5 Accessible Things To See and Do In Athens For Disabled Visitors
Athens is a wonderful destination for a weekend break or a holiday. The good news for disabled visitors is that the city is becoming more accessible to them and whilst like most cities there are some areas that are less accessible than others, in recent years Athens has made progress in creating a more accessible city for all visitors. Many of the attractions are now accessible to the disabled visitor. There is so much to see and do that you are bound to want to make more than one visit to Athens.
Athens is a city where the ancient and modern stand side by side to create a truly memorable and exciting experience for any visitor. It is a city with so much to see and do that one short article can never do it full justice. So in this article I have chosen just five of the many things to see and do.
The Acropolis and The Acropolis Museum
Set on a hill overlooking the city, the Acropolis is possibly the most iconic of all the Ancient Greek historical sites in Athens. It is a complex of several temples, with the most famous being The Parthenon.
In recent years much has been done to improve the accessibility of the site. An elevator has been installed to assist wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility to gain access to the site. The elevator needs to be booked in advance. There have also been improvements to the paths around the site creating a smoother way of seeing the sites situated on the Acropolis. These sites include the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and there are some incredible panoramic views of the city that you will want to capture in a photo.
The Acropolis Museum houses some fascinating ancient artefacts from the Acropolis and offers a wonderful insight into Ancient Greece and its culture. The museum is fully accessible with ramps and elevators, featuring wide spaces for easy movement around the museum.
The Ancient Agora
If the Acropolis was the religious heart of ancient Athens, then the Agora was the political, commercial and civic heart of the ancient city. Just Northwest of the Acropolis you will find this ancient district of Athens. Here you can wander through the ruins of ancient markets, temples, and the Stoa. You will not want to miss the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-preserved Greek temples. The Stoa of Attalos was originally built in the 2nd Century BCE. This long, colonnaded building was reconstructed in the 1950s and now houses the Museum of Ancient Agora. The museum is accessible via ramps.
The National Garden
The National Garden of Athens is a lush, green oasis located in the heart of the city, adjacent to the Greek Parliament and Syntagma Square. It covers 38 acres and provides a peaceful escape from the bustling city. It is a popular spot for both locals and tourists seeking to relax, take a leisurely stroll, or enjoy nature.
It was commissioned by Queen Amalia, the first queen of Greece, in 1838 and was originally known as the Royal Garden. It was designed as the private garden for the royal palace (now the Hellenic Parliament) and later opened to the public.
There is lots to see and do on a visit to the National Garden. For example, there is a small zoo, a botanical museum and ancient ruins and Ancient Greek statues.
There are a few playgrounds within the garden. Whichh make it a perfect spot for children to play safely in a green environment.
There are also some lovely cafés to enjoy a drink or a snack.
The garden is wheelchair-accessible having smooth, wide pathways that allow easy navigation. It’s also stroller-friendly, making it a great place for families.
The Benaki Museum of Greek Culture
The Benaki Museum is one of Athens’ most prestigious museums, offering a comprehensive exploration of Greek history, culture, and art. It was founded in 1930 by Antonis Benakis, a prominent art collector, the museum is housed in his family mansion, a beautiful neoclassical building located in the center of Athens. The main collection features Ancient Greek, Byzantine and medieval art, folk and traditional art, The Greek War of Independence and modern Greek art.
The Benaki Museum Café is located on the upper floor of the main building and offers a fantastic view of the Acropolis and the surrounding city. It’s a perfect spot to relax after exploring the museum’s vast collections. It is known for serving delicious traditional Greek dishes with a modern twist.
The Benaki Museum is very accessible to people with disabilities. The main museum building has ramps and elevators for wheelchair users.
The museum also offers guided tours and educational programs tailored to visitors with a wide range of disabilities.
Syntagma Square and Changing of the Guard
Nearly every visitor to Athens wants to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Syntagma Square. It is an iconic experiencee of any visit to Athens. The square itself is entirely wheelchair accessible with smooth, open spaces. The nearby Parliament Building is a great spot to watch the ceremony from as it has a level area to watch the ceremonial Changing of the Guard.
These are just a few of the accessible things a disabled visitor to Athens can see and do.
