Welcome to Athens, the timeless city that stands as a testament to Ancient civilisation and is home to one of the most iconic landmarks in the world: the Acropolis. Nestled on the top of a rocky hill, overlooking a bustling modern metropolis, the Acropolis is a breathtaking sight that transports you back in time to the glory of ancient Greece. This is a place that I’ve wanted to visit for a long time, and this year I made that dream a reality. It wasn’t a solo trip, but a trip with my husband to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary, and what a treat! You see, Athens is perfect for couples, solo, friends and family travel. If you are a fan of the Ancient Greeks and the classical period, then you will be amazed. Today’s blog brings to you my top tips on visiting the Acropolis.

Introduction to the Acropolis – What does Acropolis actually mean?

The term “acropolis” is derived from the Greek words “akron” meaning “highest point” and “polis” meaning “city.” In ancient Greece, an acropolis referred to the fortified hilltop or elevated area within a city-state where important religious, governmental, and cultural buildings were located. So there is not one, but many ‘Acropolis’ as they were a popular concept in ancient Greece. However, when people talk about ‘The Acropolis’ they are usually referring to the one in Athens.

Is the Acropolis worth Visiting?

The Acropolis is definitely worth visiting and it’s a destination that I believe everyone should see once in a lifetime at least. The ancient theatres (the theatre of Dionysus and Theatre of Herodes Atticus) and temples (Parthenon and Erechtheion) that are found here are truly phenomenal. I would recommend doing it when you are relatively young, fit and healthy as it’s a bit of a climb and on rocky ground. You will also need a pair of decent walking boots like these….

Accessibility and the Acropolis – Disabled Lift

People with mobility issues may struggle to climb the Acropolis. There is actually a lift to take disabled people up the there – if you need to use this contact the beforehand and also bring a doctors note or disabled badge as proof of your disability.

When to visit the Acropolis in Athens

I went to the Acropolis in Easter (very early in the day as well) and it was already intensely hot. It wouldn’t surprise me if people got heatstroke when visiting. I would not dare to venture up the Acropolis from May to September due to the intensity of the heat. The best time to visit the Acropolis is from October to April and on a weekday. Avoid both UK and Greek school holidays. Always go very first thing in the morning, do not attempt to climb the Acropolis during the heat of the day (12-3pm).

Visiting the Acropolis – Top Tips

Here are my top tips for visiting the Acropolis in Athens….

• Wear suncream and a sun hat and take plenty of water – it gets very hot up there as it is the highest point in Athens.
• If you are travelling by Metro, get the metro to Monastiraki which is the best stop for the Acropolis and other ancient Greek sites.
• You will then have a 20 minute uphill walk so be sure to wear sturdy walking boots (I love my lightweight Karrimor ones).
• You need to get there EARLY and I am talking as early as possible (around 8am) to avoid the crowds and the heat of the day.
• When you buy your ticket, go to the main ticket office (this is NOT at the gate but a little building further away from the entrance that usually has no queues).
• Buy the COMBINED ticket for just €30 (price at time of writing in June 2023 – prices can vary with summer or winter season). This will allow you to see all of the ancient sites of Athens over the space of 5 consecutive days from the date you buy it.

• Once you have bought your ticket, DO NOT ENTER at the main entrance. Instead, walk around the acropolis to the other side (right from the main entrance – basically continue walking) until you get to the second entrance on the side by the museum. It is less busy, less stressful and easier to get in.
• The second entrance is also a better route to take as you ascend the Acropolis passing the two amazing theatres – the Theatre of Dionysis and the Theatre of Herodus Atticus. You can pace your ascent while you appreciate these ancient masterpieces.

• Keep your ticket safe as you will need to scan the QR code at each site.
• You don’t need a guided tour for the acropolis, I recommend doing it yourself because there are plenty of signs to explain the history of each monument.
• Then follow your Acropolis visit with a visit to the Acropolis Museum to embed your learning and see some of the statues and friezes that were taken from the Acropolis temples for safe keeping.
• The Acropolis closes at sunset so it’s not possible to visit at night, but on the evening you should take yourself to a good viewpoint (such as the temple of Haphaestus in the Agora which is open until 8pm) to see the Acropolis temples all lit up – it is quite spectacular.
• If you are looking for a paperback to read about Athens and the Acropolis then I recommend the Lonely Planet Pocket Athens (Travel Guide) – it’s always nice to have it to hand and to have a physical copy to read at night.

Full guide to visiting the Acropolis and Slopes

The acropolis and slopes is a tough walk, but well worth it! This route reflects my recommendation to enter at the second less busy entrance round by the museum. There are a lot of ancient theatres, temples and buildings on the Acropolis and the slopes of the Acropolis. As well as the main buildings that you expect, there are also a number of additional sanctuaries and remains, including the remains of ancient houses and bathhouses.

These are the main sites that you should not miss…

• Theatre of Dionysus
• Odean of Herodes Atticus

• Propylaea – This impressive entrance to the Acropolis has a number of uneven slopes and steps leading up to it. This part can get very busy and so take your time and don’t push or shove (this is dangerous).
• Parthenon – Probably the most famous of all Greek ancient sites, the Parthenon is the biggest of the Greek temples and the most notable Athens landmark.
• Temple of Athena Nike
• Erechtheion
• Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus

Other Ancient Sites in Athens

If you have the combined ticket, you can visit all of these ancient sites also….

• Ancient Agora – This was the central marketplace of ancient Athens. It is also home to another famous Greek temple of Hephaestus which is one of the best preserved ancient Greek temples in Athens. Hephaestus was my favourite – you can still see some of the friezes and even the roof is still intact.

• Hadrians Library – An ancient Roman building that served as a library and cultural complex during the reign of Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD.
• Kerameikos – An archaeological site and cemetary that has great historical and cultural significance as one of the city’s major burial grounds and as an area associated with craftsmanship and pottery production.
• Aristotles School (Lykeion) – An ancient educational institution in Athens, Greece. It was founded by the philosopher Aristotle in the 4th century BC and served as a centre for philosophical and scientific studies
• Olympieion – This is often called the Temple of Zeus. An ancient temple stands as a testament to the grandeur and ambition of ancient Greek architecture and was dedicated to Zeus (king of the gods in Greek mythology). Be aware that recently it had scaffolding around it to try to preserve the ancient pillars of the temple.
• Roman Agora – The Roman Agora was a public square and marketplace located in Athens, Greece. It was constructed during the Roman period, around the 1st century BC, and served as a hub of commercial, social, and political activity.

Remember to have your ticket ready to be scanned on the gate, and you can only have one visit per ticket, you cannot re-enter the sites multiple times.

List of what to pack for the Acropolis

• Comfortable walking trousers.
• T-shirt or lightweight and comfortable top (linen or cotton).
• Sturdy walking boots (not flip-flops, sandals or trainers).
• Sun hat or cap (you will need to keep the sun off your head as it’s intense).
• Refillable water bottle or a backpack with several bottles of spring water.
• A good smartphone, camera and gimbal (if you intend to take videos).
• Battery pack and charging cable for phones (you do not want to run out of battery and not be able to get pictures of the Acropolis).
• Small and comfortable daypack (large backpacks are not allowed).

The Acropolis – Overall Verdict

Overall, the Acropolis of Athens is not to be missed – it’s one of the most spectacular ancient sites in the world. If you have further questions on visiting the Acropolis, please do not hesitate to comment on my blog and I will do my best to answer you!

Further reading on Athens and Greece

Here are some other blogs that you might find useful when you plan your trip to Athens for visiting the Acropolis….

• Is Greece worth Visiting?
• Is Athens worth visiting?
• Things to do in Nea Makri

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