The Acropolis
· Landmarks · 5 min
Go early or late, when the light is low and the rock is quiet. The Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the view over the whole city.
The Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, holds the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, and a view that takes in the whole of Athens.
You enter through the Propylaea, the monumental gateway to the sacred rock. The Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, is the centre of it all: even partly ruined, the proportions of its columns and the detail of its sculpture hold your attention.
Beyond the Parthenon, the Erechtheion with its famous Caryatid Porch offers a more intimate glimpse into ancient Athenian religion. The smaller Temple of Athena Nike, perched on the edge of the sacred rock, looks out over the city below.
Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds and see the low light on the marble. The Acropolis Museum at the foot of the hill houses the original sculptures and gives the site its context.