Greece Travel Guide

Athensguide

Greek Island Guide

Lesvos

Hotels of Greece

Turkey

Paris

Panathenaic Stadium

Panathenaic Stadium

Athens' Panathenaic Stadium or Panathinaiko, is also known as the Kallimarmaro (Καλλιμάρμαρο), which means "beautifully marbled" and is the world's only stadium made entirely of marble, which comes from nearby Mount Pendeli. It was built in 1896 for the first modern Olympics in the ruins of the ancient marble stadium that was built in 329 BC for the Panathenaic Games, by Lycurgus, replacing an even older stadium made of wood. In 140 AD it was enlarged and renovated by Herodes Atticus and it seated 50,000 people as it does today. (During the 1896 Olympics it held 80,000 people!)

Panathinaiko Stadium, Athens

The stadium is located at the intersection of Vassileos Konstandinou, Irodou Attikou and Vassilissis Olgas streets just southeast of the Zappion Building and the National Gardens and east of the Temple of Zeus. It used to be free but now they charge a 3 euro admission and you get a taped history of the stadium and headphones to carry around with you. The views alone are worth the price of admission. The stadium was used during the 2004 Olympics and still hosts Atheletic events and majorconcerts such as Bob Dylan, Depeche Mode, Tina Turner, Black Sabbath, REM and Sakis Rouvas, and even the Harlem Globetrotters have played here. The area behind the stadium is wooded and is a popular place for joggers and power-walkers.

Panathiniako Stadium, Athens

Panathinaiko Stadium, Athens

Panathinaiko Stadium, Athens

Acropolis from Panathinaiko Stadium

The top of the Panathinaiko Stadium gives you the best shot of the Acropolis

Acropolis from Marble Olympic Stadium

Help Support Matt's Greece Guides
Do you enjoy using my site? Have you found it entertaining as well as useful? If so please show your appreciation by booking hotels through the travel agencies and the links found on my Hotels of Greece site. The small commission I make on the bookings enable me to keep working and in most cases you won't find them any cheaper by searching elsewhere. You can find hotels in Greece by location, price, whether or not it has a swimming pool, and see photos and reviews by using this link to booking.com which also contributes to my website when you book. If you are appreciative of all the free information you get on my websites you can also send a donation through Paypal or Venmo

Join Matt Barrett's Greece Travel Guides Group on Facebook for comments, photos and other fun stuff. If you enjoy this website please share it with your friends on Facebook and other social media.

Return to Athens Survival Guide