Sights in Athens

 We've been able to enjoy some pretty awesome sights in the city of Athens.

1) The Olympic Museum and the Olympic Stadium 

Since I'm a huge fan of the Olympics, I found it pretty cool to go see the Olympic Stadium from 2004 and this Olympic Museum that I believe was opened in 2021. It tells about the history of the Ancient Olympic Games, the creation of the Modern Olympic Games, and then a highlight of every games every held. Some of the exhibits are dedicated to the Athens 2004 games.

2) The Acropolis Museum

Jason, Rachel and Ava went to the Acropolis Museum (also relatively new - an old museum existed higher up on the hill but this modern large building is now down on the city level near the East Entrance, not far from the Acropoli metro station and the Theatre of Dionysus) while I rested prior to the race. The museum is on top of excavated ruins and you can stand above them on a glass floor, looking down into them. The museum gives some context to the Acropolis sights and hosts some of the friezes (sculpted artwork/carvings in the sides of the buildings) and statues. The kids enjoyed it.

3) The Acopolis (including the Parthenon)

The most famous sight in Athens is the Acropolis, and the most famous sight inside the grounds is the Parthenon. We had a great visit walking around looking at the ruins and a view over the whole city of Athens spanning around us. It really is impressive to see the size of these massive columns. To walk around you can almost imagine what it might have looked like when all the temples and structures were intact - it would have been a sight to behold!

The Theatre of Dionysus from below

Theatre from above

Temple of Athena Nike

Entering into the Propylaea

Propylaea

Propylaea

Propylaea

Propylaea

Erechtheion

Erechtheion

Parthenon

Parthenon

View of Athens from above

We visited the Acropolis on Jason's Birthday!

Erechtheion

Grandma came to visit us in Greece!!!

4) Monastiraki Square and the Athens Flea Market

We had lunch at a little restaurant overlooking the busy square, which is vibrant and full of tourists and locals that sell things to tourists. We enjoyed walking around the streets of the flea market, which is right beside the ruins of the ancient agora (huge pillared market building), the temple of Hephastus, and Hadrian's Library.

Riding at the front of the double decker tourist bus

Our yummy lunch today

Flea market

Flea market

Flea market

Agora (ancient market)

"Every day is a good day for Gelato" but especially your birthday

Gelato!

5) The Panthaneic Stadium

We also went to see the stadium once the marathon tents were all taken down and it's now empty - much easier to see and appreciate the size of this beautiful and restored Olympic stadium made of marble.

Thanks for reading and following our journey. More Greece Adventures coming up soon!