Last Updated on February 13, 2026
There are some attractions and landmarks around the world, that need no introduction and the Acropolis of Athens is one of them. The hilltop citadel overlooking the city is a place not to be missed while visiting the Greek capital. You simply cannot go to Athens and not visit the Acropolis.
More than 4 million people visited the Acropolis in the previous year, and those numbers will surely remain as high in the following year. As it’s the case with any popular attraction, that draws huge crowds, careful planning is the key to having a great and enjoyable visit.
There have been some changes in the last couple of years when it comes to visiting the Acropolis. New rules were introduced to better manage the crowds. Daily limit of people, timed entry ticket and price increase (of course) are just some of the changes. The money saving combo ticket has also been discontinued.
So, if you are seeing conflicting information online about the ticket options, prices and rules for visiting, it’s likely because those changes are recent and some articles might be outdated.
This Acropolis guide has all the up-to-date information like the ticketing system, current pricing and rules for visiting. So, if you are planning a visit in the near future, this is a must read.
About the Acropolis
The Acropolis is an ancient Greek city, typically build up on a hill and many cities in Greece have one. But when we think of the Acropolis, the one in Athens usually comes to mind, as it’s the most famous and recognizable one. Acropolis of Athens is home to some of the most important temples of ancient Greece; it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited places in the world.
The name Acropolis comes from the Greek word akros and means “the hill city”, which refers to its location up on a hill. It was the city’s religious and cultural center. As evidence shows, the Acropolis has been inhabited since Neolithic period (7000 BC), although the structures and building you see there were built much later, mostly around the 5th century BCE.
The big star is of course the Parthenon, the main temple dedicated to Athena, the city’s goddess. But there are several other important structures that make up the Acropolis of Athens like Temple of Athena Nike, the main gateway Propylaea and my personal favorite Erechtheion.
Over the centuries, the Acropolis suffered serious damage caused by various events like Persian invasion, explosion and looting. But for several decades now, the Acropolis and Parthenon have been undergoing continues restorations in the effort to preserve this beautiful and important place.
Acropolis Tickets
Entrance fee
General admission is €30 year-round. No more discounted fare in the winter, it’s the same price no matter when you visit. There is however a reduced rate of €15 for EU citizens over 65 and teachers accompanying students from all over the world.
Be sure to pre-book your tickets online, especially if you are traveling in high season. The number of visitors is now capped at 20,000 a day, and tickets sell out each day during the busy months (which is typically from June – September).
Visiting the Acropolis is free on the first Sunday of the month from November through March, as well as on a handful of other dates (March 6, April 18, May 18, last weekend in September and October 28).
Those tickets need to be collected in person at the ticket counter.
The Combination ticket has been discontinued as of April 1, 2025.
Where to get tickets
Online – I highly suggest booking your Acropolis tickets online prior to your visit. There are available for up to a year in advance. This will not only guarantee you get to visit it on your preferred day, but will also save you from waiting in the ticket line. Those lines are notorious for being really long, especially in busy season and there’s always a risk, that there will be no tickets available that day.
Your ticket has a timed entry and is valid from 15 minutes before to 15 minutes after the selected time. Once you’re in, there’s no limit how long you can stay. Below is the official site for booking the Acropolis tickets.
Book your Acropolis tickets here
In person – assuming there are tickets available, you can also buy them at the ticket office (both entrances have one). But this is a risky move, if you are visiting in high season. During the busy months, tickets sell out fast, especially for the most popular entry times (early morning and late afternoon).
Group Tour – if you book a guided Tour of the Acropolis, that automatically includes a ticket. Many of those tours also include skip-the-line access, so you get to bypass the usually long line. Some Acropolis Tours also combine a visit to the Acropolis Museum.
Opening hours
The Acropolis opening hours vary depending on time of year you visit.
- From November 1st – March 31 – the site is open from 8 am until 5 pm (last admission at 4.30 pm)
- From April 1st – October 31 – 8 am to 5 pm in the winter (last admission at 4.30 pm).
There are a few days a year when the Acropolis is closed and those are: January 1, March 25, May 1, December 25, December 26. It may also close temporarily during mid-day hours during extreme heatwaves.
Best time to visit the Acropolis
The Acropolis is such a popular attraction, that you can forget being there with just a handful of people no matter what time you go. But if you want to avoid the biggest crowds, visit right at the opening time (8 am) or later in the afternoon, a couple of hours before the closing time.
Late afternoon’s light is also great for photography, especially during Golden Hour.
Avoid mid-day if you can, as this is the busiest time, full of group tours, day trippers and cruise ship passengers. It’s also the hottest time of the day and summers get REALLY hot in Greece. Sometimes, if there is a major heatwave, the Acropolis is closed during the mid-day hours due to extreme heat.
If you can, avoid weekends as well, as they tend to be much busier than weekdays.
How to get to the Acropolis
The Acropolis has two entrances, the Main entrance on the Western and the Side entrance on the Southern side
- The Main entrance – located on Theorias Street, on the western side of the hill. When you enter through it, it leads you straight to Propylaea, known as the main gateway to the Acropolis. This entrance is used by tour groups, so it’s almost always much busier than the side entrance, definitely during the high season.
- The Side entrance – is located on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, right across from the Acropolis Museum. When you choose this entrance, it’s a bit longer, but very scenic walk up to the Acropolis Hill, taking you past the Theatre of Dionysus and Odeon of Herodes Atticus before you reach Propylaea. This entrance is generally less crowded, as most people and tour groups navigate towards the Main Entrance.
So even though the two Acropolis entrances are on different sides of the hill, they both lead to Propylaea, the main gateway to the site. It’s just that one is shorter and more direct and the other one a longer, more picturesque walk past the theatres.
So, depending on where you are staying in Athens, choose the one that’s the closest. If you are in Plaka, which is one of the most popular neighborhoods for tourists, the Side entrance is right there. Also, if you are coming from a different neighborhood in Athen via subway, the Metro Station Acropoli (Ακρόπολη) is just a short walk from the Side entrance (it’s a stop for the Red Line 2 only).
Both entrances have two lines, one for people who already have tickets and another for those who want to purchase their Acropolis tickets in person.
How much time do you need to visit the Acropolis
Allow at least 2 hours to explore the Acropolis. Closer to 3 will probably be better if you want to walk around the entire site at a nice pace, without rushing through it. If you book a guided tour, they usually last 2-2.5 hours, unless they include a visit to the Acropolis Museum. Then you are looking at closer to 4 hours.
What to see while visiting the Acropolis
It’s very common for people to confuse the Acropolis and the Parthenon. So, to clarify: the Acropolis is the name of the entire hill, where you will find several temples and structures. The famous Parthenon is one of those structures. So, Parthenon is a temple within the Acropolis complex.
There’s also an area called the Slopes, on the south side of the Acropolis, where you’ll see more sites like a couple of ancient theatres and sanctuaries. Your ticket gives you access to both areas.
Parthenon
Parthenon is the main attraction and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. It’s the reason many people visit the Acropolis and even Athens in the first place. Built between 447 and 432 BC, the Temple was dedicated to Athena, the goddess of the city.
The Parthenon is the largest temple on the Acropolis hill and without a doubt the greatest example of ancient Greek architecture.
It as 46 outer columns and 23 more on the inside. If you look very closely, the columns lean slightly inward, so if extended, they would eventually meet in the center.
The Parthenon has a long history and has been through a lot over the centuries. Originally built as a temple to Athena, later became a Christian church, a mosque and suffered serious damage.
Erechtheion
Most people are all about the Parthenon, but this was my personal favorite structure at the Acropolis. This temple is dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon.
One of the most striking features of Erechtheion is the porch with 6 women statues, known as Caryatids, who serve as supporting columns for the roof. The ones you see at the Acropolis are reconstructions. You can see the originals at the Acropolis Museum.
The olive tree you see right by the Temple symbolizes the very first olive tree planted by Athena as a gift to the city. The one you see today is not the original and was planted in the 20th century, but it marks the spot where the original tree once was.
Propylaea
This will be one of the first structures you’ll see when visiting the Acropolis. Built between 437 and 432 BC, Propylaea served as the grand entrance to the ancient complex. It’s huge with many columns, staircases and porticos.
Temple of Athena Nike
Located right next to Propylaea is Temple of Athena Nike, the smallest structure at the Acropolis. Even though small in size, this building is historically very important.
Inside of the Temple was once a bronze statue of Athena holding a pomegranate symbolizing peace and a helmet symbolizing war.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Before you reach Propylaea, the grand entrance, you’ll see The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a huge theatre. It was built in 161 AD by a wealthy man Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife. The Amphitheatre could hold as many as 5000 people and is still used today for concerts and various performances.
Theater of Dionysus
If you enter the Acropolis through the side entrance (near the Museum), you’ll this ancient theatre on your way up. It’s located in the part of the complex knowns as the Slopes.
Theatre of Dionysus was built in the 5th century BC and it’s considered to be one of the world’s first theatres. Dedicated to Dionysus, the God of wine and theatre, it was where some of the first Greek plays were performed. It could hold as many as 17,000 people.
Viewpoints
Since the Acropolis sits up on the big hill, it offers some of the best views of Athens. Just take a stroll along the walls and you can see the city in every direction.
The official viewpoint is on the elevated platform where the big Greek flag is. From there, you can see a lot of the popular attractions in Athens. So, depending in which direction you look, you see Lycabettus Hill, the Ancient Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Panathenaic Stadium.
Do you need a guide to visit the Acropolis?
You don’t really need a guide to navigate the site as it’s well marked with some information near the main temples. But having a guide can really enhance your experience, especially if you don’t know much about the history of the Acropolis.
It’s good to know what you’re looking at, otherwise it becomes just a walk among the ruins. A good guide will prove an in-depth information and bring the place to life, so you will definitely get more out of the experience.
But if you are the kind of traveler who like to do research and read up on a place before visiting and you are familiar with the Acropolis history, you might do fine without a guide. You can also download the highly recommended Rick Steve’s free audio guide as extra help.
Best Acropolis Guided Tours
If you decide to explore the Acropolis with a guided tour, you’ll have several choices: from private, small group tours to tours that grant you early access and even themed tours. It all depends on what kind of experience you prefer, time and of course budget).
A small group tour is, in my opinion, the most optimal option. They keep the groups intimate, so it’s a more personal experience, but it won’t break the bank. Below are some great examples of small group tours of Acropolis, that are highly rated and recommended.
- Small Group Guided Tour of Acropolis & Parthenon
- First Access Acropolis and Parthenon Guided Tour
- Acropolis and Mythology Highlights Small Group Tour
A private tour will come with a higher cost but gives you flexibility and a fully personalized experience. It definitely makes perfect sense booking a private a guide vs a group tour, if you are traveling with a family or group of friends.
One of the most popular private guides in Athens is Christina Christaki. You can find and message her on Facebook to ask about availability and cost. She’s a licensed guide with a wealth of knowledgeable about Athens, Greek history and mythology, also speaks several languages. People love her and she is in high demand, so don’t wait until last minute to book her, especially in high season.
Tips for visiting the Acropolis in Athens
Book your tickets well in advance – buying your tickets online saves you time and guarantees you enter at the desired time. I’m always amazed at all the people who don’t book their tickets online, especially to the very popular attractions and choose to waste their time standing in long lines. Don’t be one of them.
Don’t visit during the busiest times – the Acropolis is the busiest from late morning until early afternoon, when tour groups, day trippers and cruise ship passengers usually visit. Avoid those hours if you don’t like the crowds. This is also the hottest part of the day, so if you are visiting in the summer, the scorching heat can make the sightseeing uncomfortable. Harsh mid-day light is also not great for photography.
Use the Side Entrance – since more people and most tour group use the Main Entrance, there are usually less people at the Side Entrance.
Visit the Parthenon first – when you arrive early head straight to the Parthenon. This what everyone wants to see so once the crowds start showing up, it will be mobbed. Visit it as soon as you enter when it’s still relatively quiet, then see all the other sites and temples after.
Scaffolding around the Parthenon – I happened to be in Athens during a short window of time when the scaffolding around the Parthenon was removed. This is why on the photos here you see the unobstructed view of the Parthenon. But as restoration work continues, that was only temporary, so it will most likely be covered again when you visit.
Bring water – and there’s a fountain at the top of the hill where you can refill your bottle.
Drones are not allowed – if you fly one you will get a hefty fine.
Bring a wide-angle lens – the Parthenon and other Temples at the Acropolis are big, so you’ll need a wide-angle lens to fit the entire structure into a frame.
Acropolis is wheelchair accessible – there is an elevator located on the northwest side of the Acropolis, which allows people on wheelchairs (or with other mobility difficulties) access the top of the hill.
Best views of the Acropolis
Good news is, that because the Acropolis sits up on the hill, that is way higher than any building in Athens, you can get a view of the Acropolis from almost anywhere in the city. A lot of hotels and Airbnb rentals will have amazing views from either a balcony or a rooftop terrace. There are also several roof top bars and restaurants that
So, while you can see the Acropolis from many spots in the city, below are several places to save if you want truly amazing views:
- Restaurant at the Acropolis Museum – the restaurant on the second floor of the museum has an outdoor terrace, that has an amazing view. Prices are a bit higher, but that’s to be expected.
- Areopagus Hill – this small rocky hill has a direct view of the Acropolis (and Athens) and it’s especially striking during Golden Hour and sunset. The hill is very close to the Main Entrance of the Acropolis, so use it to either enter or exit and then you can easily walk over. If you have the afternoon ticket you can time it nicely with the sunset.
- A for Athens – this is one of the rooftop bars in Athens, located on top of the hotel with the same name. It’s right in the Monastiraki Square and it’s quite popular, so it does get busy. Still, it offers one of the best views of the Acropolis. Golden hour and sunset are best times to go there, but it can be crowded.
- Lycabettus Hill – the highest point in Athens with amazing views of the city and the Acropolis in the center of it. There’s a cable car that gets you to the top, unless you’re up for an uphill hike
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