Unique Things To Do In Athens

An Overview of Athens

Athens, credited as the birthplace of Western civilization and democracy, is one of the most influential and longest-lasting centers of the Western world, the site of a powerful city-state empire which colored all European politics and philosophies into the modern era. Widely dominant in the 5th-centruy BCE, Athens continued existing in one form or another until the modern era, where it now serves as the capital of Greece. The modern city is full of ancient preserved structures, including the Acropolis, temples, ancient amphitheaters and preserved sculptures. With many museums, potent Greek structures, incredible ruins, seaside shops and nearby mountains, there are many unique things to do in Athens.

Unique Things to do in Athens

Antikythera Mechanism

Regarded as the first analog computer in the world, the Antikythera Mechanism operates like a “clockwork computer.” The original device would have used a series of intricate gears and a hand crank to line up dates and measurements. Then, when the gears and facets aligned, the “computer’s” handler would be show the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, star, lunar phase, solar eclipses and more. The mechanism was capable of compensating the extra quarter-day of each astronomical year. While the Greek device is the only known artifact of it’s kind, evidence suggests it wasn’t entirely unique, since other such instruments were described in historical texts. Today, the incredible device can be visited in the Bronze Collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.

Dromeas (The Runner)

This is a unique, 24 foot-tall sculpture forged from jagged glass and iron rods. The motion of the artwork is swept backwards, making it look like a humanoid figure covered in spikes sprinting.

Acropolis of Athens

The Acropolis of Athens and it’s ancient monuments are considered central and universal symbols of the classical spirit of ancient Greek civilization. The Acropolis was a profoundly influential fortress and military base during the Neolithic period. During the Mycenaean periods, the site was eventually converted into one of the most famous religious centers of all time. The temple grounds are dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare and weaving. She was the predominant patron goddess of Ancient Athens. To this day, the 5th-centrury BCE complex is undergoing meticulous restoration.

The Olive Tree of the Acropolis

In Athens founding mythos, the oceanic god Poseidon and the goddess of war and tactics Athena entered a contest in order to see who would be most-honored among the ancient Athenians. While Poseidon created an ever-flowing saltwater spring, Athena created the olive tree atop the Acropolis. As the olive tree was endlessly useful, Athena won, and an olive tree has remained on the hill ever since. The one found atop the hill has survived for centuries, either outlasting wars and droughts or having a branch saved to be replanted later.

Plaka Neighborhood

Tucking into the shadow of the Acropolis, this hillside neighborhood is home to narrow cobblestone paths with tiny, authentic shops selling ceramics, jewelry, clothing and coffee. It’s a popular (though hilly) area to walk around, thanks it’s it’s tiny, decently-maintained white, quintessentially-Greek buildings.

Monastiraki

Monastiraki is a lively flea-market neighborhood and extremely popular market-center in the heart of Athens. The neighborhood is full of iconic landmarks, such as the ruins of Hadrian’s Library, the Monastiraki Artisinal Flea Market, the Ancient Agora (Greek market plaza) and the restored Stoa of Attalos which contains a museum full of Athenian artifacts.

Little Kook Café

A strange little café, this is a well-known coffee shop and dessert venue famous for it’s fairy-tale-themed interior decorations, savory crêpes and sweet drinks.

National Gardens of Athens

The National Gardens of Athens contain 16 hectares of scenic footpaths wandering through ancient ruins, beautiful flowerbeds, amazing fountains, imposing temple recreations, prominent monuments and the Botanical Museum of the National Gardens.

Syntagma Square

This is the central square of Athens, named for the Constitution that Otto, first King of Greece, was forced to grant after a popular and military uprising in 1843. The Square borders many of the city’s most important institutions, including the Old Royal Palace, the Monument to the Unknown Soldier and the Athens National Garden Archeological Ruins Park.

Anafiotika

This is a tiny and beautiful neighborhood of whitewashed housed designed in the Cycladic architectural style, found beneath the hill of the Acropolis. It’s a supremely quaint, hilly and scenic neighborhood to walk through.

Ancient Agora of Athens

Once, this site was the centerpiece for all major trade and marketing in the city of the Athens. The famous landmark is still an impressively intact ruin, containing the original gathering space along with a museum full of Athenian artifacts.

Technopolis City of Athens

With so many ancient ruins in Athens, the Technopolis is a jarring break from the city’s usual attractions. Technopolis (Gazi) is an industrial museum complex and a major cultural site in Athens. The vibrant cultural venue promotes everything from jazz shows to craft fairs to startup projects and municipal events.

Ruins of the Themistoclean Wall in Athens

The Themistoclean Wall was a massive construction project following the conclusion of the Persian Wars of the 5th-centruy BCE. The walls, which can be found in small pockets north of the city’s center, were initially rebuilt and expanded upon by Athenians who wanted fortified defenses in the event of another Persian invasion. Though the project was strongly opposed by the Spartans and their Peloponnesian allies (who feared Athens’ expanding influence), the structure was eventually competed. The structure itself is unique, as it was made out of the ruined temples and statues that had been damaged during the Persian invasion.

Temple of Zeus

Also known as the Olympieion or “Columns of the Olympian Zeus” are the ruins of a colossal temple which once stood in the city center of Greek. It was dedicated to Zeus, the pagan king deity of Olympus, ruler of all skies and storms. The temple was one of the largest religious structures ever built in the ancient world, making it’s sheer magnitude awe-inspiring.

Arch of Hadrian

Commonly known as Hadrian’s Gate, this is a monumental gateway roughly similar to a Roman triumph arch. The exact function of the arch is unknown, but the standing hypothesis is that it was constructed to celebrate the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s arrival to the city.

Hadrian’s Reservoir

This reservoir remains a remarkable feat of Roman-Athenian engineering, now sequestered below a modern movie theater. The 2,000 year old reservoir was originally ordered by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd-centruy. The project included building an aqueduct into the city which began at Mount Parnitha, eventually stretching 12 miles to the reservoir’s initial flow-point. The reservoir is located in Dexameni (Reservoir) Square, beneath Cinema Dexameni. Access is restricted, but visitors of Athens can find viewing portals on the western walls which offer glances inside.

Magic Sphere of Helios

This strange sphere is thought to be a painted orb which was used in magic rituals. The ball was originally discovered buried near the Theater of Dionysus where numerous duels, contests and sporting events were held. The orb is covered in strange, bewitching symbols. Visitors can find the Magic Sphere of Helios in the Acropolis Museum of Athens.

Tower of the Winds

While the majority of the ancient structures of Athens were religious temples or functional living infrastructure, the Tower of the Winds is different. Originally, the octagonal tower was built with sundials, a clepsydra (water clock), and a weather vane, making it the first meteorological station the Earth had ever seen. Each side of the tower aligns with a compass point, further marked with a frieze depicting the eight Greek gods of the wind. Boreas  (north),  Kaikias (northeast), Eurus (east), Apeliotes (southeast), Notus (south), Lips (southwest), Zephyrus (west), and Skiron (northwest). 

Numismatic Museum of Athens

Numismatics is the study of coins. It’s a crucial area of research especially in archaeology and anthropology as money was a vital aspect of nearly all recorded civilizations. This museum houses one of the greatest coin collections in the world, originally focused on collecting the coinage of ancient Aegina.

The Temple of Hephaestus

Otherwise known as the Temple of Hephaisteion, this is one of the best-preserved ancient structures in all of Athens. The largely-intact structure with Doric columns was dedicated to the Olympian smith-god Hephaistos and the sub-specialization form of Athena, Athena Ergane, patroness of potters, weavers and crafts in general.

Benaki Museum

This is an excellent museum operating out of a former family mansion containing a massive art collection of Greek cultural objects. There are relics from prehistory onwards. There are several Benaki Museums throughout Athens, all stunningly well-designed. This include the Benaki Museum – The Ghika Gallery which is full of modern influences on Greek cultural art. Further west, there’s also the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art which showcases astonishing Islamic artworks and relics alongside a hidden part of the Athenian Wall in the lower levels. There is another branch of the Benaki Museum even further West which is a beautiful contemporary architecture museum, housed in a former car dealership and repair shop.

Diomidous Botanical Garden

For those wishing to escape the crowds and see an usually peaceful side of Athens, the Diomidous Botanical Garden is a profound option. The gardens are within a walled green space with stepping stones, casual walks, a small lily pond and seasonal flower beds.

Stavros Niarchos Park

In a city notorious for it’s pristine and restored ruins, this is likely one of the most beautiful and astonishing modern features of Athens. Stavros Niarchos Park is an expansive green space melded into a cultural center with sculptures, walking paths, playgrounds and vast water-and-light features. It is located some distance from the city’s center, close to Athens’ waterfront.

Tatoi National Forest

Located roughly a half-hour drive north from Athens, Tatoi Forest is a thickly forested mountain park with numerous hiking paths, bike routes, an abandoned summer palace, herds of red deer, foraging wild boars and other wildlife. It’s a popular green space with several unique attractions, including Pan’s Cave, the Royal Palace of Tatoi and the Tatoi Mountain Spring Water source.

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