How To Visit the Acropolis in 2025: 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.
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: €20 (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.
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
Small Group Acropolis Tour Options
Our small group tours are designed to feel like you’re exploring with a (very knowledgeable) local friend. You’ll avoid the chaos of big groups and get way more than you would on your own.
4-Hour Tour | Acropolis & Museum | Skip-the-Line | Walking
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. You’ll be taken on an exploration of the Acropolis, Parthenon, Theater of Dionysus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Temple of Athena, and other great monuments. Plus, you’ll visit the Acropolis Museum, where you can look through the glass to see the ancient ruins and buildings it was built over.
2-Hour Tour | Parthenon Focus | Flexible Start Times | Skip-the-Line Entry
This quick but insightful tour gets you in, wowed, and on with your day. You’ll join a small group and an archaeologist guide who’ll walk you through the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Theater of Dionysus. Multiple start times and skip-the-line entry make this tour easy to squeeze into any Athens itinerary.
4-Hour Tour | Minivan Tour | Acropolis Tickets Included | City Highlights
Whizz around Athens in a sleek minivan, skip lines, dodge crowds, and enjoy smirking at sweaty tourists on foot on this 4-hour tour. Iconic landmarks like the Panathenaic Stadium, the Parliament Building, and the University of Athens kick things off. Then, you’ll roll through the ancient streets of Plaka and Monastiraki before topping off the day at the Acropolis.
7-Hour Tour | Early Access | Museum & Lunch Included | All-in-One Tour
Want to see the best of Athens without the effort of planning? Hop on this 7-hour tour to conquer the Acropolis before the crowds, swing through the Acropolis Museum, enjoy a traditional Greek lunch, and wind your way through Plaka and Monastiraki. It’s everything you came to Athens to do, plus a few hidden local gems sprinkled in.
Private tours give you the freedom to see what you want, skip what you don’t, and ask as many questions as you like. If you have the budget, they’re well worth the splurge.
3-Hour Tour | Private Golf Cart | City Highlights | Personalized
Walking through Athens in peak summer is a special kind of punishment. This golf cart tour solves that with breeze-in-your-hair comfort and a front-row seat to the good stuff—Plaka, Kolonaki, the Acropolis, and everything in between. Your guide knows exactly where to go, when to stop, and how to make the tour align perfectly with your interests.
8-Hour Tour | Private Vehicle | Acropolis Entry | Greek Lunch Included
This private full-day tour covers more ground in Athens than most travelers manage in a weekend. With a driver who doubles as your personal city expert, you’ll visit the city’s biggest historic landmarks—the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus—plus key local favorites like Plaka and Lycabettus Hill. With hotel pickup and an authentic Greek lunch already sorted, your only job is showing up.
7-Hour Tour | Private Guide | Flexible Lunch Break | Major Landmarks + Hidden Gems
Compared to the more rigid tours, this one balances structure with flexibility and includes a midday break to dine where and how you want. In the morning, you’ll cover the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, and Plaka. Then, after lunch, you’ll tour the rest of Athens from a comfortable vehicle, hitting major landmarks and slipping into quiet neighborhoods and overlooked ruins.
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!
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