A first-time guide to the Acropolis

23.07.2024 - 10:36 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 22, 2024 • 9 min read

Overlooking modern-day Athens, the mighty Acropolis is a powerful reminder of the city's ancient history. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, this "high city" served various purposes, from housing Greece's kings to being a center for worship and intellectual activity.

Through natural disasters, foreign invasions and periods of neglect, the Acropolis has proven it was built to last and serves as a symbol of resilience. Many ancient cities around Greece also had their own Acropolis, but the Athenian Acropolis is undoubtedly the most famed, now attracting about three million visitors a year.

Beyond the iconic Parthenon, the site boasts numerous other attractions. Read on for how to get the most out of your visit.

The best time to visit the Acropolis is during the shoulder seasons of April, May, and October. Summer, particularly in July and August, marks Greece's peak season, drawing large crowds of both local and international tourists. Consequently, the Acropolis can be extremely busy during this time. While summer days can be pleasant, Greece also experiences heatwaves, which have become unbearable in recent years, and as such, the Acropolis closes during the hottest days to protect people. To ensure access, it's best to check the news or the official ticket website for updates. Visiting during the milder temperatures of spring and fall not only offers a more comfortable experience but also reduces the risk of slippery conditions caused by rain during the winter months.

You could easily spend two or three hours exploring. Beyond the Parthenon, there are more than 30 points of interest that make up the Acropolis, including temples, sanctuaries, a theater and caves.

Visitation to the Acropolis has increased in recent years, so it’s now mandatory to book a timed entry slot. You can do this via the official ticketing website. The visitor cap is now 20,000 people per day. The site is generally busiest from 10am to 2pm. Evenings on weekdays tend to be quieter. Visitors are advised to arrive 30 minutes before their selected timed entry slot.

Tickets for the Acropolis can also be purchased at the site itself. It's not recommended, as you're not guaranteed a time slot. There are two entrances to the Acropolis, and you can buy tickets at both. You can purchase a single-entry ticket or a combination ticket. The single ticket grants you access to the Acropolis and all its monuments, like the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the attractions on its slopes (Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Theatre of Dionysus), while the combination ticket allows you to see more archaeological sites in Athens (information below).

There are options to skip the line, have an audio guide or join a guided tour. At a minimum, it’s