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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Attica
Attica is the region of Greece which surrounds and includes Athens, with attractions like Marathon, Vravrona, Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon.
Latest Posts
-
Athens Airport: New Curbside Pick-up Rules Take Effect June 7
In efforts to improve the passenger drop-off and pick-up experience and in view of the expected increase in international traveler arrivals, Athens International Airport (AIA) announced that it would… -
Study Reveals the Tourist ‘Types’ that Pick Thessaloniki for Holidays
Art lovers, active types and foodies are among the ‘travel tribes’ that select Thessaloniki, as their holiday destination, found a visitor profile study released this week by the Thessaloniki Hotels A… -
Greece to Protect Historic Athens Cinemas Ideal and Astor
The Greek Environment Ministry’s Central Council of Architecture (KESA) has decided to protect Athens’ Astor and Ideal cinemas designating the two historic landmarks as cultural monuments, said the Gr… -
Thessaloniki Metro Almost Ready, Greek PM on First Test Run
Thessaloniki’s highly anticipated metro, to serve almost 250,000 commuters a day once completed, is almost ready with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis taking a test ride this week. Mitsota… -
Thessaloniki Food, Nightlife Winning Over More Tourists
The nightlife and food are two of Thessaloniki’s strong points attracting more visitors to the northern port city, found a satisfaction study released this week by the Thessaloniki Hotels Association… -
Air Passenger Traffic to Greece Continues to Mark Sharp Rise
Passenger arrivals across all airports in Greece marked a sharp increase in the first four months of the year up by 7.4 percent compared to pre-Covid 2019 and by 38.4 percent over the same period in 2… -
Greece Among Top Choices of British easyJet Flyers this Summer
British holidaymakers flying on easyJet are picking Greece this year, according to a poll conducted by the budget carrier. More specifically, according to the survey carried out on 2,000 British adult… -
Uber Launches On-demand Boat Service on Mykonos Island, Greece
Ride-hailing company Uber recently announced that it will launch a new seasonal private charter boat service on the Greek island of Mykonos. Available from mid-June to October, “Boat” will be an on-de… -
Mykonos Tops Airbnb’s Most Searched Int’l Destinations by US Travelers in Q1
The Greek island of Mykonos is the top most searched for international destination by US travelers seeking Airbnb accommodation in the first quarter of the year, according to the Airbnb 2023 Summer re… -
Greece’s Regional Airports Outdo Pre-Covid 2019 Traffic Levels in April
Greece’s 14 regional airports exceeded pre-Covid 2019 levels last month handling a total of 1.6 million passengers, said managing company Fraport Greece. More specifically, according to Fraport data…
Why not join our Greece Travel Secrets Club? As a member you'll get emailed our regular Greece Travel Secrets Magazine for news, information, and inspiration for planning your travels in Greece.
As a welcome gift you'll also get a free e-book, Heaven on Earth. This contains 19 of Mike's favourite stories that he's written about travelling in Greece for newspapers and magazines over the years.
You'll find it over at Substack. Check out one of the Archive issues to find the Subscribe button.
CHECK OUT THESE COOL SANTORINI SANDALS!
BUY A JOURNAL TO RECORD YOUR OWN GREECE TRAVEL SECRETS!
FOLLOW OUR GREECE VIDEOS
ON YOUTUBE
Best Greece Guide
Of all the many guides to Greece we've seen, this is the one we recommend as best of all:
Greece Travel Inspiration
Buy our book of inspirational travel stories from our travels in Greece over the years.
Take a Look at Our Corfu Guide
FTC Disclosure : If you make a purchase via a link on this site, we may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no added cost to you. Thank you!
Latest Posts
-
Athens Airport: New Curbside Pick-up Rules Take Effect June 7
May 22, 23 10:19 AM
In efforts to improve the passenger drop-off and pick-up experience and in view of the expected increase in international traveler arrivals, Athens International Airport (AIA) announced that it would… -
Study Reveals the Tourist ‘Types’ that Pick Thessaloniki for Holidays
May 22, 23 10:19 AM
Art lovers, active types and foodies are among the ‘travel tribes’ that select Thessaloniki, as their holiday destination, found a visitor profile study released this week by the Thessaloniki Hotels A… -
Greece to Protect Historic Athens Cinemas Ideal and Astor
May 22, 23 10:19 AM
The Greek Environment Ministry’s Central Council of Architecture (KESA) has decided to protect Athens’ Astor and Ideal cinemas designating the two historic landmarks as cultural monuments, said the Gr… -
Thessaloniki Metro Almost Ready, Greek PM on First Test Run
May 22, 23 10:19 AM
Thessaloniki’s highly anticipated metro, to serve almost 250,000 commuters a day once completed, is almost ready with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis taking a test ride this week. Mitsota… -
Thessaloniki Food, Nightlife Winning Over More Tourists
May 19, 23 11:36 AM
The nightlife and food are two of Thessaloniki’s strong points attracting more visitors to the northern port city, found a satisfaction study released this week by the Thessaloniki Hotels Association… -
Air Passenger Traffic to Greece Continues to Mark Sharp Rise
May 19, 23 11:36 AM
Passenger arrivals across all airports in Greece marked a sharp increase in the first four months of the year up by 7.4 percent compared to pre-Covid 2019 and by 38.4 percent over the same period in 2… -
Greece Among Top Choices of British easyJet Flyers this Summer
May 19, 23 11:36 AM
British holidaymakers flying on easyJet are picking Greece this year, according to a poll conducted by the budget carrier. More specifically, according to the survey carried out on 2,000 British adult… -
Uber Launches On-demand Boat Service on Mykonos Island, Greece
May 19, 23 11:36 AM
Ride-hailing company Uber recently announced that it will launch a new seasonal private charter boat service on the Greek island of Mykonos. Available from mid-June to October, “Boat” will be an on-de… -
Mykonos Tops Airbnb’s Most Searched Int’l Destinations by US Travelers in Q1
May 18, 23 10:58 AM
The Greek island of Mykonos is the top most searched for international destination by US travelers seeking Airbnb accommodation in the first quarter of the year, according to the Airbnb 2023 Summer re…
No words or images to be used without prior permission.
We do not sell personal information: see our Privacy Policy.
California Consumer Privacy Act - CCPA: Sale Of Personal Information
Greece Travel Secrets does not sell any information it gathers for any reason. It has not collected or sold any personal information in the last twelve months or ever in the past.
This website was built using Site Build It!
