In addition to the beauty of its natural landscapes, when you travel to Athens you are travelling to one of the centres of the rise of Western civilisation. It is a way to connect with the ancient world, being home to an ancient culture that was the cradle of some of the first great thinkers still read and studied today. If Greece is a historical destination par excellence, Athens is recommended for history lovers.
Best places in Athens for history lovers
As mentioned above, Athens is a city that offers visitors a striking blend of the ancient and modern worlds. Among its many attractions, it is the remains of its civilisation that attract millions of tourists every year. This is what makes Greece and Athens in particular one of the best tourist destinations in the world for history lovers. Below, we’re going to tell you about the must-see spots in Athens if you’re passionate about history.
The Acropolis
Without a doubt, a must-see in Athens for history lovers is the Acropolis, the essential point that cannot be missed on a visit to this city. It is nothing less than the place where everything was born, one of the most important points in the Western world for understanding the origin and development of history.
The Acropolis was a city built from which people could “look after” each other. It was the point from which the rest of Greek territory was defended. Today, it has many breathtaking monuments, including the Parthenon, centre of the Acropolis and made up of 46 wooden columns covered in ivory and gold, which are still standing thanks to constant restoration. This monument was built in honour of the Goddess Athena, protector of Athens.
In addition, from the top of the mountain, you can have incredible views of the city, including key historical monuments.
If you are interested in visiting the Acropolis, you can stay at Acropolis Museum Boutique Hotel. The hotel is housed in a recently renovated classical Greek building located at the foot of the Acropolis hill, within walking distance of some of the main classical attractions such as the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, the Greek Parliament, among others.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Athens is a great alternative for those who enjoy getting to know a culture in depth. In this respect, knowing the worldview of a place can be very helpful in understanding the development of a culture throughout history and the way in which it has been built and consolidated.
That’s why visiting the Temple of Olympian Zeus is one of the must-see places in Athens for history lovers. This temple is located on a large green esplanade from where the columns can be seen. Today, only 15 of the 104 columns that were originally built in marble remain standing. However, it is possible to see Hadrian’s Gate, which consists of an arch more than 15 metres high, which at the time was used to separate the old city from the modern one. Despite the years, this is still an imposing spot.
Agora
Another of Athens’ must-see sites for history lovers is the Agora, which is the point of the political, social and commercial life of ancient Athens and is a way to understand how this society developed and how the first commercial exchanges took place. The Agora is a complex of buildings that served as a venue for elections and also for important discussions about laws. Moreover, it was a space for the entertainment of people through the development of sporting events and theatrical plays already in antiquity. Nowadays, it is possible to visit Museum of the Agora, where many pieces recovered from the excavations carried out at the site are kept.
Plaka
Finally, another must-see in Athens for history lovers is Plaka. This is a historic and commercial district in Athens that is a must if you visit the city and is located close to the Acropolis. Today, the neighbourhood is full of restaurants and places to enjoy, combined with steep, narrow streets that make the whole walk seem like a real labyrinth.
In addition, this neighbourhood is filled with the colourful facades of its houses, which make it a beautiful place to rest, eat or shop. From Plaka, at the same time, it is possible to see the Roman Agora, including the Tower of the Winds. For this reason, this site is considered to be another place to visit for those who love history and to get to know the culture of a place in depth.
Another possibility to consider is to stay directly in Plaka, where we recommend you 360 Degrees Hotel. The hotel has a privileged location in Monastiraki Square and is housed in a carefully modernised and restored building with retro and post-modern design and decoration elements. It is a boutique style hotel that stands out especially for its restaurant with excellent typical Greek cuisine.