Attraction
Acropolis Museum
Bernard Tschumi's glass-and-concrete museum at the foot of the Acropolis, opened in 2009, displaying the Parthenon sculptures in a gallery aligned with the temple.
Acropolis of Athens
The rocky citadel above Athens crowned by the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Propylaea and Temple of Athena Nike, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
At a glance
- Type
- Ancient citadel, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Area
- Acropolis, Athens, Greece
- Official site
- odysseus.culture.gr
Good to know
- Timed-entry tickets
- Online booking
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
Why we recommend it
The Acropolis is the reason Athens appears on almost every list of the world's great cities. The limestone outcrop rises 150 metres above sea level in the middle of the modern capital, and on its summit stand the marble buildings of the city's golden age under Pericles. UNESCO inscribed the site on its World Heritage List in 1987, and for many visitors the first sight of the Parthenon from a street below is the moment the trip begins.
The Parthenon itself was built in roughly 460 to 430 BC, replacing an earlier temple destroyed when the Persians sacked Athens in 480 BC. Its architects were Ictinus and Callicrates, with the sculptor Phidias overseeing the decoration. You enter through the Propylaea, the monumental gateway begun by Mnesicles in 437 BC, with the small Temple of Athena Nike perched on a bastion to the right. Across the summit is the Erechtheion, built between 421 and 406 BC, with its famous porch of maidens, the Caryatids. The originals of many sculptures are now displayed in the Acropolis Museum at the foot of the hill.
Entry is controlled by a timed ticket system introduced in 2023, which caps daily numbers and allocates visitors to hourly slots, so buy tickets online in advance through the official e-ticketing service and arrive for your slot. Mornings are busiest, partly because of cruise passengers, so the first slot of the day or the late afternoon is usually calmer. In summer the summit is very exposed: wear a hat, bring water, and choose closed shoes with good grip, because the marble paths are uneven and polished smooth by millions of feet.
Allow around two hours for the summit and the slopes. The south slope holds the Theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and a combined ticket for the main archaeological sites is worth considering if you also plan to see the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Families with children will find the site rewarding, though pushchairs are hard work on the steps.
The nearest metro station is Akropoli on Line 2, a short walk from the south entrance on Dionysiou Areopagitou, the pedestrian avenue that circles the hill. Pair the visit with the Acropolis Museum next door, then walk down through Plaka or across to Philopappos Hill for the best view back towards the Parthenon.
Acropolis of Athens FAQs
When was the Parthenon built?
It was built in roughly 460 to 430 BC under Pericles, replacing an earlier temple destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC.
Who designed the Parthenon?
The architects were Ictinus and Callicrates, with the sculptor Phidias responsible for the sculptural programme.
Do I need to book a time slot?
Yes, entry uses a timed ticket system with hourly slots and a daily cap, so book online in advance through the official e-ticketing service.
When is the best time to visit?
The first slot of the morning or late afternoon, as mid-morning is the busiest time.
How long should I allow?
Around two hours for the summit and the south slope.
What should I wear?
Closed shoes with good grip, a hat and sun protection; the marble paths are uneven and slippery.
Where are the original sculptures?
Many are in the Acropolis Museum at the foot of the hill, about 280 metres from the Parthenon.
Which metro station is nearest?
Akropoli on Line 2, a short walk from the south entrance on Dionysiou Areopagitou.