This post is part of our Europe Travel Series. In my previous posts, I shared our experiences in Istanbul and Cappadocia. If you’d like to follow our journey from the beginning, you can read about our Istanbul adventure here. and our Cappadocia experience here. Hope you enjoy traveling along with us through our stories and memories!
On our first day in Athens, we woke up early around 7:30 AM and headed straight to the Acropolis. The area was still quiet, with very few visitors around. Since most places were closed, we grabbed a quick bite at the nearby McDonald’s and joined a small line of early visitors waiting to enter.
At the entrance, we joined a guided tour with only four couples, which made the experience feel personal and relaxed. Our guide was wonderful and brought the ancient site to life by sharing the history and stories behind the monuments.
The Acropolis, meaning "high city" or "city on the hill," is one of the most famous historical sites in the world and a symbol of ancient Greece. Built on a rocky hill above Athens, it was the religious and cultural center of the ancient city.
People lived on this hill thousands of years ago, but the famous buildings we see today were built during the Golden Age of Athens in the 5th century BCE, between 460 and 430 BCE. After the Persians destroyed the earlier temples in 480 BCE, the people of Athens rebuilt the Acropolis with beautiful buildings that still stand today.
We entered the Acropolis through the Propylaea, the grand entrance to this ancient site. It's an impressive marble gateway. Built during the Golden Age of Athens, it was designed to create a sense of grandeur and wonder before reaching the magnificent temples beyond.
On one side of the Propylaea stands the Temple of Athena Nike, a small but elegant temple dedicated to Athena Nike, the goddess of victory. Built around 427–424 BCE, it was a place where ancient Athenians prayed for success and protection.
The most famous building is the Parthenon, built between 447 and 432 BCE. It was dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and the protector of Athens. Even after more than 2,400 years, the Parthenon remains one of the greatest examples of ancient Greek architecture.
We also saw the Erechtheion, another beautiful temple on the Acropolis. It is best known for its Porch of the Caryatids, where six graceful female statues support the roof instead of stone columns. These statues are among the most famous examples of ancient Greek sculpture and make the Erechtheion one of the most unique buildings on the Acropolis.
As we looked down from the Acropolis, we saw the beautiful Odeon of Herodes Atticus on the southern side of the hill. Built in 161 CE by the Roman statesman Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, it was an ancient theater used for music, plays, and other cultural performances.
The theater had a semicircular seating area and could hold thousands of people. Although it was damaged over time, it has been restored and is still used today for concerts and performances. Seeing this ancient theater still alive after nearly 2,000 years was a wonderful reminder of Athens’ rich history and love for the arts.
Walking through the Acropolis was like stepping back in time. Seeing these ancient ruins while looking over the beautiful city of Athens below was a truly unforgettable experience.
After our visit to the Acropolis of Athens, our next stop was the “Prison of Socrates,” a cave-like structure on the slopes of the Acropolis hill. Socrates (c. 470–399 BCE) was one of the greatest philosophers of ancient Greece and is often called the father of Western philosophy. He lived in Athens during its Golden Age, a time of great progress in art, politics, and ideas.
Socrates did not write any books. Much of what we know about him comes from his students, especially Plato and Xenophon. He taught through a method of asking questions, known as the Socratic Method, to help people think deeply, question their beliefs, and search for truth.
He focused on ideas like justice, virtue, morality, and living a good life. His teachings challenged many people in Athens, and he was eventually accused of misleading the youth and disrespecting the city’s beliefs. In 399 BCE, Socrates was sentenced to death. He chose to accept the punishment rather than give up his principles, drinking hemlock and becoming a lasting symbol of wisdom, courage, and the pursuit of truth.
Standing in Athens, it felt special to think about Socrates and the Acropolis in the same place. The Acropolis stands high and strong as a symbol of ancient Athens, while Socrates represents a way of thinking that questions life, beliefs, and society itself.
Although his ideas were not fully accepted during his lifetime, they later became highly influential and shaped the development of philosophy around the world through the writings of his students, especially Plato. This visit reminded us that ideas that are challenging or misunderstood at first can leave a lasting impact and shape history for generations.
From there, we walked toward the Ancient Agora, the heart of public life in ancient Athens. This was once the city’s main gathering space—where people voted, debated politics, met for trade, and discussed philosophy. It was essentially the center of democracy and everyday civic life. Walking through it today, you can still see ruins of temples, stoas (covered walkways), and open spaces where Athenians once gathered.
Around midday, we stopped for lunch at a place called Stone Restaurant. We ordered zucchini fritters, moussaka, and a Greek salad, and all the dishes were really good.
The moussaka is a traditional Greek dish made with layers of eggplant, meat, and creamy sauce. It was rich, warm, and very comforting. I never thought I would enjoy a salad this much! The vegetables were very fresh, and the taste was simple but delicious.The feta cheese stood out the most. It was very different from what we usually get in the United States—softer, creamier, and richer in flavor. It made the Greek salad especially memorable.
Later, we made our way to Monastiraki Square, one of the most lively and colorful parts of the city. It’s a bustling open square filled with street performers, cafés, shops, and constant energy. From there, we enjoyed beautiful views of the Acropolis of Athens, which stood strikingly above the city skyline. The square is a fascinating place where ancient Athens and modern city life come together, creating a vibrant and unforgettable atmosphere.
After exploring, we headed back to our accommodation and took a short nap to rest our feet. In the evening, we had already booked our tickets online for the Acropolis Museum and visited around 4 PM. The museum displays original sculptures and ruins from the Acropolis itself, giving a deeper understanding of everything we saw earlier on the hill. One of the highlights was seeing parts of the Parthenon frieze up close.
Inside the museum, there is also a lovely café. We sat there and enjoyed coffee while light rain started outside, which made the whole atmosphere feel calm and reflective.
One of the highlights of our museum visit was the underground excavation. Walking over the glass floors and looking down at an ancient Athenian neighborhood was an unforgettable experience.
What amazed us most was the city's advanced drainage system. Even nearly 2,000 years ago, the houses were connected by carefully built stone drains and underground channels that carried away rainwater and wastewater. Seeing how thoughtfully the streets, homes, and drainage network were planned was incredible. It was a reminder that the people of ancient Athens were not only great philosophers and artists but also skilled engineers.
That night, we had dinner at Trattoria Restaurant in the Plaka area, which was closer to our Airbnb. We ordered a meze platter and grilled mushrooms. The food was really good, and it was the perfect way to wrap up a full day of exploring Athens’ ancient landmarks and modern charm.
The next day, we continued exploring Athens and visited more places. I’ll share those experiences soon!
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