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Updated: October 26, 2026
Want to visit Greece’s museums, monuments, and archaeological sites without spending a fortune on entrance fees? Then mark these dates on your calendar!
Throughout the year, there are several days when you can visit many of the country’s most important historical sites for free, including the Acropolis of Athens. There are also free admission days on certain Sundays during the winter months.
In this guide, I’ll tell you which dates you can take advantage of to save a few euros, along with some of the main places you can visit for free in Athens and other destinations across Greece.
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Free Admission Days in Greece
These are the dates when you can visit state-run museums, monuments, and archaeological sites for free:
- March 6: Melina Mercouri Memorial Day, in honour of the actress and former Greek Minister of Culture.
- April 18: International Day for Monuments and Sites.
- May 18: International Museum Day.
- Last weekend of September: European Heritage Days.
- October 28: Ohi Day, a very important date in Greek history.
- First and third Sunday of each month, from November to March.
Keep in mind that these dates follow the general admission policy, and some museums have their own rules for free entry. Further down, I’ll explain the exception that applies to the Acropolis Museum to avoid any confusion.
Which Museums and Archaeological Sites Are Free on These Days?
On these days, you can visit many state-run museums, monuments, and archaeological sites free of charge.
Below, I’ve put together two lists of some of the most interesting places to visit: one for Athens and another covering the rest of the country. This way, you can make the most of these free admission days and save some money while travelling around Greece.
🔹Athens
- Acropolis of Athens
- Ancient Agora of Athens and Areios Pagos
- National Archaeological Museum of Athens
- Epigraphic Museum
🔹Other Destinations in Greece
If you’re planning to explore other parts of the country as well as Athens, you can also take advantage of free admission days at the following places:
- Cape Sounion: The archaeological site of Sounion, home to the famous Temple of Poseidon.
- Crete: The archaeological site of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
- Delphi: The archaeological museum and archaeological site.
- Delos: The museum and archaeological site. Before planning your visit, check the opening hours and any possible closures.
- Epidaurus: The archaeological site.
- Mycenae: The museum, archaeological site, and Treasury of Atreus.
- Mystras: The museum and monuments of the Byzantine city.
- Olympia: The museums and archaeological site.
- Rhodes: The Acropolis of Lindos and the Palace of the Grand Master.
- Thessaloniki: The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki and the Museum of Byzantine Culture.
- Samos: The museum and archaeological site.
- Santorini: The archaeological site of Akrotiri and its museum.
- Vergina: The Royal Tombs of Aigai Museum.
The list doesn't include all museums and archaeological sites in Greece with free admission, but it does include some of the most well-known. If you plan to visit any of them, I recommend checking their opening hours on the Ministry of Culture 's website before you travel, especially if you're traveling specifically to take advantage of one of the free days.
‼️Acropolis Museum (Exception)
If you’re planning to visit the Acropolis Museum, there’s something important you should know: its free admission days don’t coincide with all the dates on the general calendar.
You can visit for free on:
- March 6: Melina Mercouri Memorial Day.
- March 25: Greece's national holiday.
- May 18: International Museum Day.
- October 28: Greece's national holiday.
As you can see, March 25 is an additional date compared to the general calendar.
And be careful not to confuse the Acropolis Museum with the Acropolis itself! At other archaeological sites, the museum is located within the same complex or admission is included in the ticket price. In Athens, however, that’s not the case. Although they’re right next to each other, they’re two separate visits, each with its own admission fee and free entry rules.
How Can You Get Free Admission?
Even though admission is free, you’ll still need to go to the ticket office on the day of your visit, just as you would if you were buying a ticket. They’ll give you a ticket like the one in the photo below, but this time, you won’t have to pay!
Can I Book Online?
No, you can’t book tickets online for these free admission days. You’ll need to collect your ticket at the ticket office, and there may be a queue.
How Can I Avoid the Queues?
Free admission days tend to attract more visitors, so I recommend arriving early, especially at the most popular sites.
For example, if you want to visit the Acropolis for free, I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early in winter and allowing even more time in spring and autumn.
Visiting Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes, especially at archaeological sites, where you’ll be walking over uneven ground.
- In spring and early autumn, bring water, a hat, and sunscreen. Many archaeological sites have little shade.
- In winter, bring a jacket or a light coat, and check the weather forecast before heading out.
- Check that the place you want to visit offers free admission and will be open that day on the Ministry of Culture’s official website.
⭐ Related article: 10 Tips for Visiting the Acropolis of Athens (and mistakes to avoid)
FAQs
1. Do all museums in Greece have free admission on those days?
Not necessarily. Free admission only applies to state-run museums, monuments, and archaeological sites. Check the admission rules for the place you want to visit before you go.
2. Can I visit several museums for free on the same day?
Yes, as long as they’re open and you have enough time to travel between them. Keep in mind that the most popular places can get busy, so it’s best not to plan too much for one day.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide to free museum days in Athens and other parts of Greece helps you save money on your trip while enjoying the country’s incredible cultural heritage.
I’ll leave you with a quote:
«The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.»
Marcel Proust
If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘
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Hi, I’m Andrea, creator and author of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I write about Southeast Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe. I’m a full-time traveler, passionate about good food, and always looking for new adventures.
Hello Andrea! Thanks for your article. I will precisely be with a group of friends (12 in total) in Athens on May 18 in the morning, since we have a cruise around the Greek islands that begins that same afternoon from Piraeus. We only have the option of visiting the Acropolis and the Museum that day, and I was already looking for tickets when I found out by chance that they are free that day. My question is to ask you what time you think we should be at the door to have the option of visits, because I imagine that that day will be saturated, and it is also Saturday.
Or if you think it would be better to do the visits (Acropolis and Museum) on the afternoon of the 17th, although due to the time of arrival in Athens from Spain we could not be ready until at least 5 in the afternoon. I already visited Athens in 2014, but I would love for the rest of my group to also enjoy it, and for me to repeat😊
Hello Pilar
I'm glad you found the article useful!
Yes, indeed, on free days there are more people than usual and as you say, being Saturday there will be many local people who will take the opportunity to go.
You won't have much problem getting in, although they set capacity per hour, a lot of people still come in. Of course, you will have to wait in line.
From my point of view it is best to go first thing in the morning, if possible be at the door before they open at 8 in the morning. The first hour there are fewer people, then it increases a lot and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is when there are more people.
If you prefer to go when there are not so many people, the afternoon of the 17th is a very good time, because from 4 or 5 p.m. until closing there are usually few people like in the first hour. In addition, it will be a normal day that in itself will have fewer people.
Enjoy it a lot!