How To Visit the Acropolis in 2023: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More
Eleni Gimouki
Every year, millions of people visit this ancient site in Athens. It has one of the most recognizable temples in the world. But did you know there’s much more to see at the Acropolis than just the Parthenon? In this guide, find out what you need to know about how to visit the Acropolis from getting tickets to the best guided tours, what to see at the Acropolis, and more.
Pro Tip: Planning what to do on your trip to Athens? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our guide to Athens for more planning resources, our top Athens tours for a memorable trip, and the top things to do in Athens.
Visiting the Acropolis: What We’ll Cover
The site of the Acropolis has been inhabited since as far back as 5000 B.C. and it’s still largely intact to this day. While you may easily recognize the Parthenon, there’s far more to see at the Acropolis than this iconic temple.
The area included in most Acropolis admissions covers quite a bit of ground on this hilltop site with some tickets even including ruins like the Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library, museums, and much more in Athens. It can be overwhelming figuring out how best to see the Acropolis let alone understanding the long history and rich mythology of the site.
We highly recommend visiting megamonuments like this with expert local guides. Not only will they help you navigate the site and its history but, more importantly, they take care of the details so you can just enjoy your time at one of the most important ancient sites in the world. Check out our Acropolis tours.
We’ve put together this guide to help you prepare for your visit. Here’s everything you need to know about how to visit the Acropolis in Athens. Here’s what we’ll cover:
The Acropolis is open almost every day of the year from 8 am to 7:30 pm in the summer (last entrance at 7 pm) and 8 am to 5 pm in the winter (last entrance at 4:30 pm). Closing hours are subject to change, particularly in September and October, so be sure to check the official website for updated info.
There are several days that the Acropolis archaeological site is closed: January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, December 25 and 26.
Pro Tip: If you can, try to visit the Acropolis either in the morning or in the evening when the weather isn’t quite as hot. The added benefit of visiting early in the morning is that it will be less busy.
Tickets:
Adult Single Use ticket: €10 (valid for one admission to the Acropolis archaeological site and the slopes)
Adult Combined ticket: €30 (valid for one admission to each site included over a five-day period)
The Combined ticket is valid for one admission to each of the following sites the Acropolis of Athens, Ancient Agora of Athens, Ancient Agora of Athens Museum, Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos, Hadrian’s Library, Kerameikos, Lykeion Archaeological Site, North slope of the Acropolis, Olympieio, Roman Agora of Athens, and South Slope of Acropolis.
Finally, there are also some free admission days:
6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
18 April (International Monuments Day)
18 May (International Museums Day)
The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
28 October
Every first Sunday from November 1st to March 31st
When you visit the Acropolis, you’re not only going to see the Parthenon. On Acropolis Hill, you’ll find some of the most important monuments of Ancient Greece. Each one of them has its own history and architecture. So, try to spend some time admiring the details of each monument—you’ll certainly be impressed.
Pro Tip: Every time I visit the Acropolis, it seems different to me. I always feel that there’s something new and exciting to discover about it. With every visit, I see it from a different point of view. Two hours is enough for a first visit to the Acropolis site, but no doubt you’ll want to come again.
Check Out Our Best Athens Tours
Top Rated Tour
Skip the Line Acropolis Tour with Parthenon and Museum
Towering above the modern city of Athens, explore the ancient forum home to the relics of Classical Greece. From the world’s oldest theatre to the iconic Parthenon, the Acropolis is a beacon of civilization and philosophy. Head back in time to the time of Plato and Socrates on this Skip-the-Line tour.
(5)
Starting at €80
Likely to Sell Out
Athens Local Food Tour in Monastiraki
Explore the gastronomic world of Athens through the city’s central market. Enjoy homemade pastries, authentic wines, cheeses, honey-soaked donuts, and much more. Your local guide will lead you through the best spots in the lively Monastiraki neighborhood for a delicious experience in Athens.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Athens Guide for more resources.
What To See at the Acropolis
The archeological site of the Acropolis has a lot for visitors to see. Here is a short list of the must-see monuments at the Acropolis. For a more detailed list with descriptions, images, and some historical context, check out our article on the top things to see at the Acropolis.
Parthenon
Temple of Athena Nike
Erechtheion
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Statue of Athena Promachos
Propylaea
Sanctuary of Asclepius
Theater of Dionysus
Conservatory of Pericles
Altar of Athena
Acropolis Tour Options
The Acropolis is a massive archeological site with a long, rich history and incredible mythology. Navigating both the physical site and its place in history can be overwhelming.
A guided tour of the Acropolis is so much more than skipping the lines. Your expert local guide will take you on an exploration through space and time in one of the most important places of Ancient Greece.
On our skip-the-line Acropolis tour, you’ll spend half a day walking in the footsteps of Plato and Socrates with an expert archaeologist guide. They’ll guide you on an exploration of the Acropolis, Parthenon, Theater of Dionysus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Temple of Athena, Nike, and other great monuments.
The major benefit of going with a guide is the stories you’ll hear about this ancient place. It’s one thing to see these sites, it’s another to see them knowing the historical context, the importance they played in history, and the changes and upheaval they endured. To end your tour, you’ll visit the Acropolis Museum where you can look through the glass to see the ancient ruins and buildings it was built over.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Acropolis Guide for more resources.
Facts and History of the Acropolis
The Acropolis is an ancient site with a great deal of interesting history. Here are some quick points, but read our in-depth article to discover more astounding facts about the Acropolis.
The name “Acropolis” actually means the “edge of the city” (in Greek “akro=edge + polis=city”).
The Parthenon was built in the 5th century B.C. and is a monument-symbol of democracy.
During the Byzantine era, it was converted into a Christian church. Under Frankish rule, it became a catholic church. During the Turkish occupation, it was converted into a mosque.
The monuments have survived fires, earthquakes, invasions, wars, and conquerors all these years.
Lord Elgin removed many important parts of the Acropolis monuments in 1801.
In 1987, the Acropolis was inscribed in the UNESCO catalogue.
The process of restoration of the Parthenon Temple, as well as the other monuments of the Acropolis, began in 1975.
Places To Eat Nearby
There are lots of restaurants and cafés near the Acropolis. Here are a few of our favorites. For more great places to eat, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Athens.
Kitchen Lab Corner: €€ | Coffee Shop—A tasty option for your breakfast or brunch before visiting the Acropolis. Especially your children will certainly love it.
Bairaktaris: € | Traditional Greek Cuisine—After this tour, it is a great choice to try some traditional Greek souvlaki, especially as lunch.
GB Roof Garden Restaurant And Bar: €€€€ | Fine Dining—Enjoy Mediterranean cuisine in the rooftop restaurant of this hotel with great views of the Acropolis.
Find the best places to stay
Where To Stay in Athens
A great hotel at a great price has become the norm in this internet era. Our article explains what areas are the best in Athens, so you can get a great deal in the perfect location!
Leave a Comment