Athens has so many more sights than Acropolis to explore. One of the best photo opportunities might actually be in the Ancient Agora. Here you can visit the Stoa of Attalos from where you get a view of the Temple of Hephaestus framed by all the green trees.
What You Should Know About the Ancient Agora of Athens
Today there are three larger structures still standing on the site. These are the Temple of Hephaestus, the Stoa of Attalos, and the Church of the Holy Apostles.
You might have heard the word agora before. An agora was the central public space in ancient Greek cities.
The Temple of Hephaestus is a very well-preserved temple dating back to the 5th century BC. The son of Zeus and Hera, Hephaestus was the god of smithing crafts such as blacksmiths and metalworking.
The Stoa of Attalos was first constructed in the 2nd century BC but was destroyed in the 3rd century CE. It was reconstructed in the 1950s and it was the place where the 2003 Treaty of Accession was signed between EU member states and new countries wishing to join the union.
To read more about the Ancient Agora of Athens, visit the homepage of the Greek Ministry of Culture and sports.
Visiting the Ancient Agora of Athens (As of May 2018)
A visit to the Ancient Agora costs 8 euros, it is also a part of the special package that for 30 euros gives access to several of the archeological sites in Athens – including both Acropolis and Olympieion.
The entrance is on the north-eastern side of the site, close to Monastiraki.
Viewing the Ancient Agora from a Distance
There are very few places outside the site that offers a good view of the Agora. We are not aware of any place that would give you a good view of both the Temple of Hephaestus as well as the Stoa of Attalos. The best possibility that we know of is Areopagus Hill, from where parts of the Ancient Agora is visible. Another option is from Acropolis itself, from where the Temple of Hephaestus should be visible.
Visiting the Ancient Agora with a Toddler
It is quite easy to visit the Ancient Agora with a toddler, even one in a stroller. There are a couple of obstacles when walking, mostly rocks and a few stairs. You might need to find alternative roads from time to time. Especially the Temple of Hephaestus is harder to get to with a stroller, as most roads to the temple have several steps to climb.
The park is otherwise well-shaded and it is easy to find refuge under a tree if it gets too hot for the little one (or the parents). Be, however, prepared – it takes some time to explore the whole site.
