First Cemetery of Athens
First Cemetery of Athens
4.5
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Neighbourhood: Pangrati
The elongated Panathenaic Stadium, built for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, acts as grand gateway to the otherwise purely Athenian neighborhood of Pangrati. This area of typical small squares, busy main roads and residential streets will give you a clear sense of what living in this metropolis is like. A walk up quiet Markou Mousourou Street on the west side of the stadium will bring you past the First National Cemetery to Mets, home to many expats. Turn right to reach the charming Platia Varnava. East of the stadium, commercial Eratosthenous Street leads to rather nondescript Platia Plastira, from where Effranoros Street continues uphill to Platia Profiti Ilia, crowned by a huge church. Among the standard four- to six-story apartment blocks that typify Athens, Pangrati also boasts some genuinely authentic tavernas and the odd trendy bar.
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4.5
105 reviews
Excellent
62
Very good
33
Average
9
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Janka K
Brno, Czech Republic8,697 contributions
Sept 2021
As it happens with historical cemeteries, this is a cool park to chill and walk. The cemetery has a lot of trees and nice historical tombstones, statues and memorials.
Entrance is for free, nobody checks anything. The place is quite big so I recommend to take a bottle of water with you.
Since the place is still active and works as cemetery, be respectful. At the time when I was visiting the place, there was an ongoing funeral and a lot of mourning people in black were standing behind the gate in front of the chapel at the place. In this kind of situations I try to disturb people the least, and not grab any attention as a tourist.
Entrance is for free, nobody checks anything. The place is quite big so I recommend to take a bottle of water with you.
Since the place is still active and works as cemetery, be respectful. At the time when I was visiting the place, there was an ongoing funeral and a lot of mourning people in black were standing behind the gate in front of the chapel at the place. In this kind of situations I try to disturb people the least, and not grab any attention as a tourist.
Written 20 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally C
Los Angeles, CA62 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Well worth a visit! A peaceful retreat in the city. My husband and I were a little tired, so we took a cab there from our hotel near Syntagma Square. It was so refreshing we walked back the 2 miles or so, stopping by the Melina Mercouri monument, Hadrian's arch and Monastraki square on the way back.
Amazing tombs and statuary. I always look for women and animals in the statuary. We counted 18 cats scattered around the.main gate as we left around sunset
We're they hoping we'd stay? 😉
Amazing tombs and statuary. I always look for women and animals in the statuary. We counted 18 cats scattered around the.main gate as we left around sunset
We're they hoping we'd stay? 😉
Written 12 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bertie1224
Northamptonshire, UK1,440 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Amazing tombs and sculptures. Definitely worth a walk around and a quiet contemplation. Many recent tombs so being respectful for visitors would be crucial. It is not an a ancient venue. Amazing sculptures and poignant photos of loved ones.
Written 1 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manderjo
Clarinda, IA12 contributions
June 2019 • Friends
This cemetery is absolutely amazing. My mother and I visited Athens from the USA and on our 'rest day' decided to venture from Glyfada to this beautiful place. We opted to go on our own rather than do the guided tour which after reading reviews, I'm not entirely sure that we really missed much other than having someone to answer questions and tell stories. We simply made note of our questions and upon returning to the hotel, a google search was enough. it's very calm and peaceful as one would expect for a cemetery & made for some stunning pictures to take home.
would Definitely recommend, not for young kids but for adults looking to explore more of the culture.
would Definitely recommend, not for young kids but for adults looking to explore more of the culture.
Written 8 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lara B
London, UK241 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
My partner visited Greece recently, and I decided to show him the First Cemetery of Athens.
You might think it's a tad grim to take my partner to a cemetery, but trust me, if you're in Athens and you love architecture or just love visiting cemeteries, this is a must see!
First of all it is huge, so you will most likely not be able to see all of it in one visit.
I personally suggest you don't need to see all of it, as the statues, family graves and famous persons' graves worth seeing are on the lower half.
From religious and political leaders, to famous artists and wealthy businesspersons, you can see anyone who is considered important buried there.
So many beautiful monuments, statues, small buildings, family graves etc. Some of them have been donated, some decorate the graves of people who could afford it.
There's also a Church in the cemetery -for anyone religious or curious. You can visit it and light a candle.
Lighting a candle in the Church -leave a small donation of at least 30cents for each candle- is a Christian Orthodox custom. You light the candle wishing well to your friends and family, or wishing your dead loved ones to rest in peace.
There's also another building to the right after you enter from the main gate of the cemetery. (There are a few gates, so in order to not being confused, enter from the one at Anapafseos Street -the name of the street means to rest [in peace])
That other building is the Osteofulakeio (place where they keep the bones of people who have been in a grave for over 7 years or so - usually people who haven't paid for a family grave).
It is worth visiting to see the way people have decorated the boxes. Feel free to light a candle for the dead there as well. Please, do not touch, or even worse open any of those boxes.
I suggest visiting either before noon, or during the afternoon. I don't think it's ever too busy, unless there is a funeral taking place.
Lastly, it is free to enter!
ps. There are a few bars, cafès, bakery shops and restaurants on Anapasfseos street (plus a super market), so in case you would like to rest or eat after your walk in the cemetery, you have that option.
ps2. While you're in the area of Mets, I would highly suggest walking around, visiting the park of Loggino and if you have time Kallimarmaro Stadium as well.
You might think it's a tad grim to take my partner to a cemetery, but trust me, if you're in Athens and you love architecture or just love visiting cemeteries, this is a must see!
First of all it is huge, so you will most likely not be able to see all of it in one visit.
I personally suggest you don't need to see all of it, as the statues, family graves and famous persons' graves worth seeing are on the lower half.
From religious and political leaders, to famous artists and wealthy businesspersons, you can see anyone who is considered important buried there.
So many beautiful monuments, statues, small buildings, family graves etc. Some of them have been donated, some decorate the graves of people who could afford it.
There's also a Church in the cemetery -for anyone religious or curious. You can visit it and light a candle.
Lighting a candle in the Church -leave a small donation of at least 30cents for each candle- is a Christian Orthodox custom. You light the candle wishing well to your friends and family, or wishing your dead loved ones to rest in peace.
There's also another building to the right after you enter from the main gate of the cemetery. (There are a few gates, so in order to not being confused, enter from the one at Anapafseos Street -the name of the street means to rest [in peace])
That other building is the Osteofulakeio (place where they keep the bones of people who have been in a grave for over 7 years or so - usually people who haven't paid for a family grave).
It is worth visiting to see the way people have decorated the boxes. Feel free to light a candle for the dead there as well. Please, do not touch, or even worse open any of those boxes.
I suggest visiting either before noon, or during the afternoon. I don't think it's ever too busy, unless there is a funeral taking place.
Lastly, it is free to enter!
ps. There are a few bars, cafès, bakery shops and restaurants on Anapasfseos street (plus a super market), so in case you would like to rest or eat after your walk in the cemetery, you have that option.
ps2. While you're in the area of Mets, I would highly suggest walking around, visiting the park of Loggino and if you have time Kallimarmaro Stadium as well.
Written 7 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bindinimki
Miami, FL71 contributions
Sept 2019
We love visiting cemeteries but unfortunately, this was a huge disappointment. I wouldn't bother making a trip here. Not very interesting and seems like everything is quite new - quite a few mourners and funerals going on. Seems like just another active local cemetery.
Written 27 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Altug71
Rome, Italy1,860 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
It’s very close to the center. Beautiful, green, covered with trees and plants and full of birds. There are some nice monumental graves if famous people.
Written 15 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tatiana P
58 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
A hidden jem in the center of Athens. The first cemetary of Athens is a unique outdoor sculpture gallery. Some of the most famous politicians, benefactors and war heros are buried there, in memorials that are unique artworks. Unfortunately there isn't yet a guide online but with some search on Wiki you can have some tips on what to see.
Written 15 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zosia B
Waterloo, Belgium1,470 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
A walk through here is so interesting. Overgrown and neglected in places the true beauty of this cemetery lies in the ornate tombs and monuments that are tucked into niches throughout the grounds. It is definitely fascinating and a reprieve from the tourist filled hustle and bustle of the city. Like others have mentioned, however, beware of the mosquitos. Even in November they were attacking.
Written 3 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
omusette
466 contributions
June 2015 • Solo
I'm a little weird and love cemeteries. Always have. So one thing I always do when seeing a big city, is check out their cemetery. The First Cemetery of Athens was no disappointment! It was so quiet and serene that I really felt connected to the attraction. Unfortunately, I didn't spend as much time as I would have like to, because the mosquitos really got to me. So tip: bring bug repellent!
Written 21 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Walkable in around 20-30 minutes. You go past the temple of Zeus and it’s just off a main road. If you walk through the cemetery to the other side and bear a left you can get a route down to the Olympic Stadium.
Written 7 June 2019
Is there a map of graves in the cemetery?
Written 10 October 2017
I think not, but there are many outstanding personalities buried there and some very nice sculptures
Written 17 October 2017
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