Parthenon and Acropolis of Athens

If you’re planning a trip to Athens, then a visit to the Acropolis is a must, and with it, a close up view of the world-famous Parthenon, that dominates the skyline of Athens.

The Parthenon is an ancient temple built on the Acropolis (an ancient citadel on a hill). It was built to honour the goddess Athena, the patron of Athens. It’s seen plenty of action throughout the years, which you can learn about when visiting the nearby museum. Today, it’s one of the most iconic attractions for holidaymakers in the Greek capital. 

History

The Parthenon was built in the middle of the 5th century BC, dedicated to Athena, the Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War. It’s set in a commanding position, high on a limestone hill overlooking Athens below.

Throughout history, the Acropolis of Athens has been a home to royalty, a citadel and a religious centre. It’s survived earthquakes, fires, wars and riots throughout the centuries, making it a powerful symbol of the Greek capital through time. The structure has suffered damage with time. Still, much of the white marble building, including its towering columns, remains intact. That means you can get a good idea of what the monument was like centuries ago.

And while many of the ornate carvings and sculptures which once adorned the temple are gone, most of them are on display at the modern Acropolis Museum, located at the foot of the hill.

Getting there

There are two entrances to the Acropolis, one on its west side and one at the southeast corner. The path from the southeast entrance to the Acropolis is longer and a more gentle incline and you can stop off to see the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on the way. The closest Metro stop is Acropoli. From there, it's just 150m to the southeast entrance. 

In 2021 a new cliffside elevator opened, allowing disabled travellers to visit the Acropolis. Note that the lift is only available to those who are unable to walk up due to a disability. Everyone else will need to exercise their calf muscles to get to the site.

Tickets

Is the Ancient Acropolis free to visit? With the exception of a few dates no. As of 2023 the entry price is €20 for adults. Alternatively, you can buy a €30 combined ticket allowing access to most of the archaeological sites in Athens, including the Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library, the Roman Agora and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. However, it does not include entry to the Acropolis Museum. The combined ticket can be purchased at any of the sites, with the smaller sites often having shorter queues. And once you’ve purchased a combined ticket you have up to five days to visit each site.

Admission charges are waived on 6 March (Melina Mercouri Day), 25 March (public holiday), 18 May (International Day of Museums), the last weekend in September (European Heritage Days) and 28 October (public holiday). There is also free entry on the 1st Sunday of November, December, January, February and March.