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

Temple of Hephaestus, Athens

4.8
#3 of 63 in Historic Sites in Athens
Religious Site · Hidden Gem · Ruin
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 $81 BOOK WITH VIATOR Athens Highlights: a Mythological Tour
4.7
Duration: 4 hours
Tours from $81 »
FROM $114 BOOK WITH VIATOR Athens Full Day Private Tour
4.7
Duration: 8 hours
Tours from $114 »
FROM $57 BOOK WITH VIATOR Electric Bike Tour of Athens by Night
4.8
Duration: 120 to 150 minutes
Tours from $57 »
FROM $54 BOOK WITH VIATOR Athens Coastal Bike Tour
4.7
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Tours from $54 »
FROM $75 BOOK WITH VIATOR The 10 Tastings of Athens With Locals: Private Food Tour
4.6
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $75 »
FROM $44 BOOK WITH VIATOR Athens Sunset Bike Tour
5.0
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $44 »
FROM $213 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Walking Tour: Ancient Agora, Plaka and Monastiraki monuments
4.8
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $213 »
FROM $39 BOOK WITH VIATOR Skip the Line Ancient Agora and the Agora Museum Tour
5.0
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Tours from $39 »
FROM $72 BOOK WITH VIATOR Athens city full day private tour
5.0
Duration: 8 to 9 hours
Tours from $72 »
FROM $14 BOOK WITH VIATOR Athens: Greek Mythology Traces, Self-Guided Audio Tour on your Phone
Duration: 2 hours
Tours from $14 »
FROM $420 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Athens Highlights and Mythological Tour
Duration: 4 hours
Tours from $420 »
FROM $77 BOOK WITH VIATOR Ancient Athens Running Tour 10k
Duration: 2 hours
Tours from $77 »

Temple of Hephaestus reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
4,522 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • By JR9269
    Its centrally located in Athens. We walked from our Air BNB. Its located inside Agora of Athens. Nice temple.  more »
  • By Thomas V
    This is a big temple of the Agora and we walked past it as we were passing through the Agora area looking for a restaurant. We stopped and took some photos. It's very impressive.  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: 4 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
4.6
Duration: 2h 30 min
Buy tickets from $14 »

Hidden gems in Athens

Temple of Olympian Zeus ©
Monument
Temple of Olympian Zeus
4.2
Duration: 1 hour
Ancient Agora of Athens ©
Ruin
Ancient Agora of Athens
4.6
Duration: 2h 30 min
Mount Lycabettus ©
Mountain
Mount Lycabettus
4.6
Duration: 2h 30 min
Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology ©
Specialty Museum
Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology
4.8
Duration: 2h 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: 1 hour
Byzantine and Christian Museum ©
History Museum
Byzantine and Christian Museum
4.5
Duration: 1 hour
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
4.5
Duration: 4 hours
Archea Korinthos
Historic Walking Area
Archea Korinthos
Corinth
4.3
Duration: 3 hours
Temple of Poseidon ©
Ruin
Temple of Poseidon
Sounio
4.7
Duration: 4 hours
Seahorse Dive Center ©
Scuba / Snorkeling
Seahorse Dive Center
Vari
5.0
Duration: 4 hours

Shopping in Athens

Thiki Greece ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Thiki Greece
5.0
Duration: 2h 30 min
Michaello Jewellery ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Michaello Jewellery
5.0
Duration: 2h 30 min
Convert Art ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Convert Art
5.0
Duration: 2h 30 min
Psit Jewellery ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Psit Jewellery
5.0
Duration: 2h 30 min

Nearby attractions in Athens

Parthenon ©
Architectural Building
Parthenon
4.7
Duration: 1 hour
Monastiraki ©
Neighborhood
Monastiraki
4.0
Duration: 2h 30 min
Herod Atticus Odeon ©
Theater
Herod Atticus Odeon
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Athens Free Tour ©
Walking tour
Athens Free Tour
4.9
Duration: 2h 30 min

Featured attractions

AtticaPaths ©
Bike Tour
AtticaPaths
5.0
Duration: 4 hours
Private Tours Athens ©
Multi-day Tour
Private Tours Athens
5.0
Duration: 1 hour
Booze ©
Nightlife
Booze
4.2
Duration: 2h 30 min
VIP Athens Taxi
Archaeology Tour
VIP Athens Taxi
5.0
Duration: 3 hours

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

Trips to Temple of Hephaestus by other users

19 days in Zagreb & Athens BY A USER FROM ITALY Zagreb Athens 9 days in Athens, Santorini & Mykonos BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Athens Fira Mykonos Town 24 days in Athens BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM Propylaea Acropolis of Athens Museum of Pavlos and Alexandra Kanellopoulos 10 days in Athens, Fira & Mykonos Town BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM Athens Fira Mykonos Town 8 days in Greece & Dubai BY A USER FROM INDONESIA Dubai Athens Amorgos 8 days in Greece BY A USER FROM INDONESIA Paros Amorgos Athens