Located in the area of the Agora, the Stoa of Attalos is one of the city's historical sights. The reconstructed portico from ancient Athens, which once functioned as a meeting place and market hall, now serves as the Museum of the Ancient Agora.
In this complete guide to the Stoa of Attalos in Athens, you'll learn all about the site, exhibition, history, and helpful information about how to get there, tours, and tickets.
What Can I Do at the Stoa of Attalos?
The Stoa of Attalos is a covered portico from ancient Athens that was built on the site of the agora of King Attalos II of Pergamum. After excavation work, the ancient site was uncovered, rebuilt and can now be visited.
You can stroll the two-story portico, which was once a popular meeting and shopping spot, and admire the impressive architecture. Massive marble columns and limestone facades adorn the reconstructed building, which, with a length of 116 meters and a height of 16 meters, offered space for 42 market shops and workshops.
Museum of the Ancient Agora
Inside the stoa is the tranquil Museum of the Ancient Agora, which can be visited. The exhibits are presented in several restored shops on the ground floor and first floor.
On display are finds from antiquity that were found during excavation work at the historic site. These include sculptures, vases, weapons, coins and various objects made of bronze and glass. Also noteworthy is the collection of ceramics from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.
For more on the sights of the Agora, see our Athens Agora guide.
Admission, Tickets and Guided Tours
How Do I Get to the Stoa of Attalos?
The Stoa of Attalos is located in the center of Athens, in the area of the Agora. It can be reached on foot from the Acropolis as well as from Monastiraki Square.
Since the metro station "Monastiraki" is only 4 minutes walk from the Stoa of Attalos, it can be easily reached by public transport (metro line 1 or 3). Another option is the hop on hop off bus tour, which takes you to station A 14 “Monastiraki/Thession” and walk the few meters to the Stoa of Attalos.
Visitors arriving from the Piraeus cruise port can go to the nearby Piraeus Metro Station and board the M1 line. A single ticket is sufficient for the 16-minute journey to Monastiraki station.
You will find the Stoa of Attalos in the east side of the Agora.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
The Stoa of Attalos is open all year round except for certain public holidays. The current opening hours can be found here.
The Stoa of Attalos is located northwest of the Acropolis in central Athens. It is located on the east side of the Agora compound. The full address is: Adrianou 24 ,10555 Athens, Greece
Since the metro station "Monastiraki" is only 4 minutes walk from the Stoa of Attalos, you can easily reach it by public transport (metro line 1 or 3). Alternatively, you can also take the Hop on Hop off bus tour to station A 14 "Monastiraki/Thession" and walk the few meters to the Stoa of Attalos.
Visitors arriving from the Piraeus cruise port can go to the nearby Piraeus Metro Station and board the M1 line. A single ticket is sufficient for the 16-minute journey to Monastiraki station.
Tickets for the Stoa of Attalos are available at the on-site ticket offices and online in our shop.
History of the Stoa of Attalos
An inscription on the colonnade of the Stoa indicates that the Stoa of Attalos was erected by order of King Attalos II of Pergamum. King Attalos, who had completed his philosophy studies in the city, wanted to show his appreciation to the Athenians. The Stoa was built between 159 and 138 BC.
At that time, the Stoa of Attalos served as a kind of marketplace and meeting place for the locals, who gathered, talked, shopped and did their business here.
In AD 267 the Stoa of Attalos was destroyed by the Germanic tribe of Heruli.
The remains of the stoa were rediscovered during excavations in 1859 and 1902.
From 1953 to 1956, the ancient site was restored based on the studies of architect Yannis Travlos and with the financial support of John D. Rockefeller Jr. Since then it has been a popular tourist destination, as is the museum inside, which, with its finds from antiquity, is one of the must-see museums in Athens.