Discover the world's most iconic sights and landmarks. From ancient wonders to modern marvels, explore must-see attractions that define destinations across the globe. Find historical monuments, architectural masterpieces, and natural wonders that capture the essence of each place.

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens, Greece. It is home to several of the most famous and significant ancient Greek architectural structures, including the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.

The most famous structure of the Acropolis is the Parthenon, which was constructed in the mid-5th century BCE as a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. It is widely considered a masterpiece of ancient Greek architecture and is renowned for its decorative sculptures and ornate columns.

The Propylaia is the monumental gateway to the Acropolis, while the Erechtheion is a temple dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. The Temple of Athena Nike is a small temple dedicated to the goddess of victory.

The Acropolis was a significant site in ancient Greece and was the center of religious and cultural activity in Athens. It was also used as a fortress during times of war. Today, the Acropolis is a major tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the various structures and learn about the history of ancient Greece and its impact on modern civilization.

Acropolis of Athens

Greece

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport

Athens

Attica

Výronas

Néa Smýrni

Kallithéa

Zográfos

The Temple of Hephaestus, also known as the Theseum, is a well-preserved ancient Greek temple located in Athens, Greece. It is one of the best examples of the Doric order of Greek architecture. The temple was dedicated to Hephaestus, the ancient Greek god of metalworking and fire. It was built around 449 BCE and is one of the few ancient Greek temples to have survived largely intact.

The temple was constructed using marble and stood on a raised platform surrounded by columns. It originally consisted of a cella, or central chamber, surrounded by columns and an outer colonnade. Today, many of the columns and part of the entablature are still standing, allowing visitors to get a sense of the grandeur of the ancient temple.

Over the centuries, the temple has been used for various purposes. During the Roman period, it was converted into a church dedicated to St. George. In the 19th century, the site was excavated and restored, and today it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Athens. Visitors can tour the site and see the remaining columns, as well as admire the views of the city from the raised platform on which the temple stood.

Temple of Hephaestus

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is an ancient Greek temple located in Athens, Greece. Also known as the Olympieion, it was built over several centuries starting in the 6th century BCE and was finally completed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century CE.

The temple was designed to be one of the largest in the ancient world, with 104 Corinthian columns, each standing at a height of 17 meters. However, it was damaged by wars and earthquakes and only 15 of the columns remain standing today, along with some of the architrave blocks.

The temple was dedicated to the king of the gods, Zeus, and was built to house a colossal statue of the god. The statue, which was over 12 meters tall, was one of the largest of its kind in the ancient world, but was later destroyed or lost.

The temple was an important religious and political center in ancient Athens and played a significant role in the city's history. It was also the site of the Panathenaic Games, which were held every four years in honor of the goddess Athena.

Today, the temple is a popular tourist attraction and a significant landmark in Athens. Visitors can admire the remaining columns and the impressive size of the temple, and learn about its rich history and significance in ancient Greek culture.

Temple of Olympian Zeus Athens

The National Library of Greece is the largest library in Greece and one of the largest libraries in the Balkans. It was founded in 1829, shortly after Greece gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire. The library's main building is located in the center of Athens, near the Syntagma Square.

The National Library of Greece holds a vast collection of books, manuscripts, maps, and other documents, including rare and valuable items. The library's collection includes over 4.5 million books, over 1.2 million photographs, over 1.5 million maps, and over 500,000 rare manuscripts and documents. The library also holds a significant collection of Greek and foreign periodicals.

The library's collection is organized in several departments, including the General Collection, the Rare Books Collection, the Manuscript Collection, the Map Collection, the Periodicals Collection, and the Music Collection. The library also has a Reading Room, where visitors can access the library's collections and use the library's resources.

In addition to its collections, the National Library of Greece is also involved in various cultural and educational activities, including exhibitions, lectures, and conferences. The library also provides various services to the public, such as access to digital collections, interlibrary loans, and reference and research services.

National Library of Greece

The Benaki Museum is a cultural institution in Athens, Greece that houses a vast collection of Greek art and artifacts from prehistoric times to the present day. It was founded in 1930 by Antonis Benakis, a Greek art collector and philanthropist, who donated his private collection to the Greek state to establish the museum. Today, the museum has expanded and includes several buildings in different locations throughout Athens.

The collections of the Benaki Museum are organized chronologically and thematically, featuring objects from Ancient Greece, Byzantine and post-Byzantine art, Islamic art, the Greek War of Independence, modern Greek art, and more. The museum also has a collection of European art, including works by El Greco, Rembrandt, and Rodin.

In addition to its permanent collections, the Benaki Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and events, making it a lively cultural center in Athens. Its various buildings include the main museum building in Kolonaki, a mansion in Piraeus that houses the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art, and the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture in downtown Athens, which focuses on the history and culture of Greece from ancient times to the present.

Benaki Museum

Photo credits: National Archaeological Museum, Athens, photographers: Stephanos Stournaras, Irini Miari. 
Copyright: © Hellenic Ministry of Culture/ Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development (H.O.C.RE.D.).

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the most important in the world. It was founded in 1829 and houses a vast collection of artifacts from ancient Greece, covering a period of more than 5,000 years, from the Neolithic period to Roman times.

The museum's collection is organized chronologically and geographically, with artifacts from different regions of Greece and different historical periods displayed in separate galleries. Some of the most notable exhibits include the Mycenaean collection, featuring treasures from the tombs of Mycenae and other sites in the Peloponnese, and the classical collection, featuring sculptures and other artifacts from the Golden Age of Athens.

Other highlights of the museum include the Egyptian collection, which includes artifacts from the Nile Valley and Egypt's Ptolemaic period, and the bronze collection, which features bronze objects from various periods, including the famous bronze statue of Poseidon from the Artemision.

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is located in the Exarcheia neighborhood of Athens and is easily accessible by public transportation. It is open to the public six days a week, and admission fees vary depending on age and nationality. Guided tours are available in several languages, and visitors are encouraged to check the museum's website for information on special exhibitions and events.

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