See Parthenon sculptures, glass floor excavations, and ancient Athenian treasures at the Acropolis Museum. Upgrade your experience with optional entry to the Acropolis’ legendary monuments, complete with skip-the-line access and audio tours in multiple languages.
Head straight to the entrance of the Acropolis Museum, scan your printed or mobile ticket at the validating machines, and step inside at your own pace. If you’ve chosen the guided walking tour option, your journey begins at the Athenian Tours office, Mitsaion 2, 11742 Athens, just a short walk from the Acropolis. Here, you’ll meet your licensed guide and your small group, limited to just 22 participants for a more personal experience.
Begin your visit in the Gallery of the Slopes, where pottery, toys, and offerings from homes, sanctuaries, and workshops reveal everyday life beneath the Parthenon—the rhythms of a city that became the cradle of democracy.
Continue into the Archaic Gallery, where statues of kouroi and korai, noble young men and women, greet you with enigmatic smiles. Here, the museum’s glass floor and natural light bring these sculptures to life, while your guide or audio narration reveals how these works marked the dawn of classical art.
The Parthenon Gallery, mirroring the temple’s dimensions and orientation, showcases the original frieze of the Panathenaic Procession. Walk around the sculptures as ancient Athenians once did, while views of the Acropolis through glass walls create a stunning link between past and present.
Before you leave, explore the museum’s underground excavation site, where walkways reveal the remains of a real Athenian neighborhood from the 5th century BC. Wander past ancient courtyards, homes, and workshops, offering a glimpse into the lived experiences of ordinary Athenians.
If you’ve selected the combo tour, continue beyond the museum to explore the Acropolis itself. Your climb begins at the Propylaea, the grand marble gateway that once greeted ancient pilgrims and dignitaries as they stepped onto the sacred rock.
Next, pause at the Temple of Athena Nike, a small but elegant shrine built to honor the goddess of victory. Here, Athenians celebrated their triumphs by adorning their temple with graceful carvings of winged figures, timeless symbols of hope and success.
Marvel at the Erechtheion, where Athena’s olive tree triumphed over Poseidon’s trident, and the graceful Caryatids still guard the sacred ground of their legendary contest.
Built under Pericles, the Parthenon was a statement of power, wealth, and civic pride. Your guide will recount how its sculpted friezes captured the Panathenaic Procession, placing mortal Athenians alongside gods, a daring reflection of the city’s democratic ideals.
Descending, you’ll reach the Theater of Dionysus, where Athenians once gathered for festivals honoring the god of wine and theatre. Finally, stand before the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a later Roman addition still in use today, where concerts echo under the stars, linking past and present in a single living tradition.
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Carry a valid ID or student card so you can benefit from reduced admission fees where applicable.
Download the audio guides in advance to avoid connectivity issues on-site.
Bring your own earphones for a more convenient and immersive audio experience.
Keep some cash or a credit card on hand to shop for souvenirs or enjoy a coffee at the museum café.
Wear closed-toe shoes to move through the museum galleries with ease and explore the surrounding archaeological sites comfortably.
Bring a light jacket or scarf, as the museum’s air-conditioned rooms can feel cooler than the outside temperatures.
Don’t forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses if you plan to walk around the Acropolis itself before or after your museum visit, since shade is limited outdoors.
Use a small bag or backpack for your essentials, as large items will need to be checked into the cloakroom at the entrance.
Flash photography, tripods, and commercial video equipment are strictly prohibited inside the galleries; photography without flash is allowed in most areas except the Archaic Acropolis Gallery.
Large backpacks or bulky luggage are not permitted and must be left at the cloakroom on the ground floor.
Food and drinks, besides plain drinking water, are not allowed in the museum.
Pets are not allowed in the museum, except for certified service animals.
The Acropolis Museum is fully wheelchair accessible, offering special ramps at all entrances and elevator access to every floor.
Accessible restrooms are available throughout the building.
You can borrow wheelchairs free of charge from the Visitor Services or Information Desk.
Guide dogs are welcome within the museum, and Braille guides in both Greek and English are available at the Information Desk to assist visitors with visual impairments.
If you want to visit the Acropolis archaeological site itself, you can use the elevator near the South Slope entrance. However, its operation is managed entirely by the venue and may not always be in service. Contact the site a day before your visit at +30 210 3214172 or +30 210 9238470 to confirm availability.
On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve (December 24 and 31), the Acropolis Museum is open from 9am to 3pm.
Head straight to the entrance of each site and scan your printed or mobile ticket at the validating machines to enter on your own. If you’re joining the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum guided walking tour, meet your guide at the Athenian Tours office, Mitsaion 2, 11742 Athens.
To avoid peak crowds, arrive when the museum opens at 9am, or go in the late afternoon, around 2pm to 3pm, particularly during the summer months from June to August.
All visitors must pass through a quick security screening at the entrance. Expect to wait around 5 to 10 minutes at the entrance, although during the peak summer months from June to August, the wait may extend up to 15 minutes.
You can enter the Acropolis Museum through a separate entrance that leads directly to the exhibition areas, then proceed to scan your ticket at the validating machines located on the ground floor.
Plan to spend at least 2 to 3 hours inside the museum to explore the permanent exhibits, admire the architecture, and enjoy the café and views.
Visit the café or restaurant on the second floor to relax mid-visit, recharge, and take in stellar views of the Acropolis.
The Acropolis Museum offers free admission on March 6 (Melina Mercouri Day), March 25 (National Holiday), May 18 (International Museums Day), and October 28 (National Holiday).
EU citizens aged 25 and under receive free admission year-round upon presenting a valid ID or passport to confirm their age and nationality.
Children up to age 5, regardless of nationality, enter free of charge with proof of age.
Non-EU visitors aged 6 to 25 are eligible for reduced admission, provided they present a passport verifying their age and country of origin.
Seniors over 65 from EU member states receive reduced admission upon showing an ID or passport.
Persons with disabilities, along with one escort if the disability is 80 percent or more, are granted free entry upon presentation of appropriate documentation.
This activity is non-refundable and cannot be cancelled. Variant-specific cancellation policies may apply.
