We were fortunate to be in Athens during the Marathon which is held in November. The finish line is at the Panathinaiko Stadium. Watching the runners running to the stadium is a once in a life time feeling. Entrance during the Marathon is free. Plan to join all of Athens for the next marathon on November 8, 2015
This stadium far succeeded my wildest of expectations, I was waiting for a generic small court and then I was amazed by this amazing marble-made (all marble-made) stadium. Entry fee is €3 but it is worth every penny. You need to go and you need to go back AGAIN just to admire how wonderful it is. Just make sure you take water with you since it is quite expensive and it feels like 100º there.
In fact, for our younger one it was one of places, she liked most in Athens. Wort for short visit. Small museum, with all olympic torches from previous games included.
I last visited this in 1973 when it was run down and rat infested but it's so beautiful now. They've done a great job on it and it's only 3 Euros to enter. I even had a jog on the track and a photo taken on the presentation podium. Well worth a visit.
We both loved this place but my wife in particular. You really feel the history in this place not just in the unique stadium itself but also the room with all the old Olympic posters and torches. The offer a free audio guide which in itself is great but the guide and commentary is first class and really adds to the whole experience.Don't miss the chance for photos on the track and medal rostrum but also the views of the Acropolis from up high.For us a must see sight in Athens
There are many lovely places that worth visiting in this wonderful city. Surely the Panathenaic Stadium is one. This stadium was used for Panathenaic Games in ancient times, and later, for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.We visited this place several times.
The only athletic facility that rivals this is the Colliseum in Rome. You stand there and marvel and wonder how various athletic contests were conducted in this setting. In addition, the stadium is right on a major thoroughfare although I'm sure that wasn't the case back in the day. This attraction doesn't get it's due because it's definitely worth a visit.
Not even the most modern stadium nowadays is as impressive as this one. The way it is built is to envy those sport people who managed to profit from this amazing venue.
The audio guide is worth listening to. The building with the torches is also worth seeing and easily easily reached through tunnel carved under hill to the side of the stadium
Having walked for at least an hour to reach the stadium, I was not too happy to see the bank of seats which seemed to stretch forever upwards (even at the O2 there are a few lifts to assist those of us who are drawing H M Government's pension)! However, my wife and I purchased the necessary tickets, took hold of our audio devices, and commenced what I thought would be a quick walk around the stadium. How wrong can you be? There was something about this place which reeked modern history, and which penetrated deep into the psyche of anyone who has ever taken part in competetive sport. I still cannot explain it, but, if I was asked to walk for an hour to visit the stadium again, I would do so. There's not much there, but one can feel the atmosphere of sporting endeavours from years gone by (two thousand years and one hundred and twenty years respectively) and, let's face it, anywhere with over 1,000,000 sq.ft. of marble terracing, which still sits 64,000 people, is , I would suggest, pretty unique!!! If you have ever represented your sports club - or even your knitting circle- at anything, please go!