When in Athens, all eyes lead, undoubtedly, to Acropolis! Sitting on an elevated, rocky bed above Greece’s capital, the Acropolis is a soaring symbol of Western civilisation and has, through the ages, served as the looking glass through which we view Ancient Greece. Built as an imposing citadel in the fifth century B.C., the Acropolis of Athens is a complex, multi-layered structure featuring the ruins of several marbled monuments – including the well-recognised Parthenon. The history of the Acropolis of Athens has unfolded over the centuries and its every nook and cranny brims over with the stories of a chapter in human history that is long gone but remains unforgettable. To make the most of this ancient wonder, we recommend our favourite picks of the guided tours of Acropolis!
What are the advantages of the guided Acropolis tours?
Expert guidance
At the height of its glory, the Acropolis was ruled by kings, was home to revered temples, and was the intellectual centre of ancient Greece. A guided tour, led by an expert, will ensure you soak up every interesting tidbit of this vast monument.
No waiting in lines
On average, the Acropolis sees over 3 million visitors a year! Even though entry is capped at about 20,000 visitors a day, this is still an astonishing number and waiting around in lines is no easy task. With the guided tours, you can sail past the lines and make the most of your time in Athens.
See more, for less
With combination guided tours, you can visit the Acropolis and other leading landmarks in monuments – giving you great value for your money.
Have a relaxed time
Instead of spending your holiday in Athens planning every last detail, the guided tours give you the chance to enjoy the beauty of the Acropolis without being hassled about how to navigate your way in, how much time to spend at each of the monuments, and other travel logistics.
Meet fellow travellers
Guided tours are a great way to connect with people from across cultures and experience a monument together. The various perspectives will only add to the joy of your visit to the Acropolis.
The best of Acropolis guided tours
There are a number of guided Acropolis tours available for online booking. Here is a list of our recommended Acropolis tours we think you'll enjoy.
Guided Tours
Combo Guided Tours
5 Easy Ways To Skip The Lines at Acropolis
Acropolis guided tours versus combo guided tours: Which to choose?
Lap up every bit of Greek antiquity with guided tours of the Acropolis and more when you are in Athens! You can choose between Acropolis guided tours that focus on the ancient monument that looms over the city or you can broaden your horizon and include a whole line-up of ancient wonders in and around the capital of Greece.
For those of you who do not have a lot of time on your hands and are on a budget, the guided tour of the Acropolis that also gives you easy access to the Parthenon – the centrepiece of the ancient complex – is the best way to go.
However, if you want to go beyond what the Acropolis holds and discover other wonders that emerged from this ancient citadel, follow up your visit to the site with a trip to the Acropolis museum. Showcasing over 4,000 artefacts that have been sourced from the Acropolis, the museum traces the journey of the ancient wonder through the ages – from when the Greeks ruled to the Romans and the Byzantine era. During your visit, you will be guided through a dizzying array of rock and marble sculptures featuring gods and goddesses, hunting dogs, busts of emperors and empresses, and decorations from the Parthenon.
Your Acropolis tour deconstructed
1The Parthenon
Occupying the highest ground inside the Acropolis, the Parthenon, marked by its elegant Doric columns, is the foremost symbol of the ancient Greek civilisation. Built as a temple dedicated to Athena, the Goddess of War, in the years after the Greeks triumphed over the Persians in the 5th century B.C., the Parthenon also served as the treasury. While much of the marble temple has been ravaged through the centuries, visitors can still marvel (from afar) at the colonnade of columns and decorative panels featuring various events in Greek mythology, including, the sacking of Troy.
2Erechtheion
Crafted from Pentelic marble like the Parthenon, Erechtheion is similar to the famed Greek monument in more ways than. The Erechtheion too is a temple and is dedicated to Athena. However, this is a twin temple where Athena shares space with the God of the Sea, Poseidon. Built in the Ionic style of Greek architecture, the temple is unusual since it lacks the symmetry found in most Greek structures. The most remarkable feature of the temple was its south porch where six, stone-carved maidens stood as pillars supporting the roof, creating the ‘Porch of Maiden’. However, these figurines (five of them) can now be viewed at the Acropolis Museum while the sixth is part of the British museum’s collection.
3Temple of Athena Nike
Located at the southwest corner of the complex and sitting at a height is the Temple of Athena Nike – dedicated to Athena, the goddess of war, and Nike, the goddess of victory. A compact construction, the temple was designed by Kallikrates, the genius architect who also created the Parthenon.
4Propylaea
Sitting close to the Temple of Athena Nike is the grand gateway hall to the complex – the Propylaea. Located immediately behind the western gate, this ceremonial hall features Ionic-style pillars. Largely left unfinished during the time of the Greeks, the original plans for the structure included five halls with the central hall meant to be used for processions. However, only the main hall flanked by two wings was completed.
5Odeon of Herodes Atticus
At the base of the Acropolis sits the Odeon of Herodes Atticus – a Roman-era amphitheatre built in AD 161. Built by Herodes Atticus, a Roman senator, in memory of his wife, Regilla, the grand amphitheatre seats an audience of 5,000 in a semi-circle format and hosts a large stage. The celebrated venue is fronted by a three-storey rock wall while the interiors are made from Pentelic marble. The site was restored in the 1950s and has since hosted international artists including Sinatra, Sting, Pavarotti, and Bocelli.
Acropolis: Essential information
Opening Hours
The Acropolis in Athens opens at 8am every day, throughout the year. However, closing time depends on the season. They are listed below:
From Jan 1 - March 31:
- Wednesday to Monday: 8:30am - 3:30pm
- Tuesday: 1pm - 8pm
From April 1 - Oct 31:
- Wednesday to Monday: 8am - 8am
- Tuesday: 1pm - 8pm
From Nov 1 - Dec 31:
- Monday: 8:30am - 5pm
- Tuesday: 1pm - 8pm
- Wednesday to Sunday: 8:30am - 3:30pm
Getting to the Acropolis
- By metro: Opt for the M2 (Red Line) and get off at the Acropoli Metro Station – a two-minute walk from the monument complex.
- By bus: Bus number 230 stops closest to the Acropolis’ main entrance. Other numbers like 035, 040, 550, and A2 stop about 5 minutes away from the attraction.
- By tram: Embark on T6 and take the tram to Leoforos Vouliagmenis – this is a 7-minute walk from the southeast entrance of the Acropolis.
- By trolleybus: Lines 1, 5, and 15 stop by Makrygiannē and Gargaretta – offering visitors a scenic route to the Acropolis. From these two drop-offs, the Acropolis is a 8 to 10 minute walk.
Rules and regulations
- Since 2023, the monument only allows timed visits, only allowing a set number of people in every hour. Make sure you do not miss your time slot.
- The security at the site conducts routine searches of bags.
- You are strictly forbidden from touching the monuments and are not allowed entry into many sections of the complex as it is being preserved.
- Climbing stones and walls is not allowed.
- You are allowed a water bottle but eating or consumption of other beverages is not allowed at the premises.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited.
- Luggage and large bags are not allowed inside as they may cause damage to the structure.
- Usage of professional cameras and equipment, including, tripods requires prior permission from the monument’s authorities.
- Pets are not allowed. However, service animals are allowed after you submit the necessary documentation.
Insider tips
Here are some handy tips to keep in mind while booking your Acropolis tour:
- When you’re visiting a city like Athens, you’ll want to see as many attractions as possible. Get yourself a combination ticket that includes more than one attraction so you can make the most of your visit.
- The best time to visit Acropolis is either at 8 am when it opens, or just before closing time when crowds are less. Book your tickets in advance so you can choose your timings and secure your spot.
- If you dislike waiting in long lines, get yourself the skip-the-line guided tour. Save time and head right in.
- You’ll be doing a lot of walking and climbing so make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes and clothing.
- The Acropolis is generally quite crowded in summer and temperatures are also high. If you’re looking at avoiding large tourist groups, maybe opt for a winter tour instead.
- Know which Acropolis entrance you must enter from in advance to avoid spending time in the wrong queues.
FAQs
Which is the best Acropolis tour while traveling with children?
Which is the best Acropolis tour while traveling with children?
What time do Acropolis tours typically start?
What time do Acropolis tours typically start?
Which is the best Acropolis guided tour for budget travellers?
Which is the best Acropolis guided tour for budget travellers?
How long are Acropolis tours typically?
How long are Acropolis tours typically?
Will the prices change for a smaller/larger private group?
Will the prices change for a smaller/larger private group?
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