A photographic overview of the archaeological sites that you can visit in the center of Athens, to get an idea of what to expect. Plus some practical information to help you planning a route.
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The archaeological park of Athens is quite extensive. To see everything, even on the run, a day is not enough and I am not even sure if it’s really worth it to see everything, much depends on how fond you are of ancient rocks 😉 However, those who decide to visit the Acropolis, for the modest sum of 12 € per person, you will get the right to visit a number of other sites for free within 4 days … put it this way it is a shame not to take advantage of it, if you have the time.
The sites listed in this article series are all those included in the ‘Special ticket package’ plus a couple of other smaller sites. Please note that admission to all sites is free to all EU citizens under the age of 19 (showing an ID) and students of the European community (student card required). The reduced rate (half price) is applied to college students from non-European countries and to people over 65 years of age.
First Sunday of the month from November to March, entry is free for all.
The winter timetable (October to March) is from 8.00 to 15.00. In summer most of the sites will remain open until later, but each site has a different time, which may change from day to day.
The Acropolis of Athens
(entance 12€ / included in the special ticket package)
The symbol of Athens and Ancient Greece. Should you decide to visit only one site, the choice in this theory can not be other than this, although as a photographer I don’t really agree, as I will explain later.
It is better to avoid visiting during the hottest hours during the summer, because the marble makes the temperature even more unbearable.
To avoid queues at the entrance it might be a good idea to enter from the adjacent site of the theater of Dionysus, which then connects directly to the Acropolis.
The Parthenon. Perpetually under renovation, is nothing short of impressive.
The Erechtheion, the famous temple with the Caryatids, now replaced by copies. The originals are kept in the Acropolis museum. One of the corner caryatids, removed by Lord Elgin, is in now exposed at the British Museum in London.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a perfectly restored and working theater, which hosts many concerts during the summer. The theater is not open for turists, but from the path that leads to the Acropolis there are spectacular views.
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