Acropolis of Athens, Attica, Greece

The Acropolis of Athens is one of the world’s most important archaeological sites and the great symbol of ancient Greek culture. The rocky hill, about 150 metres above sea level, has been inhabited since prehistoric times and became the religious centre of ancient Athens. Its famous marble monuments were built in the 5th century BC under Pericles. The Acropolis has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and attracts millions of visitors every year.

The most famous building is the Parthenon, a temple of the goddess Athena, protector of the city, built between 447 and 432 BC. Visitors also see the Erechtheion with its porch of the Caryatids, the small Temple of Athena Nike and the monumental gateway of the Propylaea. On the southern slope lie the Theatre of Dionysus and the Roman Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Together they form one of the most influential groups of buildings in Western architecture.

Visitor Information

From the top there are wide views over Athens as far as the sea, at their best early in the morning and towards sunset, when the marble glows in warm light. The Acropolis Museum at the foot of the hill shows the sculptures and finds from the site, including the original Caryatids, and has a separate ticket. Many travellers visit both on the same day.

Since April 2025 a ticket to the Acropolis costs €30 all year round; the reduced ticket costs €15, and EU citizens under 25 enter free. Tickets are sold for a fixed entry time, so book ahead on the official Hellenic Heritage website (hhticket.gr), especially in summer. The former combined ticket for several Athens sites has been discontinued. Admission is free on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and the first Sunday of each month from November to March, but those days are very crowded.

The site opens daily at 8:00. In summer it stays open into the evening, until about 19:00–20:00 depending on the month; from November to March it closes at 17:00, and last entry is half an hour before closing. It is closed on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Orthodox Easter Sunday and 25–26 December, and in heatwaves it may close during the hottest hours. Come at opening time, wear shoes with a good grip on the polished marble and bring water.

The Acropolis is in the centre of Athens. Akropoli station on metro line 2 is a few minutes’ walk from the south-east entrance, which is usually quieter than the main gate; Monastiraki station (lines 1 and 3) is about 15 minutes away on foot through Plaka. From Athens International Airport, metro line 3 reaches Syntagma in about 40 minutes, one stop from Akropoli. The Plaka district below the hill is full of restaurants, cafés and pedestrian streets.