athens architecture guide: 23 highlights from historical landmarks to contemporary works

Athens Architecture Guide by designboom and archdaily

Athens stands as a city where the legacy of Antiquity is woven into its modern and vibrant urban landscape. World-renowned landmarks of Ancient Greece like the Acropolis and the Parthenon stand as enduring symbols of classical architecture and the city’s storied past. These structures reflect the foundational principles of symmetry and balance that have influenced generations of architects and continue to attract scholars from around the world. Yet, Athens is also a thriving metropolis where contemporary architecture coexists with its historical counterparts. Recent developments, led by international firms and local architects, focus on sustainability and innovation while respecting Athens’ rich cultural heritage. This duality—preserving the old while embracing the new—reflects Greece’s broader urban aspirations, making Athens a focal point in global architectural discourse. The city’s architectural evolution also extends to its contemporary architecture and interior design scene, which is gaining international recognition.

To celebrate this architectural evolution, this city guide features Athens’s historical landmarks alongside designboom’s curation of innovative interior designs and ArchDaily’s selection of projects focusing on contemporary architecture. Together, they highlight Athens’ role as a hub of design innovation.

Moreover, this December 7-8, The Architect Show in Athens will spotlight the city’s architectural growth. The event brings together professionals in architecture and design for seminars, conferences, and exhibitions that promote innovation, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.

aerial photo taken by drone of iconic new modern Acropolis museum, Acropolis hill and the Parthenon at the background, Athens historic centre | image © Aerial-motion via Shutterstock

Historical Cultural Landmarks

Acropolis and Parthenon

image © Flickr via Konstantinos Dafalias | Acropolis

Ancient Agora and the Stoa of Attalos

image © Shutterstock via isidoros andronos

Benaki Museum of Islamic Art

image © Shutterstock via brunocoelho | Benaki Museum

The National Library of Greece/ Theophil Hansen

image courtesy of a view on cities | National Library of Greece

The Greek Parliament Building

image © Wikimedia | The Byzantine and Christian Museum

Panathenaic Stadium

image © Wikimedia | Panathenaic Stadium

The Byzantine and Christian Museum

image © Wikimedia | The Byzantine and Christian Museum

The Zappeion

Contemporary Works

The New Acropolis Museum / Bernard Tschumi Architects

image by Danica O. Kus

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) / Renzo Piano

image courtesy of SNFCC / Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre

Athens Tower Complex / Ioannis Vikelas

image © Wikimedia | Andrzej Otrębski | Athens Tower

National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST) / TAKIS ZENETOS

image © Panos Kokkinias | national museum of contemporary art

Piraeus Tower Revitalization / PILA

image © Nikos Daniilidis | Piraeus Tower

Three Object Apartment / DeMachinas + Elina Loukou

Glyfada Residence / SAOTA and ARRCC

© Vangelis Paterakis | Glyfada Residence / SAOTA + ARRCC

Mobile Podium / en-route-architecture

© Alina Lefa | Mobile Podium

Interior Projects

Museum of Cycladic Art / Kois Associated Architects

image © George Messaritakis

Delta Restaurant / Kois Associated Architects

Museum of Greek Contemporary Artist Alekos Fassianos / Kyriakos Krokos

image courtesy Alekos Fassianos estate, copyright Paris Tavitian

Gallina/ LOT office for architecture and Objects of Common Interest

image © Áylo Studio

DAVE RED ATHENS / k-studio

image courtesy of Dave Red Athens – Brown Hotels

FUDDY DUDDY / Saint of Athens and ICD Designers

Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens / firm ciguë

Courtesy of DePasquale+Maffini | Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens

This article was originally written by Nour Fakharany and published by Archdaily.