National Observatory of Athens
National Observatory of Athens
4.5
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Thissio / Makriyanni
Named after the well-preserved Thission (ancient temple of Hephaestus), Thissio is blessed with a small wooded park and some less frenetic streets that offer numerous quieter places to stay and eat. Largely pedestrianised Apostolou Pavlou Street runs between the Acropolis and forested Filopappou Hill, well worth climbing for more great panoramas, until it merges with Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. This leads to the up-and-coming area of Makriyanni, whose centrepiece is the magnificent new Acropolis Museum. Opposite the museum is the entrance to the southern slopes of the Acropolis, while the eponymous metro station nearby is at the top of Makriyanni Street, another strip of touristic cafés and restaurants.
How to get there
- Thissio • 7 min walk
- Akropoli • 9 min walk
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4.5
107 reviews
Excellent
79
Very good
17
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Beth Sims
Southampton, UK44 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
As of writing this, the English tours are in the evening every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, the times differ depending on the year, and you can’t go in without a tour.
We didn’t pre-book, just turned up 10 minutes before and bought tickets then and there, but the building isn’t well signposted. Apple Maps currently takes you to the telescope rather than the actual building, which is on the road nearby.
The tour was €5 a ticket, took about an hour, and you get to look through the telescope! Absolutely worth a visit if you’re in Athens.
We didn’t pre-book, just turned up 10 minutes before and bought tickets then and there, but the building isn’t well signposted. Apple Maps currently takes you to the telescope rather than the actual building, which is on the road nearby.
The tour was €5 a ticket, took about an hour, and you get to look through the telescope! Absolutely worth a visit if you’re in Athens.
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TJBruce
Keith, UK3 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We would definitely recommend this tour. Our daughters aged 18 and 21 said it was the highlight of their holiday. The guide was so informative and engaging and we were blown away by what we saw and learned there. Looking through the telescope at the night sky was amazing. This is a must do tour when visiting Athens.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Millie P
Colorado254 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
We had a person in our group whose father was at the Observatory for 6 years back in the late 60’s. Our group surprised her with a tour of the observatory one night….once we found it.
If you go, be sure if you use Uber they take you as close as possible so you’re not trying to figure out how to get there in the dark. We had a driver drop us off in a neighborhood with no direction which way to get there! (Our Uber driver back to our apartment was wonderful); so ask questions before you get in the car.
The tour wasn’t real long, but very interesting With plenty of artifacts to look at. Our guide was a very nice young woman who knew a lot of the history.
If you have extra time in Athens, this is a good tour with beautiful views of Athens at night.
If you go, be sure if you use Uber they take you as close as possible so you’re not trying to figure out how to get there in the dark. We had a driver drop us off in a neighborhood with no direction which way to get there! (Our Uber driver back to our apartment was wonderful); so ask questions before you get in the car.
The tour wasn’t real long, but very interesting With plenty of artifacts to look at. Our guide was a very nice young woman who knew a lot of the history.
If you have extra time in Athens, this is a good tour with beautiful views of Athens at night.
Written 4 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christos A
5 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
We took the tour with telescope observation and historic building guidance. The guides were enthusiastic friendly and knowledgeable. We looked at Saturn, time travelled to a period where people were creative (how to tell what time it is with no radio or internet?), learned about the first computer (150bc) and admired this old and beautiful building. Simply loved the place.
Written 20 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
di w
Maldon, UK14 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Our tour guide couldn't speak English. We paid for an English speaking tour but we couldn't understand what she was saying, she struggled.to find the right words in English. Such a shame, we were so looking forward to it, but gave up after 10mins as it was so slow and boring.
Written 3 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edudir
Athens, Greece9 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
As a first time visitor before Covid-19 we had been entranced by the experience of having a guided tour around the oldest Observatory in the Balkons. We visited again on the 28/05/21 and although the tour was slightly restricted due to the health and safety regulations, again we were delighted. The young lady who'd shown us around the first time and the young man the second, both post grad students inspired us both with their knowledge and enthusiasm. An unforgettable experience and an enchanting setting. Tours are in Greek or English and start around 20:30. Thank you for giving us a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend approx an hour and a half.
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas S
5 contributions
Apr 2023
This is a fun little excursion to do after grabbing dinner. The English tours are Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9pm, so make sure to bring a jacket. Tickets only cost €5, so very affordable. The guide we had spoke English well and was very knowledgeable and friendly. If the weather is cloudy, like it was for our tour, part of the tour where you use the telescope to observe objects will not occur, unfortunately. There will be some walking around, so bring good walking shoes.
Written 25 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sofia
Athens, Greece7 contributions
Jul 2021
In this place i felt like been in space. Really amazed. You could see the space in the theatre inside. It was like lost in space and time. Really enjoyed that say, the ticket was worth! Strongly suggest to visit it
Written 25 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
costaspal
Athens, Greece38 contributions
May 2022
I loved the visit but it felt short...
Very interesting and the 'tour-guides' where very informative.
My 11y-old loved that at the end of the small tour, they allowed to view a star through one of the telescopes. I'm not including many details in purpose - no spoiler !
Will visit again sometime.
Very interesting and the 'tour-guides' where very informative.
My 11y-old loved that at the end of the small tour, they allowed to view a star through one of the telescopes. I'm not including many details in purpose - no spoiler !
Will visit again sometime.
Written 12 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Omri Y
32 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Great attraction for all you astronomy lovers, and for those who aren't. the tour is very nice, you are taken to see a truely exceptional place with a rich history... you should check the events schedule in advance to see what are the dates of the planned events - and when getting there, try to be at the place by 21:00 to make sure you don't miss the english tour.
Our guides - Gogo and Jimmy - were really nice and informative, and we got to watch the moon and Jupiter through the huge telescope on the hill - super nice.
Our guides - Gogo and Jimmy - were really nice and informative, and we got to watch the moon and Jupiter through the huge telescope on the hill - super nice.
Written 2 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Has the Observatory re opened by now - August 2020?
Written 30 August 2020
fab
Italy
9 contributions
hello! how is possibile to book the night \ evening tour? thanks
Written 6 October 2018
Is it possible to book in advance to secure you ticket . Also what time is the best time observe, next Wednesday
Written 29 June 2017
hi. don't know for the advance booking to be honest. it was a group organized visit. i don't believe you will have any problem even if you haven't purchased a ticket. i believe 9:30 and afterwards will be great. i hope you enjoy your visit.
Written 30 June 2017
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