Ancient Agora of Athens Visiting Guide with History & Facts

This article contains affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Read our Affiliate Disclosure for more. Thanks for your support!

This thorough Ancient Agora of Athens visiting guide is here to help you navigate what must be the most important archaeological site in Athens, second only to the Acropolis.

Attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world, the Ancient Agora of Athens epitomizes the excellence of this ancient city, the very birthplace of democracy.

The monuments inside the Ancient Agora of Athens span many centuries and belong to different periods in the city’s history. This invaluable Ancient Agora of Athens visiting guide helps you make sense of everything you see in this renowned archaeological site.

Where Is The Ancient Agora of Athens?

The Ancient Agora of Athens is situated in the heart of the city, near Monastiraki Square and Plaka. The entrance to the archaeological site is on Adrianou Street, halfway between Monastiraki and Thissio Metro Stations.

What Was The Agora in Ancient Greece?

Before we delve deeper into this Ancient Agora of Athens visiting guide, let’s see what the Agora was in Ancient Greece.

Agora means marketplace in modern Greek. However, the Ancient Greek Agora was the city’s gathering and meeting place, its commercial, business, and cultural center.

Timeline of The Ancient Agora of Athens

Early Years

The area of the Ancient Agora of Athens was mostly used as a cemetery from 3500 BC until 600 BC. Mycenean vaulted tombs were found on the grounds of the Panathenaic Way.

The First Buildings

In the 6th century BC, the administrative center of Athens was transferred to the Agora area. The first public buildings – such as the Altar of The 12 Gods – were erected under the rule of Pisistratus, the Tyrant of Athens.

The Birth of Democracy

Later, Cleisthenes established the Athenian Democracy in 508-507 BC. Several important public buildings, such as the Old Parliament and the Royal Colonnade, were built to serve the needs of the new regime.

Classical Times

The end of the destructive-for-Athens Persian Wars in 480 BC marked the beginning of the glorious Classical Period. Monumental colonnades and structures were built then, like the emblematic Temple of Hephaestus.

Hellenistic Period

During the Hellenistic Period, which started in 323 BC, the year of Alexander the Great’s death, the Agora was embellished with monuments gifted by other Hellenistic cities, like Pergamon.

The most characteristic building of that period was the Colonnade of Attalos (Stoa of Attalos), a gift by King Attalos II of Pergamon.

The Romans

In 86 BC, the Roman commander Syllas invaded and destroyed Athens. During the Roman Period, the Agora was rebuilt. It flourished again during the rule of Emperors August and Hadrian.

It was then that the commercial activities were transferred to the newly built Roman Agora of Athens, a few steps from the Colonnade of Attalos.

Heruli Invasion

The Herulian invasion in the 2nd century AD was yet another devastating time for Athens. The only building that remained almost intact was the iconic Temple of Hephaestus.

Modern Excavations

Archaeological excavations of the Ancient Agora of Athens started in the 1930s by the American School of Classical Studies. Nowadays, the only fully restored building is the Colonnade of Attalos.

Why Is The Ancient Agora of Athens Important?

The Ancient Agora of Athens was the administrative, political, and commercial center of Ancient Athens. The assembly of people gathering there, namely the Athenians, gave birth to and nurtured the idea of democracy.

Is The Ancient Agora of Athens Worth Visiting?

For its historical significance alone, the Ancient Agora of Athens is one of the best archeological sites to visit in Greece.

Another reason why the Ancient Agora of Athens is worth your time is because it takes you on an unparalleled journey into the past.

Walking along the Panathenaic Way, the ancient road to Piraeus, and the West Road – the Ancient Agora’s three main streets – feels like wandering around an Ancient Greek city.

Ancient Agora of Athens Visiting Guide – FAQs

How long does it take to visit the Ancient Agora of Athens?

You need two hours to quickly stroll through all the things to see in the Ancient Agora of Athens and the on-site Ancient Agora Museum. Add one more hour to fully enjoy the archaeological site.

Is the Ancient Agora of Athens accessible?

The Ancient Agora of Athens isn’t fully accessible. For example, if you want to see the Temple of Hephaestus up close, you need to climb a few steps.

That said, ramps enable wheelchair users to visit Attalos Colonnade and the Agora Museum. Also, the Panathenaic Way is friendly to wheelchair users. All the other monuments are accessible via dirt paths.

Where is the entrance to the Ancient Agora in Athens?

The entrance to the Ancient Agora of Athens is on Adrianou Street, near the Monastiraki and Thissio Metro Stations.

Is there a metro station near the Agora of Ancient Athens?

Yes, the Athens Ancient Agora is halfway between Monastiraki and Thissio Metro Stations.

Are there any toilets or other facilities at the Ancient Agora of Athens?

There are toilets on the ground floor of Attalos Colonnade. Right outside the toilets, there’s a drinking water station where you can refill your bottle.

There’s also a museum shop. What’s more, you can buy snacks at the vending machine next to the ticket office.

Is the Ancient Agora of Athens included in the Athens Combo Ticket?

Yes, the Ancient Agora of Athens is included in the Acropolis Combo Ticket, along with six more archaeological sites in Athens.

Can you walk from the Acropolis to the Ancient Agora of Athens?

Yes, the Acropolis of Athens is a 20-minute walk from the entrance of the Ancient Agora. Keep in mind that the last part of the walk is uphill.

Are there any restaurants near the Ancient Agora of Athens?

Yes, Adrianou Street is home to plenty of restaurants and cafés. Our favorite is Diodos, right across the entrance of the Ancient Agora of Athens.

What is the best time to visit the Ancient Agora of Athens?

The Ancient Agora of Athens is a year-round archaeological site. However, during the summer months, it gets packed and the temperatures can be unbearably high unless you visit very early in the morning. The best time to visit the Ancient Agora of Athens is from October to May.

What To See in The Ancient Agora of Athens – Walking Route

We love archaeological sites in Greece but, sadly, not all of them are easy to navigate. First of all, there isn’t always a clear route to follow. Moreover, not all areas have informative signs and, when they do, sometimes these signs use difficult terminology.

Also, on-site maps often include monuments or points of interest that are no longer visible – because they’re either destroyed or covered by the modern city.

This section is meant to help you navigate any ancient site in Greece by providing a tested-by-us walking route of the most important monuments that you can actually see – rather than just imagine.

Furthermore, we replace the original scientific terms (here in brackets) with simple translations in English when necessary and provide context in cases where informative signs are scarce or non-existent.

The Ancient Agora of Athens was split into two parts in 1891 when the railway – now the metro’s Green Line – was constructed.

Most monuments of the Ancient Agora are now part of the archaeological site. The two last monuments on our list below aren’t part of the archaeological site. They’re not open to the public but you can see them from Adrianou Street.

The Ancient Agora of Athens was destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout the centuries. The ruins you’ll see in the Agora of Athens range from the 6th century BC to the 10th century AD, all visual reminders of the astonishing evolution of the Agora.

For easier navigation, we’re listing each monument you’ll see at the ancient site alongside the period it dates back to.

Ancient Agora of Athens Map

Panathenaic Way [Archaic Period]

A wide, long road leading to the Acropolis is the first thing you’ll see once you enter the Ancient Agora of Athens. This is the Panathenaic Way, one of the most important roads in Ancient Athens.

The one-kilometer road started from Dipylon, the city’s main gate, and ended at the Acropolis of Athens. You can see Dipylon when you visit the archaeological site of Kerameikos.

The road was named after the Great Panathenaea, one of the most popular festivals in Ancient Greece, held in honor of Goddess Athena. During this festival, a huge procession was held along the entire length of the Panathenaic Way.

The festival also included the Panathenaic Games, which took place every four years.

Odeion (Conservatory) of Agrippa & Gymnasium or Palace of The Giants [Roman Period]

For your first actual stop, stand before the remains of the colossal statues that supported the north colonnade of the Conservatory or Odeon of Agrippa.

The Conservatory was initially built in 15 BC with the donation of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, son-in-law of Emperor Augustus.

Behind the statues and the north colonnade was the stage, while the entrance was from the south near the Middle Stoa. In the 5th century AD, the Conservatory was part of a large building that was either a Gymnasium or the administrative seat of a high official.

In Ancient Greece, a Gymnasium was an open-air training center. You can have a look at a fine example of an Athenian Gymnasium at the archaeological site of Aristotle’s Lyceum in Athens.

Temple & Altar of Ares [Roman Period]

Make your way towards the western part of the Agora for a quick stop at the Temple of Ares. Built in the 4th century BC in Ancient Pallini in Eastern Attica, the Temple of Ares was identical to the Temple of Hephaestus.

A few centuries later, the Temple was dismantled and transferred to the Ancient Agora of Athens, by order of Roman Emperor Augustus. The brilliant Romans pre-marked the disassembled pieces to be able to rebuild the Temple correctly.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much of this Doric Temple to see now, as its foundation was buried for protection. You can see some of the marble pieces at the edge of the Temple.

Altar of The 12 Gods [Archaic Period]

Dedicated to the Olympian Gods, the Altar of The 12 Gods was founded by Pisistratus. Located next to the Panathenaic Way, the 12 Gods Altar was at the intersection of important streets in Ancient Athens.

It was the zero point for measuring distances in the city and the place where the persecuted could find refuge. Nowadays, you can only see one of the Altar corners, as the rest has been lying under the railway since its opening in 1891.

Colonnade of Zeus (Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios) [Classical Period]

Next up is what’s left of Zeus Colonnade. Around the once-standing Colonnade’s Doric and Ionic columns, prominent Ancient Athenians – like Socrates – would gather.

Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios was named after a temple that stood on the same spot and was dedicated to Zeus Eleutherios. The nickname Eleutherios, which means liberator, was given to Zeus in the 5th century BC, after the Persian Wars.

Benches or Congress (Synedrion) [Archaic Period]

On your way to the Temple of Hephaestus, walk past the ruins of two small temples next to Zeus Colonnade. Then, stop at the four stone Benches on the slope of Kolonos Agoraios Hill.

These Benches date back to the 5th century BC. They were probably used for sessions at an outdoor parliament of the time.

Temple of Hephaestus [Classical Period]

A few stone steps will lead you to the top of Kolonos Agoraios Hill, where the most well-preserved Doric Temple in Greece is still standing.

Built in the 5th century BC, the Temple of Hephaestus was probably built along with the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio, the above-mentioned Temple of Ares, and the Temple of Nemesis in Rhamnus in Eastern Attica.

The Labors of Hercules are depicted on the metopes of the Temple’s east side facing the Agora. On the longer sides, north and south, the metopes show the Labors of Theseus. This is why the entire area is called Thisseio to this day.

As you walk around the Temple, you’ll see the ruins of an Αrsenal in the north. In the 7th century AD, the Temple was converted into a Christian Church.

Tholos [Classical Period]

Follow the path south of the Temple of Hephaestus that leads back to the West Road. The ruins of the first building you’ll see belonged to the circular Tholos.

This was a public building that served as the seat of the Prytaneis from 465 BC until 400 BC. But who were the Prytaneis?

Cleisthenes divided Athens into ten tribes. 50 representatives of each tribe governed for 35 days before it was the next tribe’s turn to rule the city. This went on until all ten tribes had governed throughout the year. These 500 government members were the Prytaneis.

Tholos was the Parliament’s restaurant or guesthouse of sorts, as all Prytaneis ate and some spent the night there. Tholos was also where the city’s official measuring and weighing standards were kept.

New Parliament (New Bouleuterion) [Classical Period]

Next to Tholos, the New Parliament replaced the Old Parliament in the 5th century BC when the latter started being used to house the city’s archives.

The Parliament consisted of 500 members, fifty citizens from each of the ten tribes of Athens, as described above. From its amphitheater, the Parliament members prepared drafts of laws to be voted on in the Assembly of Ancient Athens (Ecclesia of Dimos).

Archives & Old Parliament (Metroon & Old Bouleuterion) [Hellenistic Period]

Right next to the New Parliament are the ruins of the Old Parliament, which lie under the Archive Building called Metroon. Constructed in the 2nd century BC, after the Old Parliament was demolished, the Metroon served as the city’s Archive building.

The building was named after the Temple of Mother (Meter in Ancient Greek) of Gods, which was located inside one of its rooms.

Great Drain [Archaic Period]

Along the West Road next to the Roman Emperor Hadrian Statue, the remains of a Drain underline the advanced infrastructure of Ancient Athens.

The main Drain and its branches channeled rainwater from the hills and waste from the Agora buildings into the Eridanos River, one of the three rivers that used to flow through Ancient Athens.

The Monument of The Eponymous Heroes [Hellenistic Period]

Also located along West Road, the Monument of The Eponymous Heroes must have been a popular place to hang out, as citizens could read all of the city’s announcements there.

Law drafts, lawsuits, and lists of recruitment were some of the announcements placed on wooden boards hanging from the Monument.

On top of the Monument’s pedestal stood statues of mythical heroes coming from all of the city’s ten tribes.

Civic Offices [Roman Period]

A few steps from the Eponymous Heroes Monument were the Civic Offices of Ancient Athens. The Civic Offices date back to the 1st century AD.

The most impressive thing to see here is a marble pillar on a stone base that used to indicate the official standards of roof tile manufacture.

State Prison [Classical Period]

This unusual building complex with a courtyard was probably the State Prison of Ancient Athens. Socrates was imprisoned here until his death. The great philosopher died after drinking poison hemlock in 399 BC.

Scientists were led to believe that this was where Socrates died after finding 13 small bottles that could have been used for the hemlock poison and a small statue of Socrates among the ruins.

The State Prison was located along the ancient road that led to Piraeus. Across the street from the Prison, you can see the mosaic floor of a Roman Villa.

Water Clock [Classical Period]

Walking back towards the exit, the first thing you’ll see is a Water Clock that proves the ingenuity of Ancient Greeks.

The Agora Clock was used to record time from dawn to sunset. It dates back to the 4th century BC and was initially a simple clock using a tank, an outflow hole, and a floating device.

In the 3rd century BC, it was modified according to the technological innovations of the time. It stopped working in the 2nd century BC.

Middle Colonnade (Middle Stoa) [Hellenistic Period]

The Middle Colonnade was part of a complex (the so-called South Square) built in the 2nd century BC. Scientists have had different opinions regarding its use. However, the most prevalent among them is that Middle Stoa was a commercial building.

The Middle Colonnade was one of four buildings surrounding South Square. The other three were Aiakeion (the Supreme Court of Ancient Athens), the South Colonnade, and the East Building.

Nowadays, South Square is dominated by the statues of the great philosophers Socrates and Confucius.

At 482 feet long and 57 feet wide, the Middle Colonnade was the largest building in the Ancient Agora of Athens. Doric columns lined its perimeter. In the middle of this impressive building, Ionic columns supported the Colonnade’s roof.

East Building [Hellenistic Period]

At the ruins of the East Building, you can see the bases of four tables where bankers and businessmen used to exchange money. This was a convenient location along the Panathenaic Way for doing business in Ancient Athens.

At the East Building’s northern part, you can see the remains of a 6th-century AD oil press.

South Colonnade (South Stoa) [Classical & Hellenistic Period]

Before the South Square complex was built, the South Colonnade was next to the Church of The Holy Apostles. This South Colonnade was built in the 5th century BC. Nowadays, you can see the ruins of dining rooms reserved for the officials protected under a roof.

The original South Colonnade also served as the headquarters for Metronoms. These were people who made sure that measures and weight standards were respected during commercial exchanges in the Ancient Agora of Athens.

The new South Colonnade was built a few steps from the first in the 2nd century BC when the aforementioned South Square complex was built. Both South Colonnades consisted of Doric columns.

Church of The Holy Apostles [Byzantine Empire]

Head to the east side of the Ancient Agora of Athens to have a look at the only surviving building from medieval times, and specifically, the Byzantine Period.

Dating back to 1000 AD, the Church of The Holy Apostles is laid out in a cross shape. The tile decorations on its exterior walls are of Eastern origin.

At the time of writing, the Church wasn’t open to the public. Next to the Church’s south side, you can see the ruins of the Southeast Fountain House.

Late Roman Fortification Wall

Along the Panathenaic Way near the Church of The Holy Apostles, you can see the ruins of a Fortification Wall that was built in the Late Roman Period after the Heruli invaded Athens in the 2nd century AD.

Attalos Colonnade was within the walled part of the city but the rest of the Ancient Agora of Athens was left out of the Late Roman Fortification Wall. The latter was in use until the 17th century AD.

Attalos Colonnade (Stoa of Attalos) & Museum [Hellenistic Period]

Your last stop within the archaeological site is the impressive Attalos Colonnade and the on-site Museum of The Ancient Agora of Athens.

This two-storey building was a gift to Athens from the King of Pergamon, Attalos II, in the 2nd century BC. It housed 21 shops on its two floors and was a popular place for walks, meetings, and shopping.

Stoa of Attalos was destroyed during the Herulian invasion in the 2nd century AD. It was fully restored in the 1950s by the American School of Classical Studies.

The first floor isn’t open to the public. On the ground floor, don’t miss the small Museum where the unique archaeological finds from the Ancient Agora of Athens are displayed.

Painted Colonnade (Stoa Poikile or Painted Stoa) [Classical Period]

After exiting the Ancient Agora of Athens, have a look at the ongoing excavations of the Painted Colonnade, right across the street from the main entrance of the archaeological site.

Dating back to the 5th century BC, this Colonnade was Doric and named after the paintings that adorned its walls. Zenon, the founder of the Stoic School of Philosophy, was one of the eminent personalities frequenting the Painted Colonnade.

This area isn’t open for visits. You can only see a small part of the Colonnade as well as the ruins of a commercial complex from Adrianou Street.

Royal Colonnade (Royal Stoa) [Archaic Period]

On the opposite side of Adrianou Street, you can see the ruins of the Royal Colonnade, next to the railway. The Royal Colonnade was one of the oldest and most important Colonnades in the Ancient Agora of Athens.

It was the seat of Archon-Vasileas, the government’s second in command, and the place where law inscriptions were kept. Socrates was indicted here before his trial and death.

Ancient Agora of Athens Opening Hours

All year long: 8 AM to 5 PM, last entrance at 4.40 PM

On January 1st, March 25th, May 1st, Greek Easter Sunday, December 25th, and December 26th, the archaeological site of the Ancient Agora of Athens is closed.

Ancient Agora of Athens Tickets

The full ticket price is 10 EUR. From November 1st to March 31st, the ticket costs 5 EUR instead. The archaeological site of the Ancient Agora of Athens is one of the seven archaeological sites included in the Acropolis Combined Ticket.

Entrance is free on the following days, but expect lines and crowds: March 6th, April 18th, May 18th, the last weekend of September, October 28th, and the first Sunday of each month from November to March.

How To Get To The Ancient Agora of Athens

Located in the heart of Athens, the Ancient Agora is accessible from anywhere in the city. It’s a few minutes walk from Monastiraki Square and Monastiraki Metro Station.

If you’re short on time, apart from consulting this thorough Ancient Agora of Athens visiting guide, you might also want to explore the Ancient Agora of Athens as part of a guided tour.

This guided tour includes a visit to the Acropolis and the Ancient Athenian Agora, along with other highlights of Ancient Athens.

Where To Stay Near The Ancient Agora in Athens

The best area to stay in Athens if you want to visit all the important archaeological sites with ease is the vibrant Psirri neighborhood, near Monastiraki Square.

A few steps from Monastiraki Square, Acropolis City Life BH Hotel combines an excellent location with comfortable modern rooms and a delicious breakfast.

Things To Do Near The Ancient Agora of Athens

If you want to explore Ancient Athens in depth, the Acropolis and the Kerameikos Archaeological Site are within easy walking distance from the Ancient Agora of Athens.

If you prefer a couple of smaller ancient sites, you can also explore the Roman Agora of Athens or visit Hadrian’s Library instead. All of the above are included in the Acropolis Combination Ticket.

The best thing to do after sightseeing is to take a relaxing walk through Plaka. Wander around the narrow streets, take in the beauty of Old Athens, and enjoy a meal or drink at one of Plaka’s quaint cafés and restaurants.

We hope this Ancient Agora of Athens visiting guide helps you navigate this massive – both in size and significance – archaeological site.

The Ancient Agora of Athens is a mandatory stop for any Ancient Greek history buff and so is our Ancient Greece-themed Facebook group. So, why don’t you join us there?