Acropolis of Athens, Ancient citadel and archaeological site in Athens, Greece
The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel on a limestone plateau rising above the city, where several temple structures built from Pentelic marble stand. The Doric Parthenon occupies the central position, while the Erechtheion with its caryatid porch and the smaller Ionic shrine to Athena Nike sit along the flanks.
After Persian troops destroyed earlier buildings in 480 BCE, Pericles began reconstruction from 447 BCE under architects Iktinos and Kallikrates. Centuries later, Byzantine rule turned the Parthenon into a Christian church before Ottoman conquerors used it as a mosque and ammunition store until Venetian shelling in 1687 destroyed large sections of the structure.
Visitors from every corner of the world gather on this hill to stand where the foundations of Western thought and art were shaped centuries ago. Greek families arrive on weekends to walk among the columns with their children, pointing out the stones and explaining how this place defines their sense of who they are.
The grounds open daily in the morning and close later in summer than in winter, with the first hour after opening usually being quieter. An elevator on the southern flank brings wheelchair users to the upper level, while most visitors climb the paved paths that can become slippery and tiring in heat.
The architects built slight curves into the columns and steps so they would appear straight to the human eye and compensate for atmospheric distortion. No column stands truly vertical but tilts minimally inward, while the apparently level base rises gently along its length to avoid the optical illusion of sagging in the middle.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
These archaeological sites document the development of human civilizations across thousands of years. They range from the earliest known temple structures like Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, dated to around 9500 BCE, to the preserved remains of Pompeii, frozen in time by a volcanic eruption in 79 CE. Each...
Athens offers numerous locations for photography that range from ancient structures to modern urban spaces. The Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus rank among the city's most significant archaeological sites, while neighborhoods like Plaka and Anafiotika provide narrow streets and traditional...
In 2007, the New Seven Wonders Foundation, led by Swiss businessman Bernard Weber in cooperation with the marketing company Deureka, organized a global vote, the results of which were announced on July 7 in Lisbon. This project, which was especially successful in India and China, enabled the...
Parthenon
46 m
Erechtheion
59 m
Temple of Athena Nike
61 m
Propylaea of Athens
88 m
Athens Klepsydra well
104 m
Pandroseion
31 m
Caves of Apollo, Zeus and Pan
104 m
Sanctuary of Pandion
168 m
Choragic Monument of Thrasyllos
147 m
Pelasgic wall
79 m
Altar of Athena Polias
66 m
Virgin Mary Athiniotissa
34 m
Monument of Agrippa
112 m
Beulé Gate
132 m
Caryatids of Erechtheum
53 m
Aphrodite and Eros shrine
103 m
Cave of Zeus
115 m
Cave of Pan
115 m
Cave of Apollon Ipakrion
115 mHourglass cave
124 m
Cave of Mycenaean Fountain
78 m
Walls of Acropolis of Athens
58 mThe Paved Court of Klepsydra
121 mArchaic Fountain
72 mBronze Foundries
80 mTemple of Themis
77 mScenic viewpoint
173 mScenic viewpoint
168 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes