Visiting the Acropolis in 2026: what has changed
The Acropolis is the rocky hill above the centre of Athens with the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia gateway and the small Temple of Athena Nike. Your ticket also covers the north and south slopes, including the Theatre of Dionysus.
A few things work differently than in older guides. Every visitor needs a ticket with a time slot, the old combined ticket for Athens' archaeological sites was abolished in April 2025, and since June 2026 the west side of the Parthenon is free of scaffolding for the first time in years. Prices now stay the same all year.
Plan your visit to the Acropolis
Start with the ticket and the time of day. Everything else follows from there.
Acropolis tickets
Official price, time slots, free days and the difference between official tickets and resellers.
Opening hours
Summer and winter hours, last entry, closed days and what happens on very hot days.
Guided tours
When a guide is worth it, and why many tours do not include the entry ticket.
Acropolis Museum
The original Caryatids and the Parthenon gallery, a few minutes from the south entrance.
The Parthenon
History, the 1687 explosion, the restoration and where the sculptures are today.
Plaka
The old town on the slopes below the Acropolis, with the tiny Anafiotika quarter.
Our picks: Acropolis tours
An evening tour with the last light, a small-group tour with the museum and the most-booked guided tour.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Acropolis tour in the late afternoon
A guided walk on the Acropolis as the sun goes down, when the day crowds have left. The entry ticket is included only if you choose that option.
Check availability →Parthenon, Acropolis and Museum small-group tour
The hill and the Acropolis Museum with the same guide, in a small group. Check which tickets your option includes before you book.
Check availability →Acropolis, Parthenon and Acropolis Museum guided tour
The most-booked guided tour. The price is for the guide; the €30 Acropolis ticket and the museum ticket are added only if you select them.
Check availability →More Acropolis tickets and tours
Timed tickets with audio guide, early and evening tours and combinations with the Acropolis Museum, with live prices and availability.
Four tips that make your Acropolis visit easier
The details that decide whether you enjoy the hill or queue in the sun.
Book the 8 am slot in summer
From June to August midday temperatures average 32 to 34 °C, and groups arrive between about 9 and 13 o'clock. The first slot of the day is the coolest and calmest.
Best time to visit →Use the south entrance
The south entrance on Dionysiou Areopagitou is about 5 minutes from Akropoli metro station and usually quieter than the main west entrance, where tour buses arrive.
Getting to the Acropolis →Buy the official ticket
The official ticket costs €30 on tickets.hh.gr or at the ticket office. Resellers charge more and add free cancellation or an audio guide. There is no official skip-the-line ticket.
Acropolis tickets →Come prepared for the heat
There is almost no shade on the plateau, and the polished marble is slippery. Wear flat shoes with grip, bring water and a hat, and use the toilets before you go in.
Opening hours and heat closures →More to see around the Acropolis
The ancient city continues at the foot of the hill. These sites have their own tickets.
Acropolis of Athens: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the Acropolis?
The official ticket costs €30 in 2026, or €15 reduced. Visitors from EU countries up to the age of 25 and children from outside the EU up to 18 enter free with ID. The ticket covers the hill and the north and south slopes.
Do I need to book the Acropolis in advance?
Every ticket has a time slot, so booking ahead is the safe choice, especially from April to October. You can also buy at the ticket office, but in high season often only late slots are left.
What are the Acropolis opening hours?
From 1 April to 31 August 8:00 to 20:00, with earlier closing times in steps through September and October. From 1 November to 31 March 8:00 to 17:00. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
Is there still an Athens combined ticket?
No. The combined ticket was abolished on 1 April 2025. You now buy a separate ticket for each site, for example €20 each for the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
How long do you need at the Acropolis?
Plan about two hours for the hill and the south slope. Add two hours for the Acropolis Museum, which needs its own €20 ticket.
Is the Acropolis accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, there is a lift up to the plateau for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. It starts from a separate entrance north of the main entrance; call the guards' office about an hour before your visit.