The Ancient Agora was the central public square of Athens from the 6th century BC through the Roman era, functioning at once as marketplace, civic assembly point, law court, and religious sanctuary — Socrates was tried and condemned here in 399 BC, and philosophers from Aristotle to the Stoics taught in its porticos.
Its best-preserved structure is the Temple of Hephaestus on the western hill, widely considered the most intact ancient Greek temple anywhere, with all 34 Doric columns and most of its roof still standing. The on-site Stoa of Attalos houses a museum of finds spanning 5,000 years of Agora history.
Allow at least 90 minutes for a focused visit, or two to three hours to take in the museum as well; the site now enters via Apostolou Pavlou Street while the historic Adrianou Street entrance is under renovation.
