The Acropolis: the sacred rock and its slopes
The Parthenon up top, two ancient theatres on the south slope, and the Areopagus to climb for free. This is a Claude-drafted route awaiting the editor's walk.

1. Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Start on the south slope at the great Roman theatre, built by a grieving aristocrat for his dead wife in the 160s AD. The stage and seating are still used for summer concerts. You can't usually go in by day — read it from the Dionysiou Areopagitou path, which is the right first look at the rock.

2. Theatre of Dionysus
Round the slope to the older theatre, where the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were first performed. This is the birthplace of Western drama, marble thrones and all. Stand in the orchestra circle; the acoustics still work.

3. The Propylaia
Climb to the monumental gateway — the ceremonial entrance to the sacred rock, all columns and broken pediment. The little Temple of Athena Nike perches to your right. Buy the combined archaeological ticket and don't rush the climb; the marble steps are worn slick.

4. The Parthenon
The temple to Athena that has anchored the skyline for 2,500 years, scaffold-wrapped in parts as the slow restoration runs on. Walk the full circuit rather than facing it head-on; the long flank is where it tells the truth about its scale.

5. The Erechtheion and the Caryatids
On the north edge, the temple with the porch of six maidens holding up the roof. The ones you see are copies — five originals are in the museum, the sixth in London. The cliff-edge here gives the best look down over the city.

6. The Areopagus
Come down and climb the bare marble outcrop just west of the entrance, free and open to anyone. This was the ancient court; St Paul preached here. The rock is polished to a skid by millions of feet — go slowly, and stay for the view back up at the rock.

The Acropolis: the sacred rock and its slopes