8 Great Tips For Visiting The Acropolis

The Acropolis is one of the most popular archaeological sites in all of Greece, and is a must see if you are headed to Athens. As someone who majored in art history in college, visiting the Acropolis myself was pretty much a dream come true. You don’t have to be an expert on ancient Greek history to make your visit a success! With these tips, you’ll be able to skip long lines, save some €, and plan a visit that would make the goddess Athena (the city’s patron goddess) proud. 

1. Arrive early

The first day I attempted to visit the Acropolis, I figured I could just stroll up to the line at around 1:00 PM, buy a ticket, and waltz on into the site. I couldn’t have been more wrong! As I approached the entrance, my eyes grew wider and wider as I followed the seemingly endless line of people standing in line for tickets. Fortunately, I had another day in town and was able to postpone my visit until the next day. To save yourself from making this mistake, arrive early-at 8:00 before the tour groups and crowds get there first!

2. …Or Late

Another great tactic to avoid these lines is to head to the Acropolis a little later, once some of the early morning crowds have died out. The site is open until 8:00 PM, and the line starts to shorten around 3:00. Even if you choose to go around 5:00, you should have plenty of time to explore.

3. Purchase a combo ticket

If you are planning on seeing more than 2 archaeological sites on the day you visit the Acropolis, then go ahead and purchase a combo ticket. The regular ticket for entrance to the Acropolis costs €20, while the combo ticket costs €30. I only visited the Acropolis and the Agora that day, a total of €28, so this option would not have saved me money, but if you plan on visiting 3 or more sites you should cover your costs. The other sites included in this ticket are:

• The Acropolis (€20)
• The North and South Acropolis Slopes (€10)
• The Roman Agora (€8) (which I accidentally thought was free and walked in without paying. No one said anything, and I was confused why my boyfriend was refusing to follow me inside…whoops!)
• Hadrian’s Library (€4)
• The Ancient Agora (€8)
• Kerameikos (€8)
• Olympieon (€6)

4. Do Some Research

The Acropolis itself is amazing, but actually having an understanding of what you are looking at will make your visit even more incredible. I was lucky enough to learn about the Acropolis, Parthenon, Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike in school. However, if these words are (pardon the expression) “all Greek” to you, perhaps consider a quick Google search before going to heighten your experience and understanding.

Pro tip: If you don’t have data, pull up a few useful articles on your phone and save them before your visit! As questions pop up, you’ll have the articles in your hand to reference. 

5. Or Hire A Guide

Reading up not quite your style? Hire a tour guide or join a tour group to get accurate, on site knowledge as you take everything in.

6. Bring Water

This tip is especially important in the summer months, as examining ancient ruins in the baking sun can get very hot and dehydrating. Bring your own water to save yourself some money and prevent you from having to exit the site early. 

7. Wear Appropriate Shoes

While visiting the Acropolis in sandals is do-able, consider doing yourself (and your feet) a favor and wear something a little more substantial. I wore Vans and have never been happier to forgo my cute sandals. The terrain can be pretty rocky and dusty, and the Acropolis is, after all, on a hill. (The name Acropolis even comes from the Greek word meaning highest point.) Instead of worrying about your feet, you’ll be able to enjoy the history around you!

8. Visit the Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum is, unfortunately, not included in the Acropolis ticket, but is absolutely worth the additional expense. For just €5, you’ll gain access to a collection over 4,000 objects marveled at by over 1 million visitors each year. The museum is amazing, and will give you a deeper feel for what the Acropolis and Parthenon were like, and the museum itself is even built over an extensive archaeological site.

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Enjoy your visit! Let me know if you have any tips or tricks for a great visit to the Acropolis, or for any of Athens’ amazing sights in the comment section!

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