Excavated only in 2011, this site is not much to look at – only building outlines are visible – but it is hallowed ground. Aristotle founded his school here, outside the city walls, in 335 BC. He taught rhetoric and philosophy, and the place became known as a Peripatetic School, because teacher and pupils would walk as they talked. In the same way, you can make a circuit around the ruins breathing the air perfumed by fragrant plants.
Aristotle's Lyceum
Athens
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.94 MILES
This dazzling museum at the foot of the Acropolis' southern slope showcases its surviving treasures. The collection covers the Archaic period to the Roman…
0.95 MILES
Designed to be the pre-eminent monument of the Acropolis, the Parthenon epitomises the glory of Ancient Greece. Meaning 'virgin's apartment', it's…
0.94 MILES
The Acropolis is the most important ancient site in the Western world. Crowned by the Parthenon, it stands sentinel over Athens, visible from almost…
1.44 MILES
This lush, tranquil site is named for the potters who settled it around 3000 BC. It was used as a cemetery through the 6th century AD. The grave markers…
1.1 MILES
The Agora was ancient Athens' heart, the lively hub of administrative, commercial, political and social activity. Socrates expounded his philosophy here;…
0.08 MILES
This outstanding museum, based in the 1848 Villa Ilissia, offers exhibition halls, most of them underground, crammed with religious art. The exhibits go…
Benaki Museum of Greek Culture
0.17 MILES
In 1930 Antonis Benakis – a politician's son born in Alexandria, Egypt, in the late 19th century – endowed what is perhaps the finest museum in Greece…
National Archaeological Museum
1.12 MILES
Housing the world's finest collection of Greek antiquities in an enormous neoclassical building, this museum is one of Athens' top attractions. Treasures…
Nearby Athens attractions
0.08 MILES
The 1st floor of this exceptional private museum is dedicated to the iconic minimalist marble Cycladic figurines, dating from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. They…
2. Byzantine & Christian Museum
0.08 MILES
This outstanding museum, based in the 1848 Villa Ilissia, offers exhibition halls, most of them underground, crammed with religious art. The exhibits go…
0.11 MILES
This relic of the junta years is a stark architectural statement of the times. But its displays of weapons, maps, armour and models from the Mycenaean…
0.13 MILES
At this centre, activities encourage children's development and engage the imagination. Exhibits are in Greek only; some activities are suitable for non…
0.16 MILES
Get a close-up look at the evzones, the traditionally dressed Greek soldiers, standing in front of their main barracks and, further down Irodou Attikou,…
6. Benaki Museum of Greek Culture
0.17 MILES
In 1930 Antonis Benakis – a politician's son born in Alexandria, Egypt, in the late 19th century – endowed what is perhaps the finest museum in Greece…
7. Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts & Music
0.28 MILES
This arts centre has good exhibitions spread across three levels of gallery space; they change around four or five times a year. For English details on…
0.32 MILES
Greece’s national art museum has been closed since 2013 for rebuilding; it's not set to be completed until around 2022. In the meantime, a portion of the…