Famous buildings in Athens

A city with history practically coming at you from every corner, proximity to the beach and the famous Greek islands, is hard to resist. But for architecture lovers, Athens just so happens to contain a few, not-so-hidden gems that are more than worth your time. Beyond the iconic Acropolis and tally of ancient structures, you can catch a sensational tour with Keytours and come across some of the most famous buildings in Athens.

The Greek Parliament

First up we have the Parliament. Located in the central Syntagma square, it is a big landmark that is hard to miss. It started as King Otto’s palace in the 19th century, before its latest reincarnation in 1922. Queen Amalia is said to have personally curated the Royal Gardens, adjacent to the building, which were part of the original building complex, adorning it with all manner of exotic plants, including Washingtonian palm trees. Catch it while on this Athens half-day tour.  


The Zappeion

Next to the National Gardens and the Parliament is the Zappeion - one of the most venerable venues in the wider Attica basin. This neoclassical masterpiece, replete with porticos and atrium, was built in 1988 by the Greek benefactor Evangelos Zappas. It is great for a stroll, and one of the most famous buildings of Athens. We go past it on this private, half-day tour.

The Athens Metropolitan Cathedral

Another one of the famous buildings in Athens is the Cathedral. You’ll find it on Mitropoleos Street, having only just finished a years-long refurbishment. Inside, intricate Corinthian pillars and superb frescoes bring typical religious scenes to life, while the relics of Agia Filothei and the Patriarch Gregory V are kept inside. What is notable about this, is that next to the cathedral, a much smaller church - Agios Eleftherios, built in the 12th Century - was erected from bits and pieces from old temples and ancient churches. 

The Benizelos Mansion

The oldest surviving Athenian house built in the traditional Ottoman ‘konaki’ style is the Benizelos Mansion, situated in the heart of Athens, in Plaka. The Benizelos family is one of a long line of Greek benefactors, and this family home, first erected sometime in the 18th century, is now a museum that tells the story of the turbulent times that followed the Greek revolution in 1821. It is not open to the public just yet, but you can find it strolling around Plaka.  
 Photo credit: http://www.yerolymbos.com