Family visit to Panathenaic Stadium in Athens

Our family visit to the Panathenaic Stadium—often called the first Olympic stadium—ended up being one of the most unexpectedly fun stops in Athens. It’s one thing to read about ancient sports, but it’s another to stand on the same track and actually run it. Seeing representations of athletes, like the famous Discobolus statue, suddenly felt more real when standing in a place where similar competitions once took place.

The Panathenaic Stadium’s origins date back to the 4th century BC, when it was built to host the Panathenaic Games, a major festival honoring Athena. At that time, it looked very different. The original version was far simpler—essentially a natural track carved into a ravine, with spectators standing on the surrounding slopes rather than sitting in constructed seats. It was functional, not monumental.

Over time, the Panathenaic Stadium went through major transformations. Early on, it was even described as having water around it, almost like an island within the landscape. There were no marble bleachers or grand entrances—just earthworks and open space. It wasn’t until later that the stadium began to resemble what we see today.

That transformation came during the Roman period, thanks to Herodes Atticus. In the 2nd century AD, he funded a massive renovation, turning the Panathenaic Stadium into a fully developed marble structure. He added tiered seating (the iconic white marble bleachers), expanded its capacity to tens of thousands, and constructed the vaulted entrance tunnel that athletes still walk through today. This is the version that gives the stadium its striking, almost gleaming appearance.

Like much of Athens, the Panathenaic Stadium didn’t remain in continuous use. As the Panathenaic Games and other ancient events declined and eventually ended, the site fell into disrepair. Changing political powers, shifting cultural priorities, and the rise of Christianity all contributed to its abandonment. Over the centuries, parts of it were dismantled or buried, and for a long time it simply faded into the background of the city.

Its revival came in the late 19th century, when Greece was reestablishing itself as a modern nation. In the lead-up to the 1896 Summer Olympics—the first modern Olympic Games—the Panathenaic Stadium was excavated and restored, largely using the same Pentelic marble as the original. It became a symbol not just of ancient Greece, but of its connection to the modern world.

Today, the Panathenaic Stadium is still active. It hosts ceremonial events, including the final handover of the Olympic flame before each Olympic Games. That torch tradition—carrying the flame from Greece to the host country—starts right here, tying every modern Olympics back to its ancient roots. It’s also used for occasional sporting events and public visits, making it one of the few ancient venues you can truly interact with.

What made the visit stand out, though, wasn’t just the history—it was the experience. We actually got down onto the track and ran it. No barriers, no ropes—just open space. Running a lap where athletes competed thousands of years ago (and again in 1896) was surreal. At one point, we all lined up at the start and sprinted like we were in a race. The kids went all in, pretending to be Olympians—like the athlete depicted in the Discobolus statue—arms pumping, giving it their all.

There’s something about the scale of the Panathenaic Stadium that invites that kind of play. It’s massive, but not overwhelming—it’s approachable. You can sit in the stands, walk the tunnel, and then step onto the track and be part of it.

For us, that’s what made it memorable—not just seeing history, but actually stepping into it for a moment.

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