4 Hours In Athens
Business Traveler|April 2018

A ramble through the Greek capital offers a chance to take in five millennia of history and some house-distilled ouzo

Evan Rogers
4 Hours In Athens

1 TEMPLE OF HEPHAESTUS 

The Greek capital has been inhabited continuously for at least 5,000 years and shows the marks of every era, white marble ruins standing alongside graffiti spattered concrete and colorful Cycladic façades. Begin at the Temple of Hephaestus in the Ancient Agora, just north of the Acropolis.

The best-preserved Doric temple in the world, it was started two years before the Parthenon in 449 BC, in the same style. Stroll through the overgrown ruins of the Agora and up a small hill towards the temple’s east entrance – friezes above it depict the Labors of Hercules, while those on the other end show the Labors of Theseus. The hillside vantage point affords stunning views of the Acropolis. Open 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM in winter, till 8:00 PM in summer; admission €8 ($10).

2 HADRIAN’S LIBRARY 

Walk a few minutes down Adrianou Street to Hadrian’s Library. Originally built by the Roman emperor in the second century, it shares the site with a number of other buildings that cover more than a millennia of architecture. Entering on the west side, you’ll see the wall of the 12th century Church of Saint Asomatos.

This story is from the April 2018 edition of Business Traveler.

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This story is from the April 2018 edition of Business Traveler.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.