Acropolis
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The Athenian Acropolis is the hill looking over the city of Athens and is home to some of the city’s most important archaeological sites. From the Parthenon, a temple to Athena which has become a symbol of Greece, to the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike, and with an incredible view of the city below, there’s lots to see at the Acropolis! The site can get busy so book a skip-the-line ticket to save time.
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Tickets
Book your advance tickets to the Acropolis in Athens!
Athens: Acropolis Entrance Ticket with Audio Guide
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Athens: Acropolis Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket with Audio Tour
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Guided Tours
Learn even more about the ruins of the Acropolis when you take a tour with an expert guide.Acropolis: Guided Walking Tour with Entrance Ticket
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Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon and Museum Private Guided Tour
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Athens, Acropolis & Museum Tour without Tickets
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Athens: Acropolis Guided Tour with Entry Ticket
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More Tickets & Tours
Browse even more products which include a trip to the Athenian Acropolis.Acropolis: Entrance Ticket and Guided Walking Tour
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Athens: Private Tour with Acropolis Skip-the-Line Entry
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Athens: Highlights and Acropolis Guided Tour without Tickets
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Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon, & Acropolis Museum Guided Tour
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5 Tips for Visiting the Acropolis
Athenian Acropolis | Photo: Arian Zwegers CC-BY 2.0
1
The right shoesWear sturdy shoes, as you’ll have to climb a hill and the site has uneven paths throughout. The marble paths can also be slippery in the rain so take care if you get caught in a downpour!
Athenian Acropolis | Photo: Nelo Hotsuma CC-BY 2.0
2
Don't forget sun protectionMake sure that you dress for the weather, as the hilltop is exposed to the elements! There’s very little shade, so bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and bottled water in summer, or escape to the Acropolis Museum (requires a separate ticket) for air conditioning and the chance to see some of the original sculptures.
3
Respect the excavationsDon't climb on or touch the buildings! The security guards are extremely vigilant and will intervene if they think you might break any of the site’s rules for visitors.
4
Be there on timeArrive early, especially in summer. The Acropolis is the most popular site in Athens and gets very busy throughout the day, plus you’ll miss the worst of the heat in July and August.
5
Doing your researchThere’s limited signage at the site, so don’t expect a huge amount of context for what you’re seeing. It can be helpful to bring a guide book or to do some research before your visit.
Acropolis from the air | Pixabay
Acropolis: The Center of Ancient Greece
The Acropolis comprised the most important religious buildings of ancient Athens, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Nike.Parthenon | Pixabay
Sights of the Acropolis
Parthenon
The main attraction for most guests is the Parthenon, which from the outside looks like the archetypal ancient temple, but has some architectural features to offer! The temple was dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of the city. Later the temple became first a church (dedicated to Saint Sophia), then a mosque. This was severely damaged during a siege in 1687, before many sculptures were moved to the British Museum in London by Lord Elgin in the 19th century.Temple of Athena Nike
The temple of Athena Nike is the first Ionic temple on the Acropolis, most of the others are built in Doric style. It was built after military victories.Erechtheion with the Caryatids | Pixabay
Erechtheion
The Erechtheion has three distinct areas dedicated to three different gods - Athena Polias, Poseidon-Erectheus, and Hephaestus. The temple was the home of the city’s most important religious relics: marks of Poseidon’s trident, the saltwater well which he created by striking the rock, and the olive tree which Athena conjured when the two gods were competing to decide who would be the city’s patron. The templea also contained the tomb of the legendary king Kekrops I. The Erechtheion has a portico to the north, and the south porch is held up by caryatids - giant sculptures of women.Propylaea
The Propylaea is an unfinished gateway building from the 5th century BC, it was supposed to be the entrance to the sacred sites of the Acropolis.Significance of the Acropolis in Antiquity and Today
The Acropolis is the site of the most important religious buildings from Classical Athens. These temples of the Acropolis were built in the 5th Century B.C., also known as the Golden Age of Athens, and symbolized Athens’ power over the Delian league of city-states - it was also largely paid for by money which came from the Delian league. The previous buildings on the Acropolis had been destroyed by a fire when the Persians sacked Athens in 480 B.C., and the move to rebuild even bigger and better temples than those destroyed was a form of propaganda, sending a message to the rest of the ancient world. The buildings survived the centuries mostly intact and became a symbol of not just Athens, but all of Greece.
Akropolis | Pixabay
Restoration of the Buildings on the Acropolis
Not all buildings are completely in their original state. The Greek government and the EU have been funding restoration work for years. These include working with the fragments on site, finding out their origin and eventually filling the gaps with new marble pieces. In the Parthenon, for example, this can be observed very well. Since the original sculptures are divided between the British Museum in London and the Acropolis Museum, very few are actually on the Acropolis anymore. Among other things, the Acropolis Museum still displays the original sculptures of the Caryatids from the Erechtheion, some figures from the pediment, and various friezes. A visit to the museum, located only a short walk from the Acropolis Archaeological Site, is worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to explore the site?
A quick visit to the Acropolis, without a guide, can be completed in about an hour. If you’re a history or architecture buff then you’ll probably want to linger a little longer, but you’ll still probably finish your visit within 2 hours - most guided tours also take between 1 and 2 hours. If you’re planning to combine your visit with a trip to the Acropolis Museum (which is highly recommended, since you’ll get to see the original sculptures up close) then you should plan to spend an entire morning or afternoon between the two sites, possibly longer. Read more.
Can you go inside the buildings of the Acropolis?
The buildings of the Acropolis can only be viewed from the outside so that visitors don’t damage the stone through wear. Several of the temples are also undergoing construction work almost constantly, with scaffolding holding the structure up, so it wouldn’t be safe for visitors to enter. There’s still plenty to see on the outside, plus you get a wonderful view over Athens from the top of the hill. Read more.
General Information
Opening Hours:
In the summer, the Acropolis Museum is open from 8 am until 4 pm on Mondays, from 8 am to 10 pm on Fridays, and from 8 am to 8 pm on all other days. In winter, the museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Thursday, from 9 am to 10 pm on Fridays, and from 9 am to 8 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Address:
Acropolis Hill
10555 Athens
Tickets:
During summer, tickets for the Acropolis Museum cost €10 for adults and €5 for children, students, and visitors over the age of 65. During winter, tickets cost €5 for adults and €3 for reduced entry tickets. EU citizens aged 18 and under, or children under the age of 5 from non-EU countries, can enter free of charge.
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