The Acropolis in Athens, with its ruins of spectacular temples such as the Parthenon and Erechtheion, is the most visited attraction in the city. Tickets for the Acropolis include all these temples, and can be bought at the ticket office. Given the popularity of the site I recommend buying tickets in advance, online. There are various ticket types, including single entry tickets, skip-the-line tickets and combination tickets, which include admission to six other archaeological sites. More options include guided tours of the Acropolis, as well as walking tours of Athens that include a stop here. Based on numerous visits since 2014, in this article I set out your options and offer my suggestions and tips.
- Thomas Dowson
- Last Checked and/or Updated 13 April 2023
- No Comments
- Travel Tips, Greece Travel Tips
Admission to the Acropolis gives you access to the ancient citadel. A ticket to the Acropolis includes the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the remains of the other monuments), as well as the North and South Slopes, which includes the Theatre of Dionysus, amongst other features. It does not include admission to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (but you can get a good view into it from a path running above it), or the Acropolis Museum.
A standard, single-entry Acropolis ticket costs €20 from 1 April to 31 October and €10 from 1 November to 31 March.
Children’s Ticket for the Acropolis: Anyone under 25 from an EU country (this no longer includes the UK) or under 5 from the rest of the world gets free entry throughout the year. During summer (April to October) those who are aged between 5 and 25 and from outside the EU get 50% reduced entry. You will need to show proof of age and address. A number of other people qualify for free or reduced entry. I provide a full list of people who qualify for free or reduced entry to the Acropolis below. For more on taking children to the Acropolis, read my Family-Friendly Tips for the Acropolis.
The ticket can be bought on the day at the ticket offices located at the two entrances to the Acropolis ticket offices, or online, in advance using either the Greek government’s website or reputable ticketing platforms such as GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Viator.
Tickets for the Acropolis - Your Options at a Glance
There is, however, more to buying a ticket than knowing the price. There are many different options, including combination tickets, skip-the-line-tickets, and city passes. Which of these is good for you will depend on a number of factors, what else you want to see in Athens, how much time you have and your budget. Based on my experience of visiting Athens regularly since 2014 (last visit October 2021), I set out your options below with my suggestions and recommendations. Read on for a fuller explanation.
► Buy single entry, Skip-the-line tickets for the Acropolis only. Available for summer 2023 – April to October.
► Buy single entry, Skip-the-line tickets for the Acropolis with an Audio Tour. Available for summer 2023 – April to October.
► Buy a Combination Ticket for the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum. Available for summer 2023 – April to Ocober.
► Buy a Combined Ticket for the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum – skip-the-line entry to three of the must-see archaeology attractions in Athens. Full availability for 2023.
► Buy a Combination ticket for the Acropolis and the Six Main Archaeological Sites in Athens. Available for summer 2023 – April to October. (Please note, this ticket is not value for money in winter, from November to March.)
► Buy the Combo Ticket for the Acropolis & Ancient Sites and 14 Museums in Athens. This Athens Pass includes the Combo Ticket for the seven main archaeological sites, 14 museums as well as 48 hours on the hop-on-hop-off bus. At €69 this is excellent value if these are the attractions you want to visit. Available for summer 2023 – April to October.
The Athens Pass gives the best value for money to see the most archaeological sites and museums in Athens. This digital pass includes:
► A Skip-the-line ticket for the Acropolis and the six other main archaeological sites included in the combo ticket.
► A skip-the-line ticket for the Acropolis Museum.
► An Athens City Audio Guide.
► A 10% discount on further activities in Athens available from Tiqets.
► If seeing all the main archaeology sites and museums in Athens is the goal of your visit, the only obvious omission from this ticket is the National Archaeological Museum. I recommend buying the pass, and then using the discount code to buy your ticket for the National Archaeological Museum.
NB: Once you have chosen your timeslots and booked the ticket, there is no rescheduling possible. Make sure you know your itinerary before committing to this pass. It is good value, but it is also not refundable.
Or, continue reading this page for all the information you need in preparation for your visit to the Acropolis in Athens.
These recommendations are based on my personal experience as well as researching the tickets and activities on offer by the following providers:
Civitatis, GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Viator.
Archaeology Travel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you should you decide to purchase them.
Buying Tickets at the Acropolis On the Day
It is possible to buy tickets for the Acropolis at the site itself. There are two entrances to the Acropolis, and at both you can buy tickets. You will be able to purchase a single entry ticket to the Acropolis or a combination ticket.
A ticket to the Acropolis will enable you to see the various monuments on top of the citadel – such as the Parthenon and Erechtheion, and the north and south slopes. A special combination tickets allows you entry to the Acropolis and six other archaeological sites, including Hadrian’s Library, the Roman Agora and the Ancient Agora (full details further below).
There is a third entrance, which is used for visitors with mobility issues that wish to use the lift to get up to the top of the Acropolis. This is located a few metres to the left of the main entrance; you will see the buggies used to take visitors to the lift at the base of the north cliffs. This is also the main exit for the Acropolis.
Buying Acropolis Tickets Today If you are standing in the ticket queue now, and want to buy an entry ticket for today, the best online option is Tiqets or GetYourGuide. Tiqets is 30 cents cheaper. Tiqets is only cheaper than GetYourGuide when you buy it for entry in 8 days or more.
Opening hours for the Acropolis and other archaeological sites in Athens
During summer (starting 1 April until 31 October) the archaeological sites are open daily from 8:00 am until 19:00 pm. During the winter months (November to March) between 8:00 am and 17:00 pm.
Where are the tickets offices for the Acropolis?
There are two ticket offices or kiosks at which to purchase entry to the site on the day. The main ticket office is just below the main entrance to the Acropolis, which is at the western end of the hill. You will also find a gift shop here, as well as a shop selling refreshments and snacks.
A smaller ticket kiosk is located at the entrance opposite the entrance to the Acropolis Museum. This is on the south side of the Acropolis near the Theatre of Dionysus. The two entrances are about a ten minute walk from each other.
Are there long queues to buy tickets and enter the Acropolis?
The photographs above were taken in early October, 2021, at about 10 am. The queues at both entrances continue out of shot. I asked people at the front of both lines how long they had been waiting. The consensus was about 45 to 50 minutes at both. I have seen similar queues in April. In summer, the height of the tourist season (May to September), you can wait up to two hours in a queue to buy tickets.
You will probably have read that the south entrance is much quicker. This advice is usually coming from people who visited the Acropolis five or more years ago. In recent years, following this advice, and particularly for busy periods, both queues are about the same. If you go early or late, then the queues will be much shorter, and then I would probably choose the south entrance over the main entrance at the western end of the site.
But as the two entrances are only a ten minute walk from each other, check for yourself which is quicker.
Note: the queues in the photographs are to purchase tickets. If you have not bought a ticket in advance, either buy a skip-the-line entry ticket on your mobile (a number of people do this at the entrance) or buy a combination ticket at a nearby site (where the queues are negligible or non-existent) and then use that ticket to enter the Acropolis. You will avoid the ticket purchasing queue.
Buying Tickets Online, In Advance
To get your tickets online, visit the official e-ticketing service of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. This is the official website of the Greek government, Archaeology Travel is not associated with them in any way. The website is available in Greek and English – I have provided step-by-step instructions with screenshots for each step at the end of this page. For those who like to plan well in advance, it is not possible to buy tickets online via the official website in the winter months (November to March) for a summer visit (April to October). And the same is true for planning in summer, you can not buy a ticket for a winter visit during summer months. This is because of the difference in price for winter and summer tickets. For example, in say August it is only possible to buy tickets through to the end of October. For ticket purchases for your trip in winter (1 November 2021 to 31 March 2022), you will have to try again from 1 November when the ticket pricing changes.
WARNING: Before Purchasing Please Note:
Anyone could be forgiven for thinking the ‘official website’ would be safe to purchase from. WRONG!
From the Terms & Conditions: “Upon completion of the transaction the ticket details shall not change, unless the site cannot be visited on the indicated day due to force majeure, in which circumstance the duration of the ticket can be expanded upon notification of the User. The ticket is not refundable, cannot be cancelled and cannot be changed. The price of stolen, lost or destroyed tickets is not refunded.”
I frequently get emails from our readers saying they made an error in buying their tickets (entered the wrong dates), or that they wish to change the dates because their travel plans have changed. They emailed the department selling the tickets using the address provided. And the response, if they got one, was an emphatic ‘tough luck, read the Terms & Conditions’. The official providers will not refund tickets bought in error, or make any refunds at all. So that means if your plans change, you can not change your tickets either. So 1) be careful entering the dates/number of tickets you want, and 2) be sure you have the final date.
Also, the readers mentioned above were lucky to get a reply. The inbox frequently fills up, particularly in summer, and so new emails are rejected. These are not scare tactics. Data protection and privacy prevents me showing actual screencaps of these emails I receive. It is a sad truth, buying from the official website is not reliable.
For these reasons, I strongly recommend buying a ticket from our recognised partners (see the ‘Skip-the-line’ section below). You *can* cancel your purchase up to 24 hours in advance, and get a full refund. How can these vendors get a refund and you can’t? Quite simply, they are taking your reservation, they are buying in bulk and they buy as required on the day. In my opinion, based on the substantial feedback I get from readers, a few Euros extra is worth it.
If you are sure of your dates, however, and you are careful – a step-by-step guide to assist you through the process, taking you from the Greek language landing page to the final page in the process can be found at the end of this page.
Which Acropolis Tickets to Buy
Skip-the-line tickets for the Acropolis
Buying genuine Skip-the-Line Tickets for the Acropolis is possible, and can be done quite easily and safely online. For reliability and security, we recommend our partners GetYourGuide and Tiqets.
A skip-the-line ticket + Audio Tour with GetYourGuide is €13 in winter and €24.50 in summer (Available for Summer 2023 – April to June)
A skip-the-line ticket with Tiqets is €12.90 in winter and €22.00 in summer (Available for Summer 2023 – April to September)
The difference in the prices reflect the conditions of the tickets: the Tiqets includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before with a full refund, with the option to purchase insurance for the last 24 hours. Whereas if you purchase the GetYourGuide ticket theer is no possibility to cancel for a full refund.
These prices, compared to the €10 (winter) €20 (summer) ticket at the gate, which is not skip-the-line, includes a booking fee. And applies only to a single entry ticket to the Acropolis and its North and South Slopes.
Once purchased, confirmation and further instructions are emailed to you immediately.
Please note: Besides being able to avoid standing in a queue, you can also cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund (with the Tiqets ticket only). So, if you find you have made a mistake with your dates (this happens – I get emails about it) or your plans change, you can get a full refund as long as you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. There is no refund for such errors or changes of plans if you buy your tickets on the official website. You need to decide whether the time saved and peace of mind is worth the booking fee – only you can make that decision.
Multi-site/combo ticket
Please Note: The Combo ticket is not recommended if you are visiting Athens during the winter months (November to March). It is cheaper to buy the tickets individually. Read on for a full explanation.
If you are also going to be visiting some of the other main archaeology sites in Athens, then I recommend getting yourself a Combination or Special Package Ticket – via Tiqets. Prices can vary if one or other supplier is having a special offer, so do check the difference at the time you book.
Holders of the Combo Ticket get one entry to the Acropolis (which includes the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and all the other monuments on the Acropolis) with its North and South Slopes (Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Theatre of Dionysus), as well as six of the other main archaeological sites in Athens: Hadrian’s Library, the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, Archaeological Site of Lykeion, Kerameikos and the Olympieion (see further details below). There are also museums in the Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library and the Kerameikos cemetery, and these are included in the entrance ticket for these sites.
The combo ticket is valid for five days.
The cost of the combination ticket is €30 per person, all year round, there is no winter discount.
The combination ticket can be purchased at the ticket offices of the participating archaeological sites, online at either the Greek Ministry of Culture’s website.
Buying the combination ticket via Tiqets is €33 as opposed to €30 at the sites or on the Greek Government’s website. There are a few benefits to the Tiqets ticket that do not come with the standard government ticket, which in my view more than makes up for the €3 booking fee.
First, you can reschedule your Tiqets ticket, whereas this is not possible via the Greek government’s website.
Second, once you have completed the purchase on Tiqets, you will receive your ticket via email – straight to your mobile/smartphone. No queues to pick up a paper ticket are required. When you purchase a ticket on the Greek website you will receive a confirmation of your order via email. You are then required to take the ticket to the ticket office (standing in the queues) and get the actual ticket that you then present to enter the sites.
The Greek website is unreliable. Read their Terms and Conditions, if anything goes wrong while purchasing your tickets, you will have to send an email and wait for a reply. The Tiqets website is available in many languages, and you can pay in many currencies and, most importantly, they have very responsive customer services should anything go wrong with your purchase. In my view €3 is a small price to pay for convenience, security and peace of mind.
When demand for tickets is high, anytime from April to September, when you click on the link to Tiqets, you will see that they are sold out. The combination ticket is also available on GetYourGuide and Viator. Although a bit more expensive than Tiqets (hence why it is not top of our list), the Viator ticket does include free cancellation and the GetYourGuide ticket comes with audio guides.
Is the combination/special ticket package always worth it?
The answer to this question depends, as it does with all combination tickets/passes and bundles, on how many sites you want to visit. The Combo Ticket includes SEVEN sites, and is valid for five days. And with this particular ticket package, there is a significant difference between summer and winter prices.
To pay the standard entry to each site included on the Combo Ticket individually would cost €64 during the summer months (1 April to 31 October). So, for example, visiting the Acropolis (€20) and the Ancient Agora (€10) would cover the cost of the Combo Ticket. As would visiting the Acropolis and any two of the other seven sites included in the scheme.
If you are eligible for a 50% reduction in summer (see the list below below), this only entitles you to a reduction when purchasing a ticket for a single entry at each site. You can not buy the Combo Ticket at a 50% reduction. Paying the reduced entry for each site would cost you €32. So you would only save money with the Combo Ticket (€30) if you visited each of the seven sites (€32).
In the winter months (1 November to 31 March) everyone pays the reduced rate (50% of the standard cost) at each of the seven sites, unless you are entitled to free entry (see the list below). There is no further 50% reduction on the reduced fee for those people who are eligible for the 50% discount during summer. There is no reduction during winter on the price of the Combo Ticket. So the total cost for entry to each of the seven sites during winter is €32 (unless you qualify for free entry). That is only €2 more than the cost of the Combo Ticket. If you only intend to visit three or four sites during a visit in winter, the Special Ticket Package is not worth it. If you visit all but the Archaeological Site of Lykeion, you will break even. If you skip, for example, the Roman Agora you will have paid €2 more than you would have done paying for each site separately.
Which archaeological sites are included in the combo ticket?
ACROPOLIS
The sacred rock in the city of modern day Athens is one of the most well known archaeological sites in the World, and the most visited attraction in Athens. For ancient Athenians, it was the most important religious centre. Although occupied since the Neolithic, it was not until the 11th century BC that the Acropolis became the home of the cult of Athena. The monuments we visit today are much more recent, dating to the 5th century when Athens was at the height of its power. There are a number of religious buildings on top of the Acropolis, the most iconic of which is the Parthenon. The other well known structure is the Erechtheion.
Single Entry: €20 (reduced €10)
NORTH & SOUTH SLOPES
While most visitors to the Acropolis head straight for the top, there is much to see on the Northern and Southern Slopes of the Acropolis. The buildings on the slopes of the Acropolis reflect the religious and cultural importance this area had in Athens during the Archaic and Classical periods. Besides the relatively well preserved Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Theatre of Dionysus, both slopes have a number of sanctuaries, churches and sacred caves. There are two separate entrances, the two slopes are joined by the Ancient Peripatos Street, so both the north and south slope count as a single site.
Entry to the North and South Slopes is included with entry to the Acropolis, ie €20 (reduced €10)
ANCIENT AGORA
For Athenians, the Agora was not just a market place where they came daily to buy food and goods, it was also the political and judicial centre of the city. There are remains of many ancient temples, but it is the exceptionally well-preserved Temple of Hephaistos that catches everyone’s eye. The reason it is has survived so well is because it became a church in the 7th century AD. There are great views over the Agora to the Acropolis from the temple. The Entry to the Agora includes entry to the Museum of the Ancient Agora – housed in the restored Stoa of Attalos, which has a vast and impressive collection of artefacts.
Single Entry: €10 (reduced €5)
ROMAN AGORA
Not far from the Ancient Agora is the 1st century BC Roman Agora. An inscription on site lists Augustus and Julius Caesar as donors for its construction, don’t miss this on your way in. The agora was a large courtyard surrounded by stoas, shops and other commercial buildings. Just beyond the agora, but within the boundary of the site as it is today are the remains of the public toilets and the octagonal Tower of the Winds, built for astronomical purposes housing a hydraulic clock. The tower has some exquisite carvings that depict the ‘eight winds’.
Single Entry: 8€ (reduced €4)
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF KERAMEIKOS
On the northwestern fringes of the ancient city of Athens is Kerameikos. As the name suggests this was an area that was once inhabited by potters. But it is also the site of the oldest and largest Attic cemetery. Walls surround an enormous archaeological site that has a wide range of ancient funerary monuments and structures, from a tumulus mound to family tombs and individual columns. On site, and included in the entry fee is the Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos. The museum houses the artefacts recovered from archaeological excavations, and are displayed to show the changing funerary practices in ancient Athens.
Single Entry: €8 (reduced €4)
LYKEION
During recent rescue excavations the remains of an ancient palaestra were discovered. This was the legendary Gymnasium of Lykeion (Lyceum). Historical sources suggest this area was an idyllic grove, it is best known to us as the location of Aristotle’s school of philosophy. The name comes from the sanctuary of Apollo Lykeios, which was built sometime before the gymnasium. But sadly this temple was not found during the archaeological investigation of this site. For visitors today a surface area of 0.25 hectares (50 x 48 m.) has been exposed, revealing part of the palaestra where athletes trained in wrestling and boxing.
Single Entry: €4 (reduced €2)
HADRIAN’S LIBRARY
Built in 132 Ad, Hadrian’s Library was a gift from the Roman Emperor Hadrian, hence its name, to the people of Athens. Hadrian was an ardent cultural Hellenophile, and he did much to leave his mark here. Today we enter the site from the west at the imposing Pentelic marble façade, with its monumental Corinthian propylon, or gateway. The library was a rectangular peristyle structure with an interior courtyard, 122 by 82 metres. The ‘library’ where the papyrus books were stored is on the eastern side. A small onsite exhibition room houses a colossal statue of Nike and some other artefacts recovered.
Single Entry: €6 (reduced €3)
OLYMPEION
The main attraction of the Olympieion is the colossal Temple of Olympian Zeus – one of the largest temples in the ancient world. Despite its size, you can not gaze at this monument through the fence, you have to stand at the foot of these massive columns (16 of the 104 are still standing) to appreciate just how big they are. Beyond the area of the enormous temple are the remains of other urban structures, including a Roman bath house, various residences, a 5th century basilica, and remnants of the city’s fortification wall. Just outside the site, next to one of the busiest streets in Athens is Hadrian’s Arch.
Single Entry: €8 (reduced €4)
Athens city passes
There are a couple of city passes available. Full disclosure: I have not tried and tested any of these. But just doing the maths, none of them add up for me. First, most attractions are already quite cheap. Second, and more importantly, you would be hard pushed to do everything, or enough, in the time allotted before you start making a savings.
Because of the 50% reduction in ticket prices during winter for everyone, tourists and residents alike, I would not even consider these passes from 1 November to 31 March.
Combo ticket pass for museums & ancient sites
The Athens Digital Pass from Tiqets
Guided Tours of the Acropolis
GetYourGuide has a number of different walking tours to choose from. These vary in length, and what sites are included on the tour. Taking these does allow you to skip the lines, but entry fees are not always included. The reason being some people might already have a multi-site pass, or be eligible for discounts.
A popular option, suited to those who want a guide of some kind but not a guided tour with a person, is the skip-the-line ticket with audio tour. For a small additional cost you can buy a skip-the-line ticket that comes with an audio tour of the Acropolis. All you need is your own smartphone, with headphones. You get to avoid any queues, and an audio tour of the Acropolis with supporting information and an interactive map that you can access without requiring an internet connection. This is available for both Android and iOS devices, but only available in English, French and Spanish. Click here for More Information & Further Details >>
By far one of the most popular tickets, and I think the best value and so the tour I recommend for throughout the year is the five hour tour of Athens, the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum. For only €84 you get a guided tour (available in English and Spanish) with an actual person, not an audio-guide, of Athens (visiting the Panathinaikos Stadium, the Royal gardens and the former Royal Palace), the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Entries to both the Acropolis and the museum are included in the price of the tour (€84)! And, this certified walking tour can be booked online at GetYourGuide.
With a choice of over 60 ticket and guided tour options, see our recommendations for the Best Acropolis Walking Tours.
Recommended Guided Tours of the Acropolis
When is the Acropolis Free?
Free entry to the Acropolis for all
During designated Open Days all visitors have free access to all archaeological sites, monuments and museums in Greece. These days are: 6 March (Melina Mercouri Remembrance Day), 18 April (International Monuments Day), 18 May (International Museums Day), the last weekend of September (European Heritage Days), 28 October (Oxi Day), the first Sunday of each month from November 1st to March 31st.
Having read reports and seen photographs of the Acropolis on ‘Free Entry for all’ days, I would not waste my time. There are always a lot of people taking advantage of the free entry. If you are travelling on a budget and taking advantage of the free entry is important, I would go late in the day (or early, but many tour groups go early).
Who qualifies for free/reduced entry?
Certain groups of people are qualify for free entry throughout the year. If this applies to you, ensure you have all the necessary documents that prove you are eligible.
During the summer period (1 April to 31 October) certain groups of people can get a 50% reduction on the entry fee for archaeological sites. The reduction only applies in the summer, during the winter the entry fees are reduced for everyone. The reduction does not apply to the Combo Ticket. Again, be sure to have valid documents and ID to demonstrate you are eligible for such a discount.
Free entry
► Anyone under 25 years of age from the EU, or under 5 years of age from the rest of the world
► People over 25 years of age enrolled in secondary education in the EU and EEA
► Teachers from within the EU on educational visits for primary, secondary or tertiary education
► Unemployed Greek citizens, or people claiming Social Solidarity Income
► Greek families with three or more children
► Single parent families
► People with disabilities, and their escorts of 80% degree of disability
► Journalists
► Members of the Chamber of Fine Arts of Greece, as well as equivalent bodies of other EU countries
► Tourist guides
► Holders of an ICOM-ICOMOS membership card
► Members of Associations of Friends of Greek Museums and Archaeological Sites
► Official guests of the Greek State
► Refugees
► Greek citizens doing military service
► Greek citizens who are Olympic medal holders
Consult the original list on the website of the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sport.
Reduced entry - 50% in summer
► Anyone aged between 6 and 25 from non-EU countries
► Seniors citizens 65 years and older from Greece and EU Member States and the European Economic Union
► Teachers on visits from primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions
► Parents accompanying visits for primary schools from within the EU and EEA
Please Note:
If you are booking online (a step-by-step account is given below) and are eligible for a reduced or free ticket, make this choice while booking your ticket. A voucher will be sent via e-mail. Take this voucher to the ticket office of the site you are visiting, and with proof of eligibility you will be given your ticket. You will be able to join a fast-track line at the ticket office.
Archaeology Travel Writer
