First Cemetery of Athens

Too many people miss the First Cemetery of Athens! Go see it! It is a quick walk from the Plaka area. I am a nerd when it comes to the Minoans, Mycenaeans, and ancient Greeks. Heinrich Schliemann is buried here. He was an amazing amateur archaeologist who broke with the stilted thinking of 19th century archaeologists and actually found Troy and Mycenae. Well worth a quick visit.

Enjoying visiting cemeteries while traveling, this one is a good one. This 19th century cemetery is large and well taken care of. Each burial site comes with ornate statues, memorials, and more. If you visit, be respectful as it's a burial site.

May 2025 Amazing Urban explore, unbelievable sculptures and frescoes. A really large cemetery, the largest more impressive sculptures are just after the main gate. As the cemetery goes back and up the hill there are so many tombs and graves. As stated in other posts there are cats everywhere, the same with other places in Athens. The opening times are from about 8am in a morning and closes at 5pm (17:00hrs). Well worth a visit away from the centre of Athens

Is everything 4-5 stars if you are a tourist walking around. If you bury a loved one here it is generally accepted to be the best...But...I don't expect the choir to have their mobile phones going off when my 14 year old niece is giving her eulogy! Terrible and unprofessional. Also, with what you pay, I was not happy that every bottle of 'Metaxa' was already opened. Not one had a seal intact. So at best you are topping up bottle that are partly consumed...hopefully with untainted Metaxa! Was it Metaxa? Did you add water? Is it hygienic? EVERYONE noticed this and I felt it reflected badly on the family who wanted the very best for their departed.....and had paid for the very best. Please, for this place you must not be like the other cemeteries. It's attention to these details that separates the best from the rest. I wanted to give 1-2 stars, but gave 3 as you can sort these problems today!

Don’t miss this place. It’s simply one of the most beautiful and ornate cemeteries I’ve ever seen. It is very large. So plan to spend at least an hour. We went during the week on a cloudy day and brought an umbrella. Also, don’t forget your cat food, about a 3 pound bag and as many cans as you can. Feeding the cats is a highlight of this place and they really appreciate the food. The staff understands that people come there just to feed the cats and appreciate that you helped to look after them. We went twice just to hang out and experience the beautiful graves, artwork, and cats.

Beautiful cemetery with interesting tombstones that highlight Greek culture. Plus, you will find some cute cats there too.

For some reason I didn't see this on any of the attractions/suggestions for Athens. Incredible place and like nowhere I've been before. Some much needed peace and serenity from the busy city with hardly any tourists inside, and also a great place to sit down and relax. Thousands of beautiful (and probably extremely expensive) graves, like a mini town. Well worth adding to your list of things to see in Athens, but please stay quiet, show respect and keep the peace.

The First Cemetery of Athens is a place of profound historical and cultural significance. As the resting place of notable figures from Greece's past, it provides a unique glimpse into the nation's history. While the atmosphere is somber, it's also a peaceful and reflective spot. However, accessibility and maintenance could be improved to enhance the visitor experience. Worth a visit for those interested in Greek history and heritage.