Ancient Athens Uncovered
Photo: Thomas Gravanis
Ancient Athens Uncovered
Photo: Thomas Gravanis
Table of Contents
Points of interest
- “Akropoli” Metro Station – Line 2
- Dionysiou Areopagitou Pedestrian Area
- Tourist Information Point
- Archaeological Site of the Slopes of the Acropolis
- The Acropolis Museum
- Odeon of Herodes Atticus
- The Acropolis
- The Philopappou Hill (Hill of the Muses), Pnyx, Hill of the Nymphs
- Cine “Thisio”
- Temple of Hephaestus
- “Thissio” Metro Station – Line 1
Itinerary Overview
This itinerary takes in the main landmarks of the historic centre of Athens. It starts with the world-class Acropolis Museum, a contemporary cultural highlight that is accessible and offers a spectacular view of the sacred rock of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. The museum is located on the most beautiful pedestrian avenue of Athens, Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, which cradles the Acropolis hill. Within a short walking distance of the museum lies the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a monumental ancient theatre that still hosts acclaimed concerts and shows today. From here, the gradient begins, stretching gracefully up to the Acropolis and the legendary Parthenon. Erected in the 5th century BC in honour of the city’s patron – the goddess Athena – it remains one of the most remarkable and must-see monuments worldwide.
After a short gradient that leads to many noteworthy archaeological drawcards, Areopagitou Street turns into the Apostolou Pavlou pedestrian precinct that reaches down towards historic Thissio. It’s time to immerse yourself in the nostalgic sights and architectural delights of “Old Athens”. This photogenic pocket bustles with families, tourists and street vendors, while also granting splendid views to the Acropolis and Thissio park. At the latter, you’ll find the Temple of Hephaestus (also called Thissio), one of the most well-preserved ancient temples in Greece, in the heart of the ancient Agora.
General Accessibility
- The itinerary is estimated to be around 1,6 km in total. The whole route is relatively flat -without taking into account the visits to the various points of interest. According to Google Maps, the first pedestrian area we traverse, Areopagitou Street, is slightly upward. Its extension, Apostolou Pavlou Street, is quite downward until the “Thissio” metro station. We suggest that you do not attempt the itinerary from the opposite direction.
Attention: From the Areopagitou pedestrian area, the entrance to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is 170 metres away, with a total elevation of 9 metres. and the entrance to the rock of the Acropolis is 230 metres away, with a total elevation of 14 metres. This means that the road is rather upward, with difficult paving.
- The itinerary only comprises pedestrian areas with different types of paving. It mainly provides a shallow paving which was deemed to be safe and accessible by wheelchair users.
Attention: Following Areopagitou Street towards the Odeon of Herodes Atticus but also towards the Acropolis, the road is substantially upward and the paving includes slippery clinkers that vary widely in size and contain big gaps between them. This part has been deemed “dangerous”, “necessitates caution/support”, “slippery” by wheelchair users.
- The pedestrian areas are properly illuminated at night, except for the points of access at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Acropolis, where the lighting is insufficient for night tours.
- There are no steps in this itinerary.
- At each point of interest, the accessibility is indicated according to the information available in each corresponding website.
- The itinerary commences from the “Akropoli” metro station (line 2 – red, “Elliniko-Anthoupoli”) and concludes up at the “Thissio” metro station (line 1 – green, “Piraeus-Kifissia”). All of the above stations provide adapted WC, elevators and full access for a wheelchair. In the red line, the boarding is always from the first or the last car of the train which are destined for wheelchairs and bicycles. In the green line, boarding is exclusively from the first door of the first car. The gap between the train and the platform in the “Thissio” station, unfortunately, is big.
Route Description
Our itinerary begins from the “Akropoli” metro station and the only elevator provided is at the street level.
Point of Interest: “Akropoli” metro station – Line 2
From the “Acropolis Museum” exit and the elevator, we turn left and continue slightly upwards on Makrigianni Street (3-metre elevation over a 70-metre distance), heading towards the Areopagitou pedestrian pocket. On our left we will find the car entrance for the Acropolis Museum. This is where disabled guests can park their cars after having contacted the Museum. Makrigianni Street is a pedestrian area as well, with light paving.
In 70 metres, we reach the famous pedestrian street of Areopagitou, where we turn left.
Point of Interest: Dionysiou Areopagitou Pedestrian Area
At the junction of Makrigianni Street and Areopagitou Street we will find the Tourist Information Centre Athens at the top of 5 steps. To approach it in a wheelchair – in case we need information – we will have to turn left into Areopagitou Street. Then in 50 metres, we turn right into little Thrasillou Street. And then right again to access the main entrance.
Point of Interest: Tourist Information Point
Returning to Areopagitou Street and continuing on our route for about 100 metres, we will come to the accessible entrance of the Acropolis Museum on our left. This is located to the left of the main entrance.
Point of Interest: The Acropolis Museum
Exiting the Museum on Areopagitou Street, we continue to the left. Our ride will continue for 550 metres. with an 8-metre elevation on a light stone paving combined with marble, fordable for wheelchair users.
Around halfway through this itinerary, on our right, we will find the Roman Cistern and the stairs that lead to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
We will continue a little further along to locate the stone paved ramp to lead us to the gates of the ancient theatre. Initially, the ramp is well paved but it gets trickier on the way.
Point of Interest: Odeon of Herodes Atticus
The point where the ascent to the ancient theatre begins, on the left, is also the starting point for Theorias Street, which leads us to the sacred rock of the Acropolis.
In the context of the accessibility development of the Acropolis, there are golf carts available to carry wheelchair users from Areopagitou Street up until the entrance of the Acropolis hill. One of these vehicles is always available during the operating hours of the archaeological site, at the junction of Areopagitou Street and Theorias Street, without an appointment. In case the vehicle is occupied with visitors, within the next few minutes another vehicle shall arrive. If there are no vacant golf carts, call them on +30 210 321 4172-3.
Alternatively -though not recommended- we can skip the golf carts and proceed with the itinerary, which is now uphill and bumpy.
We move up on the stone paving of Theorias Street for 200 metres with a 20-meter elevation. This is where we encounter a three-way junction: left towards Plaka, straight ahead towards the entrance of the archaeological site, and right towards the ticket booth. The stone paving is slippery and uneven.
Point of Interest: The Acropolis Museum
We continue our stroll towards Thissio. Areopagitou Street has given way to Apostolou Pavlou Street and it goes down towards the “Thissio” metro station. For a 800-metre distance and a 31-metre descent, we traverse a mild stone paving on a pedestrian area.
To our left and right we meet various fenced archaeological sites.
Point of Interest: Cine “Thisio”
Συνεχίζουμε στην Αποστόλου Παύλου μέχρι να συναντήσουμε τις καφετέριες και το πλάτωμα της πλατείας Jacqueline de Romigi. Εκεί, στο βάθος και αριστερά, βρίσκεται η προσβάσιμη είσοδος για τον Ναό του Ηφαίστου. Ο Ναός είναι μέρος του αρχαιολογικού χώρου της Αρχαίας Αγοράς που βρίσκεται στην Προσβάσιμη Διαδρομή «Από την ιστορική καρδιά στην αστική ψυχή της Αθήνας» όμως η πρόσβαση σε αυτόν γίνεται μόνο από εδώ, κατόπιν τηλεφωνικής συνεννόησης.
Σημείο ενδιαφέροντος: Ναός Ηφαίστου