walk in classical Athens

The area around the Acropolis, from the Kerameikos district to the Panathinaikon Stadium, is pretty much the land covered by Athens during its classical age, in the 5th century BC. Almost all the archeological sites of the city are in this area that is becoming known as the Unified Archeological Area.

In the last 3 years the authorities have embarked on an ambitious project to create a unified site that will include all the major archeological sites of Athens, from Kerameikos all the way to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, at the other site of the Acropolis

As part of this effort, two major streets that used to let traffic bypass the Acropolis on a northeasterly direction, Apostolou Pavlou and Dionyssiou Aeropagetou, were paved into elegant pedestrian boulevards. Thus, the Acropolis was linked again with the Pnyka and the Filopapou hill, the center of political activity during Athens' heyday.

Today, the walk that begins in the Thesseion area (Theseion Station on the Metro, Line 1) and runs through Apostolou Pavlou, Dionysiou Aeropagitou, past the Acropolis and all the way to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, on Vassilisis Olgas Avenue is, without doubt, the most beautiful walking tour this city has to offer. The walk can be combined with a visit to Athens' most important archeological sites, such as the Acropolis, the Thesseon, and the Attalos Galleria (Stoa Attalou).

Start at the Thesseion Metro station. Across the street is the Ancient Agora (Market), the Thesseion Temple of Hephestos (Vulcan), the ancient god of fire, and the Attalos Galleria, that includes a museum. The area is definitely worth a visit, as it used to be the hub of all political, commercial, and social activity in the city for hundreds of years.

Then, as you walk up the pedestrian street of Apostolou Pavlou, you pass by the cafeterias and the taverns that line this section of the street. This is a lively area, that serves as the meeting point of the residential neighborhood behind it. Here you can have a drink or snack, enjoying the great view of the Acropolis.

Continuing your walk, Filopapou Hill will be on your right, with the monument of Filopapos and the Athens Observatory. You can walk up the hill through the park simply by following the signs. From here, you can enjoy great views of the Acropolis, Athens beyond it, and Piraeus, on clear days.

Back on Apostolou Pavlou, the street is lined with modern art sculptures. On the left side of the street, right across from the "Thesseio" open-air movie theater, there is a small path leading to the Roman Forum and the Plaka old district, right above the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephestus.

You continue on and you reach Dionysiou Aeropagitou Street, at the end of the uphill and right beneath the Hill of Acropolis. The Theatre of Herod Atticus is on your left.

This is a great opportunity to visit the Acropolis, one of the world's most important and famous monuments. You walk up the hill on your left, following the signs, until you climb up to the Propylaia, the Gates. A few steps up and you are on the Acropolis.

This is the eternal monument to harmony, beauty, and democracy, built by the Athenians, under the leadership of Pericles, 2,500 years ago, as a tribute to Athena, their godess-protector. Under its awsome shadow, the Athenian Democracy nurtured and invented participative democracy, its greatest legacy to humanity, but also the theater, philosophy, the sciences, and perfected the arts of sculpture and architecture.

The Acropolis Museum, behind the Parthenon, is one of the most important in the country and it contains some of the greatest finds from the temples, such as the Parthenon and the Erechtheion.

Coming down from the Acropolis, you turn left and you continue on, on Dionyssiou Aeropagetou, to Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, past Hadrian's Arch to the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The Acropolis Metro station (Line 2) is at the end of Dionyssiou Aeropagetou.

Please keep in mind that the distance and the estimated time refer to a simple walk on the pedestrian streets of Apostolou Pavlou and Dionyssiou Aeropagetou, without visits to the monuments or landmarks on the way