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Planning a trip to the historical city of Athens, Greece and wanting to wander about the magical ruins? Prepared to be blown away while literally walking back through time! The ancient ruins of Athens are one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited, due to both the magnificent beauty and their historical representation. Here are the best Athens ruins to visit when in Greece!

Wandering the Ancient Ruins of Athens, Greece | The Wanderful Me

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Athens — the largest and capital city of Greece. And one of the oldest cities in the world, as it’s been continually inhabited for over 3,000 years. Whoa!

Known as the historical capital of Europe or the world’s ancient capital, Athens dates back to the 5th century and Neolithic Era.

This remarkable city was the birthplace of democracy and the motherland of western civilization.

No doubt, Athens is a city filled with thousands of years of history and a multitude of ancient ruins to show for it.

It’s one of my favorite cities in all of Europe, having explored ancient Athens for about 6 days when I last visited. My favorite part of the city though — the magical ruins.

Built centuries ago, massive monuments like the Acropolis and the Parthenon were designed and constructed as prominent architectural structures.

Nowadays, the ruins can be explored by visitors who want to literally walk through history. How cool, right?

But, with that said, if you’re short on time, which should you visit? I’ve listed out some of my favorite that I believe are worth every second of your Athens itinerary! So let’s get into it, shall we?

The Best Ancient Ruins to Visit in Athens, Greece

The Acropolis

If you’re in Athens, even if it’s just for a short amount of time, you must visit the Acropolis. Hands down, this is the most popular ancient site in the city!

Even if you don’t visit any other historical ruin sites, make sure to at least visit this site, as it’s the most important monument in Greece and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Acropolis is a rocky hill with a flat top and a remarkable example of an architectural structure demonstrating the historical stages of the 16th century BC.

Throughout the site, there are a variety of monuments that have stayed put throughout wars, explosions, earthquakes, alterations and more for almost 25 centuries.

Views of the Acropolis, rising high above the city on top of its hill. This is no doubt one of the most popular ancient ruins in Athens, Greece.

P.S. While you’re near the Acropolis, if you have the time, don’t miss out on the Acropolis Museum! And if you need more ideas on what to do in Athens, click here.

*The following ancient ruins are part of the Acropolis*

The Parthenon

One of the greatest cultural monuments and a representation of Ancient Greece, Athenian democracy, and western civilization.

The Parthenon and all its glory. This Athens' ruin is located on top of the Acropolis.
Another angle of the Parthenon, a popular ancient Athens ruin.

Hey! Thinking of strolling about Athens’ ruins without proper travel insurance? Think again! You never know what could happen (uh, hello, not-so-safe-ancient-steps!). Get awesome travel insurance here with World Nomads (who I always use!).

The Propylaea

The monumental gateway to the ancient Acropolis in Athens.

The Greek word propylaeon literally means “that which is before the gates,” but now one can simply interpret the word as “gate building.”

The Propylea, also known as the gate to the Acropolis and the ruins situated on it.
An alternative view of the Propylea ruin, with tons and tons of people going in and out of this ruined gate.
Yet another perspective of the Propylea.

The Erechtheum (Erechtheion)

Located on the north side of the Acropolis, this temple is dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon.

Additionally, the olive tree planted on the side of the Erechtheum represents hundreds of years of dedication and reverence.

The tree established the dominance of the goddess Athena within the city that would take her name.

The Erechtheum ruin, a lesser known ancient ruin.
The Erechtheum ancient ruin with a famous olive tree in front of it.

Psst, I took all these photos with my Sony a5000! It’s something I NEVER travel without, as it helps me capture both incredible photos and beautiful memories! Get your own here.

Old Temple of Athena

The foundations of the Old Temple of Athena can be found in front of the Erechtheum (featured in the picture above).

The Erechtheum in the background, with the ruins of the Old Temple of Athena in the foreground.

Temple of Athena Nike

Nike means victory in Greek and Athena was the goddess of wisdom and victory in war.

The newer Temple of Athena Nike, as well as a view of the city in the background.

Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus

A major theatre in Athens, able to seat 17,000 people and situated at the foot of the Acropolis, the Theatre of Dionysus was a perfect location for ancient Athenian celebrations.

A photo of the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus, a popular theater in ancient Greece.

*End of Acropolis sites*

Temple of Zeus

The Temple of the Olympian Zeus has unusually large columns and is one of the largest in the world; it’s the largest temple in the city of Athens.

One of my favorite temple ruins in Athens, the Temple of Zeus.
One of the ruined sections of the Temple of Zeus, a rather underrated temple if you ask me!
A wider view of the pieces of the Temple of Zeus ruins, showing how massive this temple once was.

Ancient Agora

Located between the neighborhoods of Thission and Monastiraki, Ancient Agora is a large area with beautiful greenery and ancient ruins.

In ancient times, Ancient Agora was the center of Athens and the site where political and judicial gatherings would take place.

Ancient Agora in the foreground and a view of the Acropolis in the background.
Looking off in the distance in Ancient Agora, you can see the Temple of Hephaestus.

*The following ancient ruins of Athens are located within the area of Ancient Agora*

Temple of Hephaestus

The best preserved Doric temple in Greece, this temple is dedicated to both Hephaestus, the ancient god of fire, and Athena.

It overlooks Ancient Agora and most of the temple remains standing to this day.

The Athens ruin of the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the most well-preserved temples in all of Athens.
A wide angle view of the Temple of Hephaestus; its preservation is remarkable!

Stoa of Attalos

This ancient greek building was used for centuries as a major shopping center in the Ancient Agora; now it’s used as a museum for artifacts and pieces of history.

Inside the Stoa of Attalos, a once major shopping center in ancient Athens.
Sophie sitting on the steps of the Stoa of Attalos, admiring the view.

*End of sites in Ancient Agora*

Roman Agora & Tower of the Winds

Located between Monastiraki and the Acropolis, the Roman Agora is a large green area containing the Tower of the Winds and other various pieces of ancient artifacts.

The ancient ruins of Roman Agora and Tower of the Winds, an underrated ruin in Athens.
An alternative view of Roman Agora and Tower of the Winds, still just as beautiful with its ancient ruins and ominous towers!

There are more ancient sites throughout the city but those mentioned are some of the most important and well-preserved ancient ruins of Athens.

If you’re ever in Athens, be sure to visit at least a few of these amazing Greek ruins and marvel at the beauty that was created centuries age.

Have you visited ancient Athens? Or are planning a trip there? Or better yet, are you already in this incredible city? Let me know in the comments!

Sophie xx

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