Free self-guided walk · Athens

The Acropolis promenade, Plaka and the Ancient Agora

A free self-guided walk along the pedestrian promenade below the Acropolis, up through Plaka and Anafiotika, to the Roman Agora, Monastiraki and the Ancient Agora.

Distance
2.6 km
Walking time
34 min
Allow
About 2.5 hours with stops
Stops
7

Open the route in Google MapsAthens city guide

About this walk

Athens ties its ancient sites together with a long pedestrian promenade, Dionysiou Areopagitou, that curves around the foot of the Acropolis. This walk follows it, climbs into the old neighbourhoods of Plaka and Anafiotika, then drops down to Monastiraki and the Ancient Agora.

The sites themselves need tickets; the walk between them is free and open all day.

  • Terrain: Paved and mostly gentle, with steps and steep lanes in Anafiotika. Marble paving near the Acropolis is polished and slippery, so wear shoes with grip.
  • Best time: Early morning or late afternoon. Summer middays are very hot, with little shade on the promenade.

Route map

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Route and stop positions © OpenStreetMap contributors. North is up.

The stops

  1. Acropolis Museum

    Start at the museum by the metro station; its glass floors show excavations beneath.

  2. Dionysiou Areopagitou

    Walk west along the pedestrian promenade under the south slope of the Acropolis.

  3. Areopagus Hill

    A bare rock hill below the Acropolis entrance with wide views over the city. The rock is smooth and slippery.

  4. Anafiotika

    A tiny cluster of whitewashed houses and stepped lanes clinging to the Acropolis slope, built by islanders in the 19th century.

  5. Roman Agora

    The ruins of the Roman-era market, with the Tower of the Winds.

  6. Monastiraki Square

    A busy square by the metro station, with the flea market streets leading off it.

  7. Ancient Agora

    Finish at the marketplace of ancient Athens, with the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus above it.

Tips

  • A combined ticket covers the Acropolis, the Ancient and Roman Agoras and several other sites.
  • Carry water in summer; refill at cafés.
  • Akropoli and Monastiraki metro stations are at the start and end.

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Sources and review date

This walk was last reviewed on 2026-10-28. Distance and walking time come from OpenStreetMap's walking router and don't include time at stops. Opening hours and access change; please check before you go.