Athens, Greece, Stadium

Panathenaic Stadium

The only stadium in the world made entirely of marble

An ancient stadium rebuilt in white marble, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896. Today it's where the Olympic flame is handed over and the Athens Marathon ends, with occasional concerts under the stars.

Capacity: 45,000
Opened: 330 BC, restored 1896
Architect: Lykourgos, Herodes Atticus, restoration Anastasios Metaxas
Home of: Olympic flame handover, Athens Marathon finish

Getting there

Vasileos Konstantinou Ave, 116 35 Athens

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Departures

Metro M2 or M3, SyntagmaAbout 15 minutes on foot through the National Garden.
Metro M2, AkropoliAbout 15 minutes' walk past the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Trolleybuses and busesSeveral lines stop on Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue in front of the stadium.

After the show

Walk back through the National Garden to Syntagma, or head into the Mets and Pangrati neighbourhoods for a late dinner.

Bags and entry

Small bags are allowed. For concerts, bottles and large bags are usually not permitted.

On the day

When the gates open

For concerts, gates usually open 1 to 2 hours before the show. There's no roof, so bring water and a hat in summer.

Eat and drink before

Pangrati
Local tavernas and cafés right behind the stadium.
Mets
Quiet neighbourhood with traditional Greek restaurants nearby.
Syntagma
Restaurants and street food in the city centre, a 15-minute walk away.

Seating layout

Capacity: 45,000

Tap a tier or the floor to see what it is like

Pitch / stage

Track / floor

Tier by tier

1
Lower rows
Close to the track. Marble benches with no backs.
2
Upper rows
Higher up with views over the city to the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill.

Seating tips

The marble benches are hard and hold heat. Bring a cushion or folded jacket to sit on.
There's no roof or shade. Summer shows start after sunset, but bring water.
The upper rows have a beautiful view of the floodlit Acropolis.

Where to sit

Best for a concert
Lower rows facing the stage
Close to the stage with a clear view. The marble seats are hard, so bring a cushion.
On a budget
Upper rows
The cheapest seats, with a view over the whole marble horseshoe. There's no roof, so evening shows are cooler.

Tap a year or let the story play

History

01 / 06

330 BC

The first stadium is built for the Panathenaic Games

Read the full story

The first stadium was built around 330 BC for the Panathenaic Games, which honoured the goddess Athena. In about 144 AD the wealthy Athenian Herodes Atticus rebuilt it in white Pentelic marble.

Over the centuries the marble was taken for building and the stadium disappeared under earth. It was dug out in the 1870s and, funded by businessman Georgios Averoff, fully restored in marble for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

In 2004 the stadium returned to the Olympics for archery and the marathon finish. Every two years the Olympic flame is handed from Greece to the next host here, and every November thousands of runners finish the Athens Marathon on its track.

Legendary nights

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Panathenaic Stadium

1896

Spyridon Louis

A Greek water carrier won the first Olympic marathon and entered the stadium to wild cheering from 80,000 people.

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Panathenaic Stadium

1896

The first champion

James Connolly of the USA won the triple jump, becoming the first Olympic champion in more than 1,500 years.

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Panathenaic Stadium

2004

Back to the source

Archers shot in front of the marble stands, and the Olympic marathon finished here as in 1896.

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Panathenaic Stadium

Every two years

Passing the flame

The flame lit at Olympia is handed over to the organisers of the next Games in a ceremony on the track.

Questions fans ask

Can I visit the Panathenaic Stadium?

Yes, it's open every day with an audio guide. You can even run a lap on the track.

Is the stadium covered?

No, it's completely open. Bring sun protection during the day.

Are there concerts?

Occasionally, mostly special summer shows. The marble setting makes them unforgettable.

When do the gates open at the Panathenaic Stadium?

For concerts, usually 1 to 2 hours before the show. The exact time is on your ticket.

Where are the best seats at the Panathenaic Stadium for a concert?

The lower rows facing the stage. The marble seats are hard, so bring a cushion.

Did you know?

01 / 03

The track has an unusual hairpin shape with very tight turns, so modern sprint races can't be held here.

Planning the whole trip?

Read our Athens guide: where to stay, getting around, food and local tips.

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Panathenaic Stadium