The Acropolis

About The Acropolis

Technically, there are many acropolises in the world. The Greek term means only a city on a hill. However, the Acropolis of Athens has become so famous around the world that it is known simply as the Acropolis.

The Acropolis was the spiritual heart of ancient Athens. The stone citadel was home to temples to the Greek gods such as the famous Parthenon, devoted to the goddess Athena after whom the city of Athens was named. While the Parthenon is the best known of the temples on the hill, it is far from the only one. The entire hill is covered with temples built to the Greek gods.

The stunning temples were built during the Golden Age of Athens under the reign of Pericles. The dates of construction vary, but most go back to the 4th century BC. The temple complex was a monument to the power and wealth of Athens during this time, when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean. However, this Golden Age couldn't last. In the following centuries, the Roman Empire grew and eventually absorbed Athens. Romans respected the Greek gods, and so the temples were maintained during the Roman period, and a small temple was even added at this time. Later, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the Parthenon was converted into a church, saving it from further damage.

Unfortunately, once Greece fell to the Ottoman Empire, the Acropolis was used for military purposes. During a siege by the Venetians in 1687, the Parthenon was hit by a cannonball, igniting the gunpowder stored inside and causing colossal damage to the temple.

The reconstruction of the Parthenon and the Acropolis as a whole began in 1975 and still continues today. The Acropolis has become a symbol of Greece and of the ancient world in general, and attracts millions of visitors to this unique monument.

Things to do near the Acropolis

The history of the Acropolis and its many temples is a complicated one. You could easily spend a day or more wandering this high hill and learning about the ancient Greek civilization that built it and the subsequent powers that have taken possession of it. But beneath the hill, the modern city of Athens is also well worth exploring.

• Appreciate a masterpiece of ancient architecture at the Parthenon. Although this ancient temple to Athena is now supported by scaffolding, it's still a stunning building to admire. The white walls bear witness to a vanished world, and it's no wonder this is one of Greece's most popular tourist attractions.
• Get a glimpse of the former glory of the Acropolis at the Erechtheion. Although time has had an effect on this neighboring temple, it wasn't used as a gunpowder store and so is in better condition than the Parthenon beside it. This better-preserved temple allows you a deeper understanding of how the buildings would've looked in their full glory.
• Take in a show the way the ancients did at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. This impressive theater on the Southwest slope of the Acropolis hill was built by the Romans in 161 AD. Renovated in 1950, the theater now hosts open-air shows in the summer just like it was intended to do.
• See the oldest theater in the world at the theater of Dionysius. Built on the same hill as the Acropolis, this theater is even older than the celebrated buildings above it. Dating back to the 6th century BC, this is the oldest theater known in the world. And while the ruins aren't as impressive as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, this less touristy site is an atmospheric glimpse back to the very earliest chapter of Athens' long history.
• See a livelier side of Athens in the Plaka neighborhood. Located at the foot of the Acropolis hill, this charming neighborhood is a maze of narrow streets and whitewashed houses. You'll find plenty of cafés and restaurants where you can sample the local cuisine and immerse yourself in the culture of the descendants of those who built the magnificent temples.

Transit options near The Acropolis

• Athens International Airport is the largest in Greece and connects the city to destinations throughout Europe and around the world. The airport is also connected to the city's Metro system and has a station on line M3. You can take the Metro into the center of Athens to Syntagma Square, where you can switch to a line that will bring you to the Acropolis.
• Akropoli Metro stop is the closest to the Acropolis. Located on subway line M2, it connects the ancient temples to the center of the city.
• A hop-on, hop-off tourist bus can bring you to the foot of the Acropolis hill. From there, you'll need to walk uphill to the temple itself. No matter what method of transit you use to get to the Acropolis, you'll need to walk the last part. However, there is an elevator to the top of the hill for those with disabilities.

Luggage storage at the Acropolis

The many ancient monuments of the Acropolis tell a complicated tale, and you'll need at least a day to get to grips with them fully. In between admiring the temples, you can also enjoy the magnificent views over the city from this high point. Though the Acropolis hill itself isn't large, be prepared to do plenty of walking.

You can make things easier by leaving any heavy bags behind at a luggage storage shop near the Acropolis. Bounce makes it easy to find local facilities who will look after any size of bags for long as you need.

Activities and attractions near The Acropolis

• Acropolis Museum: The state of the art museum was opened in 2009 to worldwide acclaim and houses artifacts from the many different periods of use of the temple complex, helping to explain what you'll see on the hill itself. Some of the most exquisite artworks of classical Greece are kept in this ultramodern building, and it's a must-visit if you want to really understand the importance and legacy of the Acropolis, not just to Athens or to Greece, but to Western civilization as a whole. Note that heavy bags aren't allowed inside the museum, so make sure you leave yours at a Bounce luggage storage near the Acropolis before you visit.
• Syntagma Square: As impressive as the ruins of ancient Greece are, there is more to modern Athens than its glorious past. Take a short walk or quick metro ride to Syntagma Square, and you'll find yourself in the heart of this metropolis. A wealth of bars and restaurants are ready to serve you, and the lively atmosphere of tourists and locals going about their business gives the city an energetic vibe no matter when you visit. Grab a table at a sidewalk café and enjoy the open-air theater of the center of Athens.
• Mount Lycabettus: Mount Lycabettus is one of the tallest hills in Athens, and although it is surrounded by the city, it feels like an oasis of calm. The deep pine forests are the perfect place to go for a hike, and atmospheric ancient ruins dot the landscape. Leave your heavy bags behind at an Athens luggage storage service so you can explore this park in comfort.