TEMPLE OF OLYMPIAN ZEUS (NAOS TOU OLYMPIOU DIOS)

Dedicated to the chief of the mighty Olympian Gods, the Temple of Olympian Zeus was envisaged to be the greatest temple in the ancient world at the onset of its construction in the 6th century BC. However, the world did not see the structure in all its glory till the construction was completed around 638 years later by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. With 104 towering columns and two colossal statues (one of Zeus and one of Hadrian himself), the temple was the largest in the country. Explore at your own pace Alas, its days of glory were short-lived. In the 3rd century AD, the temple was pillaged by barbarians. After this, it fell into disuse and was possibly never repaired. Even as a ruin, the temple is a sight to behold and is one of Athens' most important archaeological sites. Explore the site at your own pace, as you try to envision how magnificent the temple would have been with all its columns and statues. The multilingual audio guide delves into the temple's history and its influence on later architecture and art, highlighting its enduring influence.

Meet your tour guide and begin your tour with a visit to the Panathinaiko Stadium, an arena built out of pure marble that hosted the first international Olympic Games in 1896. You will then head to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a cenotaph dedicated to Greek troops who lost their lives in the war. Proceed to the Greek Parliament building and the Presidential Palace, the seat of modern Greek politics. Other intriguing sights on the walking tour include the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Athens Trilogy, Hadrian’s Arch, and St. Paul’s Church. The Acropolis, one of the country’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites, will be the final highlight of the walking tour. Marvel at the imposing vertical columns designed and put in place to serve as a citadel in the 5th century BC! Explore the four galleries inside the Acropolis Museum and learn about Greek history and how its culture evolved over the centuries. From artifacts that served as everyday objects for the ancient Greeks to exquisite portraits and sculptures, the Acropolis Museum has an assortment of fascinating exhibits.

Why waste precious time lining up? Book the Athens Mythology Pass ahead of time and skip the lines to three of the top mythological venues. This pass includes Athens' mythology highlights and skip-the-line entrance to the Acropolis of Athens, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Ancient Agora of Athens.

Enter the most famous archaeological sites of Athens, all in one digital pass. With this combo ticket, you get access to 7 included attractions. This means savings of up to 50% compared to full retail admissions. Make your visit to the Greek capital unforgettable with the best choice of archaeological sites, tremendous savings, and ultimate flexibility. Explore the Parthenon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, perched atop the Acropolis hill at the height of 150 meters, with 2,500 years of rich history. Greek history the way you like it Every year, millions of visitors worldwide come to admire this symbol of the Ancient Greek civilization and enjoy breathtaking views of Athens from the rocky outcrop. Move onwards to the Ancient Agora that lies on the north-western slopes of the Acropolis as well as the ancient Greek city of Plaka. For these 2 sites, you'll have access to an audio guide. Explore the famed Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Stoa of Attalos, the largest shopping center in the ancient world! Upgrade your ticket and get access to a digital audio guide that's available for Acropolis and Parthenon. Expect to learn well-known facts about the sites of Athens as you tour them at your own pace.