Panathenaic Stadium Athens – Kallimarmaro, the Marble Stadium

The Panathenaic Stadium – Athens' marble stadium

The Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, which Greeks call Kallimarmaro – roughly, beautiful marble – is one of the city's most moving places. It is the only stadium in the world built entirely of white marble, set between two green hills opposite the National Garden. The first modern Olympic Games were held here in 1896, and it still hosts the ceremony in which the Olympic flame is handed over to each host country. Even if sport isn't your thing, walking into this vast white bowl, its tiers rising all around you, is hard to forget.

Over two thousand years of history

There was a stadium on this site as early as the fourth century BC, used for the Panathenaic Games in honour of Athena. In the second century AD it was rebuilt in marble by Herodes Atticus, a wealthy Athenian benefactor. Over the following centuries it was abandoned and its marble carted away for building, until it was restored in the late nineteenth century, funded by a Greek benefactor, to host the 1896 Games. It has been a national symbol ever since, and in 2004, when Athens hosted the Olympics again, it was the finish line of the marathon.

What to do at the stadium

A visit is relaxed and self-guided. An audio guide is usually included at the entrance, and you can stroll the track, climb to the top rows for a fine view across the city to the Acropolis, and sit on the marble like an ancient spectator. The best part? Standing on the winners' podium for a photo, or running a lap of the track. At the far end, an ancient tunnel leads to a small display of Olympic torches and posters from Games through the years – a treat for sports fans and kids.

Practical tips for your visit

Allow about an hour. The stadium is fully exposed with almost no shade, so in summer it's most comfortable early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Bring a hat, water and comfortable shoes – the climb to the upper rows is steep. Opening hours vary by season, and the stadium sometimes closes for events, concerts or ceremonies, so check before you go. You can also see and photograph the whole stadium from the square in front of the entrance, and it looks especially impressive lit up at night.

Running and walking in the surrounding hills

Behind the stadium and on Ardittos Hill above it are quiet green paths where locals like to jog and walk. Every November, the Athens Authentic Marathon, which follows the historic route from Marathon to Athens, finishes inside the stadium – if you are in town at that time, watching runners enter the white marble arena is something special. Keen runners can combine a morning jog through the National Garden and the hill paths with a finish inside the stadium.

How to fit the stadium into your day

The stadium is within walking distance of the National Garden, the Zappeion and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, with Syntagma and Plaka just beyond – a perfect half-day loop. A motorized city tour is an easy way to connect all these sights without wearing yourself out, and Yana can arrange one for you. After a day of history in the city, an Athens Riviera day trip to Vouliagmeni and Cape Sounion makes a lovely balance of sea and sunset.

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