Athens Other Ancient Sites

Acropolis Museum, Dionyssiou Areopagitou Street 15 (☎210 32 10 185; www.theacropolismuseum.gr), A must-see—preferably before heading up the hill to the Acropolis—this modern museum has an astounding collection of ancient artifacts within its somewhat controversial modern design. Opened in 2007, it holds statues, terracotta wine vases, coins, and dioramas designated with placards that give great historical context in both Greek and English. 5 of the original 6 Caryatids from 420-415 BC are inside on the second floor; copies now stand in their stead on the Erechtheumn. Make sure to watch the video about the Parthenon on the 3rd floor for a great dose of information, and ask the archaeologists wandering the exhibits in black pants, white shirts, and nametags any pertinent questions. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has air conditioning.
National Garden, The land between Amalias, Vas. Olgas, Vas. Sofias, and Irodou Atikou Step through the gates of the National Garden and the honks, heat, and general havoc of Athens fades into the shade, soft paths, and bird sounds within the park. This lush, expansive patch of peace has been public since 1923 and boasts, along with benches, marigolds, and winding pathways, a Botanical Garden, turtle pond, and cafe. In antiquity, the sacred grove of Cyceum stood in the same place. Has outdoor seating.
Parliament Building, Stadiou 13 (☎210 32 37 315; www.nhmuseum.gr), Every hour on the hour, a small crowd of tourists assembles in front of the Parliament building to witness the changing of the guard, an absurd ritual that involves five men in tan colored shirts holding guns walking in a way that must resemble a loon mating dance. As part of the procedure for switching the soldiers need to touch their shoes' humongo pompoms. Between the hourly embarrassments, times two lucky men get to stand in the garb and get stared at by crowds without responding (a la Buckingham Palace). On Su at 11am there is an even more elaborate proceeding. All in all, the process takes about 5min.
Panathenaic Stadium, Renovated for the Athens Olympics in 2004, the stadium is a massive construction of marble with no hot dog vendors of the standard American stadium. Sadly, this stadium might be better appreciated through pictures—the angle that visitors are allowed does not provide much of a vantage point, and honking from the road 50m away undermine the structure's glory. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.
National Archaeological Museum, Patision Street 144 (☎210 90 00 901), At home if you dig in the dirt, you find worms. In Athens, it seems, one finds ancient artifacts. The quantity of vases and statues in this museum, founded in 1892, is astounding, and to look at every exhibit would take days. Room after room is full of perfectly chiseled, nude forms, and the second floor is entirely pottery. Decide ahead of time how long you want to spend at the museum, but don't expect to breeze through. The placards are like textbooks, so read them like you do a textbook: skim. Walk 20 min. from Pl. Syndagma down Stadiou to Aiolou. Turn right onto Patission; or take trolley #2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 15, or 18 from the uphill side of Syndagma or trolley #3 or 13 from the north side of Vas. Sofias From Victoria, walk straight to the 1st street, 28 Oktuvriou; turn right and walk 5 blocks. Museum will be on the left Photos without flash permitted.General admission €7, Students and EU citizens over 65 €3. Free admission for EU students, those under 19, and disabled persons. Apr-Oct M 1:30pm-8pm, Tu-Su 8am-8pm. Nov-Mar 1:30pm-3:00pm, Tu-Su 8:30am-3pm. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has air conditioning.