How to Get to the Acropolis in Athens

Wondering how to get to the Acropolis in Athens, Greece?

The Acropolis of Athens is an open-air landmark located on top of a hill right in the heart of the city. The archaeological complex is on the bucket list of most first-time visitors to Athens, and contains such icons as the Parthenon.

In this article, you will learn how to get to the famous Acropolis in Athens by public transport, on foot, or by car or taxi.

We also have dedicated articles on getting from Athens Airport to the Acropolis or the Athens Cruise Port to the Acropolis.

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— Acropolis timed-entry ticket with optional audio guide
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— Acropolis Guided Tour (including the Parthenon)
— Guided tour of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, which houses significant artifacts

Getting to the Acropolis of Athens by Public Transport

Public transport is a convenient and budget-friendly way to get to the Acropolis of Athens. You can use the metro, the bus, the tram, or the trolley.

Note that there are two entrances into the Acropolis.

The Acropolis by Metro

Take the M2 Red Line going towards Elliniko and alight at the Akropoli Station. The Akropoli Station is the one just after Syntagma Square, from where it takes about 8 minutes.

From the Akropoli Station, the side entrance (southeastern entrance) to the Acropolis complex is just a 2-3 minute walk.

Alternatively, you can take the M3 Blue Line to Monastiraki Station, from where the main entrance to the Acropolis is about a 12- to 15-minute walk.

Finally, you can take the M1 Green Line and get off at the Thissio (Thiseio) Station, from where the main entrance to the Acropolis is about a 15- to 20-minute walk, or the Monastiraki Station.

If you’d rather not walk as much, the Blue and Green metro lines intersect with the Red Line, so you can transfer to the M2 Red Line and take it to the Akropoli Station.

The Athens Metro runs daily, from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, Lines 2 and 3 operate until 2:00 a.m. 

During peak hours, trains generally run every 5 to 6 minutes, while during slower times, the frequency is every 5 to 10 minutes.

The Acropolis by Bus

There are several bus lines that service the Acropolis of Athens, for example: 230, 035, 040, 550, and A2.

From Syntagma Square, bus number 230 will take you to the Akropole bus stop near the main entrance of the Acropolis, on Rovertou Galli Street, in about 15-18 minutes.

Many bus routes will drop you off at the Makrygianni bus stop, from where the southeastern entrance to the Acropolis is a 4- to 5-minute walk and the main entrance is about a 15-minute walk.

Most bus routes operate daily between 5:00 a.m. and midnight.

The Acropolis of Athens by Tram

Take the T6 tram from Syntagma Square and alight at the Leoforos Vouliagmenis Station, two stops out. The journey takes just 5 minutes.

From the Leoforos Vouliagmenis Station, the southeast entrance to the Acropolis is about a 7- to 8-minute walk.

The Athens trams generally run from early morning until midnight daily, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays. During peak hours, trams run every 6 to 8 minutes, otherwise they depart every 10 to 15 minutes.

The Acropolis of Athens by Trolley

From Syntagma Square, you can also get to the Acropolis by the Athens Trolley, lines 1, 5, or 15.

Alight at the Makrygiannē Station, or the Gargaretta Station, from where it is about an 8- to 10-minute walk to the Acropolis entrance.

Trolley routes in Athens generally operate daily between 5:00 a.m. and midnight.

Top-Rated Acropolis Tours

Taking a Taxi or Rideshare to the Acropolis in Athens

You can also arrive at the main entrance to the Acropolis of Athens via taxi or a rideshare. A ride from Syntagma Square should take about 5-8 minutes in normal traffic.

A taxi ride from Syntagma Square to the Acropolis will cost €3-5 during the daytime and slightly more at night.

A taxi or Uber will drop you off as close to the entrance as a vehicle can get, but you’ll still need to walk a bit to the ticket office and security area.

Keep in mind that rideshare companies like Uber use licensed taxi drivers in Athens, so when you call for an Uber through the app, a yellow taxi will likely show up.

Driving to the Acropolis in Athens

If you plan to rent a car in Athens, you can drive to the Acropolis (see map).

There is no designated parking for the Acropolis complex, however, so you will have to find parking nearby and then walk to the entrance.

There are several paid garages from which to choose.

Getting to the Acropolis of Athens on Foot

Finally, if you enjoy exploring on foot, you can walk to the Acropolis of Athens from many parts of the city center.

From Syntagma Square, for example, you can walk up through Plaka, enjoying the little alleys of the historic center (see map).

Or, for a less steep route, you can take Vasilissis Amalias Avenue past the National Gardens. Head right on Dionysiou Areopagitou opposite the Temple of Olympian Zeus and you will come first to the southeast entrance to the Acropolis.

You can enter the complex here via the Beule Gate, or continue on Dionysiou Areopagitou to arrive at the main entrance ticket office (see map).

How far is the Acropolis from the Athens city center?

The Acropolis of Athens is set on a plateau in the heart of the city, within walking distance from many city center areas like Plaka and Monastiraki.

For example, you can walk from Syntagma Square to the Acropolis in about 20 minutes. It is an even shorter walk from other parts of Plaka.

Public transport options from the city center to the Acropolis are also ample, from the metro to the bus, trolley, and tram.

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