The Theatre of Dionysus is within the Grounds of the Acropolis at the bottom of the hill on the eastern side. It is a classic amphithatre, apparently the oldest theatre in Athens. The acrved reliefs behind the stage area are particularly interesting.

Just North of the Acropolis and west of the Plaka is the Roman Agora. It is not as large or as evocative as the ancient agora but has the tower of the winds built in the 1st cebtury BC to house a hydraulic clock. The Agora was paved by the emporer Hadrian.

Travel a little further west and you get to the ancient Agora. This was the market and meeting place of ancient Athens, where Socrates taught and Pericles issued proclamations. It is hard not to feel just a little of that history here though the structures are all but destroyed. The Ancient Agora is also home to magnificently preserved.the temple of Hephaestus.

Nothing, you have seen or read or heard can really convey the majesty of this place. From the moment you see it from the base of the hill it inspires you.

It is impossible to walk up the slick Marble steps of the Propylaia, and into the courtyard without wondering what feet have gone before you.

Even with a skeleton of scaffolding the Parthenon is bigger, and more impressive than I imagined it. It is worth considering that the greater portion of the damage to the structure was done as recently as the 17th century, when the Venetians tried to take the city from the Turks.

Take a minute to consider the 'Elgin marbles' too, if you have seen them in the British Museum, how much better would they look here.

The Erechthion, to the north of the Parthenon is much in much better condition. It is supposedly on the site where Poseiden and Athena contested for the city. Athena won. The Carytids (the statues of the woman holding up the porch) are replicas though. The originals are in the Musuem, though one is in Britain (Lord Elgin again).

The Far eastern side of the Acropolis, behind the Parthenon offers magnificent views of Athens towards Lykavitos Hill. Indeed the Acropolis commands a fine 360 degree view of the city.

The Acropolis is open from 8.00am to 8.30pm. We went at about 5.30 in the evening. While still hot, it was not oppressive and there were certainly not the hordes of people clambering for a view we had been told to expect.

A ticket to the Acropolis and also to most of the other archeological sights is 12 euro. It is not date stamped and can be used over the course of a number of days.

Take water because water at the snack Bar inside the fence is exorbitantly expensive.

Watch your step, the paths and stairs can be slippery.

The climb to the top of the Acropolis is not as bad as it may seem, although it still demands a certain level of exertion and carefulness. The steps are steep and the marble surfaces can be quite slick. Although its delicate condition has been affected over the years by natural deterioration, disasters, outright pillaging, and unfortunate restoration techniques, the Parthenon still stands proudly as the centerpiece of the Acropolis and is practically the ancient symbol of Greece. The Doric Parthenon (447-438 BC) was designed by Iktinos and Kallikrates. The Ionic Erechtheion (421-395 BC), featuring a colonnade of alluring caryatids (columns sculpted to look like Greek maidens), stands north of the Parthenon. There is an ongoing state of reconstruction/renovation at the Acropolis, as the tiny Temple of Athena Nike is completely shrouded by protective scaffolding. Built on the southern slope of the hill are the Odeon of Herod Atticus (161 BC) used for summertime performances, and the ruins of the Theater of Dionysos (4th Century BC).

There is a small Acropolis Museum at the east end, although there are plans to design a revamped building to replace this one. Greek officials hope to someday reclaim the Elgin Marbles (famous marble reliefs formerly attached to the Parthenon) from the British Museum in London.

Take your time when you are going to pay your respects to Pallas Athena. Stroll around the foot of the hill, through the Plaka. Take a route no one else is taking. There are lots of picturesque small stepped alleys leading to the summit. Often you will be rewarded with a magnificent vista on this glistering rock.

Before turning left towards the entrance, turn right and climb the very slippery and steep steps towards the Areopagus hill. Here you have a beautiful view on the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora at your feet and on vast modern Athens. On this hill the Persians made camp when besieging Athens in 480 B.C. and here the Apostle Paul preached to the people of Athens.

After buying a ticket, students half price, you start your final ascend. First you pass the still used theatre of Herodes Atticus, then, suddenly you are there. The small Temple of Athena Nike, currently in scaffolding, at first blocks your view, but as you make the turn the blinding white marble Propylaia, the majestic entrance to this holy hill, appears. As you walk up the steps the impressive grandeur is humbling. It is hard to imagine how impressive it must have been when it was unscathed.

When clearing the gate I realized all the pictures I had seen didn’t do the Acropolis, and especially the Parthenon, justice. I imagined it to be grand but it appeared to be huge! When walking around the Parthenon I suddenly understood why the Greeks hate the Turkish so much. You have to be a real idiot to store gunpowder in such an impressive en enchanting building. Moreover, you have to be a real jerk to let it explode!

The west side of the Parthenon is the most impressive. The tympanum on this side depicted the battle between Poseidon, god of the Sea, and Pallas Athena for the patronage of the city. When standing on the south side of the Acropolis you have a nice view of the Stoa of Eumenes, Pyraeus and the wonderful Filopappos hill.

Another gem on the Acropolis is the Erechteion with the exquisite Caryatids. This temple, dedicated to multiple gods, is built on the holy grounds where Poseidon and Athena fought their battle. The first donated a spring to the city by striking the ground with his trident. You can still see the marks where he did so. The second donated an olive tree. On the west side of the temple you’ll find one planted on the same spot, allegedly.

To be short: this place is enchanting.