In a nutshell
- The Acropolis is a hill in Athens and the city’s top attraction. The most iconic sight is the Parthenon, perched high at the very top.
- The standard Acropolis ticket costs 30 euros — our top pick. There are also combination tickets that include other archaeological sites or a guided tour.
- Plan on spending two to three hours at the Acropolis. The grounds are large and you’ll be climbing a lot of steps up and down the hill.
- In this article you’ll find all our advice on buying tickets for the Acropolis, plus practical tips to help you make the most of your visit.
What Is the Acropolis?
The Acropolis is not a building — it’s a hill. Essentially, it’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens. On top of the hill stand various temples from the 5th century BC.
Today the Acropolis is the top attraction in Athens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. A visit to the nearly 3,000-year-old upper city is simply a must on any trip to Athens.
Since every visitor to Athens thinks the same thing, the Acropolis is always very crowded — especially in summer.
The Acropolis on a Map
To give you a better sense of the Acropolis grounds, we’ve marked everything on a map — including the entrances and the key highlights.
Entrances to the Acropolis
There are two entrances to the Acropolis. One is on the west side (though it’s called the north entrance), and the other is on the south side of the hill.
We recommend using the south entrance — there’s already quite a bit to see along the way up. The south entrance is right at the Acropoli metro station.
To head back down, take the north entrance. From there, you can easily walk to Monastiraki metro station or over to Philopappos Hill.
Also read our tips on the Athens Metro
Buying Tickets for the Acropolis
You can buy your ticket online or on-site. To skip the line at the ticket counter, we strongly recommend buying an online ticket.
Buy your Acropolis ticket online
You have several ticket options for visiting the Acropolis. Broadly speaking, there are three:
- Standard ticket for the Acropolis
- Acropolis admission including a guided tour
- Combination tickets
#1 Standard Ticket for the Acropolis
The standard ticket covers admission to the Acropolis only — and it’s our recommended pick for most visitors.
- Ticket price: 30 euros
You can buy it online or at the entrances on-site. Expect a line if you buy on-site, so grab it in advance online!
Get the standard Acropolis ticket
Our tip: Add the optional audio guide — it’s available in English and several other languages. There are very few signs at the monuments, so you’ll get a lot more out of your visit with some background context.
#2 Acropolis Admission with a Guided Tour
A guided tour of the Acropolis is more personal and more engaging than the audio guide. There are some excellent English-language tours available.
Acropolis guided tour in English
#3 Combination Tickets for the Acropolis
A combination ticket is a smart choice if you want to visit other attractions beyond the Acropolis during your time in Athens.
Our top pick is the combination ticket that includes additional archaeological sites. It pays off the moment you plan to visit even one more site — like the Ancient Agora.
Combination ticket: Acropolis + 5 additional archaeological sites
If you also want to add the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Athens, the Turbopass for Athens is worth a look. It covers all the major Athens attractions plus the sightseeing bus.
Check out the Turbopass for Athens
Note: From November through March, combination tickets and the Turbopass usually aren’t worth it. In winter, admission to most attractions costs about half as much.
Read our city pass comparison for Athens, too:
Extra tip: Free Admission to the Acropolis
On certain days of the year, admission to the Acropolis is completely free. Just head to the ticket counter and you’ll receive a zero-euro ticket.
These are the free admission days:
- Every first Sunday of the month from November 1 through March 31
- March 6, April 18, May 18, the last weekend of September, October 28
Some groups of visitors always get free entry to the Acropolis — including children under five and EU citizens under 25. You’ll need to show your ID or passport at the ticket counter.
Visiting the Acropolis with Kids
If you’re traveling with children and you’ve bought an online ticket for yourself, you’ll still need to pick up a zero-euro ticket for the kids at the ticket counter on-site.
Note: Strollers are not permitted on the Acropolis grounds.
Important Tips for Visiting the Acropolis
When visiting the Acropolis, you’ll be walking a lot uphill and downhill. The entrances are on the slopes of the hill, while the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion sit at the very top.
From the south entrance, it’s about 800 meters uphill to reach the Parthenon. That can be exhausting — especially under the blazing summer sun.
Once you’re at the top, you can walk freely around the grounds. There are restrooms and vending machines where you can buy water.
There’s also a loop trail around the hill, signposted as North Slope and South Slope. This trail takes you past the attractions on the slopes of the Acropolis.
On Google Maps, this loop trail is called Peripatos and it’s 1 kilometer long.
Acropolis Opening Hours
These are the opening hours of the Acropolis:
- Summer (April – October): 8 AM – 8 PM (last admission: 7:30 PM)
- Winter (November – March): 8 AM – 5 PM (last admission: 4:30 PM)
The Acropolis is closed on these days:
- January 1
- March 25
- May 1
- Easter Sunday
- December 25 and 26
Our tip: Avoid the midday hours. That’s when the Acropolis is at its most crowded and hottest.
Getting to the Acropolis
From the city center, you can walk to the Acropolis. It’s also super easy to reach by metro or hop-on/hop-off bus.
The Acropoli metro station drops you almost right at the south entrance. From Monastiraki and Thissio stations, the north entrance is just a short walk away.
All hop-on/hop-off bus routes stop at the north entrance — it’s also where you can switch between routes.
Get tickets for the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Athens
Unfortunately, the entrances to the Acropolis aren’t listed on Google Maps. Here’s how to find them:
- Greek National Tourism Organisation Information Point
- Café Acropolis Canteen
Attractions at the Acropolis
Here’s an overview of the most important things to see at the Acropolis.
The Parthenon
The most iconic structure at the Acropolis is the Parthenon. Unfortunately, only a fraction remains of what was once a massive temple.
Construction began in 447 BC and was completed after nine years. Over the centuries, the temple served many purposes — as a church, a mosque, and a storehouse.
Preserving the remaining structure is incredibly complex, which is why there is almost always construction work going on at the Parthenon.
The Erechtheion
Just a few meters from the Parthenon stands the Erechtheion. Instead of columns, this temple is supported by Caryatids — though today they are replicas. The originals are on display at the Acropolis Museum.
According to Greek mythology, this is the very spot where the contest for Athens took place — a competition between Poseidon and Athena for the favor of the city’s people.
Poseidon struck his trident into the rock and unleashed a wave of saltwater. Athena, on the other hand, caused an olive tree to bloom — the very first one in existence. The people chose Athena.
The Propylaea
The Propylaea is the monumental gateway to the Acropolis. Anyone visiting today, just as 3,000 years ago, must pass through it. This is where the crowds always build up the most.
Don’t expect to get photos without other people in them.
On the South Slope: Theater of Herodes Atticus
The imposing amphitheater of Herodes Atticus sits against the south slope of the Acropolis. When you enter through the south entrance, you walk right past it.
You can only view the massive, 2,000-year-old theater from the outside — but since the path runs just a few meters above the top row of seats, the vantage point is excellent.
On the South Slope: Theater of Dionysus
Nearby stands the Theater of Dionysus — the birthplace of Greek tragedy and the first theater ever built in stone. During the Roman period, it held around 17,000 seats and was used for gladiatorial contests.
You’re actually allowed to walk around inside and take a break on the steps. There’s no shade, though, so bring water.
Before the North Entrance: Areopagus Hill
Areopagus Hill is just a few meters from the north entrance — somewhere between a small hill and a large rock. From here you get a really great view of the Acropolis. Just watch your step carefully — the rock can be slippery.
In antiquity, the Areopagus was the seat of the highest court. Later, both the Persians and the Turks used it as a vantage point for attacks on the Acropolis.
Acropolis Museum
Just a few meters from the south entrance — outside the actual Acropolis grounds — you’ll find the new Acropolis Museum. It opened in 2008 and houses the many ancient artifacts from the Acropolis.
The collection is arranged chronologically, so as you walk through you’re taken on a journey through the centuries-long history of the site.
Throughout the museum, you can look down through glass floors to see excavated ancient foundations below — and you can explore part of this archaeological site up close as part of your visit.
The Acropolis Museum requires a separate ticket — it’s not included in the standard Acropolis admission.
Get skip-the-line tickets for the Acropolis Museum
Get the combined Acropolis + Acropolis Museum ticket
Hotel Tips Near the Acropolis
You can stay very close to the entrances of the Acropolis. These are our hotel recommendations in Athens near the Acropolis:
Akropolis View Hotel: Great value for money, five minutes to the north entrance.
Niche Hotel Athens: Stylish boutique hotel in Athens, five minutes to the south entrance.
360 Degrees: Prime location at Monastiraki Square, ten minutes to the north entrance.
Also read all our tips for hotels near the Acropolis:
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting the Acropolis
How much time should you allow for the Acropolis?
Two hours is the minimum you’ll need to visit the Acropolis. If you also want to walk the full circuit (which we highly recommend), climb Areopagus Hill, and check out the museum, plan on at least half a day.
When is the Acropolis least crowded?
Honestly, it’s always busy at the Acropolis. The quietest times are early in the morning right after opening or late in the evening before closing.
During the off-season from November to March, it’s generally much less busy than in summer.
Are there restrooms at the Acropolis?
Yes. There are restrooms at the top of the Acropolis (near the old museum) and at both entrances.
Can you buy food and drinks on the Acropolis?
No. At the top of the hill, there are only a few vending machines where you can buy water bottles — so it’s worth bringing your own.
Which travel guide for Athens and the Acropolis is the best?
For an English-language option, the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Greece, Athens & the Mainland is a solid choice — it covers the Acropolis in great detail and is easy to use on the ground.
