Plato's Academy Archaeological Park
Ακαδημία Πλάτωνος
The site where Plato founded his Academy around 387 BC. It is now a free open-air archaeological park and a pilgrimage site for lovers of Western philosophy.
The Plato's Academy site lies in the Akadimia district, about 2.5 km northwest of central Athens. Around 387 BC Plato founded his school in a grove of olive trees dedicated to the hero Akademos, and it continued for nearly nine centuries, widely regarded as the forerunner of the Western university. Today it is an open archaeological park where you can see the foundations of a gymnasium, a peristyle courtyard, the so-called "Holy House" and ancient roadways, plus a small digital museum introducing Plato's ideas. The site is fragmentary and not especially visually striking, so it is best suited to visitors with a interest in the history of philosophy. Entry is free. The surrounding area is an ordinary residential neighbourhood, so daytime visits are recommended. Bus or taxi from the city centre takes about 15 minutes; the metro station is quite far away.
Opening hours
Park open all day
Nearby sights
- Kerameikos
- Monastiraki
- Ancient Agora of Athens
- Pnyx
- National Archaeological Museum
- Hadrian's Library
- Areopagus Hill
- Roman Agora & Tower of the Winds