Book Tickets for the Acropolis or “Akropolis”
Tickets for the Acropolis Athens for every visitor to Athens desires to ascend the Acropolis.
..Do you want to pay 1/3 the price to see all the sights of Athens?
Get a jumpstart on your day with a combo ticket to the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus and the Museum of the Ancient Olympic Games.
The incredible citadel in the heart of the Greek capital, surrounded by the ruins of magnificent temples. The most famous of which is the Parthenon.
Tickets for the Acropolis can be purchased at the ticket gate or in advance online as a single entry. Or as a combined ticket with other archaeological sites in Athens.
Additionally, there are skip-the-line tickets and a number of guided walking tours available.
This article details your choices, from the official website of the Greek government to the various ticket types provided by legal ticket and tour providers.
Tickets for the Acropolis or- Prices in 2023
This page’s information was last checked and/or modified on 20 January 2023
A regular ticket costs €20 from 1 April to 31 October.
A regular ticket costs €10 from 1 November to 31 March.
The Acropolis entrance fee includes entry to the ancient citadel. Which includes the Parthenon and Erechtheion, among other monuments), as well as the North and South Slopes.
Which include the Theatre of Dionysus, among other features, and a view into Herodes Atticus’ Odeon).
However, there is more to purchasing a ticket than simply knowing the price.
To begin, some individuals are eligible for reductions. Additionally, a variety of ticket types are available: combination tickets, skip-the-line tickets, and city passes.
Which of these is the best option for you is dependent on a variety of factors. Include your budget, the amount of time you have, and additional sights you wish to see in Athens.
Suggestions and Tips for Acropolis Admission – Book Your Tickets for 2023
I share my suggestions and tips for purchasing.
Acropolis tickets based on my experience of visiting Athens on a regular basis since 2023 (last visit January 2023)
Quick Links to tickets for the acropolis :
► Skip-the-line tickets can be purchased online via GetYourGuide Click HERE <- (includes free cancellation)
Or Tiqets Click HERE <- (does not include free cancellation).
Viator Click Here (includes free cancellation)
► A popular combination is Entry tickets to both the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum GetYourGuide Click HERE <-.
Or, continue reading this page to explore all ticketing options in preparation for your visit to the Acropolis.
Standard Tickets for the Acropolis
The entrance fee to the Acropolis, including the North and South Slopes is:
€20 from 1 April to 31 October
€10 from 1 November to 31 March
A standard ticket, can be bought on the day at either of the two Acropolis ticket offices, or online in advance.
A number of people qualify for free entry or reductions, at the end of this page you will find a full list of people who qualify for free or reduced entry to the Acropolis.
All has free access to the Acropolis.
All visitors to Greece have free access to all archaeological sites, monuments, and museums on designated Open Days.
These are the following dates: 6 March (Melina Mercouri Remembrance Day), 18 April (International Monuments Day), 18 May (International Museums Day), September’s last weekend (European Heritage Days), 28 October (Oxi Day), and the first Sunday of each month from November 1st to March 31st.
Hundreds of other hopefuls
There is no way to reserve a spot online – you simply turn up alongside hundreds of other hopefuls.
Archaeology Travel Tip: Based on reports and photographs of the Acropolis during ‘Free Entry for All’ days, I will avoid wasting my time.
There are still a large number of people who take advantage of the free admission.
If you’re traveling on a budget and making the most of the free entry is critical, I recommend visiting late in the day (or early, but many tour groups go early).
Acropolis and Other Archaeological Sites Hours of Operation
The archaeological sites are available daily from 8:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m. during the summer months (beginning 1 April). Between 8:00 a.m. and 17:00 p.m. during the winter months.
Where will I find tickets for the acropolis Athens and Acropolis ticket offices?
If you did not purchase a ticket in advance, online, and are willing to take your chances, you must purchase a ticket at the site ticket kiosks.
The Acropolis’ main ticket office is located underneath the Acropolis’ main entrance.
During the winter months, queues at the Acropolis are minimal; at busier times and on weekends, you can expect to wait no more than 20 to 30 minutes. Summer is a different story, so follow these guidelines if you want to stop the 2-hour+ lines.
You can also buy the exclusive package ticket here. However, keep in mind that the special ticket is also available at each of the participating archaeology sites’ entrances.
So, if you want to avoid the long lines at the Acropolis ticket office during the summer, go to one of the other places mentioned below (there are never long queues at these sites).
Acropolis special ticket
If you purchase the special ticket there, you will pay the same amount, namely €30.
You will then be able to access the site and visit the Acropolis whenever it is convenient for you, without having to wait in line.
The multi-site ticket is valid for five days after purchase.
There is also a ticket kiosk near the entrance, near the Dionysus Theatre. Queues here are usually shorter than those at the main entrance.
May I purchase an Acropolis ticket online in advance?
Yes, since 2018, it has been possible to purchase Acropolis tickets online, either as a single entry ticket or as a multisite/combination ticket (outlined below).
However, please keep in mind that purchasing a single entry or combination ticket online only allows you to stop having to queue for tickets at the ticket office. You will not be able to reach the Acropolis without having to wait in line.
You can stop the line by purchasing a skip-the-line ticket or taking a guided tour.
Purchasing your tickets online does not grant you any special benefits; you must reach the platform in the same line as anyone else.
To purchase your tickets online
Go to the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports’ official e-ticketing service.
This is the official website of the Greek government; Archaeology Travel is in no way affiliated with them.
The website is available in both Greek and English, and I’ve included step-by-step directions with screenshots at the bottom of this page.
Those who want to prepare ahead of time will be disappointed to learn that they will be unable to purchase tickets for the upcoming season online.
For example, in January, it is not possible to purchase June tickets online via the official website.
This will have to wait until April 1st. This is due to the price gap between winter and summer fares.
Similarly, in August, tickets are only available until the end of October.
If you want to buy a ticket for a winter trip, you’ll have to try again on November 1st, when ticket prices change.
This is another reason why we suggest purchasing tickets through our GetYourGuide partners – you can reserve your seats ahead of time.
WARNING:
Please Read Before Purchasing Everyone could be forgiven for believing that purchasing from the ‘official website’ would be secure. FALSE!
I regularly receive emails from readers who claim they made a mistake while purchasing their tickets (entered the wrong dates) or that they need to update the dates because their travel plans have changed.
They wrote to the department in charge of selling the tickets. And the response was unequivocal – ‘tough luck, read the Terms & Conditions’. Official providers would not provide refunds for tickets purchased in error, or any refunds at all. As a result, if your plans change, you will be unable to change your fares. So,
- Enter the dates/number of tickets carefully, and
- Ensure you have the final date.
Extremely Fortunate
Also, the readers listed above were extremely fortunate to receive a response. Since the inbox is constantly overflowing, new emails are declined.
This is not a scare tactic. Because of data security and privacy concerns, I am unable to reveal actual screencaps of the emails I receive. It is a sad fact that purchasing from the official website is untrustworthy.
For these reasons, I strongly advise purchasing a ticket from one of our trusted partners on the GetYourGuide website (see the ‘Skip-the-Line’ section below). You can cancel your order up to 24 hours ahead of time and receive a full refund.
How come these vendors can get a refund but you can’t? Simply put, they accept your reservation, buy in bulk, and purchase as required on the day. Based on the positive reviews I’ve received from readers, I believe that a few Euros extra is well worth it.
If you are certain of your dates and are cautious, a step-by-step guide to help you through the process, from the Greek language landing page to the final page in the process, can be found at the bottom of this page.
Is there a long line at the Acropolis?
Queues at both Acropolis entrances can be lengthy – and not only in the summer.
You can avoid the lines at the Acropolis’ two entrances by taking a guided tour or purchasing a skip-the-line ticket. These are legally available to third-party service providers.
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 with GetYourGuide is €25 Click HERE <-
A skip-the-line ticket with Tiqets is €22.90 Click HERE <-
The difference in the prices reflect the conditions of the tickets: the GetYourGuide ticket includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before with a full refund.
Whereas if you purchase the Tiqets ticket you do not get a refund unless you pay an extra €2.75 non-refundable fee up front.
Also, keep in mind that no guided tour is included. There is no audio tour. There is nothing. Just an easy, regular-priced, skip-the-line fare.
In comparison to the €20 non-skip-the-line ticket at the entrance, these rates include a booking fee.
And only refers to a single admission pass to the Acropolis and its North and South Slopes.
When you make an order
When you make an order, you will receive an email with confirmation and additional instructions.
If you buy your tickets from GetYourGuide, you must swap your voucher for a ticket*.
If you buy your ticket via Tiqets, the ticket is emailed to you; you then print it out or download it to your mobile device and present it at the Acropolis entrance, following the fast track lines.
*To obtain your ticket, visit the Key Tours office, which is located at 26 Athanasiou Diakou lane, next to the Royal Olympic Hotel.
The Acropolis Metro Station is about a three-minute walk away. You will be issued your ticket here and will not be charged any additional booking fees.
Then proceed to the South Entrance of the Acropolis (Dionysus Theatre), which is just 400 meters away, and avoid the lines.
Please keep in mind that, in addition to avoiding waiting in line, you can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance and receive a full refund.
So, if you discover you made a date mistake (this happens – I get emails about it) or your plans change, you can get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance.
If you purchase your tickets from the official website, there is no refund for such mistakes or changes in plans. Only you can decide if the time saved and peace of mind are worth the booking price.
Tickets for the Acropolis for multiple locations/combinations
If you plan on visiting any of Athens’ other major archaeology sites, I suggest purchasing a Combined or Special Package Ticket.
This is a ‘official’ ticket in the sense that it is manufactured and sold by the Greek Ministry of Culture, which is in charge of these locations. As a result, the ticket can only be purchased at the entrance to each participating site or on the Ministry of Culture and Sports website (link below).
Having a multisite/Combo ticket online ONLY allows you to bypass the line at the Ticket Office, not the lines at the Acropolis’ two entrances.
The combination ticket costs €30 per person all year; there is no winter discount.
Is it still worthwhile to purchase a combination/special ticket package?
The response to this question, as with all combination tickets/passes and packages, is dependent on how many places you want to visit.
The Combo Ticket is valid for five days and includes SEVEN places. And there is a major price gap between summer and winter prices for this particular ticket bundle.
During the summer, paying the regular entry fee to each of the sites included on the Combo Ticket will cost €64.
(1 April to 31 October). Visiting the Acropolis (€20) and the Ancient Agora (€10), for example, will cover the expense of the Combo Ticket.
Visiting the Acropolis and any two of the other seven sites included in the scheme will also be worthwhile.
If you are eligible for a 50% discount in the summer (see the list below), this only applies when buying a ticket for a single entry at each venue.
The Combo Ticket cannot be purchased at a 50% discount. It will cost €32 to pay the reduced entry fee for each site.
So the Combo Ticket (€30) will only save you money if you visited all seven places (€32).
50 percent of the regular cost
Everyone pays the reduced rate (50 percent of the regular cost) at each of the seven sites during the winter months (1 November to 31 March), unless you are entitled to free entry (see the list below).
There is no additional 50% discount on the reduced fee for those who are eligible for the 50% discount during the summer.
Over the winter, there is no price cut for the Combo Ticket. As a result, the average cost of admission to each of the seven sites during the winter is €32.
(unless you qualify for free entry). That is just €2 more than the Combo Ticket price.
If you just plan on visiting three or four places during your winter visit, the Special Ticket Package is not worth it. You will break even if you visit all but the Archaeological Site of Lykeion.
If you miss the Roman Agora, for example, you would have paid €2 more than if you had paid for each location separately.
Which archaeological sites are included in the Combo Ticket?
The Acropolis
The holiest rock in modern-day city Athens is one of the most well-known archaeological sites in the world, and it is the city’s most famous attraction.
It was the most important worship center for ancient Athenians.
While it had been inhabited since the Neolithic, it was not until the 11th century BC that the Acropolis became the center of the Athena cult.
The monuments we see today are much more recent, dating from the 5th century, when Athens was at its most strong.
On top of the Acropolis, there are a variety of religious structures, the most famous of which is the Parthenon. The Erechtheion is another well-known structure.
Single Admission: €20 (reduced by €10)
Slopes to the North and South
While most visitors to the Acropolis head straight for the summit, the Northern and Southern Slopes of the Acropolis have a lot to offer as well.
The structures on the Acropolis’ slopes represent the religious and cultural significance of this region in Athens during the Archaic and Classical periods.
Both slopes have a variety of sanctuaries, temples, and holy caves, in addition to the reasonably well preserved Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Theatre of Dionysus.
The two slopes are connected by the Ancient Peripatos Street, so both the north and south slopes count as a single location.
The North and South Slopes are included in the price of admission to the Acropolis, which is €20 (reduced €10).
Agora Antiqua
The Agora was not only a market place where Athenians came every day to buy food and goods;
it was also the city’s political and judicial center.
There are remnants of many ancient temples, but the Temple of Hephaistos, which is remarkably well-preserved, draws everyone’s attention.
It has survived very well since it was converted into a church in the 7th century AD. From the temple, you can see the Agora and the Acropolis.
The Agora entry fee includes admission to the Museum of the Ancient Agora, which is located in the restored Stoa of Attalos and houses a large and impressive collection of artifacts.
Single Admission: €10 (reduced €5)
Tickets for the Acropolis – The Agora Romana
The Roman Agora from the first century BC is not far from the Ancient Agora.
Don’t miss the inscription on the site that mentions Augustus and Julius Caesar as donors for its building. The agora consisted of a wide courtyard surrounded by stoas, restaurants, and other commercial structures.
The remains of the public toilets and the octagonal Tower of the Winds, constructed for astronomical purposes and housing a hydraulic clock, are just outside the agora but within the site’s current boundary.
The tower has some beautiful carvings depicting the “eight winds.”
Single Admission: 8€ (reduced €4)
Kerameikos Archaeological Site and Museum
Kerameikos is located on the northern outskirts of the ancient city of Athens.
As the name implies, this was once a potter’s enclave. However, it is also the location of the oldest and largest Attic cemetery.
Walls encircle a vast archaeological site containing a variety of ancient funerary monuments and buildings, ranging from a tumulus mound to family tombs and individual columns.
The Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos is on-site and included in the admission price.
The museum houses artifacts discovered during archaeological excavations and displays them to demonstrate the changing funerary traditions in ancient Athens.
Single admission: €8 (reduced by €4)
Lykeion is a form of lykeion.
The ruins of an ancient palaestra were found during recent rescue excavations.
This was the famed Lykeion Gymnasium (Lyceum).
This field is best known to us as the site of Aristotle’s school of philosophy, according to historical sources.
The name is derived from the Apollo Lykeios sanctuary, which was constructed prior to the gymnasium. However, during the archaeological excavation of this site, this temple was not discovered.
A surface area of 0.25 hectares (50 x 48 m.) has been exposed for tourists today, exposing part of the palaestra where athletes practiced in wrestling and boxing.
€4 (reduced €2) for a single entry
Hadrian’s Library is a library in Rome.
Hadrian’s Library was founded in 132 AD as a gift to the citizens of Athens from the Roman Emperor Hadrian, hence its name.
Hadrian was a fervent cultural Hellenophile who did much to leave his imprint on the city.
Today, we reach the site from the west, via the imposing Pentelic marble façade with its massive Corinthian propylon, or gateway.
The library was a 122-by-82-metre rectangular peristyle building with an interior courtyard.
The ‘library,’ where the papyrus books were kept, is located on the eastern side.
A colossal statue of Nike and other recovered artifacts are housed in a small onsite exhibition area.
€6 (reduced €3) for a single entry
Tickets for the Acropolis – Olympian
The monumental Temple of Olympian Zeus – one of the largest temples in the ancient world – is the main attraction of the Olympieon.
Despite its scale, you cannot view this monument through the fence;
instead, you must stand at the foot of these huge columns (16 of the 104 are still standing) to fully understand their size.
Other urban buildings, including a Roman bath house, numerous houses, a 5th century basilica, and fragments of the city’s fortification wall, can be found outside the area of the enormous temple.
Hadrian’s Arch is located just outside the site, next to one of Athens’ busiest streets.
Single admission: €8 (reduced by €4)
Tickets for the Acropolis – The Acropolis and the Museum of the Acropolis
It makes a lot of sense to visit both the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.
The Acropolis Museum, or any other museum in Athens, is not included in the special Combo Ticket.
The admission fees to these museums are not prohibitively costly.
Purchase a trip to the Acropolis Museum and Archaeological Excavation from Get YourGuide Click HERE <- for an additional €2.
If you just want to see the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum (and not the other sites), you can bypass the lines at both attractions and discover them at your leisure: The Acropolis and the Museum GetYourGuide Click HERE <-
Acropolis Tours with a Guide – Tickets for the Acropolis
A pass for a Guided Tour of the Acropolis can be purchased tickets for the acropolis online for €45 at the GetYourGuide website.
This ticket includes admission to the Acropolis, the ability to skip some lines, and a one-and-a-half hour tour with a local guide.
GetYourGuide offers a variety of walking tours to choose from.
The duration of these tours varies, as do the places that are included.
Although taking these allows you to bypass lines, entry fees are not always included.
The explanation for this is that certain people might already have a multi-site pass or are eligible for discounts.
The skip-the-line ticket with audio tour is a common choice for those who want some kind of guide but not a guided tour with a human.
For a small fee, you can purchase a skip-the-line pass that includes an audio tour of the Acropolis. Everything you need is a smartphone and headphones.
Tickets for the Acropolis – Skip any lines
You get to skip any lines, as well as an audio tour of the Acropolis with supporting details and an interactive map that you can use without an internet connection.
This is available for Android and iOS users, but only in English, French, and Spanish.
The five-hour tour of Athens, the Acropolis, and the new Acropolis Museum.
This is by far one of the most common tickets, and I believe the best value, and thus the tour I recommend all year.
For just €84, you can get a guided tour of Athens.
Visiting the Panathinaikos Stadium, the Royal Gardens, and the former Royal Palace. The Acropolis, and the Acropolis Museum with an actual human, rather than an audio-guide.
The tour price (€84) includes admission to both the Acropolis and the museum! This accredited walking tour is also available for booking online at GetYourGuide.
See our suggestions for the Best Acropolis Tours and Skip-the-Line Tickets, which include over 60 ticket and guided tour options.
Tickets for the Acropolis, Athens – Updated Guide for 2022 https://www.welcome-greece.gr/tickets-for-the-acropolis-athens-updated-for-2021/