Explore the Roman Agora, Athens’ lively marketplace of the past, with a multilingual audio guide that brings to life stories of traders, travelers, and scholars who once gathered beneath its grand marble gate and iconic Tower of the Winds.
You’ll receive your ticket by email—just download the app and audio guide onto your smartphone before your visit. With offline access to narration, maps, and images, you can simply arrive at the entrance of the Roman Agora, put on your headphones, and begin your self-paced journey into the daily rhythms of ancient Athens.
Start at the striking Gate of Athena Archegetis, a marble entrance gifted to the city by Julius Caesar and Augustus. Once the main gateway into the Roman marketplace, its towering Doric columns symbolized prosperity under Roman rule. As your guide narrates, imagine merchants, philosophers, and citizens streaming through this very gate, their voices carrying through the heart of the Agora.
Next, head to the octagonal Tower of the Winds, one of antiquity’s first ‘clocks’—a structure that combined sundials, a water clock, and sculpted reliefs of the eight wind gods. Your audio guide explains how Athenians looked to the tower not just for the time of day but for direction, weather, and a sense of cosmic order, an early blend of science and myth.
Wander past the fountain house that supplied water to the bustling market and the Vespasianae, public latrines that reveal the Romans’ practical approach to civic life. Peer into the remains of ancient shops, where goods and gossip alike were traded. Through vivid anecdotes, your audio tour paints a picture of a marketplace that was as much a social center as it was a commercial hub.
Your visit ends at the 15th-century Mosque of the Conqueror, built during the Ottoman era atop the ruins of the Roman marketplace. Once a place of worship and later repurposed as a museum and storage hall, it reflects the many cultures that have shaped Athens. With the Acropolis rising above, the site brings together Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman legacies in one remarkable setting.
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Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes; the site’s ancient paving and uneven ground can make walking tricky.
Bring a hat and sunscreen to stay comfortable in the sun.
Keep your smartphone fully charged so it lasts for the duration of the audio tour.
Use your own headphones for the best listening experience during the tour.
Flash photography and tripods are prohibited. Any professional filming or photography must be approved in advance by the Ministry.
Drones are not permitted without special authorization.
Pets are not allowed inside the site, though certified service animals are welcome.
Please do not touch, move, or remove stones, pottery fragments, or other remains; these antiquities are safeguarded by Greek law.
The Roman Agora is partially wheelchair accessible, offering access for visitors with reduced mobility through the main entrance on Dioskouron Street. However, much of the site has uneven terrain and ancient paving, so access inside is limited.
An alternate entry on Pelopida Street also allows access to the Horologion (Tower of the Winds) for wheelchair users.
The museum on-site is fully accessible, and visitors with visual impairments can make use of Braille signage and tactile maps.
Each booking is valid for one device; if you’ll use multiple devices, make sure to book separately for each.
You can enter the archaeological site only during your selected time slot. Your ticket is valid from 15 minutes before until 15 minutes after your chosen slot.
Arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for security and entry. Note that entry is permitted up to 20 minutes before closing time.
After booking, you’ll receive an email with instructions to access and download your audio tour; be sure to also check your spam folder.
You’ll need an Android smartphone (version 5.0 or later) or an iOS device (version 15.0 or later). The audio tour is not compatible with Windows Phones, iPhone 6/6 Plus or earlier, iPod Touch 6th generation or earlier, iPad 4th generation or earlier, iPad Air 1st generation, or iPad Mini 3rd generation or earlier.
Make sure your phone has 100 to 150 MB of free storage space to download the audio tour.
Routes within the site may vary, and some restrictions may apply—please follow all posted guidance while on-site.
Opening hours vary seasonally: from November to March, the site is open from 8am to 3pm, while from April to August, it is open from 8am to 7:30pm, with closing times gradually reduced in September and October; last entry is always 30 minutes before closing.
EU citizens up to 25 years old enjoy free admission year-round with a valid ID or passport.
Non-EU visitors aged 6 to 25 are eligible for discounted admission with a valid ID or passport.
Children under 5 years old enter free of charge.
Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Variant-specific cancellation policies may apply.
