Rhamnous

Attica

The classical archaeological site of Ancient Rhamnous or Rhamnus is in a remote part of Attica and best reached from Athens by renting a car.

Ancient Rhamnous, Attica, GreeceRhamnous, with Evia in the Background

The classical site of Ancient Rhamnous is one of the most remote and, for this reason, one of the most appealing in Attica. However you get there (see below), you'll be glad you made the journey and you may even have the place to yourself.

You might wonder why the site is even kept open when it has so few visitors, but archaeologists have been working here since 1975 and it is one of the best-preserved sites in Attica. A lot of it is overgrown, which is also part of its charm, as wildlife is abundant here. The setting is also impressive, on a headland above the sea, with views across the Euboean Strait to the island of Evia.

Greek lizard

Rhamnous Wildlife

Wandering around the site you are accompanied by butterflies, and by lizards that scuttle away into cracks in the rocks and stones. Nature even gives the place its name, as Rhamnous is named after a prickly shrub that grows in the area, called ramnos in Greek.

The site isn't large and it helps to know the background to Rhamnous in order to appreciate it for more than just its tranquility. Nemesis, the Greek goddess responsible for deciding whether we mere mortals should have good or bad luck, was worshipped here. The Greek gods always eventually got their revenge on anyone who offended them, hence the phrase 'to meet your nemesis'.

Some of the Persian forces who went to fight at the Battle of Marathon are said to have come ashore here, a 3-hour hike from the battlefield. It's said that the Persian defeat is down to the fact that they stole a marble block from the Temple of Nemesis, on which they intended to commemorate their victory. It was not to be. Perhaps Nemesis herself handed out some bad luck to the Persians on that day.

Our Pick of the Guides to Greece

Rough-Guide-Greece-2022.png

Although much of the site is made up of the foundations of buildings, the Temple of Nemesis can be clearly identified. This dates from about 460-420BC, and was built at the same time that the Parthenon was being built on the Acropolis in Athens. A statue of Nemesis stood inside and was made of marble from Paros.

Nearby is a smaller temple which was built with stone from Paros and dedicated to Themis, the goddess of good counsel, and whose symbol was the scales of justice. This is even older than the Temple of Nemesis, dating from the late 6th century BC.

Route from Athens to Rhamnous(c) Google Maps

How to Get to Rhamnous from Athens

You'll need a rental car to get there, or if you're really keen to see Rhamnous you could take a taxi from Athens but it would be expensive as it's an hour's drive each way, plus waiting time. You could negotiate a day's rate with a driver.

If you're on a budget then there are a few buses a day from Athens to the nearest village, Kato Souli, but then it's a 90-minute walk to the site, or a taxi, and you'll have to double-check the bus times.

How to Get to Rhamnous from Athens Airport

If you pick up a rental car at the airport, it's an hour's drive north to get to Rhamnous. The nearest accommodation to Rhamnous is about a 30-minute drive away, but there are some nice, laid-back, small beach resorts along this coast. It would make a good and very Greek first night in the country, to collect your rental car at the airport, drive to Rhamnous and explore, and then kick back for your first night in one of these little beach towns.

Some other Attica pages

  • This drive around Attica offers visitors high hills, beach resorts, small villages and classical sites like Marathon and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.

    A Drive around Attica

    This drive around Attica offers visitors high hills, beach resorts, small villages and classical sites like Marathon and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.

  • Attica is the region of Greece which surrounds and includes Athens, with attractions like Marathon, Vravrona, Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon.

    Attica

    Attica is the region of Greece which surrounds and includes Athens, with attractions like Marathon, Vravrona, Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon.

  • The archaeological site of Vravrona or Brauron is in Attica near Athens Airport and has a Sanctuary of Artemis, the Sacred House and an Archaeological Museum.

    Vravrona or Brauron

    The archaeological site of Vravrona or Brauron is in Attica near Athens Airport and has a Sanctuary of Artemis, the Sacred House and an Archaeological Museum.

  • The ancient site of Marathon and the site of the Battle of Marathon are in Attica and naturally about 26 miles or 42 kilometres from the centre of Athens.

    Marathon

    The ancient site of Marathon and the site of the Battle of Marathon are in Attica and naturally about 26 miles or 42 kilometres from the centre of Athens.

  • The beach resorts of Athens are easily reached from the city and also close are Cape Sounion with the Temple of Poseidon, ancient Marathon and Rafina's port.

    Cape Sounion and the East Coast

    The beach resorts of Athens are easily reached from the city and also close are Cape Sounion with the Temple of Poseidon, ancient Marathon and Rafina's port.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Study: Athens Among Best Cities for Family Science Trips

    Athens is ranked as one of the top European cities for family science trips, according to a report by Ubuy, a global e-commerce platform. Ubuy’s new report reveals Europe’s top 20 cities where familie…

    Read More

  2. May 1: Greece Labor Day Strikes to Halt Public Transport, Ferries

    Transportation and travel in Greece will be disrupted on Wednesday, May 1, as public transport and ferry employees have announced their participation in strike mobilizations to mark May Day. According…

    Read More

  3. Technopolis: New 3-day Beer Festival Coming to Athens in May

    A new beer festival is coming to Athens and for three days will quench the thirst of beer lovers with well-known and rare labels from around the world as well as from Greek microbreweries. Lager? Pils…

    Read More

  4. 5 Reasons to Spend Easter in Meteora

    Renowned for its spectacular “hanging” monasteries and reverent atmosphere, Meteora is the perfect place to spend Greek Easter.

    Read More

  5. 3 Must-Visit Islands for Greek Easter

    Boasting spectacular landscapes and unique local traditions, the islands of Lesvos, Ikaria and Andros are ideal vacation destinations for Greek Easter.

    Read More

  6. Easter Cookies from Smyrna, a 100-Year-Old Recipe

    Discover the secret to making the most delicious Easter koulourakia (cookies) from Smyrna, passed down through five generations.

    Read More

  7. Greece Launches Contactless ‘Tap & Pay’ System on Athens Airport Express Buses

    The Greek Transport Ministry on Wednesday launched a pilot ‘Tap & Pay’ contactless payment system for passengers traveling on the express bus lines in Athens that connect to Athens International Airpo…

    Read More

  8. Acropolis Museum Exhibition: The Parthenon and Byron

    On the occasion of 200 years since Lord Byron’s death, the Acropolis Museum in Athens is honoring his memory with a symbolic exhibition related to Lord Elgin’s taking of the Parthenon sculptures.

    Read More

  9. Greece Bans Sunbeds, Umbrellas, Bars on 198 Beaches

    Sunbeds, umbrellas, and all sorts of constructions have been banned on 198 beaches across Greece according to a joint ministerial decision signed this week by Economy & Finance Minister Kostis Hatzida…

    Read More

  10. 4 Guesthouses in Zagori that Are Worth Visiting

    Amidst the mountains and spectacular scenery, these four traditional guesthouses in the heart of Zagori, Epirus, offer the very best in Greek hospitality.

    Read More