Monastiraki, Hadrian's Library & Roman Agora in Athens

2017-05-19 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

This article was translated from the original Korean post with AI assistance. Read the original Korean post →

Now that I've unpacked, it's time to grab lunch and do some more sightseeing.

I wondered where to go, and decided to check out Hadrian's Library, which I didn't get a good look at yesterday, and a lush green spot on the map called the National Garden. I guess you could call it a tour around the Acropolis. (This area is called the Plaka district.)

But first, food!

Exterior of a restaurant with a sign written in Greek — A kebab shop near my Airbnb

Hummus on a plate and bread in a basket — I tried to order something cheap, but it still cost about 5,000 KRW. Not bad considering I ordered without knowing what it was. It looks like pizza, but it's actually bread dipped in a yogurt-like sauce. Pretty sure it's tzatziki.

Interior of a restaurant with a glass display case and wooden tables — I want to visit Turkey too. I hear the food is delicious...

I walked a brisk 10km into the city center. Seeing half the shops closed on my way in made the Greek economic crisis I'd only seen on the news feel very real.

Large mural on a building exterior depicting a person wearing a tie and flying money — A painting that seems to reflect how the Greek people feel

On the way to Hadrian's Library, I spotted a flea market. It had a strong vibe similar to Namdaemun Market back home in Korea. I liked that it was much livelier and more crowded than other places. Of course, I didn't even bother asking for prices.

Street with people walking under the entrance sign of the Athens Flea Market

People walking down a narrow street lined with shops selling clothes and souvenirs

After walking around looking at people and clothes, you arrive at Hadrian's Library. You have to pay an entrance fee to go in, but once I got there, I didn't really feel like entering. You can see everything from the outside, and it didn't look like it would be noticeably more beautiful from the inside. Russian architecture was built relatively recently in history and is well-preserved, making you curious about the interior, but Greek ruins are so old that only the pillars are left standing, so a quick glance is enough.

The Acropolis and surrounding buildings seen beyond ancient pillar ruins

Ancient ruins with remaining pillars and parts of walls, and surrounding buildings

Stone walls of ancient ruins and buildings in downtown Athens seen behind them — Since I didn't go inside, it's hard to tell what this is just from the photo. I should have at least taken a picture of the reconstruction drawing.

Sign pointing to the entrance of Hadrian's Library

Hadrian's Library is also included in the combo ticket I bought earlier. However, you need to keep in mind that it closes at 3 PM. Since walking around between 12 PM and 2 PM feels like your head is going to roast, it's wise to head out early in the morning if you really want to see the library. The same goes for the Roman Agora.

Information board showing the visiting hours and precautions for the Roman Agora — Only open from 8 AM to 3 PM.

Panoramic view of ancient ruins with remaining pillars and piles of stones

Site of ruins with the remaining foundations of stone walls

The octagonal Tower of the Winds and surrounding ruins

Close-up view of the Tower of the Winds and an arched structure next to it

Roman Agora ruins with pillars lined up in a large open area — I get the feeling this space was the main hall, but all that's left are a few pillars.

Ancient Greek-style pillars and roof structure standing under a blue sky

Close-up looking up at ancient Greek-style marble pillars and roof

Narrow alleyway decorated with potted plants and vines with purple flowers — The ruins inside are pretty bare, but the surrounding paths are beautifully decorated with flowers and trees. Those two guys over there look like they just had a fight.

Old Byzantine-style church building made of red brick and stone — It looks like just another ruin, but it's actually a functioning Orthodox church.

Cylindrical ancient monument erected in the middle of a tree-filled square — Almost all the pillars in the Plaka district have information signs in front of them. There are so many ruins that it gets tiring just reading them all.

Entrance of a modern museum building with glass exterior walls and a wide canopy roof

I figured all the treasures excavated from the ruins would be in the museum, so I went there, but for some reason, everyone was walking out. The museum is open until 5 PM, but the guard smiled and told me I couldn't go in because the last entry was at 3:30 PM. So to sum it up, it's not that you can enter until 5 PM, but that they literally shut the doors at 5 PM. I mean, the sun is still high in the sky, why are you guys closing so early... ㅠㅠ

When traveling in Greece, make sure to wake up early.

I'd say the Roman Agora has the most to see.

Expenses

Laundry detergent €1
Lunch €3.3
Goody's burger set €5.7

Total Expenses €10.0

Total Trip Expenses 525,936 KRW + 47,999 RUB + $639.96 + €547.07