Panathenaic Stadium on Postcard

"The Panathenaic Stadium or Kallimarmaro was inaugurated in 329 BC for the Panathenaea, an Athenian festival dedicated to the goddess of Athena (the goddess of wisdom and the patron of the city of Athens) with music and poetry contests. Between 140 and 144 AD, the stadium was renovated by Herodes Atticus, a Greek aristocrat and Roman senator. In 1870, an excavation revealed the horseshoe-shaped, 50,000-seat stadium. The stadium was used again in 1896 for the first modern Olympics, and it is the finishing line for the annual autumn Athens Marathon race." - MATADOR_NETWORK

Art and Culture in Athens

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@afar

"Built in the 4th century B.C.E., rebuilt for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, and refurbished for the 2004 Athens Olympics, this horseshoe stadium now serves as the finish line for the Athens Marathon. For centuries, nude male athletes competed here in the Panathenaic championships. Follow in their footsteps by running around the track (fully clothed, of course), or admire the views from the Pentelic marble pews, which can accommodate 70,000 spectators.Just outside the top tier of the stadium is a dirt track through the pine forest that’s popular with local joggers—a very scenic and inspiring spot to stay fit while you sightsee."

The Best Things to Do in Athens

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Jaita Ghosh

Google

Athens as a city is historically rich and this stadium is a must visit when here... Entirely made of marble & this stadium hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896. Stairs to the top are very steep if you plan to climb at the top which you must, it will be worthwhile. We visited during the Summer of 2024 and it was screeching hot, please carry water with you. There is a small museum inside & it is included in the 10€ ticket.

ugo setti

Google

The Panathenaic Stadium is a must-visit historical landmark in Athens! 🏟️ The fact that it’s made entirely of marble is truly impressive, and it’s amazing to imagine how it was used for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. 🇬🇷 The atmosphere is incredible, and the panoramic views of the city from the top are breathtaking. 🌆 It’s a beautiful blend of ancient history and modern sport! Highly recommend visiting if you’re in Athens. 😊

Eleni Gogos

Google

You should definitely buy an entrance ticket! It’s only 10 euros, or 5 euros for students. The stadium is entirely made of white marble. You can climb all the rows and seats to the top, run around the track, walk through the vault passageway that Olympians have made their entrances through, and there is a small museum at the end of it with Olympic torches from games spanning many years. Be sure to grab an audio guide included with your ticket and it’ll take you around the stadium pointing out specific details, hidden treasures, and tell you about the inspiring history of the stadium and Olympic Games. If you climb to the top of row 21 on your way out, you get a beautiful view of both the Parthenon and Lycabettus Hill in addition to the stadium!

lucy durcan

Google

Only 10 euros to enter, definitely worth it! Lots of steps to climb, but the view is amazing. If you walk all the way round you can see the acropolis in the background. The steps can be quite steep at the bottom, but was easy enough to navigate. If you walk to the middle steps under the Olympic rings you can take awesome photos. The surrounding area was nice. Need to pay 1 euro to use rest rooms.

Sam

Google

As others have commented, the entrance experience needs to be improved. The way finding, signage, information etc is bad. The people who work there are bad. No customer service at all. Unless I missed it, there is no visitor information at all, no story telling or anything. You are simply left to your own imagination and reading on internet. The whole stadium is impressive but it’s neglected and unloved, if it wasn’t for the tourist paying to enter then it would be abandoned and forgotten. Be careful on the steps, there are no railings to hold on to. You can have a photo taken on the podium. In the summer it must be unbearably hot and unpleasant, since there is no shade. Worth visiting to see the shear scale and workmanship of the stadium, but very disappointing at the same time

Jules Cates (Jules)

Google

Didn't go to an event or pay a fee to take a look onto the grounds, but was just grateful to be able to see this historical stadium which started the much loved Olympic games. I was so happy to finally see it in person, it's very beautiful architecturally and saw why it's still so famous to this day.

K13

Google

I just love this Stadium I've been coming here for 40 years for various events I have to say that this basketball event was the highlight of most of the events I've been here for. There's really not much to say it's Unique there is an amazing energy over here it's something every human being should visit and actually have the opportunity to go to a concert or some sort of an event. This stadium has been in the same location for about 2000 years I don't know about you all but if I was in your shoes I would come here.

Allvijay Rama krishnan

Google

The Panathenaic Stadium is a truly remarkable site, steeped in history and significance. As the only stadium in the world made entirely of marble, it offers a unique glimpse into ancient Greek culture and its revival during the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Walking through the stadium, you can almost feel the energy of past events, from ancient athletic contests to modern celebrations. The audio guide provides excellent context, and the climb to the top rewards you with stunning views of Athens. Don’t miss the chance to run on the track or stand on the podium—it’s a one-of-a-kind experience!

Jaita Ghosh

Google

Athens as a city is historically rich and this stadium is a must visit when here... Entirely made of marble & this stadium hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896. Stairs to the top are very steep if you plan to climb at the top which you must, it will be worthwhile. We visited during the Summer of 2024 and it was screeching hot, please carry water with you. There is a small museum inside & it is included in the 10€ ticket.

ugo setti

Google

The Panathenaic Stadium is a must-visit historical landmark in Athens! 🏟️ The fact that it’s made entirely of marble is truly impressive, and it’s amazing to imagine how it was used for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. 🇬🇷 The atmosphere is incredible, and the panoramic views of the city from the top are breathtaking. 🌆 It’s a beautiful blend of ancient history and modern sport! Highly recommend visiting if you’re in Athens. 😊

Eleni Gogos

Google

You should definitely buy an entrance ticket! It’s only 10 euros, or 5 euros for students. The stadium is entirely made of white marble. You can climb all the rows and seats to the top, run around the track, walk through the vault passageway that Olympians have made their entrances through, and there is a small museum at the end of it with Olympic torches from games spanning many years. Be sure to grab an audio guide included with your ticket and it’ll take you around the stadium pointing out specific details, hidden treasures, and tell you about the inspiring history of the stadium and Olympic Games. If you climb to the top of row 21 on your way out, you get a beautiful view of both the Parthenon and Lycabettus Hill in addition to the stadium!

lucy durcan

Google

Only 10 euros to enter, definitely worth it! Lots of steps to climb, but the view is amazing. If you walk all the way round you can see the acropolis in the background. The steps can be quite steep at the bottom, but was easy enough to navigate. If you walk to the middle steps under the Olympic rings you can take awesome photos. The surrounding area was nice. Need to pay 1 euro to use rest rooms.

Sam

Google

As others have commented, the entrance experience needs to be improved. The way finding, signage, information etc is bad. The people who work there are bad. No customer service at all. Unless I missed it, there is no visitor information at all, no story telling or anything. You are simply left to your own imagination and reading on internet. The whole stadium is impressive but it’s neglected and unloved, if it wasn’t for the tourist paying to enter then it would be abandoned and forgotten. Be careful on the steps, there are no railings to hold on to. You can have a photo taken on the podium. In the summer it must be unbearably hot and unpleasant, since there is no shade. Worth visiting to see the shear scale and workmanship of the stadium, but very disappointing at the same time

Jules Cates (Jules)

Google

Didn't go to an event or pay a fee to take a look onto the grounds, but was just grateful to be able to see this historical stadium which started the much loved Olympic games. I was so happy to finally see it in person, it's very beautiful architecturally and saw why it's still so famous to this day.

K13

Google

I just love this Stadium I've been coming here for 40 years for various events I have to say that this basketball event was the highlight of most of the events I've been here for. There's really not much to say it's Unique there is an amazing energy over here it's something every human being should visit and actually have the opportunity to go to a concert or some sort of an event. This stadium has been in the same location for about 2000 years I don't know about you all but if I was in your shoes I would come here.

Allvijay Rama krishnan

Google

The Panathenaic Stadium is a truly remarkable site, steeped in history and significance. As the only stadium in the world made entirely of marble, it offers a unique glimpse into ancient Greek culture and its revival during the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Walking through the stadium, you can almost feel the energy of past events, from ancient athletic contests to modern celebrations. The audio guide provides excellent context, and the climb to the top rewards you with stunning views of Athens. Don’t miss the chance to run on the track or stand on the podium—it’s a one-of-a-kind experience!

Panathenaic Stadium

Panathenaic Stadium

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Highlights

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