The Pnyx
The Pnyx hill near the Acropolis is one of Athens' true hidden gems, a place to wander freely away from the crowds and discover ancient places and mysteries.
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
This green and hilly retreat is across the road from the Acropolis, yet few tourists take in this fascinating part of the city. Most visitors are ferried to the Acropolis in coaches and do not have the time, or inclination, to head in the opposite direction. It's a great shame as it's dotted with ancient ruins and some curiosities.
It's a lovely place to just wander at random. To us it's one of the truly hidden gems of Athens - sorry for the cliché, but it is. We've no doubt that in years to come as more parts of it are excavated and explored, more treasures will come to life and it will be one of the city's top attractions. At the moment one of the pleasures is that it's definitely a place for the curious - it's not that well signposted, and there's not much to tell you what the various places are. That is bound to change.
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
The Pnyx
The Pnyx (or Pnyka) itself is where, in the golden days of Periclean Athens, the Athenian Assembly would meet in the amphitheatre, and crowds would gather to hear the great orators of the day. The first meetings known to have been held here were in 507BC. Quite how many people could meet here is not known for sure, but estimates are anywhere from 6-13,000.
Many famous historical Greek names addressed the public here, including Pericles, Aristides, and Demosthenes. You can still see the Stepping Stone or Speaker's Platform from which the orators would speak. Use a little imagination and some incredible images will come into your mind while you look around here.
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
You'll also understand why the name Pnyx derives from the Greek word pnyka, which means 'tightly packed together'. Today pnyka literally means 'suffocation'.
Our Pick of the Athens Guides
Prison of Socrates
To the left of the main path, as you walk up beyond the entrance signs, a side path leads to the so-called 'Prison of Socrates'. Visitors should not get too excited, as these two holes in the wall look more like the entrances to a modern public lavatory and there is no historical evidence whatsoever to suggest that this was the prison where the philosopher Socrates was kept after being arrested for allegedly corrupting Athenian youth with his teachings. He was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock and actually died in the state prison in the Agora.
Deaf Man's Cave
Not far from the Prison of Socrates is Deaf Man's Cave, whose two entrances are gated off. The cave was only excavated in 2009, and it's believed that this was originally a place of worship, then used as regular homes, and finally as burial places. The dramatic name is simply because one of the residents at one time was believed to have been deaf.
Ágios Demetrius
Loumbardiaris
To the right of the main entrance path to the Pnyx, almost opposite the Prison of Socrates, is a delightful, small church, Ágios Demetrius Loumbardiaris. This was originally built in 1460 and sympathetically rebuilt in 1955.
Behind the church a path leads to the Pnyx itself. Further on is the Hill of the Nymphs, fenced off at the top because it houses an observatory.
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Philopappou
In the Pnyka and on top of the Hill of the Muses is the Monument of Philopappou. This is south from the Prison of Socrates. Banished to Athens by the Romans, Philopappou became the Roman Consul in Athens in 100AD. He was popular here because of his generosity and was allowed to build this grandiose tomb on one of the city's prime sites in 114–116AD.
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Dora Stratou Dance
Theatre
On the western slopes of Philopappou Hill is this theatre, also known as the Philopappou Theatre. Dora Stratou was a renowned Greek dancer, who preserved traditional Greek dances, music and costumes, and later founded her own dance school and dance company, which performs flamboyant shows here every night throughout the summer months.
To reach the theatre, take the entrance to the Pnyx which is opposite the Acropolis entrance on Areopagitou, and follow the signs which direct you to the far side of the hill.
Visiting the Dora
Stratou Dance Theatre
There are performances put on at the theatre but you can also attend dance classes there, and improve your Greek dancing skills! Take a class or two here and then the next time someone hauls you out of your seat at a taverna to join in some Greek dancing, you'll amaze them. Find out more on the Dora Stratou Dance Theatre website.
Check out our YouTube video above, with some impromptu Greek dancing in the village of Profitis Ilias on Crete. Of course we joined in! That's Donna in the denim jacket, while Mike was behind the camera, filming the great dancing and music.
Some other Athens pages
Restaurants with Acropolis Views
Greece Travel Secrets chooses its top ten Athens restaurants with Acropolis views, perfect for dining by day or by night, including places with Michelin stars.
Athens Museum of Cycladic Art
The Athens Museum of Cycladic Art houses a remarkable collection of Cycladic figurines and other items and is one of the best museums in Athens.
Mount Lykabettos
Mount Lykabettos is the highest hill in Athens and provides some of the best views of the city, with a funicular cable car the easiest way to get to the top.
National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum is one of the best things to see in Athens, and the best museum in the world for seeing Greece's archaeological treasures.
Easter in Athens
Easter in Athens is, like everywhere in Greece, the biggest religious celebration of the year and this page tells you what to expect over the Easter weekend.
Athens Weather and the Best Time to Visit
The Greece Travel Secrets website looks at the Athens weather, the chance of rain, the climate in summer and winter and the best time to visit Athens.
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.
A History of Athens
A History of Athens from the first people to live on the Acropolis through the Golden Age of Pericles and Alexander the Great to the military junta.
Artistic Athens
This extract of Artistic Athens in the Lonely Planet book Culture Trails takes visitors on a journey through the artistic side of Athens..
Where to Eat in Athens and Piraeus
If you're wondering where to eat in Athens and Piraeus we have a few suggestions including some favorites around the Acropolis, Omonia Square, and Syntagma.
Athens International Airport
Athens International Airport is east of Athens city centre with its own Metro train station, buses to Athens and Piraeus, taxis and car rental offices.
Athens Culinary Tours
Athens culinary tours are among the food walking tours offered by an unusual company, Culinary Backstreets.
My Athens: a Portrait by Travel Writer Mike Gerrard
In My Athens on Greece Travel Secrets travel writer Mike Gerrard describes what he loves about Athens including the Acropolis and eating!
Best Cocktail Bars in Athens
Two of the best cocktail bars in Athens, MoMix Kerameikos and The Clumsies, are making creative cocktails using that most Greek of Greek spirits, Metaxa.
Athens to Santorini
There are lots of flights from Athens to Santorini as well as a ferry service from Piraeus, with flights to Santorini leaving from Athens International Airport.
Athens National Historical Museum
The Athens National Historical Museum is in the former Greek Parliament building and houses an archive of historical artefacts and documents.
Changing of the Guard in Athens
The Changing of the Guard in Athens takes place outside the Parliament building at the top of Syntagma Square and is a must-see for visitors.
A Walk around Kolonáki
This walk around the Kolonaki neighbourhood of Athens starts and ends in Syntagma Square and takes you to several museums, Kolonaki Square and Mount Lykabettos.
Best Views in Athens
The best views in Athens include views from the Acropolis and of the Acropolis from the top of some of the city’s several hills and from hotels and restaurants.
Piraeus
Piraeus is the port of Athens from where many ferries to the Greek islands depart, and it also has an Archaeological Museum and the Hellenic Maritime Museum.
Greek Architecture
This beginner's guide to Greek architecture explains how to tell your Ionic from your Doric columns, and what to look for in temples and Byzantine churches.
Athens Olympic Stadium
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to the original Athens Olympic Stadium, built for the 1896 Olympic Games and open to the public for jogging and photography.
Athens’Benaki Museum
Athens' Benaki Museum is one of the city’s top museums with an outstanding collection, especially of Greek and Egyptian artefacts, in a beautiful mansion.
Athens Walking Tours and Other Experiences
Athens walking tours and other experiences like cookery lessons, ceramics workshops, dining with a family, and street art are available from Alternative Athens
Athens Byzantine and Christian Museum
The Athens Byzantine and Christian Museum is housed in a beautiful villa with an underground wing and lovely gardens too.
Latest Posts
-
Zakynthos’ Navagio Beach Viewing Platform Safety Overhaul Funding Approved
The green light was given for significant safety and aesthetic improvements to the famous Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach viewing platform on Zakynthos, following the approval of a €500,000 budget by the Mi… -
Athens Airport Passenger Traffic Soars Over 21 Million in January-August
Athens International Airport (AIA) set a new record during January-August, welcoming 21,260,634 travelers, a 13.9 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Based on data of the airport, du… -
KOUZINA 2024 Festival Honors Florina’s Gastronomy in Three-day Event
The unique culinary traditions of Florina take center stage at KOUZINA 2024, a gastronomy festival showcasing a three-day program filled with local recipes and cultural events. The KOUZINA festival is… -
Thessaloniki’s New ‘ThessTicket’ and ‘ThessCard’ to Cover Both Bus and Metro Services
Efforts to redesign Thessaloniki’s transportation network, including the introduction of a new ticketing system, were commended by Greek Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras d… -
Santorini’s Caldera Zone to Face Construction Freeze Under New Legislation
The Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy is poised to implement a freeze on all construction activities in the Caldera zone of Santorini and on the island of Therassia, according to a draft law cu… -
Angsana Corfu Resort Shines as Romantic Backdrop in Netflix’s ‘Love is Blind: UK’
The idyllic Greek island of Corfu has once again captured international attention, this time as the stunning location for Netflix’s hit series “Love is Blind: UK”. The show’s producers have chosen the… -
Corinth Moves Forward with Plans for Scuba Diving Park to Boost Tourism
The Municipality of Corinth in the Peloponnese is exploring ways to develop a scuba diving park in an aim to attract more visitors to the city. -
Exploring the Roman Agora at Athens: A Visitor’s Guide
Nestled in the historic heart of Athens, the Roman Agora is an often-overlooked gem, where ancient cultures and architecture meet in a lively urban setting. -
Discover Sifnos: A Perfect 3-Day Island Getaway
Beaches, historical sites, and local cuisine: discover the best of the Cycladic island of Sifnos in just three days. -
Thessaloniki to Get Second Museum for Metro Artifacts, Says Culture Minister
Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni on Monday provided an update on various projects overseen by the Ministry of Culture, with a focus on northern Greece. Notably, one of the highlighted projects i…
Why not sign up for our Greece Travel Secrets newsletter? Each week 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.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, but at no cost to you.
BUY A JOURNAL TO RECORD YOUR OWN GREECE TRAVEL SECRETS!
LEARN A LITTLE GREEK BEFORE YOU GO!
LATEST NEWS
Latest Posts
-
Zakynthos’ Navagio Beach Viewing Platform Safety Overhaul Funding Approved
Sep 12, 24 05:20 AM
The green light was given for significant safety and aesthetic improvements to the famous Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach viewing platform on Zakynthos, following the approval of a €500,000 budget by the Mi… -
Athens Airport Passenger Traffic Soars Over 21 Million in January-August
Sep 12, 24 05:20 AM
Athens International Airport (AIA) set a new record during January-August, welcoming 21,260,634 travelers, a 13.9 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Based on data of the airport, du… -
KOUZINA 2024 Festival Honors Florina’s Gastronomy in Three-day Event
Sep 05, 24 04:07 AM
The unique culinary traditions of Florina take center stage at KOUZINA 2024, a gastronomy festival showcasing a three-day program filled with local recipes and cultural events. The KOUZINA festival is… -
Thessaloniki’s New ‘ThessTicket’ and ‘ThessCard’ to Cover Both Bus and Metro Services
Sep 04, 24 05:36 AM
Efforts to redesign Thessaloniki’s transportation network, including the introduction of a new ticketing system, were commended by Greek Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras d… -
Santorini’s Caldera Zone to Face Construction Freeze Under New Legislation
Sep 03, 24 04:10 AM
The Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy is poised to implement a freeze on all construction activities in the Caldera zone of Santorini and on the island of Therassia, according to a draft law cu… -
Angsana Corfu Resort Shines as Romantic Backdrop in Netflix’s ‘Love is Blind: UK’
Sep 03, 24 04:10 AM
The idyllic Greek island of Corfu has once again captured international attention, this time as the stunning location for Netflix’s hit series “Love is Blind: UK”. The show’s producers have chosen the… -
Corinth Moves Forward with Plans for Scuba Diving Park to Boost Tourism
Sep 03, 24 04:10 AM
The Municipality of Corinth in the Peloponnese is exploring ways to develop a scuba diving park in an aim to attract more visitors to the city. -
Exploring the Roman Agora at Athens: A Visitor’s Guide
Aug 31, 24 04:34 AM
Nestled in the historic heart of Athens, the Roman Agora is an often-overlooked gem, where ancient cultures and architecture meet in a lively urban setting. -
Discover Sifnos: A Perfect 3-Day Island Getaway
Aug 31, 24 04:34 AM
Beaches, historical sites, and local cuisine: discover the best of the Cycladic island of Sifnos in just three days.
FOLLOW OUR GREECE VIDEOS
ON YOUTUBE
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!
