From Plaka to the Acropolis
Athens, Greece
Vivre Athènes
Stops
7Distance
2.1kmDuration
1hAudio
Human VoiceDescription
Join us on this walk that will take us from the picturesque district of Plaka to the summit of the Acropolis. This is an unmissable route that will allow you to discover the real Athens and we will be with you every step of the way, like we would with our closest friends. Let us reveal to you the city we have grown to know and love through its history and mythology, its monuments, its hidden nooks and much more…
The tour starts with the picturesque Plaka. Known for its steep steps and neo-classical buildings, Plaka is effortlessly charming. However, behind its picture-perfect image and reputation, there are many more secrets to be unearthed and we are ready to reveal some.
We guide you afterwards to Anafiotika. This charming neighbourhood is one of the lesser known in Athens and is located at the base of the Acropolis hill. Its whitewashed houses and paved streets will immediately transport you to your favourite Cycladic island.
Then we will reach the Acropolis, this legendary hill. We will tell you all about the history of course, but also mythology, architecture and so on.
You are free to enter or not in the archeological site. Whatever you decide, we give you explanations about all the buildings that you can find on the Acropolis hill.
Then the tour ends at the Acropolis museum, an ultra-modern building considered to be a feat of modern architecture. There, again you can choose to visit the museum. Another option is to go up to the cafe (free entrance) where you can enjoy un incredible view to the Acropolis.
Highlights
1. The sacred hill
The infamous rock of the Acropolis which hosts the renowned Parthenon used to be famous for another reason. Actually, this was the temple which was opposite the Parthenon that ancient Greeks considered to be the sacred one.
2. Myths and facts about the Acropolis
The Acropolis has been immortalized through the years as the perennial symbol of Greece. Nothing about its standing today would give away the tumultuous past it has endured over the years.
3. Areopagus Hill
Areopagus hill is a mythical place with a rich history. Located at the base of the Acropolis this is where the apostle Paul delivered his first sermon and converted Athenians to the ‘new religion’ of Christianity.
Featured stories
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The myth : Athena vs Poseidon
Myths and facts about the Acropolis
We love the story that surrounds the legend of how the city of Athens got her name. According to legend, King Cecrops who was half man half snake decided it was time for the city to have a god to protect it. He assigned the task to two candidates, Athena and Poseidon. He offered them a challenge instead of having them duel, and their task was to offer a gift to the residents of Athens. Poseidon, God of the Sea used his trident to strike the soil and out poured a stream of water which much to his chagrin was salty. Athena on the other hand decided to offer an olive tree, the symbol of wisdom. Cecrops ruled that the olive tree would be more beneficial to his inhabitants as it was a source of shade as well as olive oil. This is how the goddess Athena was picked as the patron saint of Athens and in her honour, the city was named after her. -
The temple of Nike
The sacred hill
If the name Nike brings to mind a particular brand of sports shoes it’s because its name was taken from the Greek goddess of victory. This small temple which was built next to the Propyleaea was constructed between 424 and 418 BC to honour of Athena the victorious and celebrate the triumph of the Athenians over the Persians. This temple was restored in 2003 after being taken down in its entirety and put back together again by a group of archaeologists. According to legend, the temple is placed in the exact spot where King Aegeus had perched himself on the lookout of the return of his son Theseus who had gone to Crete to fight the minotaur. He had been told that in case of victory, the ship’s sails would be white, however if he had perished the sails would be black. As fate had it, Theseus forgot to change the colour of the sails and as soon as his father caught site of the damning colour he threw himself into the sea which would eventually bear his name. -
Athens and its many hills
Areopagus Hill
Leaving behind Anafiotika leads us to the top of Areopagus hill where a spectacular view awaits. From here you can get a panoramic view of the city of Athens. Notice how Athens was built in the space between mountains and hills; a well-planned fortified city. To the north you can see Mt. Pendeli whose marble was quarried to construct the Parthenon. And the hill you can see facing you is the Athenian centerpiece, Mt. Lycabettus. For some, the name of the hill could have been given to it by the Greek ‘lykos’ meaning wolf, as legend has it that wolves once used it as their roaming ground. Others claim that the goddess Athena, upon seeing two ravens circling the city which was a sure sign of misfortune, decided to launch a rock at the mound of the Acropolis which ended up being none other than the infamous Mount Lycabettus.
Vivre Athènes
We are two French women living in Athens who decided to create a website VivreAthènes.com, which would allow us to share the authentic version of Greece and Athens that we love. We put this tour together as a way to experience the city.
See all by Vivre Athènes
Details
| Starting point | Wind Tower in Plaka, Athens |
|---|---|
| Finishing point | Museum of Acropolis |
| Areas | Plaka, Anafiotika, March Hill, Acropolis |
| Opening hours | 8:00 - 18:00 |
| Recommended visiting hours | 08.00 - 18.00 |
| Additional admission | Optional : tickets to the Acropolis and Acropolis museum |
Why take a self-guided tour?
This is a self-guided tour based on the award-winning storytelling concept developed by Clio Muse and the fascinating narratives prepared by our handpicked destination experts.
You can enjoy each multilingual tour by using your smartphone or tablet at your own pace even if you are offline. The interactive map on your screen will guide you step-by-step as you explore all points of interest along your route. Each stop comes with a selection of our signature stories allowing you to tailor the tour experience to your personal interests and schedule.
After downloading Clio Muse app, you can access this tour and activate it any moment you wish and also repeat it any time. To best enjoy our multimedia self-guided tour (comprising maps, video, audio and text) we recommend the use of headphones.
