The Acropolis is the centerpiece of Athens. A rocky, fortified limestone plateau rises from the city center, topped with the Parthenon and several other ancient monuments. For most visitors, visiting the Acropolis tops the list of things to do, making it trendy.
We have a lot of information if you want to know how to visit the Acropolis in Athens.
This article will help you have the best experience and includes tips on avoiding the crowds, booking your time slot in advance, and what you will see.
A brief history of Acropolis Athens
The word “acropolis” means a citadel or fortified part of an ancient Greek city, usually built on a hill. Although there are other acropoleis in Greece, the Acropolis of Athens is the most famous.
This rocky hill has been inhabited since the 4th millennium BC. The buildings that still stand today were constructed during the leadership of Pericles in the 5th century BC. The Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and others are the remnants of Greece’s Golden Age.
The Parthenon dominates the Acropolis and is one of the world’s most recognizable and imitated buildings. It was built to honor the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos, the patron of Athens, and it is considered to be the most significant surviving structure of Classical Greece.
Over the years, it has also served as a Christian church and an Islamic mosque. However, a part of the Parthenon was destroyed when the Venetians targeted and hit the building with a mortar round during their attack against the Ottomans.
The Acropolis and the Parthenon have been undergoing significant renovations since 1975. The marble columns of the Parthenon are being restored, and you will most likely see scaffolding holding up portions of it during your visit. Many artifacts have been moved to the Acropolis Museum in Athens and the British Museum in London.
How to purchase tickets for the Acropolis
Booking a time slot in advance is mandatory. You have to book for a specific day and time.
There are two ticket options for entering the Acropolis and slopes. You can purchase an entrance ticket only for the Acropolis or a combination ticket for entrance into the Acropolis and six other ancient sites.
Free admission to the Acropolis is available on the following days:
*06 March
*18 April
*18 May
*The last weekend of September
*28 October
*the first Sunday of each month from November to March
Tickets are available online and also onsite.
Combination ticket: Acropolis and 6 archeological sites combo ticket
This ticket includes admission to the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Kerameikos, and Aristotle’s School.
Purchasing the combination ticket is absolutely worth it if you plan to visit the Acropolis and two or more archeological sites to skip the ticket lines at each site.
The combo tickets are valid for five days from the start date and can only be used once for admission to each site, including the Acropolis.
Pro tip: GetYourGuide is my go-to app for purchasing all my sightseeing tickets when traveling. You can buy the ONE combination ticket for the Acropolis and 6 archeological sites directly in the app. If you prefer to explore the Acropolis with a tour and learn from an experienced guide, this tour gets fantastic reviews.
Visiting the Acropolis in Athens
The best thing to do is to buy your tickets online and in advance to secure the preferred time and date for your visit. And the best time to explore the Acropolis is the first time slot of the day or two hours before closing.
Hours of operation
From 01 April to 31 August: 8am to 7pm with reduced hours for the remainder of the year. You can get the complete listing on the official website.
***The Acropolis will be closed on 01 January, 25 March, 01 May, Easter Sunday, 25 December, and 26 December.
How to get to the Acropolis
There are two entrances to the Acropolis: the main entrance and the side entrance.
The main entrance is at the western end of the Acropolis. This entrance is a short uphill walk from Monasteraki Square, but it gets notoriously busy.
The side entrance is at the southeastern corner of the Acropolis. It’s less known, and crowds are smaller and usually used for group tours.
From this Acropolis entrance, it is a steady uphill walk. You pass by Dionysus’ Theater and an excellent viewpoint over the Odeon of Herodes Atticus before you reach Propylaea, the entrance into the Acropolis.
An elevator on the northeastern side of the Acropolis provides access for people in wheelchairs. Learn more here.
Map of the Acropolis
How to use this map: Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To access the map, open the Google Maps app. Tap Saved. At the bottom, tap Maps. Choose the trip’s map from your list.
Tips to avoid the ticket lines at the Acropolis
Purchase tickets online in advance
Before you visit Athens, book your ticket online in advance. You will book a time slot for entry into the Acropolis and will not have to wait in a ticket line.
Purchase the combo ticket at a less-crowded site
Instead of making the Acropolis your first stop when exploring Athens, visit one of the less popular archeological sites, buy the combination ticket, and then use this to skip the ticket lines at the Acropolis and the other sites.
Pro tip: purchase the ONE combo ticket for Acropolis and 6 archeological sites online in advance. GetYourGuide is my go-to app for buying sightseeing tickets on my travels.
Best time to visit the Acropolis
The least crowded times to visit the Acropolis are at 8am and the end of the day or 2 hours before closing. The last hour of the day would be an excellent time to visit the Acropolis. Crowds are low, the sun is setting, and it’s no longer sweltering hot (if you are here in summer).
Try to avoid visiting at midday, especially in the summer. Crowds are high, and so are the temperatures.
Use the side entrance
Skip the crowds at the main entrance and enter through the smaller, lesser-known side entrance. See the map (above) for the exact location.
Join a guided tour to skip the lines
Consider booking a skip-the-line tour to explore the Acropolis with the assistance of a knowledgeable guide.
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The Acropolis’s sites are organized into two areas: the Acropolis and the slopes.
Acropolis area includes the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
The slopes are located on the south side of the Acropolis and include the Theater of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
Proplylaea
If you enter through the main entrance, this will be the first thing you see. This is the gateway into the Acropolis. It’s a grand entrance designed to impress visitors with its colonnaded entryway and marble buildings.
Temple of Athena Nike
The Temple of Athena Nike is next to the Propylaea. This small temple is dedicated to the goddess Athena Nike, the protector of Athens. It was recently renovated—completely taken apart and then put back together again—about 15 years ago.
Parthenon
The Parthenon is the jewel of the Acropolis, and for many visitors, this is the main reason for visiting Athens.
Since the Parthenon is undergoing a major renovation, one part will be covered with scaffolding and remain like this for some time. Even so, it’s a fantastic sight.
You cannot enter the Parthenon but walk around its entire circumference.
Erechtheion, Pandroseion, and the old Temple of Athena
There are three temples and sanctuaries that may seem like a single building but are actually separate. These were constructed at a sacred location where Athena and Poseidon battled to become Athens’s patron.
One of the most startling features is the famous Caryatids, six female statues that serve as columns supporting the porch roof.
Viewpoint of the Acropolis and Athens
There is a slightly elevated viewpoint at the far eastern end of the Acropolis. Look for the Greek flag.
From here, you have a fantastic view of the Acropolis and the Parthenon and one of the best views of Athens.
Theater of Dionysus
This ancient theater is on the southern slope of the Acropolis and near the Acropolis Museum. It was built in the 4th century BC, and the Greek tragedies of Euripides and Sophocles were performed here.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
This is one of the more modern buildings on the Acropolis, built in 161
AD. The theater, located on the southern slopes near Proplyaea, can accommodate almost 5,000 people and is still used for performances during the summer months.
Do you need a guide to explore the Acropolis
A guide is optional when visiting the Acropolis.
Each building on the Parthenon and the slopes has signs that give you the history and importance of each site. Signs are written in Greek and English.
If you want more information than just a few signs but want to avoid taking a tour, the ONE combo ticket includes an audio guide.
Ultimatelly, you can book a guided tour of the Acropolis. This tour of the Acropolis and the Parthenon gets fantastic reviews.
A visit to the Parthenon can last one to three hours.
After you visit the Acropolis
After you explore the Acropolis, you have two options.
You can use the side exit and visit the Acropolis Museum or the main exit and walk to Areopagus Hill (Mars Hill) to get a stunning view of the Acropolis.
Are you planning a visit to Athens and the Acropolis? Comment below if you need more info on how to visit the Acropolis in Athens.
Plan your visit to Athens with our 2-Days in Athens Itinerary. We also have a detailed list of Things to do in Athens and a guide to the Best rooftop bars with Acropolis views.
