No visit to Athens is complete without a visit to the Acropolis, the ancient citadel perched defiantly above the city that has fascinated people for thousands of years. If you’re overwhelmed by the information to plan your visit to the Acropolis, this guide will make it easy for you. We’ve covered everything from the meaning and history of The Acropolis, how to avoid the crowds and even what to wear!
Further reading: Top Things to do in Athens
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What is the Acropolis?
The Greek words for “highest point” and “city” are Akron and Polis so the Acropolis is, or was, a city high above modern-day Athens. It sits on a huge flat rock 150m above sea level, in the middle of the city and is the primary monument of Athens, and one of the most recognisable in the world.
The ancient citadel comprised many structures including several temples such as the famous Parthenon, two sanctuaries, several theaters, and innumerable statues, altars and meeting places.
At various times it has been damaged, rebuilt, added to and occupied by foreign invaders including the Romans who built the Herodes Odean Theater and the Ottomans who constructed a mosque. At one point it was even the headquarters of the Ottoman army and its harem.
Today it is regarded as one of the most fascinating and beautiful structures on the planet and is a must-do for all visitors to Athens.
Further reading : Greek Mythology places to visit
When is the best time to visit the Acropolis?
The Acropolis is incredible to visit at any time of year, although spring and autumn have the best weather conditions.
Summer is great due to lack of rain but it can get very hot, not just due to the ambient temperature but also because of the reflection off all the pale surfaces, something you will find across Athens and many of the islands too.
I recommend people visit the Acropolis either very early – around 15 minutes before opening time, so 7:45 am, or just before closing time around 6-7pm ( or 3-4 in winter). This way you will avoid both the sun and the crowds which are especially big when the cruise ship tours start arriving late in the morning.
(tip: the late afternoon is also excellent for photos especially at dusk)
How to get to the Acropolis
The Acropolis is the major landmark of Athens and it is impossible to miss commanding center stage in the middle of the city and shining down on the suburbs surrounding it.
If you are staying in the center of Athens it is likely you will be able to walk to The Acropolis or it will be a short taxi ride. There are public buses too and the Hop On Hop Off Bus stops near the south gate.
The Acropolis has its own metro stop, Acropoli, which is very handy for the main Acropolis entrance to the west. However, both Thissio and Monastiraki stations are also close to the side Acropolis entrance as well, in the southeast.
The main entrance, unsurprisingly, is the busiest and is also where big tour groups enter. We use the other one!
How to get tickets to the Acropolis
With the new time slots, it is possible you will be able to get a ticket for your preferred time at the gate if it is winter, but for the rest of the year, we strongly recommend you pre-book. The morning slots are often booked out well in advance by the cruise ship companies.
You can buy the tickets directly from the official ticketing website – which is not Government owned contrary to popular belief but a private company, or through a trusted platform like Get Your Guide or Viator, where you can usually also include a guide or join a tour.
South Slope Gate (in July)
Acropolis Entrance Fees
From April 1, 2025
- Regular-price ticket: 30€
- reduced-price ticket:
- 15€ EU seniors over 65
- Free – EU up to 25
- Free – non-EU up to 18
* note: for the reduced tickets, you must show proof of age at the gate (passport, driver’s license etc..)
Acropolis multi-ticket ( includes other sites)
- Combo tickets are no longer available from April 1, 2025
- Some tour companies offer their own combo products – you need to do the sums carefully to see if it is worth it.
Acropolis Opening Hours
The Acropolis is open nearly every day of the year, with only a few exceptions. They are:
January 1st
March 25
May 1 (Labor Day)
Easter Sunday ( this is the Eastern Orthodox dates and are NOT the same as the typical Christian dates)
Christmas Day (Dec 25)
Boxing Day (Dec 26)
Opening hours vary depending on the time of year. At the time of publication, they are;
November 1 to March 31 – 8 am to 5 pm (last entrance at 4.30pm)
April 1 to September 1 – 8 am to 8 pm
September 1 to 15 08:00 – 19:30 ( last entry 19:00)
September 16 to 30 08:00 – 19:00 (last entry 18:30)
October 1 to 15 08:00 – 18.30 (last entry 18:00)
October 16 to 31 08:00 – 18:00 (last entry 17:30)
Note that the last entry to the Acropolis is half an hour before closing time.
Free days for visiting the Acropolis
There are several days each year when everyone can visit the Acropolis for free. It can be crowded these days; however, that’s a big discount! The free days for the Acropolis are:
6 March – In Memory of Melina Mercouri
18 April – International Day for Monuments
18 May – International Museum Day
Last weekend of September – European Heritage Days
28 October
Every first Sunday from November 1st to March 31st
The Elevator at The Acropolis
A lot of people wonder whether the Acropolis is wheelchair-friendly or, indeed, whether anyone with a disability, limited mobility, or even just the elderly can visit it.
Thankfully, in 2020, a generous donation from The Onassis Foundation enabled significant work on the Acropolis elevator, which is now fully operational, along with new, flat pathways around the Acropolis suitable for wheelchairs. It can also be used by a parent attending with two or more infants on their own.
The elevator arrives on the Acropolis plateau, north of the Erechtheion. Visitors can follow the route towards the Propylaea or the route between the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. At the end of that route, there is also a restroom.
It is a good idea to ring ahead to check that the lift will be operating on the day you plan to arrive. Contact +30 210 3214172.
Note: Entry to the Acropolis for people with disabilities is free.
Further reading: Visiting Greece with Limited Mobility
Points of interest
Dionysus Sanctuary and the Dionysus Theater which is considered the most significant theater in Europe as it is where the very first theatrical performance was ever held.
The Parthenon is considered by many engineers and architects as the most perfect structure every built. If viewed from the sky the Parthenon forms a perfect equilateral triangle with the Temple of Aphaea, on the island of Aegina, and the Temple of Poseidon, at Cape Sounion.
The Temple of Athena Nike was built around 420BC and is dedicated to the goddess Athena Nike, for whom Athens is named. It has a prominent position in the south west corner of the property.
The Erectheion a temple on the north side that was dedicated to Athena and Poseidon. It is particularly famous for its Porch of Caryatids ( or Porch of Maidens) , six columns made from statues of female figures. Some of the originals of these can be found in the Acropolis Museum.
The Propylea is the main gate to the Acropolis and was commissioned by Pericles after the Persian Wars. It consists of a colonnade and a number of structures leading up to the entry, but was sadly never completed.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus theater that was built between 160AD – 174AD and is still in use today. During the summer, there are a number of performances and events available – see the event schedule. We have enjoyed a wonderful night under the stars, seeing the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra and Piano Virtuoso Yuja Wang. What an incredible and very special experience it was!
** Please note, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus closed on October 1, 2025, for a 3-year renovation. You can still view it from the top when visiting the Acropolis, but there will be no concerts or performances.
The Acropolis Museum
We highly recommend you combine your visit to The Acropolis with a visit to the new Acropolis Museum, this is where the artifacts from the site are housed after all.
Located at the base of the Acropolis near the main gate the new Acropolis Museum has a total area of 25,000 square meters, with exhibition space of over 14,000 square meters and is considered one of the great museums of the world.
Not only is it home to all the fascinating artifacts and statues found in and around the Acropolis but it is also itself built over an excavation site of an ancient settlement which you can view and explore.
Acropolis Museum hours align with The Acropolis itself. It is a stunning modern facility with some excellent shops and cafes all delightfully air-conditioned, so this is a good place to visit in the heat of the day.
Some people like to visit after they see The Acropolis, others before. That really is a personal choice.
Winter season hours (1 November – 31 March)
Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission: 4:30 p.m.)
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (last admission: 9:30 p.m.)
Saturday – Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (last admission: 7:30 p.m.)
Summer season hours (1 April – 31 October)
Monday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission: 3:30 p.m.)
Tuesday – Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (last admission: 7:30 p.m.)
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (last admission: 9:30 p.m.)
Easter – reduced hours
Good Friday – 12 noon to 6 pm
Good Saturday – 9 am to 3 pm.
Ticket prices are:
General admission: 20 Euros
Reduced admission*: 10 Euros
* For information on eligibility for reduced admission tickets or free admission, please click here.
Acropolis Tours
Neither the online tickets nor the skip-the-line tickets include a guide. There are Acropolis audio guides available at the entrance for a surcharge.
You can also download an app to your phone that offers Acropolis details, interactive maps, and information about the buildings and structures. Click here to download the Acropolis app to your Android. Click here to download the Acropolis app to your iPhone.
The Best Acropolis Guided Tours
There are a number of options here.
You can also choose to join a 90-minute small group guided tour with a skip the line ticket, or a combined Acropolis and Acropolis Museum Tour.
If you are visiting for the day from the Athens cruise terminal then there is a 5 hour from Pireaus tour that includes transfers and a general tour of Athens from your cruise ship to the Acropolis and more.
Further reading: One Day in Athens
Private Tours of the Acropolis
Finally, there are people who are happy to pay a premium for a private tour. This gives them deep insight into this amazing attraction, and if travelling in a group, it may not be expensive. This way, you also get to visit the Acropolis at your own pace and ask as many questions of your qualified guide as you like.
We recommend booking Christina Christaki at Aspects of Athens or christina.christaki@hotmail.com, Use the promo code Greece Travel Secrets for 10% off!
These guides do book out early, though, so don’t leave this until the last minute!
What to take and wear
As we’ve mentioned, visiting the Acropolis can be a hot and sweaty business, and there are a number of steps and uneven surfaces to contend with. You want to be as comfortable as possible.
Good shoes. I tend to wear sneakers most days when exploring Greece. They are comfy, on trend, and look good with anything. Most people also wear trousers, shorts, or jeans, depending on the time of year. You’ll also need the following:
A good camera, preferable with a wide-angle lens
A waterbottle. Collapsible ones are great for travelling and there are several water fountains inside the Acropolis for refills too.
ID if you are eligible for discounted tickets.
A good crossbody bag for hands free photography and to stow your water bottle too!
If it is winter or autumn, it is also a good idea to pack a rain jacket or small umbrella.
A few more tips for visiting the Acropolis
1. Don’t bring your drone. Drones are allowed in many parts of Greece but not over or near Archeological Sites, places of worship or Government buildings. This includes the Acropolis.
2. Do not touch or walk on the marble. Much of it is roped off anyway but please observe the rules.
3. Do not wear heels. Not only are these terrible for comfort and safety but they are against the rules as they can damage the fragile marble and infastructure.
Where to stay near the Acropolis
There are many wonderful hotels to stay in Athens including some that have incredible views of the Acropolis.
If you want to be literally at the Acropolis doorstep then you cant get much closer than AthensWas which is one of the most stylish hotels in Greece. The Herodion Hotel is also a short stroll and has astonishing views whilst Electra Palace also has a fantastic rooftop pool.
Further reading: Where to stay in Athens
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