Best places in Athens for history buffs?

[kcixcy]

My Greek husband LOVES history and we’re putting together an itinerary for our trip to Athens, any tips? He loves ancient history and modern history, so it doesn’t need to be about mythology and architecture (I know Athens is really popular for that).

 

[Worldwide Greeks Editor]

Great question! Greece (and Athens) has so much history everywhere you look!

Here are a few places to consider in the Athens area (in no particular order):
- Acropolis/Parthenon
- Tourkovounia
- Athens War Museum
- Panathenaic Stadium
- Aristotle’s Lyceum

Hope this helps and hope you have a great time in Athens!

 

[Vangelis]

For someone that loves history, Athens is the place to investigate the beginnings on which our modern society is based. Here are a few "must-visit" places:

Acropolis: goes without saying
Acropolis Museum: this museum is modern and innovative. It has a wide range of artefacts from the acropolis and surrounds and the best part is that there are archaeologists on the floor so you have direct access to people that really know their stuff.
Agora (both Greek and Roman): This was the hub of Athenian society.
Pnyx: the birthplace of democracy.
Socrates prison: you can see where the dude resided. This is on Philopapou hill where Pnyx is so you can just do a tour to check them both out.
National Archaeological Museum: artefacts from 4,000 BCE onwards. Even has Egyptian artefacts.
Benaki Museum: has more recent history from Byzantine to more modern history.

Just walk around Athens and you will come across archaeological sites that are right in the middle of the street. For example, the Pnyx and Socrates prison aren't behind a fence that you have to pay to get in. Others are Hadrian's Arch, Monument of Lysicrates, the Roman Baths on Leoforos Vasilisis Amalias and so much more!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[francescool]

Your first spot on the list has to be the acropolis and the acropolis museum. The new museum is stunning, it’s so modern and has a super cool cafe on the rooftop.