Acropolis, Athens, Greece
The Acropolis of Athens is an iconic archaeological complex in the Grecian capital that dates back to the 5th century BC.
Located atop a rocky elevated plateau above the city of Athens, the Acropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a bucket-list landmark for first-time visitors.
While the stunning Parthenon at the top of the hill is definitely the most emblematic structure at the Acropolis of Athens, the site includes many other architectural icons that hold great historical significance.
The Acropolis in Athens is an enormously popular attraction, and planning is crucial for the best experience. Definitely get timed-entry tickets in advance, or book a guided tour led by a knowledgable local guide.🚶🚶♀️
Many of the buildings at the Acropolis whose remains you see today, such as the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike, were built in the 5th century BC under the supervision of Pericles, the great Greek general and statesman.
A massively sturdy wall was erected around the Acropolis complex in ancient times, to protect the complex, and you can still see some of it today.
The original structures of the Acropolis were damaged several times since they were originally built. The site was looted as well.
Many structures were added in subsequent times by later empires but after Greece attained independence, all later additions by outside influences were demolished to restore it to the original Greek complex.
Today the Acropolis archaeological complex stands as a stunning testament to the architectural prowess of the ancient Greeks.
Not only will you want to visit for the archaeology and the history, you will also enjoy spectacular views over the city of Athens from the Acropolis, since it sits on an elevated outcrop. Sunset is a fabulous time of day to capture the views against the backdrop of a colorful sky.
The Acropolis is spread over 3 hectares (about 7.4 acres), and you should plan on at least two to three hours to tour the most important structures. History and architecture buffs that are looking for a more immersive experience should plan on more time.
Open year round, the Acropolis is understandably one of the most popular attractions in Athens, and you will want to carefully plan your visit to make the most of your time.
Also nearby is the Acropolis Museum, which was built solely to house the numerous artifacts found on the Acropolis Rock and the monuments in the complex. If you want a more immersive experience, visit the museum right after you tour the archaeological site.
On this complete Acropolis, Athens website, you will find all the information you need to plan your visit!
Popular Options for Visiting the Acropolis of Athens 🏛️
— Acropolis timed-entry ticket with optional audio guide 🎟️
— Combined pass for the Acropolis plus up to 5 other famous archaeological sites
— Acropolis Guided Tour (including the Parthenon)
— Guided tour of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, which houses significant artifacts
Complete 2025 Guide to the Acropolis, Athens
Most first-time visitors to Athens have the Acropolis on their bucket list.
The historic archaeological site sprawled atop an elevated lime plateau in the heart of the city boasts a rich and fascinating history. With the Parthenon occupying pride of place atop the hill, other famous structures like the Erechtheion and the Propylaea, and the wonderful views over the city from the hilltop make the Acropolis of Athens well worth visiting.
This Acropolis Athens website is your one-stop site for all the information you need to plan your visit to the site and the Acropolis Museum.
Discover the location of the Acropolis of Athens, high on a hilltop overlooking Athens. See it visually on a map of the Athens Acropolis. The address for the Acropolis is just Athens 105 58: you can see the site from almost anywhere in the city center.
Getting to the Acropolis of Athens is a breeze, because it is located right by the city center. You can walk if you are somewhere close, or take public transport or a taxi. You can also drive, but there is no parking lot at the Acropolis site.
If you plan to travel straight to the Acropolis from the Athens Airport, you have several different options, including public transport. Similarly, if you want to visit the Acropolis in Athens from the Piraeus Cruise Port, you can take a guided tour, or visit on your own using public transport.
Wondering about the hours of the Acropolis of Athens? The historic open air Acropolis site has different hours of operation based on the season, and it is entirely closed on some days.
While the Acropolis opens at 8 a.m. all through the year, it closes at sunset, which means the last admission time ranges from 4.30 p.m. in the winter to 7.30 p.m. at the peak of summer.
The Acropolis of Athens has an entrance fee, except on “free days.” Some categories of visitors get free entrance to the site regardless of day. There is a reduced entrance fee to the Acropolis for some categories of visitors. Everyone gets the reduced fee in the winter.
Tickets for the Acropolis of Athens can be purchased online, or you can buy them at the ticket office on site on the day of your trip. Reserving your Acropolis time slots is highly recommended, especially in high season.
And if you are a history or architecture buff, consider a guided walking tour of the Acropolis (and the Acropolis Museum).
Note that the Acropolis of Athens has two entrances, the main entrance in the west through the Propylaea, and a side entrance near the Dionysus Theatre in the southeast.
There is no dress code for the Acropolis of Athens, but avoid revealing attire. Casual, comfortable clothing to beat the heat is your best choice!
Wondering about the best time to visit the Acropolis of Athens? You can visit the Acropolis year round, but the shoulder months of April-May and October are the best times of the year to visit the Acropolis of Athens.
In high season and during the warmer months, plan your Acropolis visit for early or late in the day, for more clement weather and lower crowds.
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What to See at the Acropolis: Top Attractions
The Acropolis of Athens sprawls over the top and the slopes of the elevated plateau known as the Acropolis Hill.
At the top of the hill are four famous monuments, with the Parthenon as the crowning jewel.
Along the slopes are other interesting sites such as the Dionysus Theatre and the Odeon of Herodus Atticus.
Below we describe some of the top sights at the Acropolis of Athens.
The Parthenon
Arguably the single most well known monument from Ancient Greece, the Parthenon is the crown jewel of the Acropolis of Athens and one of the top Acropolis attractions.
The Parthenon sits proudly at the top of the Acropolis hill and makes for an excellent photo subject, particularly at sunset.
Built in the 5th century B.C. during the age of Pericles to give thanks for Greece’s victory over Persian invaders, the Parthenon was a temple to the goddess Athena. It also served as the treasury for the city.
Built of Pentelic marble and boasting superb decorative elements, the Parthenon is widely considered the epitome of Greek architecture.
The Parthenon once held a colossal gold and ivory statue of Athena, created by the famous sculptor Phidias. The statue was lost at some point, although the exact circumstances are a mystery.
After Greece gained independence, the Parthenon has undergone much restoration, and work continues.
Today the Parthenon receives millions of visitors a year.
You cannot enter the Parthenon but you can walk all around it and view and photograph it from different angles.
The Propylaea
The Propylaea, on the west side of the Acropolis complex, served as the majestic main entrance into the Acropolis is ancient Greece.
Even today, if you choose to enter via the main entrance rather than the side entrance by the Dionysus Theatre, you will walk through the Propylaea and then up the hill to the other monuments.
With impressive Doric columns as well as Ionic columns, the Propylaea we see today was constructed during the Age of Pericles. The architect Mnesikles oversaw the construction.
The hill terrain dictated the complex architecture of the Propylaea, with the south portico and pediment sitting higher than the north side. The central building is rectangular.
The north wing of the structure, known as the Pinakotheke, was a gallery that held works by masters.
Whether you enter through the main entrance or not, the Propylaea should definitely be on your list of things to admire at the Acropolis of Athens!
The Erechtheion
The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek Ionic temple designed by the architect Mnesikles and built toward the end of the 5th century B.C.
It is a temple primarily dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens in Ancient Greece.
Known for its famous “Porch of the Maidens,” the Erechtheion is one of the must-visit hilltop attractions at the Acropolis of Athens.
The Erechtheion is a complex structure, because of the dictates of the sloping site and the need to accommodate more than one cult in the temple. It has two chambers. The eastern room held a wooden cult statue of Athena, and the western room held shrines dedicated to Poseidon-Erechtheus, Hephaistos, and Boutes, the brother of Erechtheus.
The Porch of the Maidens, the south porch of the Erechtheion, has a roof held up not by columns but by six Korai statues, the Karyatids.
The statues at the site currently are replicas, but the porch still makes for a fascinating photo op!
The Temple of Athena Nike
Rounding out the must-see monuments at the top of the Acropolis hill is the compact but elegant Temple of Athena Nike, dedicated to Athena as the goddess of victory.
Visitors tend to miss this small gem in their hurry to get to the Parthenon, so look for it as you make your way up!
Located near the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike stands on the edge of a rampart at the southwestern section of the Acropolis.
Designed by the Greek architect Kallikrates, this small Ionic temple was built between 426 and 421 B.C. This temple replaced older temples at the site.
Built with lovely Pentelic marble, the temple features four Ionic columns each at the front and back of the cella (the chamber).
You cannot enter the Temple of Athena Nike, but you can view it as you walk up the Acropolis hill. It makes for a striking photo!
The Dionysus Theatre
Located on the south slope of the Acropolis Hill, the Dionysus Theatre was built in the 4th century B.C., and is one of the oldest theaters in the world.
Dionysus was the ancient Greek god of wine, festivity, and theater, and this theater, named after him, served as the venue for Greek comedies, satires, and tragedies.
The marble seats in the Dionysus Theatre held up to 16,000 spectators, and it is here that the works of major ancient Greek poets like Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes were first performed.
Today you can sit in one of the seats looking down upon the stage and reflect on its rich history!
Close to the theater is the sanctuary of Dionysus, which dates back to the 6th century B.C.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Also located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis Hill is the impressive Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a Roman theatre made of stone and completed in the year 121 A.D.
A theatre with steep slopes, perfect for audience seating, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus has a three-story stone wall in front, quite a bit of which is still standing.
The theatre used to have a wooden roof until it was destroyed and left in ruins.
In the 1950s, the stands and the stage of the gorgeous open-air theatre were restored using Pentelic marble, and it now hosts the Athens Festival every summer.
If you plan to visit Athens when the festival is on, usually May through October, you must book tickets to enjoy a performance here!
The Stoa of Eumenes
Yet another photo-worthy landmark on the south slope of the Acropolis is the Stoa of Eumenes, a Hellenistic colonnade donated to Athens by Eumenes II, the king of Pergamon.
The stoa was constructed between the Dionysus Theatre and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and was meant to provide shelter for spectators in bad weather.
The two-story arcade was over 500 feet long and quite a bit of it is preserved or has been restored, making it worthy of your time when you visit the Acropolis.
The Beule Gate
Built in the Roman period, the Beulé Gate was the southern entrance into the Acropolis complex and led to the Propylaea.
Originally thought to be the entrance into the Acropolis, the gate actually forms part of a fortified wall that was built around the Acropolis after the Germanic Heruli ransacked Athens in 267 A.D.
The gate is unique in that it was built almost completely of material salvaged from the demolished Choragic Monument of Nikias.
You can get a good view of the Beule Gate as you are walking down from the Propylaea to exit the complex.
The Belvedere
For expansive views over the city of Athens and the surrounding hills, head to the Belvedere, a viewing area on the east end of the Acropolis.
The flagpole here has a rich history. In April 1941, the Nazi flag was raised atop the Acropolis when Athens surrendered, but on May 30, 1941, two teenaged Greek boys climbed up to the Belvedere and took it down in a brave act of resistance against the Nazis.
Today the flagpole flies the Greek national flag.
On Ceremonial Sundays (or national holidays), you can watch the raising of the flag by the Evzones just after sunrise and the lowering of the flag just before sunset. The Evzones are the Greek Presidential Guard.
The Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum only displays exhibits and artifacts from the Acropolis of Athens. Even if you aren’t a big history or architecture buff, you’ll still find a visit to the Acropolis Museum very worthwhile!
The museum used to be located onsite but is now housed in a new building a short walk away.
At the Acropolis Museum you can view original sculptures and original bits of the Acropolis structures like friezes or pediments. The ones at the site are replicas.
You will also learn an enormous amount about the Acropolis and its history when you tour the museum. The knowledge will exponentially increase your appreciation of the site.
The Acropolis Museum boasts a splendid view of the Acropolis. And the museum has a well-rated restaurant that’s worth visiting in its own right.
Where to Eat near the Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis of Athens is located in the heart of the city and you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes tp eateries nearby.
GH Attikos is located on the south side of the Acropolis Hill, and offers both lunch and dinner. The food is delicious and they have a roof garden with amazing views of the Acropolis!
Strofi, one of the most renowned restaurants in Athens, is also located on the south side of the Acropolis Hill. Strofi offers both lunch and dinner.
Sense Restaurant is located in Plaka, on the top floor of the stunning AthensWas Design Hotel, and offers both great food and close views of the Acropolis.
The restaurant at the Acropolis Museum is another option for lunch, with views of the Acropolis. There is also a cafe in the museum for more casual fare.
Where to Stay near the Acropolis of Athens
Plaka is a wonderful central neighborhood close to the Acropolis. The pretty streets are perfect for wandering and there are lots of eateries as well.
The Residence Aiolou Hotel & Spa in Plaka offers rooms with views of the Acropolis. The night views of the illuminated site are especially worth it! Rooms have air-conditioning and private baths, and there’s free wifi.
King George, a 5-star boutique hotel, has a prime location off Syntagma Square and offers rooms with breathtaking Acropolis views. The rooftop restaurant has twice been awarded a Michelin star.
The Electra Metropolis Athens is also a 5-star hotel, located at the start of Mitropoleos Street. Rooms are modern, spacious, and well-appointed, and offer gorgeous views over the city. There is a rooftop pool and a top floor restaurant offering Acropolis views.
Top-Rated Acropolis of Athens Tours!