The Panathenaic Stadium in Athens is an immense sweep of white marble set between two hills east of the city centre. Known as Kallimármaro, or “beautiful marble,” it is strikingly different from a modern sports arena: its long, narrow track and steep tiers preserve the shape of an ancient stadium.
A racecourse was built here around 330 BC for the Panathenaic Games, the great festival held in honour of Athena. Herodes Atticus rebuilt the stadium in marble in the second century AD, and it was reconstructed again for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. It did not host the ancient Olympics, which took place at Olympia.
Today, a visit offers a rare chance to walk the track, climb the marble tiers and look out over Athens from the upper seats. Go early or late in the day to avoid the strongest sun, wear shoes with good grip on the smooth steps, and check current opening hours before visiting.