Acropolis opening hours at a glance
The Acropolis opens at 8:00 every day of the year except on a few public holidays. In summer it closes at 20:00, in winter at 17:00. In September and October the closing time moves earlier in half-hour steps. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
These hours apply to the rock and the slopes. Your ticket still needs a time slot, and since the slots fill from the morning, the opening hours tell you only half of the story. The other half is the heat and the crowds, which are covered further down.
Opening hours 2026 by season
The winter hours shown apply to winter 2026/27.
| Period | Opening hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April to 31 August | 08:00–20:00 | 19:30 |
| 1 to 15 September | 08:00–19:30 | 19:00 |
| 16 to 30 September | 08:00–19:00 | 18:30 |
| 1 to 15 October | 08:00–18:30 | 18:00 |
| 16 to 31 October | 08:00–18:00 | 17:30 |
| 1 November to 31 March | 08:00–17:00 | 16:30 |
One official information page gives last entry as 20 minutes before closing, while the ticket shop and the ministry's site page say 30 minutes. Plan with 30 minutes. The museum shop at the entrance is open 08:00 to 19:30 in summer and 08:00 to 17:00 in winter.
Our picks: tours at the quiet times of day
Late afternoon, the first entry of the morning and an early start with the museum.
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 hill as the sun goes down and the day crowds leave. The entry ticket is included only if you choose that option.
Check availability →
First-entry Acropolis and Parthenon guided tour
Starts with the first entry of the day, before the groups arrive. The price is for the guide; the €30 Acropolis ticket is added only if you choose that option.
Check availability →Early morning guided tour of the Acropolis and Museum
An early start for cooler temperatures. The price is for the guide; the €30 Acropolis ticket is added only if you choose that option.
Check availability →Acropolis tickets and tours
Early morning and late afternoon tours, timed tickets with audio guide and combinations with the Acropolis Museum, with live prices and availability.
Closed days and Easter
The Acropolis is closed on these days:
- 1 January
- 25 March
- 1 May
- Orthodox Easter Sunday
- 25 and 26 December
Around Orthodox Easter the hours are shorter: on Good Friday the site opens from 12:00 to 17:00, on Holy Saturday from 08:30 to 15:30. Orthodox Easter often falls on a different date than Western Easter, so check the date for your year.
Some websites list 15 August and 28 October as closed days. That is wrong: 28 October is one of the official free days, when entry costs nothing and the hill is very busy.
North slope in winter
From 1 November, the north slope is open only from 08:30 to 15:30, even though the rock itself stays open until 17:00.
Heat closures
On very hot days the Ministry of Culture can close the Acropolis around midday. There is no official temperature threshold. The ministry decides day by day.
Past examples show the pattern:
- July 2023: closed from 12:00 to 17:00
- 12 and 13 June 2024: closed from 12:00 to 17:00
- 8 July 2025: closed from 13:00 to 17:00
- 22 and 23 July 2025: closed for 5 hours from midday
If you visit from June to August, book an early slot. A midday closure then does not affect you, and the early morning is cooler anyway. If your slot falls in a closure, check your options on tickets.hh.gr, where you can change a booking up to 2 hours before the slot.
Strikes
Strikes by site guards have closed the Acropolis for whole days in the past. If you are visiting soon, check the Ministry of Culture's announcements the evening before your visit, and again in the morning if a strike has been mentioned in the news.
Late slots: what last entry really means
There is no time limit once you are inside, but everyone has to leave at closing time. With last entry at 19:30 in summer, a 19:30 slot gives you only half an hour on the hill. Outside high summer the last 1.5 to 2 hours before closing are often the quietest, so book a slot that leaves you at least that much time. In winter, remember that the north slope already closes at 15:30. On free days the hours stay the same, but the site is very busy.
Hours of nearby sites
Each of these has its own ticket. Winter hours apply from 1 November to 31 March.
| Site | Summer | Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Acropolis Museum | Mon 09–17, Tue to Sun 09–20, Fri 09–22 | Mon to Thu 09–17, Fri 09–22, Sat and Sun 09–20 |
| Temple of Olympian Zeus | 08:00–20:00, earlier in autumn | 08:00–15:00 |
| Ancient Agora | from 08:00, closing time varies by source | from 08:00, closing time varies by source |
| Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library, Kerameikos | as the Acropolis | 08:00–15:00 |
| Areopagus, Philopappos Hill | free, open access | free, open access |
The Acropolis Museum uses its own summer season from 1 April to 31 October, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. It is closed on 1 January, Orthodox Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25 and 26 December, and open 09:00 to 15:00 on 24 and 31 December. Friday evenings until 22:00 are a good fit after a late Acropolis visit. More on the Acropolis Museum page. Philopappos Hill is open around the clock but can be closed when the fire risk is high.
Acropolis opening hours: frequently asked questions
What time does the Acropolis open?
At 8:00 all year. It closes at 20:00 from April to August, at 17:00 from November to March, and in half-hour steps in between during September and October.
When is the last entry to the Acropolis?
30 minutes before closing: 19:30 in summer and 16:30 in winter. Your time slot must also be before that.
Is the Acropolis open on Sundays and public holidays?
It is open on Sundays. It is closed on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Orthodox Easter Sunday and 25 and 26 December. On 28 October it is open and free.
Does the Acropolis close when it is hot?
Sometimes. In heatwaves the ministry has closed it from around midday to 17:00. There is no fixed temperature limit, so book an early slot in summer.
Is the Acropolis open at night?
Not for regular visitors. The only official evening option is the private Acropolis Experience starting at 20:00, at €5,000 per group. The lit-up hill is easy to see from Philopappos Hill or the Areopagus.