Summary
In eastern Athens, Zografou is a municipality characterized by a significant student demographic, housing both the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the National Technical University of Athens.
The area is bordered to the east by the 1,000-metre Mount Hymettus, which offers hiking opportunities through Kaisariani Forest, where a secluded 12th-century monastery resides among the pine trees.
Zografou boasts efficient transportation options to the center of Athens along Alexandras Avenue, accessible via bus, tram, or Line 3 of the Metro.
Within just two or three stops, visitors can reach the National Garden and noteworthy sites such as the Byzantine and Christian Museum and the Benaki Museum.
Add to this the proximity to Mount Lycabettus, the hill that provides panoramic views of the city.
Let’s examine the top attractions in Zografou:
1. Kaisariani Monastery
The favorable location in Zografou allows convenient access to this Byzantine-era compound situated on the northern slopes of Mount Hymettus.
A taxi or the 240 bus can take you to the area, followed by a pleasant walk through the pine forest leading to the monastery.
Founded in the 12th century, this site has held religious significance for over a millennium.
Today, the well-preserved church, monastic cells, refectory, and bathhouse remain enclosed within a protective wall.
Inside, the church boasts impressive late-Byzantine frescoes from the 14th to 17th centuries.
Notably, the oldest fresco adorns the southern exterior wall, depicting the Theotokos (Mary, mother of God), while the interior showcases Christ Pantocrator in the cupola, the Preparation of the Throne, the Panagia, and the Four Evangelists.
2. Kaisariani Forest
Visiting the Kaisariani Monastery during the spring, autumn, or early summer allows for an extended trip up the slopes of Mount Hymettus, presenting a breathtaking aerial view of the city.
The paths are shaded by the towering pines, with cypress trees creating natural barriers along the routes, which have shown remarkable recovery following two forest fires over the last 15 years.
Look out for tortoises grazing in the clearings, and consider bringing a picnic to enjoy while identifying Athens’ landmarks on the horizon, such as the Acropolis and Mount Lycabettus.
3. Byzantine and Christian Museum
Situated a brief journey from Zografou, Athens’ premier museums are accessible via bus or car (traffic permitting), or just a few stops on Line 3 of the Metro.
The Byzantine and Christian Museum houses a remarkable collection of 30,000 pieces of Byzantine art, spanning from the 200s to the conclusion of the Medieval period.
Here, one can explore a wealth of icons, frescoes, iconostases, statues, ceramics, mosaics, jewelry, and numerous carved marble pieces recovered from the earliest churches.
Housed in the resplendent Villa Ilissia, constructed in a blend of Romantic and Classical architecture for Sophie de Marbois-Lebrun, Duchess of Plaisance, and her husband Anne-Charles Lebrun, the museum setting adds to the beauty of the experience.
4. Mount Lycabettus
Located a short distance west of Zografou, Mount Lycabettus stands as a prominent limestone hill gracing the Athens skyline.
Rising to 300 metres, it can be ascended via a funicular or on foot during cooler days.
Despite its seemingly steep slopes, the walk is manageable, with the lower regions enveloped in dense pine trees.
Upon reaching the summit, visitors are rewarded with arguably the most spectacular view of Athens.
You may find it worthwhile to linger and enjoy the scenery, including the Acropolis, National Garden, Panathenaic Stadium, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
At the pinnacle lies a restaurant, as well as an open-air theater that has hosted renowned artists from James Brown to Radiohead and Patti Smith.
5. Museum of Cycladic Art
Directly across from the Byzantine and Christian Museum lies another distinguished historical institution in Athens.
The Museum of Cycladic Art is renowned for its magnificent collection of prehistoric figurines from the Cyclades in the Aegean.
These minimalist, almost abstract carvings may resonate with admirers of modern artists like Giacometti or Modigliani.
Additionally, the museum showcases treasures made of stone, glass, faience, gold, bronze, and clay hailing from Cyprus, providing an overview of ancient Aegean history spanning from 2,000 BC to 300 AD, elucidating the development of Greek civilization and its integration with Roman culture from the 2nd century BC. Another exhibition presents figurines, vases, and weapons combined with films to illustrate various aspects of life, religious beliefs, and customs in antiquity (Gods and Heroes, World of Men, World of Women, Eros and the Underworld).
6. Benaki Museum
Located along Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, which leads to the Hellenic Parliament, this museum was established in 1930 in honor of Emmanouil Benakis, a merchant and politician noted for his philanthropic efforts in the early 20th century.
The museum encompasses several branches throughout Athens, but its primary location offers an unparalleled timeline of Greek history, spanning from 5,000 BC to contemporary times.
This extensive collection was curated by Emmanouil’s son, Antonis, featuring Prehistoric, Ancient Greek, and Roman artifacts including figurines, friezes, mosaics, jewelry, vases, ceramics, busts, and glassware.
Artifacts from Byzantine and Ottoman periods include icons, frescoes, mosaics, embellished sanctuary doors, incense burners, and other liturgical treasures.
7. Athens War Museum
Sitting adjacent to the Byzantine and Christian Museum, in a distinctive bunker-like structure, resides the museum dedicated to Greece’s armed forces.
The exhibits encompass all conflicts that Greece has experienced, from prehistoric times through the reign of Alexander the Great to the 20th century; however, the modern displays tend to captivate visitors significantly.
Suspended from the ceiling are various aircraft belonging to the Hellenic Air Force, and glass cases showcase a variety of firearms and blades collected by Petros Saroglou, a Greek artillery officer.
Furthermore, the museum features medals, weaponry, maps, and photographs from a series of conflicts in the 19th and 20th centuries, beginning with the Greek Revolution in 1821 and concluding with the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
8. Acropolis
No visit to Athens is complete without experiencing the Acropolis, the iconic rocky outcrop crowned with ancient temples and protected by the monumental arch, the propylaia.
Atop its steep cliffs, one finds extraordinary landmarks that are inseparable from the world’s historical narrative, including the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion.
Ensure thorough exploration of these architectural marvels and the adjacent monuments that lie at the base of the citadel, such as the Theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, before gaining context at the Acropolis Museum.
This modern museum, constructed over Greek and Byzantine ruins, features glass floors on its lower levels that reveal artifacts discovered at the Acropolis, alongside architectural sculptures from the temples.
These relics epitomize the zenith of Ancient Greek artistry, including the captivating caryatids from the Temple of Erechtheion and the metopes from the Parthenon on the museum’s remarkable upper floor.
9. Plaka
Nestled against the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, Plaka presents itself as a charming district built atop the residential areas of ancient Athens.
Its winding streets, staircases, and small squares are adorned with Neoclassical homes embellished with bougainvillea, geraniums, and jasmine flowers.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Plaka thrived as a lively party district, but nightlife has since shifted to the neighboring Psiri and Gazi.
Today, unique shops offering handmade jewelry, ouzo, spices, Greek delicacies, and tasteful souvenirs line the streets.
In addition, Plaka features traditional dining establishments should you wish to indulge in meze, moussaka, or souvlaki.
Scattered throughout Plaka are ancient monuments, including the Tower of the Winds at the Roman Agora, a clocktower dating back to the 1st or 2nd century AD, recognized as the world’s earliest meteorological station.
10. National Archaeological Museum
Accessible within minutes from Zografou via Alexandras Avenue, a visit to one of the world’s premier museums is within reach.
The National Archaeology Museum contains a greater collection of antiquities than any other museum and is essential to a comprehensive exploration of Athens.
Its exhibitions are organized into distinct sections: Prehistory, Sculpture, Vases, Santorini, Metallurgy, Egyptian and Near Eastern Artifacts, and Epigraphy.
Each section presents an extensive array of artifacts that necessitate ample time for thorough exploration.
Among the highlights is the Marathon boy, a bronze statue dating back to the 4th century BC, discovered in the Aegean Sea.
The Mask of Agamemnon, despite its misleading name, is a breathtaking Mycenaean treasure from the 16th century BC. Lastly, the Antikythera mechanism stands out as the world’s oldest analogue computer, crafted in the 2nd century BC and retrieved from a shipwreck in 1902.
11. Ancient Agora
One of the most enriching experiences in Athens is to explore the remnants of the Ancient Agora, especially with the guidance of an expert.
Although the Agora may not be celebrated for its architectural grandeur—most of it having been diminished by centuries of warfare—it holds profound historical value as the city’s administrative, commercial, and judicial core, and the birthplace of Athenian democracy.
For those seeking deeper understanding, the Museum of the Ancient Agora is located within the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos, originally built in the 2nd century BC. Inside, you will find bronze ballots, juror identification tokens, official clay measurement tools, and inscribed ceramic shards representing notable political figures from the 5th century BC. Above the northwestern edge of the Agora stands the well-preserved Doric Temple of Hephaestus, completed in 415 BC.
12. Marika Kotopouli Museum
You need not leave Zografou to experience this museum, located in the former holiday residence of celebrated theatre actress Marika Kotopouli, constructed in 1926. Fifteen years following its completion, the villa was seized by occupying German forces during the Second World War and subsequently functioned as a police station in the post-war years.
In the 1980s, the Association of Greek Actors and the Municipality of Zografou restored the villa’s interiors to their original 1920s style and transformed it into an art museum that hosts temporary exhibitions and showcases the collection of 20th-century patron Konstantinos Ionnidis.
13. National Garden
Located adjacent to the Hellenic Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, this expansive 24-hectare park serves as a serene oasis in the heart of the city.
Originally a royal retreat for Queen Amalia, the National Garden was landscaped in the late 1830s while the parliament building served as a royal palace.
A pivotal event in Greek history unfolded within these pergolas, ponds, and rows of palm trees in 1820, when King Alexander suffered a fatal monkey bite, which led to septicemia and ultimately resulted in his death during the Greco-Turkish War.
It is often suggested that this incident initiated a chain of events culminating in Greece’s defeat in the conflict.
The National Garden features a small zoo with peacocks, chickens, and goats, as well as a botanical museum and scattered ancient ruins, including mosaics, columns, and capitals.
14. Temple of Olympian Zeus
East of the Acropolis and southwest of the National Garden stands an ancient monument of considerable scale; however, it requires a touch of imagination to fully appreciate its former grandeur.
The Temple of Zeus endured more than 500 years of construction.
Initiated in the Doric style under the Tyrants in the 6th century BC, the project was postponed upon their overthrow.
In the 2nd century BC, Seleucid King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who identified himself with Zeus, reinitiated the construction, altering the design to the Corinthian style.
This endeavor was interrupted by the king’s demise and Sulla’s subsequent invasion of Athens a century later.
The temple was finally completed under Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD; however, it stood for only 135 years before being significantly damaged by the Herules.
Of the original 104 columns, only 15 remain upright, with one column lying horizontally due to a storm in 1852.
15. Hellenic Motor Museum
With favorable traffic conditions, this museum, inaugurated in 2011, can be reached in under ten minutes from Zografou along Alexandras Avenue.
Offering a refreshing contrast to Athens’ ancient temples, the museum exhibits a collection of 300 vintage, classic, modern, and early automobiles, of which 110 are showcased at any given time.
Among the notable vehicles are Paul Newman’s Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing and a Chrysler Imperial that was formerly owned by Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin fame.
Another distinguished vehicle is a Cadillac Seville designed by the Gucci fashion house, one of only 25 produced. Additionally, classic models include a Porsche 365 A Coupe, a Ferrari GTE 2+2, and multiple Ferrari Dinos.
The museum’s oldest artifact is a mobile Hungarian fire engine from 1895.
