Maths trips to Athens

Dominating the centre of the modern city atop its rocky crag, the incredible classical citadel of the Acropolis comprises the most important monuments in Western civilisation, with several temples and the most famous structure of them all: the Parthenon. We expect your students to be dazzled by wonder at this magnificent site, which dates back almost 2,500 years.

Uncover more than 4,250 exhibits relating to the incredible Acropolis of Athens at this museum, which is housed in an outstanding ultramodern glass and steel structure. Here, your students will be awestruck as they journey through the Greek Bronze Age, Roman times and Byzantine Greece, discovering relics, artifacts and treasures from the slopes leading up to the Acropolis, then at the Acropolis itself.

The heart of ancient Athens, the Ancient Agora features the archeological remains of an ancient marketplace which was also used as a meeting ground for political and social events. The site is centred around the grand Temple of Hephaestus, which remarkably still remains almost completely intact. We recommend also getting closer to the Agora’s greenery, where you’ll discover native lizards and birds.

Step back in time with your students to the ancient city of Mycenae – one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Greece. Enter the Lion Gate into one of the most prosperous regions of the ancient era, where students can learn all about the Mycenaean civilisation and the legendary Trojan War. Nearby, you can also visit the town of Nafplion – a trip we know your students will enjoy.

We expect your students will be astounded by the ancient city of Epidaurus, which features the best preserved of all the ancient theatres in Greece. With a capacity of 14,000 seats and impeccable acoustics, the theatre presents performances of great ancient Greek dramatists in the summer. Nearby, you can also visit the Ancient Stadium, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sanctuary of Asklepios.

Get ready to be amazed when you visit the engineering marvel of the Corinth Canal, which was created over more than two millennia and connects the Ionian and Aegean Seas. We recommend viewing the cutting of the canal from the main bridge.

Situated at the foot of the Acropolis hill, the Plaka neighbourhood is one of the oldest and most picturesque parts of Athens and, better yet, it’s mostly pedestrianised. Explore the area’s narrow cobblestoned streets and discover a labyrinth of shops selling souvenirs, jewellery, clothes, and local ceramics, as well as pavement cafés where you can stop for a Greek pastry and a coffee.

Known for its stunning panoramic views across the Aegean Sea, Cape Sounion is a beautiful spot for sightseeing, situated about 90 minutes south of Athens. Perched atop it is the Temple of Poseidon, a majestic ancient structure that forms part of the Sacred Triangle of Temples, an almost perfect equilateral triangle that suggests a deliberate geometric design by the ancient Greeks.

A marvel of ancient engineering, the Diolkos offers a glimpse into the ingenuity of classical Greece. Once used to transport ships overland across the Isthmus of Corinth, this stone-paved track helped traders and naval powers bypass the long and dangerous journey around the Peloponnese. Students will visit the remains of the Diolkos, tracing the very path that connected the Saronic and Corinthian gulfs more than 2,500 years ago.

Located in the southeast of the Attica peninsular, the Thorikos Archaeological Site possesses well-preserved ruins, including one of the oldest Greek theatres and silver mines, and offers a glimpse into the daily life and culture of Ancient Greece. Here, maths students can focus on temple ratios and the use of the Golden Mean in statuary and architecture, as well as considering the geometry and acoustics of theatre.

The Benaki Museum is known for its vast and diverse collection of artifacts that showcase the cultural and artistic history of Greece – ideal for Classics students. There's also plenty on display for Maths/STEM students, who can focus on art pieces that reflect mathematical principles, such as geometric patterns, symmetry, and proportions.

Assisted by a knowledgeable guide, students will learn about the technology of the Ancient Greeks at this museum, and learn how mathematical innovations laid the groundwork for later technological advancements. You'll cover how gear systems, trigonometry, and geometry contribute to more than 100 fully functional reconstructions of ancient Greek inventions.

This interactive multimedia museum highlights the historical and archaeological evidence of Plato's Academy, reviving ideas from the theoretician's classic philosophy using the latest technologies. Plato is one of the most influential philosophers in Western thought, his work laying the foundations for much of modern mathematics and science.