A quality view but buildings not so impressive (Acropolis)

Member Name: dangaroo

Product:	Acropolis
Date:	21/07/09 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Impressive views and ancient buildings

Disadvantages: Often a lot of maintenance work

Acropolis is definitely the must see tourist place in Athens, most people have probably heard of it or at least have vague memories of it from history classes. An impressive flat-topped rocky mound that rises up steeply from the center of Athens, this is an ideal place to get a view of the city and out to the sea and country, which is possible despite the fact the city really sprawls quite a distance.

On the top of the rock are a series of temples which were mostly built 460-430 BC, despite them being in relatively good nick, they are constantly undergoing maintenance and when I visited, the scaffolding sort of took away from the ancientness you'd expect to feel. The Parthenon is probably the most impressive temple there and the Erectheum is also quite major due to its size.

It seemed that due to the extent of the work at the time of my visit, that the entrance fee had been waivered but I think that's not the case at the moment - although I hear there is still work going on.

Whilst I found that the view over Athens was spectacular and probably the best thing about the whole visit there, I could actually take or leave the temples themselves, I did not find them as impressive as the ancient temples of Egypt nor the ancient buildings of Rome. I definitely recommend going up there though, no visit to Athens is complete without it!

Summary: Still worth it!