Visiting the Acropolis and its highlights such as the remains of the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion, and the Odeon of Herodotus Atticus is a must for any Greek itinerary.
However, for the best possible experience visiting the Acropolis, there are a few things to consider. This guide will help with all the information you need to know, from Acropolis entry fees to hours and what to expect.
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Visiting the Acropolis: Highlights
The Acropolis of Athens needs no introduction. The word “Acropolis” means “highest point” and this once mighty citadel looks down and across a bustling city of 665,000 Athenians.
For anyone with a passing interest in Greece or history or democracy, the historical site of the Acropolis is iconic.
Visiting the Acropolis, the most important archaeological site in Greece has been a dream of travelers for centuries, and many famous writers have been inspired by this incredible open-air museum.
It’s hard to imagine almost anywhere else where you can see, in one day, this amount of history, myth, and legend.
From the epic duel between Poseidon and Athena to King Aegeus, who is believed to have flung himself off the Acropolis thinking the Minotaur had eaten his son, get ready for a mythological extravaganza!
If you’d like to see the Acropolis without a guide, here’s a comprehensive self-guided walking tour of the Acropolis.
For the best accommodation close to the Acropolis, see my detailed guide to the Best Athens Hotels Near the Acropolis.
Podcast
Rather listen than read? Check out my podcast on visiting the Acropolis where I interview Danae Kousouris, who is an Athens professional storyteller and tour guide about the myths and legends of the Acropolis.
What you need to know before you visit – recent changes
The Acropolis is Athens’ most famous and popular attraction, and it sees millions of visitors every year – so things are pretty well run.
However, to make the most of your visit to the Acropolis, a little bit of pre-planning goes a long way!
In 2023 the Greek government began shutting the Acropolis from midday until after 5 pm because of the prolonged heatwave conditions in Athens.
It’s more important than ever to pre-book a ticket and be at the Acropolis when it opens if you are going to visit the Acropolis in June, July, or August.
How to get Acropolis Tickets
The easiest way to get Acropolis tickets is to buy them online. This will save you a lot of time and hassle in getting your ticket.
While you can usually buy them at the entrance, the lineup is usually huge – sometimes several hours in summer! So it’s much better to buy them online in advance.
It is possible to buy the tickets directly from the official Electronic Ticket System website which was launched in mid-2018.
However, I would instead recommend buying the ticket online through a service like Get Your Guide.
The best instant online ticket that you can download directly to your phone (no printing or having to exchange the electronic ticket for a paper one at a site removed from the Acropolis) is here.
The best Acropolis and Acropolis Museum online ticket combination is here. (This combined ticket does require you to pick up your tickets from the ticket office, 400m south of the Acropolis entrance). All of these entrance tickets come with an audio guide.
And the best online ticket, if you’d like to visit 7 ancient sites in Athens, is the Acropolis Combo Pass (more about it below). (This is my favorite ticket anywhere in the world!)
The main reason for choosing a Get Your Guide ticket is that you can change the date (or even cancel) your ticket if your plans change.
On the other hand, tickets bought through the Ministry of Culture and Sports are non-refundable.
Another reason is that the Acropolis admission-only ticket is the best in the class “skip-the-line tickets.” The Acropolis in Athens can get extremely busy, and you don’t want to waste good exploring time lining up!
It does cost an additional €5, but I think this is well worth it – especially in the busy peak times.
I also recommend Get Your Guide instead of some other well-known online skip-the-line companies because with these companies you almost always have to exchange your online ticket for a physical one at a kiosk several hundred meters down a steep hill from the attraction. I MUCH prefer to simply have my Acropolis Admission ticket emailed to me and then show this on my phone as I enter the Acropolis.
A final reason to choose Get Your Guide rather than other skip-the-line Acropolis vendors is that I have had these companies refuse to refund tickets when they state that the Acropolis is open, but when I have turned up, it’s closed.
For the best Acropolis guided tours (and for those that include the Acropolis Museum as an option), see the Best Acropolis Tours section below.
Acropolis Entrance Fees
The Acropolis ticket price changes depending on the time of year that you are visiting. From 1 April to 31 October (high season), an adult ticket to the Acropolis is €20.
Between 1 November and 31 March (low season), all adults are entitled to the reduced price of €10.
Other visitors may be entitled to a 50% price reduction on tickets. This includes EU citizens over 65 years old and tertiary students from non-EU countries.
You’ll need a valid ID to get discounted entry to the Acropolis.
Some visitors are entitled to free entry to the Acropolis. This includes all children under the age of 18 and students of EU universities, with a valid ID or passport. You can find the full list here.
Free Admission days for visiting the Acropolis
There are several days per year when it is free for everyone to visit the Acropolis. It can be terribly crowded on these days, however, that’s a big discount! The free days for the Acropolis are:
- 6 March
- 18 April
- 18 May
- Last weekend of September
- 28 October
- Every first Sunday from November 1st to March 31st
You do not need to book a ticket in advance on the free days – just queue at the ticket line at the main entrance to the site (as early as you can, to avoid waiting a couple of hours in a long queue.)
The Acropolis Combo Pass
If you are planning to visit several of Athens’s blockbuster archaeological sites, this combination ticket is fantastic value, gives you entry to up to seven sites, and saves so much hassle!
In addition to visiting the Acropolis, you can choose to visit the Acropolis Hill, Hadrian’s Library, the Ancient Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Roman Agora, Kerameikos, The National Archaeological Museum, and Aristotle’s School on this ticket.
There is no guide and you use the “skip the line” queue at each archaeological site. The Acropolis Combo Pass includes three digital audio tours to download to your phone as well as three offline interactive maps.
So when is the Acropolis open?
Acropolis Hours
The site is open nearly every day of the year, with only a couple of annual closures. The Acropolis and Parthenon opening hours do vary a little depending on the season. The usual Acropolis open hours are:
- November 1 to March 31: 8 am to 5 pm
- April 1 to October 31: 8 am to 7 pm
Note that the last entry to the Acropolis is half an hour before closing time.
There are six days a year when the Acropolis closes, so make sure you don’t plan your visit on one of the following days:
- New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
- March 25
- May 1
- Easter Sunday (see Note below)
- Christmas Day (Dec 25)
- Boxing Day (Dec 26)
Note: Easter in Greece IS NOT the same date as Easter in other countries. Check the date for Easter Sunday in Greece – I have been caught out by this!
The day of your Acropolis visit
Once you’ve bought your ticket and planned your trip to Athens, it’s time to visit the Acropolis! Here’s what to expect on the day, as well as some helpful hints.
What to bring and wear for your Acropolis visit
You’ll want to spend a few hours exploring the archaeological remains atop and around the Acropolis, so you want to make sure you’re comfortable. Here are a few musts for what to bring and wear while visiting the Acropolis:
- A camera. The Parthenon is difficult to photograph without a wide-angle lens. Many of the best shots of the Acropolis include the surrounding vistas of Athens itself. Again, these shots are better with a wide-angle lens.
- Passport/ID card if you intend to get the reduced entry (even if you have already bought your ticket online).
- Sturdy shoes, as some of the ground is quite uneven, there are flights of rough-hewn steps and you don’t want to fall. This is especially so in the magnificent Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
- The Acropolis is a hill and there are a few steep sections walking up from the various Metro stations.
- Sunscreen, especially during the warmer months. Even if it doesn’t seem particularly hot or sunny, you can still get very burnt out in the sun for a few hours.
- A water bottle, as all that exploring is sure to see you work up a thirst! There are water fountains at the Acropolis, so you can fill it back up again for free.
NOTE: Pick-pockets and bag snatchers abound in the streets below the Acropolis. Wear your bag on the front of your body and keep your hand on it until you have entered the Acropolis.
The best season and time to visit the Acropolis
Like many of the world’s most famous landmarks, the Acropolis is prone to large crowds and over-tourism in the peak season (June to August) and even shutdowns mandated during the middle of the day in heatwave conditions.
To avoid the huge crowds, it’s highly advisable to visit the Acropolis as early as you can.
If you arrive around 15 minutes before opening time (i.e. about 7:45 am), then you will stand the best chance of enjoying a peaceful time at the Acropolis.
Trust me, no sleep is worth missing the chance to experience the Acropolis at its calmest and most beautiful!
If you aren’t able to visit the Acropolis early in the morning, then crowds do start to die down again around 2 p.m. So, you could visit in the late afternoon instead.
I have visited just before closing time. Depending on the time of year, you can lose the light quickly. Great for atmosphere, lousy for photography!
In general, the peak time to avoid is between around 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. when the crowds are at their largest. Off-peak, don’t go just before closing time as there is not enough light.
How to get to the Acropolis
Many Athens hotels and guesthouses are within walking distance of the Acropolis – it’s hard to miss it hovering above the city! Staying in one of the Athens hotels with views of the Acropolis makes evening drinks a spectacular activity!
However, if you are a bit further away, your best bet is to get the metro to the Acropolis.
As befits an ancient citadel, the Acropolis has its own metro stop, Acropoli, which is very handy for the Acropolis entrance.
However, both Thissio and Monastiraki are also close to the entrance, so there are a few options.
Even a quick return trip from the airport is possible as the metro is at the airport and takes 40-50 minutes to get to the Acropolis.
The Blue Line (Line No. 3) is a direct line from the airport to Syntagma Square and Monastiraki, both of which are only a short walk to the Acropolis.
You will need to factor in at least 30 minutes on either side to get to the Acropolis from the Metro station and into the Acropolis with a skip-the-line ticket.
Thankfully the airport is modern and well organized and the Metro station is extremely close by and well signposted.
If you have a long transit through Athens – for example, of 5 hours or more, I can’t think of a better use of your time than visiting one of the most recognizable ancient sites in the world!
Since April 2023, it has also been possible to again use the UBER app in Athens.
The Best Acropolis Guided Tours
The best Acropolis guided tours are below. I include:
- the best Acropolis-only tours,
- the best Acropolis and Acropolis museum guided tours and
- the best tours of Athens if you’re short on time that include the Acropolis.
- I have included two tours that leave from the Cruise Port
- a tour that includes visiting the majestic Temple of Poseidon
- and one for foodies!
Athens: Acropolis Guided Tour with Entry Ticket
This tour with perfect reviews sells out quickly, in part because it is only of 2-hour duration. It also has the advantage that you meet your guide at the Acropolis Metro Station.
Key Facts:
- The tour includes stops at the Parthenon, the Erechtheum, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaea
- Includes admission fees, “skip the line” tickets, and the tour is led by a professional art historian
- A well-reviewed tour that sells out fast
The Best Acropolis and Acropolis Museum Tours
There are two options to see the Acropolis and the fabulous Acropolis Museum – with a tour guide or by purchasing the entry tickets alone. The best four tours are included here.
Acropolis and Acropolis Museum Tour with Entry Tickets
It is impossible to really understand the grandeur of the Acropolis and the many important Temples on the outcrop and on its slopes without seeing the artifacts that populated these ancient sites.
The new, state-of-the-art, Acropolis Museum is one of the most important museums in the world and this tour is a convenient way of seeing both sites in a coherent and logical way with a licensed archaeologist.
- The focus of the Acropolis Museum tour is on the artifacts found within the sites you will visit at the Acropolis.
- A high-quality tour that is conducted by a field expert and licensed archaeologist.
- Tickets must be redeemed at the ticket office before entering the first site, 300m south of the Acropolis.
- Four hours in duration with Skip The Line access to both attractions with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the Tour.
- Meet your guide at the entrance to the Acropolis Metro station
Acropolis and Museum: Entry Tickets Including Booking Fee
The same tickets but without a guide!
- These two tickets can be used anytime within 30 days of purchasing the tickets.
- The tickets must be redeemed at the ticket office before entering the first site, 300m south of the Acropolis.
- Skip the line access to both attractions.
Athens Private Tours: Acropolis and Acropolis Museum
This tour has perfect reviews. It is 5 hours in duration and includes return transfers to your accommodation. Entry tickets to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum are also included.
- Panathinaikos Stadium is the first stop and then you pass by the Greek Parliament to see the Evzoni Guards.
- Then to the Zappion Conference Center in the National Gardens of Greece and pass by the
- Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus,
- Hadrian’s Arch, the
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the
- Numismatic Museum at Schlieman’s House, the
- Catholic Cathedral of Agios Dionysios Aeropagitis,
- Constitution Square and then to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.
- Professional guide included
- Skip The Line tickets
Best Combo Acropolis and Athens Tours
Athens: Acropolis Guided Tour and Food Tasting Walk
Combing two of my favorite things to really get to know somewhere fast: ancient ruins and local food and markets!
The tour is of 4 hours duration and begins at the Acropolis metro station where you meet your guide and then tour the Acropolis. After the Acropolis, you set off for the Central Athens market.
- An entrance ticket to the Acropolis is not included.
- Stop at 5 different artisan eateries
- All food and drinks consumed on the Tour are included in the price of the Tour
3-Hour Athens Sightseeing & Acropolis Including Entry Ticket
A very well-reviewed tour of 3.5 hours duration that starts in the morning and includes return transfers from your accommodation. A quick and quality tour that is concluded by lunchtime – but what a morning!
- An entrance ticket and a private guide are included
- Private transfer in luxury non-smoking air-conditioned buses
- The tour begins at Panathinaiko Stadium.
- Pass by the Prime Minister’s residence in the former Royal Palace, the Catholic Cathedral, St. Paul’s Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Temple of Zeus, the Academy, and Constitution Square.
Athens and Cape Sounion Private Full-Day Tour
I love the Temple of Poseidon! It is one of the most popular day trips from Athens. See the Temple of Poseidon and the Acropolis on one convenient tour. The tour takes 8 hours and is a well-reviewed tour.
- Return transfers from your accommodation
- Entry tickets not included
After visiting the Acropolis, the tour continues to the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Panathenaic Stadium before watching the Changing of the Guards ceremony in front of the Greek Parliament.
You then journey along the coast to the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion. Enjoy a panoramic view of the Aegean Sea, and then travel back to Athens via Lake Vouliagmeni.
The Best Acropolis Tours from the Cruise Port
From Cruise Port: The Acropolis and Athens Highlights
This tour has perfect reviews and is only 3 hours duration. Entrance fees are not included.
- Round trip transfer from the Port of Piraeus and back
- Acropolis guided tour by a private guide and Skip the Line service.
- There is free time in the Plaka on this tour.
From Cruise Port: Athens City, Acropolis, and Acropolis Museum
This very popular tour sells out fast. It is 5.5 hours in duration. This is an ideal combo tour to see the city center sights in just a few hours.
The tour starts at the Syntagma metro station for a brief look at the ancient artifacts displayed at the metro’s museum.
You’ll also see the Greek Parliament, the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, and watch the Changing of the Guards.
Next, your guide will walk you through the National Gardens, Zappeion Hall, the Temple of Zeus, and Hadrian’s Arch.
From there you will walk towards the Acropolis through the walkway of Dionysiou Areopagitou.
Then you’ll benefit from skip-the-queue entry into the Acropolis followed by a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum.
- Round-trip transfer from the port of Piraeus
- Includes an Acropolis guided tour and an Acropolis Museum guided tour
- Accompanied by the professional licensed tour guide
Frequently asked questions about visiting the Parthenon and Acropolis
Still, have some questions about your visit to the Acropolis in Greece? Here are the most common queries answered.
How long do you need at the Acropolis?
How long you should spend at the Acropolis depends on your personal preference.
A lightning-quick visit to the Acropolis takes in the region of an hour and a half, while many other visitors prefer to stay for three or four hours.
History enthusiasts may even like to stay a bit longer!
Overall, I recommend keeping at least an entire morning or afternoon free for your visit. Then you won’t feel rushed and can take it at your own pace.
What are the most important things to see?
ODEON OF HERODES ATTICUS
The first thing you will see at the Acropolis is the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. This impressive Roman theater was built in 161 AD. The steps can be slippery after rain.
PROPYLAEA AND TEMPLE OF ATHENA NIKE
The Beulé Gate lies between the Odeon and the main entrance to the site, the Propylaea. As you climb the steps, look to your right and you will see the small Temple of Athena Nike.
PARTHENON
Once through the massive Propylaea, you will see the Erechtheion to your left on the northern side of the Acropolis, and the unmistakable Parthenon to your right.
ERECHTHEION
At the Erechtheion you will find the Caryatids, on the “porch of the Maidens.” These six draped figures are the supporting columns of the roof.
The Erechtheion is dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. You will find here the
Olive Tree which ancient Greek mythology tells us sprang up after the goddess Athena defeated Poseidon.
Originally the Erechtheion held a wooden effigy of Athena Polias. The battle between the two is marked on the Erechtheion.
The hole in the roof of the Temple is where Poseidon’s great trident flew threw the earth and the “scratches” on the floor of the Temple were made by his Trident hitting the ground.
On the side of the Erechtheion furthest from the Propylaea, you will see a saltwater well caused by Poseidon’s trident.
If you love history and the mythology of ancient Greece, make sure you see the Erechtheion as well as the Parthenon!
THEATRE OF DIONYSUS
On the southern slope of the Acropolis (or Sacred Rock), you will find the sixth-century BCE Theatre of Dionysis, part of the Sanctuary of the cult of Dionysus.
Can you climb the Acropolis?
The Acropolis is located on a hill, so to see it, you will be doing some climbing! It takes about twenty minutes to climb up the stairs from either side.
It’s relatively easy, however, you might want to take a few breaks along the way. For those with mobility considerations, there is an elevator.
Once you are at the Acropolis, actually touching or stepping on the ruins is off-limits! You’ll attract the ire of the guards very quickly if you try, so keep a respectful distance.
Should you visit the Acropolis Museum before or after visiting the Acropolis?
Most people who visit the Acropolis also like to visit the Acropolis Museum to learn more about the history of the site.
This leads to the question of whether you should visit the Acropolis, or the Acropolis Museum, first.
Opinions differ on this question. If you visit the Museum first, you may have a better context when you visit the Acropolis.
On the other hand, the Museum can be more exciting after you’ve seen the real thing!
One consideration is timing. Generally, the Museum is quieter than the Acropolis itself, so if you only have one day, I recommend visiting the Acropolis first so you can beat the crowds.
I find it easier to imagine the objects in their original places once I have seen the place from where they were removed.
Plan your visit and check out the Acropolis Museum hours here.
Should you take an Acropolis-guided tour?
Neither the online ticket nor the skip-the-line ticket includes a guide.
You can, however, download an audio guide (Rick Steves’ guide is free and very well-regarded) to add some extra context to your Acropolis visit).
Another option is to take a guided tour, either privately or as part of a group. If you love history, then this can add a huge amount to your visit.
Otherwise what you see are a bunch of disjointed, empty, and partially destroyed buildings (they’re amazing in their own right and just to see them is spectacular) but…
but to actually have a clue about why they’re there and their relationship with each other – that’s what you get on a tour of an ancient site.
You’ll have the chance to ask questions and hear insider stories – plus, it entitles you to skip the line entry!
Keep Planning Your Trip to Athens
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🧳Ministry of Culture and Sports Acropolis Visitor Information: http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh355.jsp?obj_id=2384 and email address: efaath@culture.gr