The Acropolis is one of the most notable destinations in Athens, Greece. The Acropolis contains one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, the Parthenon. It is located on the highest point in Athens and is hard to miss when entering the city. While in Athens, visiting the Acropolis is one of the things you can’t miss! In this post, I am covering a complete guide to visiting the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, and sharing a few tips before you visit.
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Guide to Visiting the Acropolis in Athens, Greece
Overview of the Acropolis
Hours of Operation and Entrance Fees
November to March: Open daily 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The last entry is 4:30 pm.
April to October: Open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. The last entry is 7:30 pm.
Closed: The Athens Acropolis is closed on January 1st, March 25th, May 1st, Easter Sunday, December 25th, and December 26th.
You can budget around 2- 3 hours to visit the Acropolis. There are two ticketing booths. The main ticketing booth is
Entrance Fees
There are a few options for buying tickets. You can get a single-use ticket, skip-the-line ticket, a combined ticket, or purchase a tour that includes tickets.
For a single-use ticket from November to March for an adult, the cost is €10. For a single-use ticket from April to October for an adult, the cost is €20.
The combined ticket costs €30 and includes same-day and one-time entrance to:
- The Acropolis
- The Ancient Agora and Museum of the Ancient Agora
- Kerameikos and Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos
- The Temple of Zeus
- The Roman Agora of Athens and Tower of the Winds
- Hadrian’s Library
- Aristotle’s Lyceum
Certain populations can get free admittance on any day including children up to the age of 5 from any country, anyone younger than 25 coming from EU member states, and students in the EU of any age. Certain populations can also get discounted tickets including seniors over the age of 65 from EU countries, and those ages 6 through 25 from non-EU countries.
Free Admission Days: The days when entrance is free for the Acropolis (and all ancient sites in Greece) are March 6th, April 18th, May 18th, the last weekend of September, October 28th, and every first Sunday from November to March.
How to Get to the Acropolis
To reach the Acropolis by metro/subway, take the red line, #M2. Exit at the Acropoli stop. You will see the Acropolis when you exit the station. Walk straight ahead and take a left at the end of the road. The Acropolis is about a 10-minute walk to the main ticketing booth.
The Acropolis is central to Athens. If you are staying in one of the nearby neighborhoods (Plaka, Koukaki), it may be within walking distance.
Best Time to Visit
The high season where you will typically find the most crowds is from mid-June to mid-September. This also tends to be the hottest time of the year, so visiting during the morning or later afternoon/evening would be best since there is no shade. You can also visit during the low season to avoid the crowds.
I visited in late September and arrived 15 minutes before opening. There were low crowds, the weather was beautiful, and we did not have to wait to enter once the Acropolis opened. The best time to visit Greece would be the shoulder seasons (April/May and September/October) for milder weather, smaller crowds, and cheaper prices.
Monuments
Parthenon
A temple was built between 447 and 437 B.C. by Pericles to honor the goddess Athena. This temple is said to be one of the most important surviving structures of Classical Greece.
Erechtheion
A well-preserved temple dedicated to several deities including Athena, Poseidon, Hephaestus, and Erechtheus (who was a legendary Athenian king).
Temple of Athena Nike
This is a small temple dedicated to Athena Nike, the goddess of victory. This temple was built to celebrate Athenian victories and ensure the continued protection of the city by the goddess.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
A stone ancient theater with seating designed to accommodate around 5,000 people. It is still used for concerts and performances. This was built by Herodes Atticus as a tribute to his deceased wife.
Propylaea
The gateway is the entrance to the Acropolis. This is the transition from the secular world of the city below to the sacred temples of the Acropolis.
Tips for Visiting the Acropolis
Arrive Early!
Even before the Acropolis opens to the public, a line will form. Arrive 15- 20 minutes early to be one of the first into the Acropolis and beat the crowds. According to the Greek Ministry of Tourism, more than 16,000 people visit the Acropolis each day. That is a lot of people! It is going to be crowded no matter when you choose to visit, but arriving early or going later in the afternoon (close to closing) can help minimize the number of people who are admitted with you.
Bring Water
There are no concessions or fountains within the Acropolis. Be sure to bring water as it can be quite hot in Athens and there is limited shade. It takes around 2 hours to see everything in the Acropolis (if you are not joining in a tour). Bring at least a bottle or two of water for each person. You will also be doing a lot of walking and climbing upstairs.
Wear Sunscreen
Since there is limited shade, you will mostly be in the sun. Be sure to prepare! Wear sunscreen and a hat, especially in the summer. The sun can be a bit intense in Athens and if you’re standing without protection on the highest point in Athens for a couple of hours, you might leave sunburnt.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
As I mentioned earlier, you will be doing a bit of walking upstairs and inclines. I recommend wearing walking shoes. This isn’t the best place to wear your sandals as some of the paths are rocky, slippery, and dusty. It can also be crowded when you visit the Acropolis with many people trying to walk on the same pathway. You might get your feet stepped on a bit if someone isn’t paying attention.
Bathrooms
There is an area with toilets near the ticketing booth, and another at the top near the eastern side of the Parthenon in case you need to use the facilities.
Guide to Visiting the Acropolis in Athens, Greece
The Acropolis not only has stunning ancient architectural designs but boasts beautiful 360-degree views of the entire city. It’s really no wonder that it is one of the most famous destinations to visit in the world. The Acropolis really is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Athens, Greece. I hope this guide to visiting the Acropolis has been helpful in planning your trip. If you have any other tips for visiting, feel free to leave them in the comments below!
Do you plan on island hopping? Be sure to visit Naxos, Paros, and Milos!
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