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If you're planning a trip to Athens, the Acropolis is one of the must-see attractions in the Greek capital. In this guide, I'll tell you everything you need to know about Athens Acropolis tickets: ticket types, prices, where to buy them, and how to get a free ticket.
All the information is based on my own experience visiting the Acropolis several times during my years living in Greece.
Acropolis Tickets
1. General Admission
General admission to the Acropolis costs €30 per person.
Inside the Acropolis archaeological site, you can visit the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
🔹 Where to buy tickets:
- Online, through the official website.
- At the Acropolis ticket offices.
If you've already decided when to visit, buying your ticket online is the most convenient option, especially if you're traveling during peak season. This way, you can skip the ticket office queue and head straight in with your ticket.
Since April 2025, the old combined ticket, which allowed visitors to explore the Acropolis and other archaeological sites in Athens, is no longer available. Tickets must now be purchased separately.
2. Reduced Admission
Reduced admission costs €15, which is half the standard ticket price.
🔹 This ticket is available to:
- People aged 65 and over from Greece or other European Union countries, between October 1 and May 31. You must present an ID card or passport showing your age and country of origin.
- Parents accompanying school groups on primary school visits from European Union or European Economic Area countries.
- Teachers accompanying educational visits from primary, secondary, or higher education institutions in countries outside the European Union.
🔹 Where to buy tickets:
If you're eligible for this rate, you can select the reduced ticket during the online booking process. When entering the site, you'll need to present documentation proving that you meet the requirements. You can also buy your ticket directly at the Acropolis ticket office.
3. Free Admission
Free tickets are also available to certain groups, including:
- Children and young people up to age 25 who are citizens of the European Union, upon presentation of an ID card or passport.
- Children under 18 from countries outside the European Union, upon presentation of a passport.
- People with disabilities (at least 67%) and one accompanying person, regardless of nationality.
- Students over 25 enrolled in certain secondary education or vocational training programs in Greece, the European Union, or the European Economic Area.
- Teachers and students taking part in educational visits from institutions in the European Union or European Economic Area.
- Unemployed people in Greece.
- Other groups, including journalists, tour guides, ICOM or ICOMOS members, and certain professionals working in cultural heritage. You can find the full list here.
🔹 Where to get it:
You can get your free ticket through the official website or request one at the ticket office. In either case, you'll need to provide proof that you meet the requirements.
4. Free Admission Days
There are also specific dates when admission to the Acropolis is free for everyone.
🔹 The free admission days are:
- March 6, in memory of Melina Mercouri.
- April 18, International Day for Monuments and Sites.
- May 18, International Museum Day.
- The last weekend of September, as part of European Heritage Days.
- October 28, Greece's national holiday.
- The first and third Sundays of each month between November and March.
The first and third Sundays of each month between November 1 and March 31.
🔹 Where to get it:
In this case, you must go to the ticket office to get your ticket. There's no way to book it in advance.
⭐ In my guide to Free Museum Entry Days in Athens and Greece you can find all the details.
5. Acropolis Guided Tour
The Acropolis guided tour is one of the experiences I've enjoyed most in Athens, and I recommend it if you're passionate about ancient Greek history. That way, you won't miss any of the details about the Acropolis's main monuments.
I took this guided tour, which includes the entrance ticket, lasts two hours, and is led by an official guide. The guide not only knew all the details but also made the experience really entertaining.
Acropolis of Athens Opening Hours
The schedule changes depending on the time of year:
| Period | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| From April 1st to August 31st | 08:00 – 20:00 |
| From September 1st to 15th | 08:00 – 19:30 |
| From September 16 to 30 | 08:00 – 19:00 |
| From October 1st to 15th | 08:00 – 18:30 |
| From October 16 to 31 | 08:00 – 18:00 |
| From November 1st to March 31st | 08:00 – 17:00 |
Last entry is allowed 20 minutes before closing time.
Opening hours may also vary due to restoration work or temporary closures due to extreme heat in the middle of summer, so I recommend always checking the official website of the Greek Ministry of Culture before your visit to confirm the exact opening hours for the day.
In my experience, Google Maps doesn't always show the updated schedule.
Acropolis closing days
The Acropolis is closed on certain public holidays throughout the year. The main closing dates are:
- January 1st.
- March 25.
- Orthodox Easter Sunday. *
- May 1st.
- December 25th.
- December 26.
* Please note that the date of Orthodox Easter (the one celebrated in Greece) does not always coincide with Catholic/Western Easter, and there may be a difference of one to five weeks.
In addition, there are sometimes extraordinary closures due to safety reasons, weather conditions, or other circumstances.
Therefore, if your trip coincides with a Greek public holiday, I recommend checking that the Acropolis is open before planning your visit.
FAQs
1. Is it necessary to book tickets to the Acropolis in advance?
It is not mandatory to buy it in advance, but it is recommended if you are traveling during peak season, especially in summer and Easter.
Buying online guarantees you a ticket for your desired date and time. Plus, you avoid queuing at the box office.
2. Are tickets always available at the box office?
Not necessarily. The Acropolis has a maximum capacity of 20,000 visitors per day, and access is organized by time slots, with a quota of between 3,000 and 6,000 people depending on the time slot.
Normally you can get a ticket at the box office, but on busy days there may not be availability for the time slot you want and you may have to wait for a later slot.
Therefore, my recommendation is that you buy your ticket in advance once you have your itinerary clear.
3. How many entrances does the Acropolis have?
Two. The main entrance and the south entrance, the latter being largely unknown to tourists.
In my article Tips for Visiting the Acropolis of Athens (and mistakes to avoid) you have more details on how to get to the Acropolis and this access.
4. Does the entrance fee to the Acropolis include the Acropolis Museum?
No. The entrance to the Acropolis and the entrance to the Acropolis Museum are separate.
The Acropolis Museum is very close by and complements a visit to the Acropolis very well. There you can learn more about the sculptures and artifacts found there.
5. How long can I stay inside the Acropolis?
As much as you want.
For a typical visit, expect to spend between 1.5 and 2 hours. But if you linger, it could take longer.
The important thing is not to arrive too close to closing time, as the last entry is allowed 20 minutes before.
6. What happens if I arrive late?
It hasn't happened to me, but some relatives arrived about 20 minutes late and were able to get in. I think it was pure luck!
In any case, I wouldn't count on it: if your ticket has a specific access time, it's best to arrive with some time to spare, because they might refuse to let you in at the entrance.
7. Can I change or cancel my ticket?
The official website allows changes up to 2 hours before the visit, but cancellations are not accepted.
8. Does the entrance fee to the Acropolis include all the monuments?
Yes, the ticket gives you access to the entire archaeological site of the Acropolis, which includes the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea and the Temple of Athena Nike.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article about tickets to the Acropolis of Athens helps you find the right one for you and plan your visit to the city's most iconic site without any problems.
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! 😘
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.