Temples & religious sites
Hekatompedon temple
Hekatompedon Temple
The Hekatompedon is an ancient Greek limestone temple located on the Acropolis of Athens. It served as an earlier architectural precursor to the Parthenon, which was later built on the same site. Visitors go here to see the remaining ruins and understand the chronological development of the city's most famous religious center.
Getting There
The site is located on the Acropolis hill above the center of Athens. From the city center, you can reach the base of the hill via the Metro (Acropolis station) or by walking. The ascent to the ruins takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes depending on your pace and the queue at the entrance.
Visit Duration
Because the temple exists as ruins integrated into a larger archaeological complex, allow 30 to 60 minutes to examine the remains and read the accompanying historical markers.
When to Visit
Early morning or late afternoon is recommended to avoid the midday heat and the heaviest crowds. The site gets very crowded during the peak summer tourist season. Avoid visiting during periods of extreme heat, as there is limited shade on the plateau.
Nearby Attractions
Since the ruins are located within the Acropolis archaeological site, you can easily combine this visit with other nearby structures:
- Parthenon (0km)
- Acropolis of Athens (0.1km)
- Erechtheion (0.1km)
- Brauroneion (0.1km)
Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors