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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Athens

59 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Athens, Greece

Updated December 16, 2022

Unusual Attractions in Athens

Athens, Greece

Antikythera Mechanism

2000-year-old computer demonstrates remarkable engineering and astronomical precision.

Athens, Greece

The Athenian Agora

This ancient Greek place of assembly and marketplace is being revealed layer by layer below the modern Athens cityscape.

Athens, Greece

Lycabettus Funicular

The railway carts travelers to central Athens's highest peak, which offers stunning vistas of the city.

Athens, Greece

Anafiotika

The Cycladic architecture makes this Athens neighborhood feel like an island paradise hidden in the shadow of the Acropolis.

Athens, Greece

Hadrian's Reservoir

This ancient hydrological marvel is now the base of a modern outdoor cinema.

Athens, Greece

Magic Sphere of Helios

This mystical orb covered in strange symbols is thought to have been used in ancient Greek magical rituals.

Athens, Greece

Tower of the Winds

An ancient octagonal weather station named for the eight Greek gods of wind.

Athens, Greece

First Cemetery of Athens

The oldest cemetery of modern-day Athens blends the modern and ancient worlds.

See All 59 Things To Do in Athens

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Athens

Athens, Greece

The Olive Tree of the Acropolis

Legend says this sacred tree was a gift from goddess Athena.

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Guided Tours of Athens

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Greece: Ancient Ruins to Modern Culture

Discover the impact of Ancient Greece in today's modern-day culture by connecting the dots between legendary landmarks, such as the Oracle of Delphi, and local traditions still found today.

Explore Athens, Greece

Ancient Greece 12

Sacred Spaces 10

History & Culture 9

Architectural Oddities 5

Places To Stay 1

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Stories About Athens

Meet the Blacksmith Resurrecting Greek History

Dimitrios Katsikis geeks out on making ancient armor with traditional methods.

by Demetrios Ioannou

December 16, 2022

We Shouldn’t Have Been Surprised to Find a Sculpture of Hermes in a Sewer

Filthy infrastructure has long been a site of artistry and civic pride.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

December 4, 2020

The Makeshift Mosques of Athens Are About to Disappear

The Greek capital will soon open an official place of worship for the city's 200,000 Muslims.

by Demetrios Ioannou

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