Tours

The best way to explore a city is on foot. This is especially true of Athens, which has a number of sights located in close proximity to one another. The two recommended walking tours take in most of the city's must-see attractions, but do not cover the National Archaeological Museum on Patission Street, the gems of 19th-century architecture along Panepistimiou Street and the "Museum Mile" on Vassilissis Sophias Avenue. These can be seen either separately or as part of a guided tour. Several companies such as CHAT Tours and Hop In Zinon Tours offer a selection of guided tours of Athens.

Tour One: Archaeological Walking Tour of Athens

This tour should start before 10a, as it will take about five to six hours, should you wish to enter all the sites on the route.

The departure point is the Panathenaic Stadium on Vassileos Konstantinou Street. This impressive structure, built on the remains of an ancient stadium dating back 330 BCE, hosted the first contemporary Olympic Games in 1896 CE. Today, this 70,000-seat venue is used for concerts and other large-scale events. On nearby Vassilissis Olgas Street is the entrance to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, one of the largest temples ever constructed. Nowadays, only some of the temple's columns can be seen. In better shape is the adjacent Hadrian's Arch, built in 131 CE in honor of the Roman emperor Hadrian.

Crossing the busy Amalias Avenue, you will enter Plaka, the old town of Athens. Standing on a small square is the Lysicrates Monument, a cyclical tower from the 4th century BCE. From here, it is just a brief walk along Dionysiou Areopagitou Street to the southern slope of the Acropolis - the site of the Dionysos Theatre. Constructed in the 6th century BCE, it is one of the world's oldest theatres and the place where the great works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes were first performed. Walking down the street towards the entrance of the Acropolis, you will come across a more recent theatre, the Odeon of Herod Atticus from the second century BCE, which is still used for concerts and performances.

Opposite the entrance of the Acropolis stands Philopappou Hill. From the monument on the hilltop, built in the 2nd century CE, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Acropolis. On a lower hill lies Pnyx, the birthplace of democracy and the venue of the world's first popular assembly.

The highlight of this tour is the ascent to the Acropolis with its architectural masterpieces dating back to the 5th century BCE. You can reach the top of this hill by entering through the monumental Propylea in order to admire the magnificent Parthenon and the graceful Caryatid statues at the Erechthion Temple. The museum features splendid examples of ancient Greek art.

Turning right at the exit of the Acropolis, you will come to Arios Pagos a small hill or a large rock, depending on how you look at it which was used as the seat of court during the 5th century BCE. This is the place where the Apostle Paul preached to the citizens of Athens 2,000 years ago. The stairs next to the Arios Pagos will take you down to the Ancient Agora marketplace. Among the numerous sights in this archaeological park is the well-preserved Temple of Hephaistos and the reconstructed Stoa Attalou. A short stroll away is the more recent Roman Agora from the first century BCE and the landmark Tower of the Winds.

At Areos Street, just before Monastiraki Square, are the remains of Hadrian's Library - a Roman building from the 2nd century BCE. A ten-minute walk along Ermou Street will take you to Keramikos, the final destination on this walking tour. This is the site of the city's ancient cemetery with its beautifully decorated tombstones and splendid collection of pottery inside the small museum. N.B. Keramikos closes at 3p.

Tour Two: Walking Tour of Plaka and Monastiraki

Plaka is one of the city's major attractions. Many interesting sights such as ancient monuments, Byzantine churches and beautifully restored mansions can be found in its narrow streets, most of them closed to traffic. There is also a good choice of tavernas, cafes and souvenir shops in the area.

You should set set aside three to four hours for this walking tour, which starts at Kydathineon Street. Upon entering Kydathineon Street from the Filellinon end, you will come across the 11th-century Agia Sotira Church - one of the few remaining Byzantine churches in Athens. Opposite the church is the Museum of Greek Folk Art. Its exhibits include a wide range of artifacts such as traditional costumes, wood carvings and pottery. Turning left at Monis Asteriou Street, you will come to the the Vlassis Frissiras Museum of Contemporary European Art, although the children would probably prefer a visit to the Greek Museum of Childhood at 14 Kydathineon Street. Just a stone's throw away is Filomoussou Eterias Square where you will find several cafes and tavernas.

Turning left on Farmaki Street, you will find another 11th-century church, the Agia Ekaterini. This church is located next to the Lysicrates Monument, a cyclical tower built in the 4th century BCE. Follow Shelley Street and turn left at Thespidos Street (towards the Acropolis) in order to reach Anafiotika. Enter the maze of narrow paths to explore this strange settlement consisting of picturesque white-washed houses.

One of Plaka's most interesting churches is the 11th-century Agios Nikolaos Rangavas on Prytaniou Street. Down the street stands the Agii Anargyri Monastery, which was built in the 17th century, and the Museum of the History of Athens University, housed inside the stately mansion on Tholou Street. Next to the museum is the Panagia Chryssokastriotissa Church in Aliberti Street, made famous by its miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary.

A splendid collection of ancient Greek art and Byzantine icons can be found at the Kanellopoulos Museum on the corner of Theorias and Panos Streets. Walking downhill, you will reach the Roman Agora and the landmark Tower of the Winds. On this site, you will also see the 15th-century Fetiye Mosque and the remains of the Medresse, a Muslim theological school. Next to the Medresse is the Museum of Popular Instruments at 1 Diogenous Street.

Upon entering Diogenous Street, turning left into Mnisikleous Street and then right at Pandrossou Street, you will find the majestic 19th-century Metropolis Greek Orthodox Cathedral as well as the tiny Church of Panagia Gorgoepikoos. Re-enter Pandrossou Street to discover a shopping area crammed with stores selling jewelry, handicrafts, clothes and souvenirs.

At the end of Pandrossou Street is Monastiraki Square and the Pottery Collection at the Tzisdarakis Mosque (Tzami) which houses a splendid pottery collection. To the right of the metro station is Ifestou Street, which will take you to the Monastiraki Flea Market and the antique shops occupying the narrow streets around Avissynias Square.

This walking tour ends at the Central Market on Athinas Street, which has been housed inside a huge hall since 1886. This market contains an overwhelming selection of meat, seafood and vegetables.