Trip Planner:   Europe  /  Greece  /  Attica  /  Athens  /  Temple of Hephaestus

Temple of Hephaestus, Athens

4.8
#3 of 64 in Historic Sites in Athens
Ruin · Hidden Gem · Religious Site
Little changed in the two millennia since its completion, making Temple of Hephaestus recognizable to many on the northwestern corner of Athens' centrally located ancient agora. Dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths, the Doric temple once stood in the middle of a busy area housing foundries and metalwork shops. Built around 450 BCE of marble carried here from a nearby mountain, the temple features 34 columns and an Ionic frieze portraying the mythical twelve labors of Heracles (Hercules). Christians converted the temple into a church in the 7th century and held services inside until 1833. To gain a better understanding of the ancient world's everyday life, take a guided tour of the temple and the surrounding archeological site. Plan a Athens trip in moments using our itinerary builder.
Create an itinerary including Temple of Hephaestus
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Tours to Temple of Hephaestus

FROM $84 BOOK WITH VIATOR Athens Highlights: a Mythological Tour
4.9
Duration: 4 hours
Tours from $84 »
FROM $113 BOOK WITH VIATOR Athens Night Segway Tour
4.9
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $113 »
FROM $56 BOOK WITH VIATOR Athens Coastal Bike Tour
4.8
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Tours from $56 »

Temple of Hephaestus reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
4,520 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • By Ginges_revenge
    It was very disheartening that we couldn't get in to see this magnificent structure as it is truly a beautiful and amazing building and piece of hallowed antiquity. We were there in early March 2020.....  more »
  • By IbrahimD508
    I would recommend visiting this temple! It is well preserved and a excellent example of Doric temple architecture and is located in the Roman Agora site.  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »
Google
  • By Sushill Shyam Sundar
    One of the sites to see in the world. Truly amazing, part of the whole host of things you get to see in Athens in your temple walk. Looking down on the city is a truly great experience. Made me feel like Jason Bourne.
  • By Jianna Lavarias
    Loved it. There was this weird man reading a book. He ended up being on Google Maps. Overall this place was fun and I loved going on a vacation here.
See more on Google »

Plan your trip to Athens

  • Get a personalized trip
    A complete day by day itinerary
    based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Book it
    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Athens

Acropolis of Athens ©
World heritage site
Acropolis of Athens
4.7
Duration: 3 hours
Acropolis Museum ©
History Museum
Acropolis Museum
4.7
Duration: 2 hours
Plaka ©
Neighborhood
Plaka
4.4
Duration: 2 hours
Benaki Museum ©
Art Museum
Benaki Museum
4.5
Duration: 2 hours
Buy tickets from $15 »

Hidden gems in Athens

Temple of Olympian Zeus ©
Monument
Temple of Olympian Zeus
4.2
Duration: 1 hour
Mount Lycabettus ©
Mountain
Mount Lycabettus
4.6
Duration: 1h 30 min
Ancient Agora of Athens ©
Ruin
Ancient Agora of Athens
4.6
Duration: 30 minutes
Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology ©
Specialty Museum
Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min

Museums in Athens

National Archaeological Museum ©
Art Museum
National Archaeological Museum
4.5
Duration: 3 hours
Museum of Cycladic Art ©
Art Museum
Museum of Cycladic Art
4.7
Duration: 1h 30 min
Byzantine and Christian Museum ©
History Museum
Byzantine and Christian Museum
4.4
Duration: 2 hours
Technopolis City of Athens ©
Specialty Museum
Technopolis City of Athens
3.9
Duration: 2 hours

Side trips from Athens

Archaeological Site Mycenae ©
World heritage site
Archaeological Site Mycenae
Mycenae
4.4
Duration: 3 hours
Archea Korinthos ©
History Museum
Archea Korinthos
Corinth
4.3
Duration: 3 hours
Temple of Poseidon ©
Ruin
Temple of Poseidon
Sounio
4.7
Duration: 3 hours
Fortress Palamidi
Castle
Fortress Palamidi
Nafplio
4.6
Duration: 2 hours

Shopping in Athens

Michaello Jewellery ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Michaello Jewellery
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
Convert Art ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Convert Art
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
ChiliMenta ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
ChiliMenta
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
Fall in Art ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Fall in Art
5.0
Duration: 2 hours

Nearby attractions in Athens

Parthenon ©
Architectural Building
Parthenon
4.7
Duration: 2h 30 min
Monastiraki ©
Neighborhood
Monastiraki
4.0
Duration: 2h 30 min
Herod Atticus Odeon ©
Theater
Herod Atticus Odeon
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Athens Free Tour ©
Walking tour
Athens Free Tour
4.9
Duration: 2h 30 min

Featured attractions

Enjoy Greece Tours ©
Cultural Tour
Enjoy Greece Tours
4.9
Duration: 4 hours
AtticaPaths ©
Bike Tour
AtticaPaths
5.0
Duration: 4 hours
Athens Tour 365 ©
Archaeology Tour
Athens Tour 365
5.0
Duration: 30 minutes
Booze ©
Nightlife
Booze
4.2
Duration: 2 hours

Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Trips to Temple of Hephaestus by other users

51 days in Bali & Athens BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM Ubud · Amed · Pemuteran 60 days in Europe BY A USER FROM CANADA St. Petersburg · Istanbul · Athens 30 days in Europe BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM Amsterdam · Paris · Rome 22 days in The Balkans BY A USER FROM INDIA Istanbul · Ljubljana · Sarajevo 11 days in Greece BY A USER FROM CYPRUS Skiathos · Volos · Kalambaka 10 days in Athens BY A USER FROM CANADA Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum · Acropolis of Athens · Erechtheion