The Acropolis

Athens, Greece

The Acropolis of Athens is the most compelling and complete ancient Greek monumental complex still in existence today - situated on a hill of modest elevation, the outcrop rises 512 feet above the city of Athens. The hill is rocky and steep on all sides except for the western side, and has an extensive, nearly flat top - strong fortification walls have surrounded the summit of the Acropolis for more than 3,300 years.

On this hill were born Democracy, Philosophy, Theatre, and Freedom of Speech, which provide to this day the intellectual and spiritual foundation for the contemporary world and its values. The Acropolis’ monuments, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia and the Temple of Athena Nike, have survived for almost twenty-five centuries through wars, explosions, bombardments, fires, earthquakes, sackings, and alterations.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience while in Athens, look no further than a hike up the Acropolis. The ancient citadel is perched high above the city, providing stunning views of the surrounding area and an intimate view of the iconic monuments. Hikers can explore the ruins of several ancient temples and other buildings, including the awe-inspiring Parthenon. A hike up the Acropolis is a great way to get a closer look at this iconic landmark and to enjoy the history and beauty of Athens from above.

There are two entrances to the Acropolis. The main entrance and the side entrance- the main entrance takes you on a short path to the formal entrance of the site in ancient times. It is located on the western side of the Acropolis and is usually quite busy - you reach it by walking uphill from the metro or bus station.

The side entrance is way less crowded and is the fastest way to get into the Acropolis - The side entrance is across the pedestrianized road (Dionysiou Areopagitou) from the Acropolis Metro station and the Acropolis Museum.

There are 6 main sites to see at the Acropolis - The Theatre of Dionysus, The Odeon of Herodotus Atticus, The Propylaia, The Temple of Athena Nike, The Parthenon, and The Erechtheion.

The south entrance, or side gate, soon leads you to the first of the six spectacular stops along this route, the Theatre of Dionysus – therefore it is often referred to as the “Theatre of Dionysus entrance.”

The Theatre of Dionysus is regarded as not only the first Greek theater and birthplace of Greek drama, but also as the first theater in the world. It was built into a natural hollow along the southern slopes of the Acropolis - this ancient theater was dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine making and ecstasy, whose festivals were the driving force behind the development of Greek theater. This masterpiece of Greek Classical art and architecture is well preserved – most notably are the exquisite marble chairs.

Continuing along the path upwards to the entrance of the Acropolis you come across the impressive birds-eye view of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus - this stunning open-air theatre, distinctively Roman in contrast to the Theatre of Dionysus, with its Roman arches and three-story stage building, it was originally partly covered with a wood and tiled roof.

The Propylaia — the monumental gateway to the Acropolis, served as a partition, separating the secular and religious parts of the city. This imposing, magnificent structure is likely to give you chills as you pass through the marble forest of towering columns - once you reach the top of the steps of the Propylaia and turn to look out towards Athens, you’ll notice a very small temple on your left, this is The Temple of Athena Nike.

Exiting The Propylaia, you emerge onto the summit plateau of the Acropolis – to your left is The Erechtheion and to your right The Parthenon.

The Parthenon, a former temple to the Goddess Athena, is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece and one of the world’s most important cultural monuments - for this reason alone, it is worth trekking up to the top of the Acropolis just to be in its presence.

The last, but not the least, site to behold on the Acropolis is The Erechtheion - the Erechtheion is a much smaller temple than the nearby Parthenon, but no less impressive. It has a strange design as it is built on very uneven land, and different parts of the temple were built separately – the statues holding up the roof of the ‘Porch of the Maidens’ are known as the Karyatides. Before you are copies - the original statues are in the nearby Acropolis Museum, except for one, which is in the British Museum in London.