included massive friezes (marble murals) and an impressive statue of Athena. 

Don’t be put off by the scaffolding. You can admire the Parthenon’s white marble columns in the midday sun or its honey hue in the late afternoon. Remember that all the damage you see tells a story from this legendary structure’s history.

Although badly damaged by a Venetian cannonball in 1687, the Parthenon’s foundation remains solid. Like many ancient wonders, the Parthenon is no stranger to looting. Fortunately, many of the Parthenon’s artifacts are on display in the adjacent Acropolis Museum.

While the Erechtheion was the most sacred site in antiquity, the Parthenon emerged as one of the holiest places of pilgrimage for Christians in the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire. As a result, the Parthenon later became a Roman Catholic church and eventually an Ottoman mosque.

As literary scholar Bente Kiilerich argues, few spaces outside the Holy Land can lay claim to such a diverse multi-confessional past as the Parthenon. Now the Acropolis shouldn’t be all Greek to you! Take a selfie at the Parthenon—you’ve earned it!

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