The Parthenon, the symbol of Athens, sits atop a bluff (the Acropolis) overlooking Athens. The stone temple to the goddess Athena was built in the 5th century B.C. and is one of the best surviving examples of classic Greek architecture. Over the centuries, the structure has been a Greek temple, a Christian church, a mosque and an ammunitions depot.
Purchase tickets. Tickets to the Acropolis are available at the entrance to the site and also include admittance to the Ancient Agora of Athens, located at the foot of the hill leading up to the site. Children under 18 are admitted free. The Acropolis offers a number of free admission days throughout the year. These are listed on the site's web pages. Open hours for the Parthenon are: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in wintertime and longer in the summer, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m..
Walk around the temple. The striking Parthenon is not open to visitors, due to its fragile condition, but visitors can walk around the structure and view its massive Doric columns and ornate figures, carved in stone.
Visit the museum. The museum at the Acropolis houses many of the statues, friezes and artifacts recovered from the Parthenon and other buildings atop the Acropolis. A new museum, to be located at the roof of the site, has been proposed. Plans include larger gallery spaces to exhibit more of the collection.
Enjoy the view. The view from the top of the Acropolis is regarded as one of the best on earth. On a clear day, you can see the entire city of Athens and the Aegean Sea beyond.
