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Hadrian's Library in Athens: Discover one the largest libraries of Antiquity!

Exterior view of the ruins of Hadrian's Library in Athens Remains of a floor mosaic at Hadrian's Library Ruins of Hadrian's Library

Highlights

  • Your ticket for Hadrian's Library is already included in your Athens City Pass.
  • No advance booking is required for this attraction.
  • The grounds of Hadrian's Library are fully accessible for visitors with reduced mobility and wheelchair users.   
  • One of the biggest libraries of Antiquity
  • Very close to the Roman Agora
  • Located on Monastiraki Square
  • Free entrance with the Athens City Pass

Discover Hadrian's library: a symbol of ancient wisdom

What awaits you on site

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Discover the ancient legacy of intellect and imperial ambition at Hadrian's Library, a testament to the grand vision of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132 A.D. This architectural marvel in the heart of Athens was more than just a repository of knowledge - it was a symbol of cultural education.

Embark on a journey back in time by exploring the remains of this once majestic building, where literary treasures and legal archives were carefully preserved. Imagine the bustling atmosphere of public lectures and debates that once echoed within its walls and shaped the intellectual landscape of ancient Greece.

Marvel at the immense scale of Hadrian's Library with its imposing façade of a hundred majestic columns and towering enclosing walls.

As you wander through the ruins, be sure to look out for the intricately carved niches on the inner wall of the east wing, where scrolls containing the wisdom of ages past were once kept. These niches are a reminder of the intellectual heritage preserved in these sacred halls.Over the course of time, Hadrian's Library has undergone countless changes. It has served as the seat of Ottoman rule, housed customs halls, prisons and barracks and is part of the rich history of Athens. 

How to get there

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Address:Κ, Areos 3, Τ, Athina 105 55, Greece

Good to know

  • Opening hours:
    From November 1 to March 31 08.00 am – 3.00 pm 
  • The archaeological site of Hadrian's Library is only partially accessible for wheelchair users, while the site is fully accessible for visitors with reduced mobility and wheelchair users.
  • Children/young people up to the age of 17 from EU member states are generally admitted free of charge. Please obtain a ticket for each child at the ticket counter.
  • The admission ticket for children/young people up to 17 years of age from non-EU countries is already included in the Athens City Pass if you have booked the "Acropolis Combined Ticket".   

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