Not too long ago we made the trip to Athens as part of what we are calling the Iliad trip, which also took us through the Mycenae area in southern Greece, Istanbul, Troy and Izmir (Turkey). Great trip, highly recommend, and we actually came through here after the Turkey portion.
The thing to know about the Acropolis is that it is not just the large columned building, which many people seem to think to be the case, it is the entire complex on this rocky outcrop overlooking Athens, from the ancient gated entrance at one end to the far side of the hill. The Parthenon, the columned building atop and a temple to Athena, is fantastic in itself were it a stand alone structure, but there more to take in.
Although most of the other buildings have been torn down, blow up or leveled, depending on what point in history you are considering, there are still enough remains and statues to generate interest beyond the Parthenon. Even the ancient, gated entrance is magnificent and worth some time to absorb. The ancient theater, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, is magnificent when viewed from your perch on top of the Acropolis, as are the views of the surrounding city.
After visiting the Acropolis proper, a stop in at the Acropolis Museum is a must. I would also strongly suggest a walk up the adjacent Philopappos Hill for an incredible view of the Acropolis and the structures therein. A walk through the Agora on the other side is also well worth taking and can be incredibly engaging depending on your interest in ancient history.
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