Need 24/7 accessible monuments?
Ok, Athens is full of sites and monuments. Still, if you are in Athens when the Acropolis entrance or the museum are closed, here is a top-5 list with monuments you can visit anytime.
- Lysicrates monument at Plaka. One of top attractions, the monument of Lysicrates marking the most ancient street of Europe is located at the centre of Plaka, the monument is 24/7 accessible to the public, while there are many restaurants/bars where you can find open until 1-2 o’clock at night.
- Monument of the Unknown Soldier, at Syntagma. One of the top Athens attractions, located at the center of the city, the monument was built for the relatives of the lost Greek soldiers during wars. It is 24/7 accessible and guarded, and if someone is lucky enough can watch Change of Guards.
- Monument of Philopappus hill. A roman-times structure, on the top of Philopappus hill.
- Statue of Lord Byron. The statue is located at the Zappeion square, a huge block where the Greek Parliament, the monument of the unknown soldier, National Garden and Zappeion are.
Lord Byron’s life was during the Greek War of Independence, which supported both financially and ethically. Psirri area is also related to Lord Byron, who lived there.
The places that are related to Lord Byron today and you can visit, is the Lysicrates monument, where the Cappuccini monastery that Byron lived was, but also the National History Museum (Stadiou 13 str. or the old Parliament of Athens), where you can see Byron’s personal belongings.
Byron’s personal relation to Greece is also during the two first loans that guaranteed the new born state’s existence. Byron acted with his reputation in order to convince the British audience to “invest” to Greek Independence Rally against the Ottomans, in a period where the official UK policy was not supporting the Greek cause. Moreover, a municipality at Ymmitos mountain brings his name in honor.
- Next to it, is a new statue of teenager Alexander the Great (without arms).
- Panathenaic stadium. There is an entrance to it, but to enter the actual stadium. You can still admire it while passing from there.
- Pnyx & Areopagus hills. The hill of Pnyx is where democracy was born, one of the seven hills of Athens. You have to walk there, and it is a bit difficult for someone without a guide at night since it is actually a small forest, with many trees and paved way. You have to pass Loumpardiaris church and turn right (from Acropolis) and after 100 meters walk you find the entrance at your right hand. After 100 more meters you reach the main site. There is a security person always there. If you want to continue walking, you can walk until NOA hill and get to Thisseio area and Petralona- use also Pikionis pathway. Areopagus hill is opposite Acropolis entrance and is also open. Be careful since there are some stairs carved on the rock- better to use the modern installation to climb the hill.
Here are some suggestions for those who really don’t want to miss anything from Athens, even at night! Want more of monuments around Athens in a map? check our maps!
