Panathenaic Stadium

It's hard to think that your visiting something that is over 2500 years old. The history of this stadium is very interesting and when the first games took place. The cost is around Euro 12 per adult, and this includes te museum, where you can see all the torches from past olympics. The designs vary, it was also good for me to see the 2012 London Olypic one and piece of the flame flower.

Ticketed entry & where to buy: Entrance tickets are sold only at the stadium’s ticket office (no online sales); tickets are single-entry and non-refundable. • Hours: The stadium is open daily (typical summer hours ~08:00–19:00; seasonal hours may vary) — check the official timetable for day-to-day changes. • Current fares (latest update): New prices announced for 2025: Regular €12 / Reduced €6 (restroom fee also noted). Confirm the ticket desk for exact current rates. • Why visit (quick history): The Kallimarmaro is the world’s only stadium built entirely of marble, rebuilt in 144 AD and refurbished to host the first modern Olympics in 1896 — a unique mix of ancient architecture and modern Olympic heritage. • Special roles today: It’s the traditional finish of the Athens Classic Marathon and the historic site for the Olympic-flame handover/ceremony before each Games. • Location & getting there: Found on Vasileos Konstantinou Ave (near the Zappeion and National Gardens); nearest central stops are Syntagma or Evangelismos (about 800–1,200 m / a 10–15 min walk). • What to expect on a visit: Walk the marble seating and track, snap skyline and close-up marble detail photos, visit the small exhibition areas and gift shop, and enjoy the stadium’s compact museum-like atmosphere. Guided visits/activities are offered seasonally. • Accessibility & comfort tips: The site provides access for visitors with reduced mobility (ramps/accessible toilets available, sometimes for a small fee); marble surfaces get very hot in summer — visit early or late, bring water and sun protection. ⸻ ⚠️ What to keep in mind • Buy tickets on arrival: You cannot pre-buy online — get your ticket at the stadium desk and note that once you exit your ticket becomes invalid. • Heat & marble: The white Pentelic marble reflects sun and can be hot; mornings/late afternoons give the best light and cooler temps. • Event closures: The stadium sometimes closes or changes hours for ceremonies (e.g., flame handovers) or special events — check the official site the day before visiting. • Short visit time: Plan ~30–90 minutes depending on photos, the small exhibition and whether you join a guided talk

Spent like an hour during the day. It takes just an hour to explore the stadium. Entry is 12 euro. Good spot to take pictures, a little walk and a museum. Advised to visit during the sunset. Should allow visitors after sunset when they light up the stadium.

Visiting the today was genuinely one of the highlights of Athens. Standing inside the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble is awe-inspiring - you can really feel the weight of history beneath your feet. Knowing this is where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 makes the experience even more special. Walking around the track, climbing the stands, and seeing the panoramic views of the city gave me a real sense of connection to ancient and modern Greece alike. The stadium is beautifully preserved, spacious, and surprisingly peaceful despite its significance. The small museum inside adds great context, especially with the Olympic memorabilia and stories behind the Games. It's easy to imagine the roar of the crowds and the athletes lining up on the track. Whether you're into history, sport, or just iconic landmarks, this place is absolutely worth visiting. I'd highly recommend taking your time here and soaking it all in - a must-see in Athens

History restored in the most beautiful and interesting form. Just take your time, buy the tickets and the audio-guide ( ! Audio guide is a mobile phone app, it's best to have your earphones and the battery fully charged ! ) and enjoy the place's architecture, the museum, the whole story about Olympics and Ancient state-of-mind explained.

I visited the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens during the summer. Being there feels like stepping back in time. The entire stadium is constructed from marble and faithfully follows the design of the original structure built thousands of years ago. It hosted the first modern Olympic Games and stands as a powerful symbol of Greek heritage and athletic spirit. I highly recommend visiting this historic site.

We visited on a Oxi (Ohi) Day, a public holiday. The queue was quite long and since you can’t buy tickets online, you have to stand in the sun. It took us about an hour to get to the head of the queue. Don’t forget to pickup the audio guide that’s included in the ticket price. The museum under the stadium was nice too. It had torches from various olympic years on display.

We passed by this original Olympic stadium in the evening and did a proper visit a few days later. Did some poses on the mock up podium, did some races (have bragging rights that we ran in the Olympic stadium!) and also popped by the small museum with the Olympic posters and torches. It’s worth a visit