The Ancient Agora was the civic and commercial heart of classical Athens — the market, the law courts, the political meeting place, and the philosophical arena all in one. Socrates lived here, taught here, and was sentenced to death here. The site is extensive and less crowded than the Acropolis, with a more evocative atmosphere of everyday ancient life.
The Hephaisteion, a well-preserved Doric temple on the western hill, is one of the best-surviving Greek temples anywhere — better preserved than the Parthenon, though considerably less famous. The reconstructed Stoa of Attalos houses the excellent Agora museum, whose collection of everyday objects — pottery, coins, weights, ballot tokens — gives a vivid picture of Athenian democracy in practice.
The Agora is directly below the Acropolis, accessible from Adrianou Street in Monastiraki or from the Thiseio metro station. The combined Acropolis ticket covers entry.