Ancient Agora of Athens

Ancient Agora of Athens

Ancient Agora of Athens
4.5
Historic SitesAncient RuinsPoints of Interest & Landmarks
About
These ruins, located in the heart of modern Athens, were once the site of the marketplace in ancient times, a political, cultural and economic center of the ancient world.
Duration: < 1 hour
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$8.74
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Plan your visit

The area

Address
Neighborhood: Monastiraki
Monastiraki is a souvenir-hunting enclave with a difference. Apart from the dramatic backdrop of the Acropolis, its network of alleys and pedestrianized streets surround the remains of both the Greek and Roman agoras, adding the quaint concept that this is where the ancients also came to shop. Named after the tiny monastery church at its center, Monastiraki Square is a lively spot by day or night, with street peddlers vying for your attention to sell you nuts and sweets. Down beside the metro station, the official Flea Market is an unbroken row of souvenir shops until you come to antique-oriented Platia Avissinias, while Pandrossou Street on the other side of the square offers more tourist shopping. The pedestrianized street beside the Greek Agora is lined with cafés offering fine views.
How to get there
  • Thissio • 4 min walk
  • Monastiraki • 4 min walk
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See what travelers are saying

  • Nic J
    Edmonton, Canada15 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Finding the entrance was a pain
    As the title states, finding the entrance was a pain. Lack of signage and not the greatest entrance made this traveler wander around for an hour trying to enter this magnificent site. Once inside, it is stunning to see everything inside. While your there, remind yourself who walked the same grounds as you are walking on right now.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written October 4, 2023
  • StacyMacDonald
    Calgary, Canada235 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Follow up the Acropolis with the Ancient Agora
    The Ancient Agora of Athens, which includes many historic buildings and ruins, such as the Temple of Hephaestus, street of the marble workers, and the Church of the Holy Apostles, is another must-do in Athens. It's an easy walk from the Acropolis and Slopes, and pays for itself if you choose to get an Athena's Combo Ticket from Hellenic Heritage. While you're here, be sure to walk through both floors of the Stoa of Attalos. It's a beautiful building with interesting statues, artwork, and exhibits.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 14, 2023
  • Liz M
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Deserves to be better known
    Lovely site. A park full of archaeology. Learned loads. Loved the beauty. Good counterpoint to the Acropolis - the business centre of ancient Athens compared to the religious centre. Unexpected highlights: modern statues of Confucius meeting Socrates and wild tortoises! Used our Athens Pass for this - good value.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 25, 2023
  • Susan C
    Barnard Castle, United Kingdom323 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Would go again
    As we are not fit enough to climb the Acropolis I had chosen to visit this large site, which we had read was very interesting, and much less visited, so more comfortable to explore. We had asked the guide who escorted our transfer bus from Piraeus for a recommended walking route to it from our drop off point, opposite the Arch of Hadrian. He directed us to the most scenic circular route which gave excellent views of the Acropolis via a wide pedestrian paved walkway which was very pleasant and well away from the crowds but rather a long way round, as by the time we found the only entrance to the Agora, which is on Adrianou Street, we were very tired! (In our 70’s walking with sticks) Too tired to climb up to the Temple of Hephaestus, but still a quiet and pleasant exploration among various ruins. We visited the portico of the Stoa where there were a number of marvellous statues and small monuments, clearly labelled as to which are original and which are reproduction. Public loos are there too. We did not have time to go into the museum itself but if we go back to Athens would revisit the site via Adrianou Street (narrow and crowded, a paradise for shopping if that’s your thing.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 28, 2023
  • Mairwen1
    United Kingdom11,493 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Buy the Combo Ticket & Don’t Do the Agora & Acropolis in the Same Day
    You need to allow at least a couple of hours at least to cover the Ancient Agora and its museum. Don’t make the mistake we did and try to do both the Acropolis and the Agora in the one day. Big mistake. Even in June (which is not half as hot as July & August), I started to flag as we walked around the Agora and found it hard to keep going, let alone appreciate what I was seeing. The best starting point to explore the Agora is the reconstructed Attalos Stoa. Seeing the Stoa first gave me a better idea of what many of the ruins might have looked like once upon a time. It also houses the museum which gave me some context and background to the ruins. The highlights here are the Attalos Stoa, the Agora Museum, the Temple of Hephaestus and the Odeon of Agrippa. If you only have limited time, don’t miss these four. Little remains of the other structures. They are well marked but it takes a lot of imagination to reconcile the ruins that you see with the grand buildings and temples that once stood here. Luckily, the information panels beside each of the ruins were very helpful. I’d often have been lost without them. It is worth noting that there’s nowhere to buy drinks or food inside the agora. There are some shady spots but mostly, you are walking around in quite an exposed, hot and dusty area so it’s a good idea to bring a water bottle. Also, the only toilets are on the ground floor of the Attalos Stoa, at the far left of the building. TIPS: * The combo ticket is excellent value. It includes entry to both the Ancient Agora and the Acropolis as well as 5 other sites. At €30, it is well worth it (entry to the Agora on its own is €10 and the Acropolis is €20). In winter, most sites are half price so the combo ticket is not such good value then. * Don’t confuse agoras. There are two in Athens - the Ancient Agora and the tiny Roman Forum. The Ancient Agora is by far the most impressive and most popular of the two. * There is nowhere to buy drinks or food once you’re inside the agora. There are some shady spots but mostly, you are walking around in quite an exposed, hot and dusty area so it’s a good idea to bring a water bottle. * The only toilets are on the ground floor of the Attalos Stoa, at the far left of the building.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 30, 2023
  • R K
    61 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Better place than the Akropolis
    What a great place! It is in fact an enormous park with lots of remains of temples and other buildings. The temple of Hephaistos is largely still standing and offers a great view. The stoa is a reconstruction true to the original which offers nice shade. You can imagine the old philosophes walking here! And as most sites in Greece the entrace prices are low. Bring something to eat and drink and you can spend hours here, for there are lots of benches in the shade. The view on the Akropolis from here is great. Closeby, just outside the gate, are lots of nice restaurants on the Odos Adrianou with a great view on the agora.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 13, 2023
  • davetheguide
    Tel Aviv, Israel5,671 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a visit to see the well preserved ancient temple
    After the Acropolis, this is second most important archaeological site in Athens. In my opinion. on a visit to Athens it's sufficient to visit only two archaeological sites - the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora. You don't need more than one hour at the Ancient Agora - they main reason you should visit here is to see the largest best preserve ancient temple in Greece. A guided tour of this site isn't really necessary.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 25, 2023
  • elmooo
    27 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great value
    We went early in the morning and it was such a peaceful experience compared to the acropolis. You can get closer to the temple and other buildings and the on-site museum had an interesting collection of artefacts. We had purchased the combination ticket which is well worth the price if you are in Athens for a couple of days.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 15, 2024
  • Gemma
    Bradford, United Kingdom19 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful but be careful
    Stunning place to visit and I am really glad I got to see it. Unfortunately as I reached the top end and was about to head back to the entrance to leave, two men came out of the trees (I assume they jumped the back fence) and tried to rob me. One hit my arm and tried to steal my phone and when that failed he came at me. Thankfully shouting for help (that did not come) scared them off. The guard on exit said it happens every day and had happened three times the day before. As a solo female traveller I do not regret visiting such a beautiful area, but please be really careful, especially if you are visiting alone. Rating the experience as very good because the place itself was excellent, even if the experience was somewhat overshadowed by the attempted mugging.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written March 11, 2024
  • CaptCook
    233 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Breathe the History!
    Even more than the Parthenon, this represents the social heart of Ancient Athens. The Temple of Hephaestus rates is both splendid and probably the most complete 'ruin' in the city. It's a fantastic introduction to Athens. It's a site where you can be sure heroes, philosophers, and famous artisans have lived and changed the world. On a catious: On a hot summer day, be sure that you cover up and take water. Otherwise, breathe the history!
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 17, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles4,473 reviews
Excellent
2,614
Very good
1,438
Average
350
Poor
54
Terrible
17

In-Yong H
London, UK654 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Solo
As impressive as the Acropolis as is, I found exploring the huge site of the Ancient Agora equally as impressive. This contains the remains of the ancient Greek / Roman city centre, and even though most of the buildings are in ruins, you still get a good idea of the scale of the place. I spent more than 2 hours walking around, and could easily have spent more. The highlight is the Temple of Hephaestus, an amazingly well-preserved temple, and the well-curated museum exhibiting artefacts related to the life in the ancient city. You need a mask for the museum (Covid) and the place is included in the €30 combo ticket, which is think it a no-brainer if you're visiting Athens!
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve Buckley
London, UK8,942 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
My wife and myself are currently holidaying in Athens staying at the Grand Hyatt (Review to follow) and this morning we visited the Acropolis (see separate Review) and during this couldn’t fail to notice the Ancient Agora of Athens below.

Fortunately, we had opted for the 30 Euros Combined entrance ticket which covered several other attractions including the Ancient Agora of Athens. As such, we went there from the Acropolis and - with an extremely well preserved temple of Hephaestus, impressive Stoa of Attalos Building and so much more to see - this proved an excellent move, one I would strongly recommend others to replicate.
Written October 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Darsot77
Southampton, UK261 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
As with all attractions in Athens between 1st November and end of March is half price. It's €10 normally so our entrance fee was only €5.
Athens' ancient marketplace, founded in the 6th century BC and was the heart of the city for 1,200 years.
A large site containing amongst others :
Stoa of Attalos which today houses a museum displaying finds from the Agora.
Temple of Hephaestus which is the best-preserved Classical temple in Greece.
Odeon of Agrippa Two Tritons and a Giant still remain.
Great Drain still in use Today.
Byzantine Church.
and much else.
Definitely a must-see when you're visiting Athens!
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ivan Kinsman
Kielce, Poland1,089 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Family
The temple of Apollo Patroos (325 BC) is a beautiful little temple set on a hill - Apollo is the father of Ion, ancester of the Athenians, who was the special protector of groups of related families.

Below are the ruins of varioud civic and administrative buildings including the Old Bouleutarian (early 5th c BC), a kind of Senate consisting of 500 members, that prepared the legislative bills for the Assembly of the People to vote on. Also the Metroon (150 BC) where decrees, law codes, financial regulations, legal documents etc. were stored.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CraigH0901
Adelaide, Australia1,241 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
This attraction is central to Athens attractions and is a must see item. It is over a large expanse and requires a lot of walking - take suitable shoes, clothing and water. A well preserved temple that is reasonably unique, a lot of well marked areas and a museum all worth your attention but beware - it will take time and effort. Purchase a ticket for a number of archaeological sites for EUR30 and this will be included in that price. Helps get past the lines at the very least.
Written September 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

permia
Ireland65,599 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
We thoroughly enjoyed over two hours strolling throughout this superb area admiring the evocative remains of what was the centre of daily civic life in antiquity.

It was fascinating to learn that it was in use for millennia before becoming the Civic Centre of the City, including as a cemetery during the latter Bronze Age. But undoubtedly it’s as the former that is best reflected in the great remnants and restorations.

A gorgeous intricate Corinthian Capital is to be seen, as is a fine statue of Emperor Hadrian, who foremost of the Romans contributed most to Athens. Only the torso survives but it exquisitely shows a wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remus of Roman legend and the Goddess Athena standing atop the wolf.

A number of Stoa are displayed - South Stoa I, possibly used by metronomoi who were officials in charge of weights and measures; Middle Stoa that dates from around 180 BCE; and the undoubted jewel that is the Stoa of Attalos.

Wonderfully restored in the 1950s it hosts the interesting Agora Museum with artefacts including fascinating Ostraca that were used to vote to banish or ostracise citizens.

A lovely Byzantine Church of Agios Apostoloi with grand stone craft is well worth perusing. It is one of only two original edifices in the complex.

The second is the gorgeous stunning Temple of Hephaestus, completed in 415 BCE and one of the highlights. A vista of Pentelic marble columns against the saturated early morning blue was delightful. Regarded as one of the best preserved Greek temples from antiquity it is a marvellous treasure.

A Dais that bore ten bronze sculptures representing the Tribes of Athens is still evocative after more than two millennia. It is known as the Monument of the Eponymous Heroes

Vestiges of Altars and Temples to numerous Deities are extant, including to Ares the Olympian Deity who was God of the Spirit of Battle. Further Altars are to Zeus and Zeus Agoraios, a most powerful God.

Impressive and ornate with arrays of Corinthian columns, the grand Odeon of Agrippa was a gift to the Athenians from Emperor Augustus’s Son-in-Law. Impressive sculptures line the outlines and the fine performance space could accommodate an audience of around 1000.

A water mill residue comprising two large circular mill stones is a further fascinating picture of ancient life, as is the Great Drain that provided essential drainage preventing flooding in the Agora.
Written February 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maria
Torun, Poland19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
From all the things on the Combo ticket I think this one is the most worth seeing, apart from the Acropolis. The site itself is huge and offers a lot to see, it's pretty close to the Acropolis so chances are. you will already be in the area. If you want to properly experience it without rushing I recommend going after lunch, bringing plenty of water and allocating a few hours to this place.

There's a museum in the main Stoa building which displays a lot of artifacts found in the area and explains some of the customs. There's plenty of statues, ruins, nature, etc to admire. There's a temple there which is very well preserved despite suffering from a fire. In general, I think you will find this one of the more interesting in visually stimulating sites to visit in Athens. If you've taken the metro you might have seen this site from underneath as the metro line runs directly through it.

We truly enjoyed our time there, just wish we went there after lunch so we wouldn't be rushing so much.
Written September 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

andyh67186334
Coalville, UK10,913 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
The admission to the Ancient Agora of Athens was part of the 7 site ticket over five days at a cost of 30 Euros.
It's a very interesting site with great views of the Acropolis, and an ancient temple. There is also a church on site, which was closed and a museum displaying artefacts across the centuries. There are plenty of restaurants outside the main entrance should you want a drink or food.
Written February 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vikki G
Peterborough, Canada193 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022
We saw from a roof top bar a lot of people on the hill for sunset, we joined this group a few nights later. It is beautiful! You have a great view over Athens, you are close to the Acropolis and can see the Sea.

It does not cost anything but be careful the rocks are very slippery. It is a nice self guided tour through out the ground.
Written February 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Luisa Bettina V
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia60 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
I enjoyed walking the Ancient Agora. It was very sunny and hot, but the place has quiet spots to sit down and admire the place. If you are an art lover like me, you will find yourself in the luckiest place to take pictures and admire the Greek monuments without the crowds of the Acropolis.
I would make three suggestions: First, bring VERY comfortable shoes, you will need them! Second, invest in water bottles if it is Summer. One might not be enough! Third, take your time to see the Museum of the Ancient Agora and the small church inside the Agora. Both places are small but full of interesting details if you are looking for art and quality stuff!
Written July 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Ancient Agora of Athens

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